FGCU’s Division II club hockey team returned to Hertz Arena after a weekend sweep at the University of Massachusetts Showcase.
The Eagles defeated Northeastern University 6-2 for their first matchup of the weekend. This victory was short-lived, losing 4-3 to fourth-seeded University of Massachusetts. FGCU bounced back, concluding the weekend by defeating Bentley University 9-5.
Entering the Nov. 17 and 18 doubleheader, the Eagles looked for redemption after losing to Lindenwood in the Liberty showcase earlier last month. FGCU came into the weekend ranked fifth with a record of 11-2. Lindenwood comes in 14-3, ranked first in the ACHA Central Rankings.
As the initial face-off got underway, it was evident that neither team had an advantage. The period would be filled with penalties. FGCU obtained a penalty for high sticking, while Lindenwood got two for slashing and boarding. The first period demonstrates the aggressive nature that was apparent through this weekend of action.
The second period was a complete turnaround for both teams, as goals were starting to be scored. Lindenwood scored first, with FGCU scoring the next two goals. Sophomore Jake Court punched in the first goal for the Eagles with assists by sophomore Adam Beauvais and junior Shayne Tomlinson.
Tomlinson scored a goal for himself just after the 10th minute, giving the Eagles their lead of the game. He was assisted by Court and junior Holden Hertog.
Second period play concluded with Lindenwood obtaining their second goal to tie the game up heading into the final period of play.
Lindenwood scored their third goal of the game just past the fifth minute, resulting in a tussle involving Beauvais and junior Jack Cohen with a few of Lindenwood’s Lions. Beauvais and Cohen were penalized for roughing, resulting in both being out for two minutes.
Even with Lindenwood having the advantage, the Eagles were able to hold off the power play. Time ticked down as neither team got in goal. It looked like it was over for the Eagles until Beauvais punched in a goal with two seconds remaining, leading into overtime.
Overtime started with another fight between Lindenwood and FGCU. This time, it was freshman Brady Carlock who got sent out for the next two minutes, which ended up being the rest of the game.
Lindenwood scored in the fourth minute of overtime, giving the Eagles their first overtime loss of the season.
Entering the second game of this doubleheader, the only question for the Eagles was how they would rebound. With their last three games involving only one victory and two losses, something had to change.
As game two began, forward Dawison Zahorian immediately scored for the Eagles, taking only one minute and five seconds. Forward Dylan Castello assisted him for his first goal of the weekend.
Period play continued with a multitude of penalties for the Lions. They obtained penalties for slashing and roughing, showing their aggressive playing style.
FGCU scored the final goal of the first period with a goal in the 15th minute from Tomlinson. Putting the Eagles up 2-0 as the period ended in another fight. This time it involved Cohen and Lion Michael Mullen. Both were awarded roughing penalties for their efforts.
The second period began with an early goal by the Lindenwood Lions, leading to a score of 2-1. It was the closest the Lions got to the Eagles throughout the entire game. After this goal, the Eagles scored six goals compared to two for the Lions. Ending the period with a score of 8-3.
Six Eagles scored each of these goals. Sophomore Jaiz Barner scored first, which was his first goal this season, followed by Zahorian and Tomlinson scoring the next two. Court was next up, scoring his second goal of the weekend, leaving junior Shane Romback and senior Spence Van Tiem to punch in the final two goals to this intense second period.
Aggression was the name of the game for the final period. Both teams would accumulate 15 penalties to three goals. The majority of these penalties were seen in the final minute of the game.
Just past the ninth minute, Eagles’ junior Kyle Lindholm and senior Wesley Swenson got together with Lions’ Michael Mullen, sending them out for the rest of the period. Less than 12 seconds later, a minor skirmish, which quickly turned into a fight, saw four players being sent out with misconduct penalties.
Lindenwood’s Sean McMahon and Brett Robinson fought with FGCU’s junior Christopher “Jack” Emmett and junior Enzo Tarducci, leaving FGCU down players with less than a minute left in play.
FGCU made it out of this debacle with a dominant 9-5 victory against Lindenwood University. Advancing their record to 13-2-1 just past the halfway point of their season. The Eagle’s next game is in two weeks against rivals Liberty University on Dec.1 and 2.
