KSU’s club hockey team filled the Iceforum with 2,200 fans at its home exhibition game against the University of Georgia on Friday night.
The Owls fought hard through the entire game, outshooting the Bulldogs 63 shots-on-goal to to 14.
“They did unbelievable,” Owls Assistant coach Bill Morrison said. “[UGA’s] goaltender was outstanding.”
“The team’s biggest struggle in this game was following through and finishing shots,” Morrison said. “That this is why there are scrimmages, to work out the kinks.”
The Owls standout player of the game was sophomore defenseman Dylan Conklin. He broke up multiple Bulldog plays, including two breakaways that were good scoring opportunities for UGA.
Conklin said that the only thought going through his head during those plays was, “don’t let him pass you.”
Ritual workouts are key for Conklin. He is in the gym every morning preparing for the games.
Conklin was not the only standout player for the Owls Friday night. Sophomore Mike Pearson continued a play for KSU from his knees, passing the puck to a fellow teammate.
The Owls kept the puck primarily in UGA territory throughout the game creating standout plays. The few times the puck entered the Owl’s territory, several KSU players took it away. Sophomore Patrick Provencher brought many of these plays back up the ice for the Owls.
The players became heated on the ice during the second period. A fight broke out in front of the Bulldog’s net between UGA’s defenseman and KSU freshman Morin Taylor, resulting in a two minute penalty for both players.
UGA had a total of eight penalties to KSU’s four. These penalties did not result in a scoring opportunity for either team.
A score by the Owls in the second period went uncounted when the referee blew the whistle after losing sight of the puck, as well as a score at the end of the game, one second after the buzzer.
The only goal of the game was scored with 4:21 left in the second period by UGA.
KSU attempted pulling the goalie multiple times in the third period to add an extra skater to the ice, but these efforts did not result in a score by the Owls.
The scrimmage was both practice for the Owls as well as a fundraiser. The Owls sold KSU hockey apparel including shirts, sweatshirts and jerseys to raise money for ice time.
“This fundraiser is to raise money for camps that we set up for young kids interested in hockey,” Morrison said.
The Owls will start their regular season at the Iceforum next Friday against the University of Alabama Crimson Tide at 10 p.m.