Losses are beginning to pile up for the club hockey team as St. Bonaventure fell again last weekend, losing to Binghamton 7-4. The defeat marked the team’s fourth consecutive loss.
The Bearcats jumped out to an early lead, and after the first 20 minutes of play, the Bonnies trailed 3-0. However, after a goal by senior forward Andrew Chadwick 30 seconds into the second half, the Bonnies found their legs and started skating with Binghamton.
Freshman forward Andrew Hayn netted consecutive goals in the second period, and freshman forward Ethan MacKrell added another for the brown and white. Going into the final period, the Bonnies trailed by only one as the score stood at 5-4.
The Bonnies started the third period on the powerplay but failed to capitalize on the one-man advantage. Shortly after returning to full strength, Binghamton scored its sixth goal of the game. The Bearcats added one more before the final horn sounded.
According to senior Captain Nate Parker, lethargic play at the game’s beginning put an early end to the possibility of a Bonaventure victory.
“We started flat, and it hurt us,” Parker said. “We were able to make it a game, but going down 4-1 early was too much to overcome.”
Junior Assistant Captain Evan Wohlabaugh agreed with Parker, noting that in the final 40 minutes, the team played well on both ends of the ice.
“The next two periods, we played upbeat hockey and made hard plays, hitting them when we got the chance and trying to wear them down,” Wohlabaugh said. “We kept that tempo up and took control of the game for most of the remaining two periods, but we just had some trouble putting the puck in the net in the third period.”
According to Wohlabaugh, the team’s inability to start games well is holding it back. To succeed in their remaining games, the Bonnies have to play harder, especially early in games, he said.
“Moving forward, we need to start focusing on our motivation during the game,” Wohlabaugh said. “We play best when we are all working together and playing for each other. If we go out with the mindset to physically break a team down, whether it be with speed or physical play, things will work out well for us.”
Despite the losses, Parker said he sees reason for optimism as the season progresses, but according to the forward, the Bonnies still have unresolved issues, especially putting together complete games.
“We work hard and have short memories,” Parker said. “We have been able to rebound from poor periods and come back stronger. We just struggle to play a complete 60-minute game, and we cannot figure out why.”
The Bonnies return to the William O. Smith Recreation Center for an 8:30 p.m. game against Cornell Saturday before heading to Buffalo to take on rival Canisius in an outdoor game.
“This weekend is certainly a special one with a home game as well as an outdoor game,” Wohlabaugh said. “The outdoor game will be fun, but any chance I get to play at home in front of any fellow Bonnies who come out to support is a great experience.”
