The Bowdoin Men's Hockey Team opened last weekend with a very disappointing 4-1 loss to the University of Southern Maine. The Bears quickly recoverd from the loss, defeating Salem State in an away game the next day.
The game against USM could easily be summed up in one word: frustrating. The team did everything in its power to secure a victory, but still came up short. Despite peppering the USM goalkeeper with 37 shots, only one of the shots would ultimately translate onto the scoreboard.
"The USM game was frustrating in that we just couldn't score," junior Greg McConnell said.
The Bear's frustration intensified as the game progressed without any goals. The offensive's difficulties eventually caused a defensive collapse with team giving up three goals in the final period. The back-breaker came on a shorthanded goal with 12 minutes remaining in the game.
The team faired much better in the next night's game, as the squad put Salem State away with a 4-2 victory. Seniors Adam Dann and Jon Landry essentially put the team on their shoulders, leaving their mark on every single goal.
Their outstanding performances, combined with an impressive performance from goalkeeper George Papachristopoulos '06 (22 saves), ensured the very result the team so desperately needed.
The victory gives the team some momentum as the Bears prepare to face two of the NESCAC's most talented teams this weekend.
The games against Amherst, ranked second in the NESCAC, and Hamilton, ranked fourth, may very well end up being the two most important games of the season.
"This weekend is a great opportunity for us to gain some lost ground in the league," Dann explained. "Two wins would bump us into third place, setting ourselves up for the chance to get home ice for the first round of the playoffs."
Today it will have been 55 days since the entire Polar Bear Nation was on campus to watch the hockey team. Undoubtedly, Dayton Arena will be rocking this weekend.