Happy Belated Halloween!
Jack Sherman, a fellow Mass Media employee and sportswriter, has been doing something over the past couple of issues that has really inspired me. Recently, he has been asked to write about sports he does not know much about. Last week, he wrote an amazing article about his experience at the volleyball game, despite not knowing much about volleyball. The week before that, he did the same but with tennis. This week, I am in a similar position. I was tasked with covering the hockey teams here on campus. I know the basics about hockey, but I definitely did learn a couple of things as I wrote this article. So, join me as we learn more about the UMass Boston hockey teams together.
Let’s start with the men’s hockey team. More than half of the men’s hockey team are new players at the collegiate level due to COVID, with the specific number being 13 out of the 30 players. You have to remember the last time they played was two years ago, so most of the people that are returning were freshmen and sophomores when they last played, with the exception of Evan Heldt, who was a junior and is now a grad student.
Two years ago, the men went 14–11–1. Obviously, a lot of the players that contributed this season have graduated, but there were two players that played a big role on that team and are still on the team today. Ethan Nitkin and Chris Peters had 12 and 11 goals respectively. Nitkin started 25 of 26 games and scored 12 goals, which was second only to Nolan Redler who has since graduated. Peters was third in assists and scored four more goals than the two guys in front of him.
This past weekend, they played in a Halloween Tournament. They started off the tournament on Friday, Oct. 29, and they beat UMass Dartmouth with a score of 4–3. Bailey Conger scored two of the goals, and Ethan Nitkin and Jeffrey Skinner each scored one goal apiece.
The first home game is going to be Friday, Nov. 12, against the University of Southern Maine Huskies at 7 p.m. Over the years, the Beacons have beaten the Huskies 17 times and only lost nine times. This should make for a good game on Friday, so I expect to see everyone there!
If you thought the men’s team didn’t have many returning players, the women’s team has even less. The women’s hockey team will only have eight returning players this season.
Their first game was Saturday, Oct. 30, against the Suffolk Rams, and their next home game is on Friday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m., against Norwich University. The day after that, Nov. 6 at 3 p.m., is the annual “Pink at the Rink” night, which is the breast cancer fundraising event. It will also be the alumni game. That game is against New England College.
One last quick note: the ice rink is not cold. I know, I was skeptical at first, but the rink is somehow actually pretty warm. A simple sweater or hoodie is enough to be in the rink. Trust me, it is not as bad as it may seem. I am mentioning this so you don’t have an excuse not to go to any of the games listed above. Look forward to seeing everyone there! Go Beacons!