The Kennesaw State men’s club ice hockey team faced Georgia Tech for its first game of 2020, falling behind early and losing to the Yellow Jackets 5-1 on Friday, Jan. 10.
KSU struggled on defense early in the game, conceding its first goal halfway through the first period while the second goal was conceded with just seconds remaining. Offensive chances were close to even for both teams in the first, but the Yellow Jackets went into the locker room with a 2-0 lead.
Trailing by two goals as they entered the second period, the Owls knew that some adjustments needed to be made.
“We knew we had to be quicker, and we really had to be on the puck more,” team captain and forward Ian McDonald said. “When we get [scoring chances], we have to bury them — we knew that’s what it was going to take to win the game.”
After a scoreless second period, the Owls had 20 minutes to close the two-goal deficit. As the final period began, KSU came out on the attack and gained some much-needed momentum.
“We were rolling [in the third period], we were ready to go,” McDonald said. “We take every period like a zero-zero game. It doesn’t matter whether we are up five or down five.”
Despite having several chances in the first few minutes, KSU could not break through. The game’s momentum belonged to the Owls through the start of the period, but the team could not convert its chances into goals.
The momentum shift was short-lived, as GT put another goal away on a counter-attack five minutes into the third period. With just 15 minutes remaining, the Yellow Jackets held a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Owls would respond just three minutes later, as McDonald finally put the Owls on the board with a goal. Although KSU still trailed 3-1, the team increased its energy level.
KSU had the momentum again after the goal, employing an aggressive offensive approach. GT quickly took advantage of the Owls’ positioning, adding two empty-net goals to secure the win.
