The Florida Gulf Coast University D2 hockey team will have its home opener at Germain Arena at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 against the Boston University Terriers. The team opened its season in an unusual fashion on the road. The Eagles played three games at the LaHaye Ice Centre in Lynchburg, Virginia.
The FGCU D2 hockey team began its season against Miami of Ohio on Friday, Oct. 10. The Eagles came off the ice with a win over Miami, 3-2.
“All the teams we played this weekend are normally high-ranked teams in our region,” Coach Bob Brinkworth said. “Especially Miami, which is usually a top two or three. Starting on the road like we did was especially gratifying for all the new players to get to know our existing players better. We have a very talented team this year.”
The Eagles then played the Virginia Tech Hokies on Saturday, Oct. 11 for another win, 4-1. They finished the weekend off Sunday, Oct. 12 with a third win on the road against the Liberty Flames, 6-1. The Eagles play mostly home games and starting the season on the road was a different route for the team. Coming home with three wins on the road to start the season was a great achievement for the team.
“We competed well this weekend,” senior forward Anthony Yezek said. “We’re still trying to get to know each other on the ice but the team is coming together nicely. We have excellent leadership this year and everyone wants to win as much as the next guy which I think is why we were able to be so successful this weekend without any games under our belt. I’m excited to see what this season is going to bring for the program.”
The team will face the Boston University Terriers before welcoming the Liberty Flames to Germain Arena the following weekend on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25. The Eagles don’t go back on the road until the end of January before their last weekend of the regular season. This gives the team a great advantage to start falling into place with new players and new lines while on the home ice.
“With the amount of returning players we have and how far we went last year, we now know what it takes,” sophomore goaltender Tyler Tracy said. “This season everyone on the team must be willing to do whatever that turns out to be. Guys are slowly finding their role on the team and when everyone settles in and finds it, it will be a dangerous thing for any team that we play against.
“This weekend definitely set the pace for this marathon of a season we have coming up so now we just have to keep the wheels rolling and stay on track. And I think every guy in that locker room is just as excited to get this season underway as I am,” he said.
The D2 Eagles can be found at Germain Arena for the home opener this weekend. Students get in free with their Eagle ID cards and tickets cost $5.