Going into Northfield fresh off a huge 6-1 win over Wesleyan University, the Lord Jeffs took to the ice against one of the best teams in the country in Norwich. With over 1,400 fans in attendance, the Cadets started the game well, scoring after just three minutes of play. The Jeffs played tough for the rest of the period, shooting six shots on goal. The Cadets, however, were able to match this effort, putting seven shots on goal. Both teams went into the second period playing well, but it was the Cadets that skated to a strong start in the second.
Coming back onto the ice in the hostile environment, the Jeffs found themselves in a 2-0 deficit after only six minutes of play after the Cadets scored on a power play. Less than five minutes later, the Cadets scored again, increasing the lead to 3-0. The Lord Jeff defense simply couldn’t keep a hold on the physical play presented to them, as the team later went down 4-0 towards the end of the second period.
The Jeffs went on to give up a goal in the third period before the final whistle, falling to Norwich 5-0 in a disappointing game. Although the loss was hard for the team, the players and coaches looked at the game as an opportunity to learn from their mistakes.
“The Norwich game was an eye opener for us,” said head coach Jack Arena. “We were able to see one of, if not the best team in the country and gauge how we stacked up. It gave the coaching staff and hopefully the players an idea of what needs to be done for us to play successfully at that level.”
Of course, the team is more than capable of handling a team of this caliber, and they aim to put the pieces of the puzzle together in order to make it work.
“We have a very fast and skilled team, [but] our biggest challenge right now is maintaining a level of composure for 60 minutes that allows us, rather than our opponents, to dictate what happens on the ice,” said defenseman Jake Hannon ’12. Although this was the case in Friday’s game, the Lord Jeffs found that they were the team in control on Saturday.
Coming into South Burlington, the Jeffs could only look up after the loss to Norwich. With about 1,000 less fans heckling them, along with an opportunity for a fresh start, the Jeffs took to the ice against St. Michael’s College ready to go. In the first period alone, the Jeffs poured 14 shots on St. Mike’s goalie, with three finding the net on power plays. Forwards Luke Arnold ’11, Joe Brock ’11 and Jamie Hawkrigg ’13 all scored goals in the first period, as the Lord Jeffs went into the second period with a 3-0 lead.
During the second period, the Jeffs continued their offensive attack, though they were unable to score. Junior goalie Cole Anderson allowed one goal to the Purple Knights, maintaining his great goalkeeping throughout the game and keeping St. Mike’s to one goal. The Jeffs left the second period with a 3-1 lead, comfortably going into the third period with plenty of momentum.
The Jeffs continued to put pressure on the Purple Knights throughout the third, and after over 16 minutes, the Jeffs put another tally on the scoreboard, as senior forward Jack Baer lit up the light to put Amherst on top 4-1. The game ended shortly thereafter, giving the Lord Jeffs a 4-2-0 record and an upbeat feeling coming back home.
The Jeffs will take on Salve Regina University this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Orr Rink, a game players are excited for.
“The Salve Regina game next weekend, just like any other game, is a must-win,” said Joe Brock. “At the end of the season, all the games matter when its playoff time, and we need to give ourselves the best chance to get into, and win, the national tournament.”