Spring Break
Hockey sweeps weekend's games
Sean Labar
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Sports
The ECU ice hockey team made its presence known by beating both Virginia Tech and Richmond at home last weekend. The Pirates (6-4, 3-0) have the momentum to do big things as the latter portion of the season approaches.
The Pirates hit the ice Friday in an attempt to knock off the No. 3 Hokies of Virginia Tech (6-5). Freshman Dave ' Cheese' Orlando stole the show against the visiting Hokies locking up two goals, from his forward position. Though Virginia Tech and ECU battled back-and-forth all night, the Pirates' defense held strong throughout the third period and landed a 6-5 win over the Hokies.
After practice on Tuesday, junior Sean Burns spoke highly of the win over Virginia Tech.
"Beating Virginia Tech was huge for us and our program as a whole," he said. "Not only did we represent us but our conference. It definitely sent a message across the board."
The Pirates carried the confidence they gained with the Virginia Tech victory on to the rink on with them on Saturday, when they hosted the University of Richmond (5-4). The hype of Friday night's win may have been a little too much for ECU, as it headed into the third period down by a goal. Freshman Brandon Lipke netted two goals in the game and was able to pull the Pirates through. Similar to Friday night, ECU stepped it up late in the game and came away with a close 5-4 victory.
"Richmond is always a great team to beat.," said Burns. " There has been some heated games with them in the past… the win was fun."
The team stressed that though the wins this weekend were huge for gaining confidence and momentum, the Pirates must stay focused as they prepare for the most critical part of their season.
President Zach Johnston commented on ECU's current position.
"We need to keep our eyes on the prize," said Johnson. "We've maintained a high level of play up to this point in the season and in order to achieve what we set out to do, that is to win the BRHC, we need to keep this same intensity throughout the rest of this semester and carry it over to the next."
The Pirates have two away games as they travel to George Washington University and Loyola College this weekend.
After Christmas break, ECU will head back home for a three-game series. The Pirates have an outstanding 14-game win streak at home and are confident if they can get past these two games that the other three will come easier.
"This weekend is a big trip for us," said Burns. "Both teams are tough…we are battling Loyola for the top spot in the league and probably will be a grind till the end of the season."
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com
The Pirates hit the ice Friday in an attempt to knock off the No. 3 Hokies of Virginia Tech (6-5). Freshman Dave ' Cheese' Orlando stole the show against the visiting Hokies locking up two goals, from his forward position. Though Virginia Tech and ECU battled back-and-forth all night, the Pirates' defense held strong throughout the third period and landed a 6-5 win over the Hokies.
After practice on Tuesday, junior Sean Burns spoke highly of the win over Virginia Tech.
"Beating Virginia Tech was huge for us and our program as a whole," he said. "Not only did we represent us but our conference. It definitely sent a message across the board."
The Pirates carried the confidence they gained with the Virginia Tech victory on to the rink on with them on Saturday, when they hosted the University of Richmond (5-4). The hype of Friday night's win may have been a little too much for ECU, as it headed into the third period down by a goal. Freshman Brandon Lipke netted two goals in the game and was able to pull the Pirates through. Similar to Friday night, ECU stepped it up late in the game and came away with a close 5-4 victory.
"Richmond is always a great team to beat.," said Burns. " There has been some heated games with them in the past… the win was fun."
The team stressed that though the wins this weekend were huge for gaining confidence and momentum, the Pirates must stay focused as they prepare for the most critical part of their season.
President Zach Johnston commented on ECU's current position.
"We need to keep our eyes on the prize," said Johnson. "We've maintained a high level of play up to this point in the season and in order to achieve what we set out to do, that is to win the BRHC, we need to keep this same intensity throughout the rest of this semester and carry it over to the next."
The Pirates have two away games as they travel to George Washington University and Loyola College this weekend.
After Christmas break, ECU will head back home for a three-game series. The Pirates have an outstanding 14-game win streak at home and are confident if they can get past these two games that the other three will come easier.
"This weekend is a big trip for us," said Burns. "Both teams are tough…we are battling Loyola for the top spot in the league and probably will be a grind till the end of the season."
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com
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