KSU’s hockey club functioned as a well oiled machine Saturday against the University of Tampa, beating Tampa 7-3.
The double header between these teams led the Owls to a 6-0 record with wins on both Friday (7-1) and Saturday.
“Rankings will start first week of November,” Coach Bill Morrison said. “We’re gearing up for the rankings.”
Larry Adegoke led the Owls’ offense with a hat trick Saturday, including a slap shot from the blue line. The other four goals for the Owls were scored by Dylan Conklin, Patrick Provencher and Cory Prinzbach.
“It’s not more about individual stats, it’s more about the team stats,” Adegoke said. “Everybody came out to play tonight with a slow first period. I was just glad to help the team.”
Prinzbach scored the first goal of the game halfway through the first period that was quickly followed up by a goal by Tampa.
“The first goal, their player poke checked it and hit the hot spot,” goaltender Devon Morrison said. “When the puck hits that spot on the pads, it angles perfectly into the net. It was just one of those things.”
Freshman defensive players Conklin and Taylor Morin were key in holding Tampa to three goals. The two broke up several scoring opportunities for the Spartans.
Conklin had a few scoring opportunities of his own with several slap shots from the blue line, with one crossing the goal line.
He also assisted the offense by keeping the puck in the Spartan’s zone at all costs even from his butt using his feet, legs and stick.
“Goaltending is not as hard as it seems,” Morrison said. “You really have one main goal to stop the puck. You just have to focus on what’s going on and you’re almost trying to predict how the game is going to flow.”
Morrison had many instances where he had three or four shots on goal within seconds and held his own.
“I got hit a lot, but that’s what happens when you don’t move the puck quick enough,” Adegoke said.
The game became heated between the two teams early with roughing penalties on both teams. The game resulted in nine penalties on Tampa and eight against the Owls.
One penalty resulted in a minor injury to Spartan’s Spencer Indermaur who needed assistance off the ice, but later returned to the game.
“Thursday night is Minor Hockey Night where we will be supporting minor hockey,” Coach Morrison said. “We’re going to set a record Thursday of most goals scored [against Georgia Tech.]”
The Owls play at 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 against the Life Running Eagles and10 p.m. Saturday Oct. 27 against the Clemson Tigers at the Iceforum in Kennesaw.
