The Florida Gulf Coast University D3 ice hockey sets out to take on Palm Beach State College at 8:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at the Palm Beach Ice Works, before returning home to host the Panthers at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at Germain Arena. Tickets are $5 at the door, but free with an Eagle ID.
The team took on the University of Central Florida on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25 at the RDV Sportsplex in Orlando.
The Eagles took their first loss of the season in this past Friday night’s meeting by a score of 6-4. FGCU led the Knights in penalties, accumulating 24 minutes to UCF’s 12. The Knights’ went on to outshoot the Eagles 39-27.
“Our loss this weekend shed light on the fact that we need to stay out of the penalty box,” Coach Kevin Mixon said. “If we can do that, then we are going to be a very tough team to beat.”
The Eagles were the first to get on the board with a goal scored by Trevor Mullaly. UCF bounced back with two goals. The first, during the fourth minute of play, was an unassisted goal from right wing Jacob Solomon. In the seventh minute of the first period, Brandon Palacio put the Knights ahead after burying one behind FGCU goaltender Tyler Toyota.
The second period started with two goals from the Eagles. Mike Gutowitz put his first of the night past UCF netminder Dominic Calandra, followed by a goal from Andrew Tweeton. The Knights regained the lead, retaliating with an unassisted goal from JD Rassett. During the 14th minute of play, Eagles’ Paul Moneuse scored his only goal of the evening, putting the puck behind Calandra. Shortly after, UCF’s Solomon put another past Toyota tying the game at 4-4 to close out the second period.
Third-period scoring was all UCF. A goal in the ninth minute by Matthew Pierson followed by a second goal from Palacio. FGCU acquired 10 minutes worth of penalties in the third period.
“Losing is never fun, but does shed light on opportunities lost and things to improve on,” Mixon said.
FGCU retaliated Saturday night with a victory, 4-3. The Eagles outshot the Knights 36-34.
First period scoring was dominated by FGCU with goals from Ryan McAleese and Tyler Reichl. Goaltender Toyota stopped all seven shots form the Knights in the first period.
Pierson started of the second period, with a goal for UCF, in the fourth minute of play. FGCU answered back with two goals. Mike Frank scored during the sixth minute of the second period. A goal from Dan Sbrocchi in the 15th minute ended up being the game-winner.
The Knights were able to score two more goals, in the third period, but were unable to capitalize on the Eagles’ goaltender Toyota. Toyota stopped 17 of the 19 shots faced in the third period.