The University of Tampa swept the Florida Institute of Technology in two games Jan. 28 and 29. The first one was at their home rink, Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar. The team won handily 10-1. Alternate captain Phil Gilchrist scored six of the team’s ten goals.
“I am very proud of the team’s overall performance that night,” Gilchrist said.
The next night, the team traveled to Melbourne to face FIT at their home rink. UT prevailed in that contest, taking it 9-1.
There were a lot of goals scored, but there were also a lot of penalties committed.
“That’s just all part of the game. It’s very frustrating at times but you can’t let it get to your head or [you] will never be successful in the end, when only the score counts,” Gilchrist said.
In the second game alone, UT accumulated 24 penalties. Despite the extended time on the penalty kill, the UT team didn’t let in a single power play goal in either game. They also managed to score a short-handed goal in each game, scoring on a 5-on-3 man disadvantage in the second contest.
“It’s all about making up for those mistakes and continue to play our game,” Gilchrist said.
That 5-on-3 goal impressed Head Coach Steve Kucera.
“In all of my time playing hockey, I don’t think a team I played on ever scored on a 5-on-3 [man disadvantage],” Kucera said.
What has been the key to the special teams’ success? Practice.
“We work on the penalty kill in every practice. It’s awesome to see good results from our hard work,” Gilchrist said.
It’s important that the team keeps the success of the special teams’ play going.
“If we want to be a contender next season, the special teams need to be strong like it was against FIT,” Gilchrist said.
The penalty kill wasn’t the only challenge that UT overcame for their victories. The crowd at FIT was another obstacle for the team to handle en route to another win.
“The crowd was really rowdy, trying to get into the guys’ heads,” Kucera said. “But I think the score speaks for itself.”
Now, the team is preparing for two home games this weekend. They will be hosting the University of North Florida on Friday night at 9:30 p.m. and a Saturday matinee game at 2:15 p.m.
According to Gilchrist, they will need to be more careful and not take as many penalties this weekend.
“These are big for us; we’re going to have to come out flying and play all 60 minutes of hockey,” Gilchrist said. “We cannot afford to take penalties. A team like UNF will for sure capitalize on them. We have to play smart hockey and if we do that, we will win these games.”
The afternoon game will be a little different, since the team is used to playing late night games. “Mentally, everything is going to be the same. Preparation wise, we’ll all be going to bed a little earlier,” Gilchrist said.
After the games this weekend, UT will travel up to Jacksonville to face UNF at their home rink for two games on Feb. 25 and 26.
“These could be our last games of the season, so we’re going to leave it all out on the ice,” Gilchrist said.
April Weiner can be reached at april.weiner@spartans.ut.edu.