Can’t Stop the Crimson
Men’s Hockey Team Loses to Harvard University in Exhibition Game
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It was a heroic effort, but every hero must pass through the abyss. The Concordia Stingers men’s hockey team, playing their third game in three nights, hosted the Harvard Crimson this past Sunday afternoon, where the team lost 7-2 in front of a packed Ed Meagher Arena.
“Three games in three nights, let me tell you, the character in all the guys was tremendous all weekend,” said head coach Kevin Figsby. “I don’t think it gets any better. Guys gave more than they had today and that’s what we’re trying to develop as a young team.”
The Stingers, who lost both league games against l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and Queen’s this weekend, rested a few of their regulars who were writing exams. Figsby used different line combinations of his nine new players and was equally as pleased with the efforts he saw, as was his team’s leader Olivier Hinse.
“I tell them all to stay in the game and play a full 60 minutes,” said Hinse. “It’s a tough league with speed and hits; if you aren’t there 60 minutes you won’t win. I tell them all to give 100 per cent each shift.”
After Harvard took a 2-0 lead in the first, the Maroon and Gold had a big chance to regain the momentum with a four-minute power play after Hinse took a nasty high stick, but unfortunately they were unable to get a goal past visiting goaltender Steve Michalek.
Early in the second period, while the Crimson were shorthanded, defenceman Wiley Sherman was awarded a penalty shot after being fouled near the Stingers goal. Sherman converted his penalty and put the Crimson up three, by shooting low on Stingers’ goaltender Robin Billingham.
The Stingers finally got onto the board when a goalmouth scramble ensued in front of Michalek. Sophomore forward Kieran O’Neil found the back of the net five minutes into the period.
Later in the frame, with the score getting out of reach at 5-1, the Stingers responded right off the next draw when Hugo Vincent took a perfect pass from rookie Scott Oke and blasted a shot from the blue line to make it 5-2 by the end of two.
In the third period, the Stingers tried to stay in the game, but the fatigue from playing the past two nights finally took its toll as Harvard added two more for the victory.
Despite the score, Figsby was happy with his team up and down the lineup.
“Everybody showed a lot of character today, and this weekend,” he said. “[They showed] that they really wanted to play and be in the lineup, so that’s my challenge for now. I can’t tell you how proud I am of our kids today, and how they represented our school.”
The Stingers’ next league game will be at York University on Oct. 24.
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