Nov 22/23

The Lumberjacks played the Jacks out of South Dakota this weekend and got both wins. 9-1 on Friday night and 5-1 on Saturday. SD was shorthanded on the weekend and worked hard and got a big weekend out of there goalie. These were tough games to play sometimes but we did what we needed to do and got two wins. Many guys got there first college goals so that was a plus and we put a lot rubber on net.  It was also fun to honor the Football team and Coach Pfeifer on Friday and we wish them luck at the Salt City Bowl in a few weeks. Now we have a big test this week as we head to Williston to play the Tetons.

Nov. 15/16 vs Finlandia JV

It was a up and down weekend for the Hockey Jacks. Up that the boys got a win on Friday, down as they lost on Saturday. Up as we played well on Friday, down as we struggled at times on Saturday and seemed disinterested.  Being a student-athlete there are many ups and downs but you hope to have more ups.  To be a good team and a good player you need consistency.  We were excited for the win last night and deserving so but I felt we did not get mentally prepared this morning for the game and the coach will take that responsibility.  We need to get in a routine and follow that routine. Players have to be accountable. Right now is the time we have to get better each day and prove it to yourself and each other that we are getting better.  We need to push each other and get the best out of everyone and everyday.  We had many positive things happen this weekend. Our goaltending made the save when we needed it. We got some better defensive team play.  We got contributions from everyone and different times and I thought we were a tougher team to play against than we have been all year.  We will put on the workboots this week and get ready for an unknown SDSU team out of South Dakota. Should be a good match up.  Hockey Jacks would also like to congratulate the Jacks Football team who were invited to a bowl game on Dec 7 in Kansas. Well done boys and Coaches and we hope to honor the football team at the game on Friday. More to follow.

LONG LIVE THOSE LUMBERJACKS! 

Nov. 7-9 MN Trip

The Lumberjacks hit the road for three games in three days and a lot more questions are being asked now than answers. The Jacks started Thursday night in a game against St. Johns Johnnies JV team at the beautiful National Hockey Center on the campus of St. Cloud State University at Herb Brooks Arena.  The ride to the arena did not start off well as the bus blew a fuse and could not start. Unfortunately we got to the Arena a little late and got off to a slow start. We spotted the Johnnies three goals in about three minutes in the first. We battled hard to get back into the game but it was too little too late. We lost 5-3. On Friday we started off with a really good twenty minutes against the Johnnies and were tied after one period of play. Then we hit the self-destruct button and we gave up 5 goals in the second period.  The game ended in a 7-1 loss. Saturday night the Jacks squared off against the Concordia-Wisconsin Falcons JV. Once again we struggled for a few minutes in the first period and were down 3-0 after the first. The final two periods we took control of most of the play but could not get the score evened up and gave up an empty net goal to lose 4-2. Our record falls to 0-6-1 on the year. It should be much better than that but we are not consistent enough and have not played a complete game. Sometimes our Defense is playing well and our goalies struggle, or vice versa, maybe the forwards are on their own page but the defense is on a different page. We need to get everyone on the same page for 60 minutes in a game. There are signs of it but then something happens and we lose focus. We need to stay focused and play a complete game.  We had some positives and some negatives on the weekend but I hope that we learn from all and can become more of a team as a result of some road bonding. The potential is there now we have to play harder, play smarter, and play together.

November 1/2 NDSU Bison

Well things are getting better around here but we still did not get that first win. the road back to glory may be a long and curvy road but we are on that road and we are going to get there.  We lost a tough one Friday in OT and then lost 4-2 on Saturday.  I thought we played well enough to get at least a win but NDSU buckled down when they needed to and they got that play or save when they needed it. I thought we out chanced them but they out scored us. Once we buy in to our defensive play and worry about the defensive zone we will get some wins.  60 solid minutes are needed and we have not gotten that yet this year.  Commitment is needed on and off the ice.  People on the outside do not realize what these student athletes go through. They have practice everyday, weekly workouts, along with a heavy workload in the classroom. Along with volunteer work, youth hockey, homework, and other college activities it is a big commitment. These guys are working hard and we will get some W's soon. I think being on the road this weekend will bring guys together and that will help on the ice.  Long Live Those Lumberjacks!!