Hockey Players with Heart

This Sunday morning matchup featured 2 teams that, although mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, played a competitive, fun game.  UC Davis B, playing at their home rink Norcal Indoor Sports in Woodland, CA, played in their 2nd game of the weekend against Santa Barbara City College.  Santa Barbara City College B came in yesterday for their 1st game with 5 skaters and no goalie.  Rotating a different skater in net each game, the team has had a great attitude, even in yesterday's loss to Cal Poly SLO B Green.  SBCC B  faces off next against Cal Poly SLO B Gold, while UC Davis B will play their final game of the weekend against Cal Poly SLO B Green.  This will complete the season for UC Davis B and SBCC B, but both teams are looking forward to next year already.

 

UC Davis B, under the leadership of Gloria Wong, features 3 female skaters and a female goaltender.  Viendi Hoang absolutely loves the game, facing an average of 30 shots per game.  In the game today against SBCC B, she absolutely stood on her head to keep this game competitive.  While SBCC B emerged with a 11-3 win, Hoang faced 42 shots, 17 of which came in the 3rd period and only 3 of those were goals.  Take the first 10 minutes of the game away (5 straight goals by SBCC B) and the score would be 6-3.  At one point in the 3rd, it would was theoretically 4-3.  Hoang made a diving glove save against SBCC B's top scorer Justin White, as well as a point blank blocker save on White as well.  UC Davis B also killed off 7 straight minutes of penalties, scoring a short-hander in that time. All the players on UC Davis B play with a lot of heart and for the love of the game.  On the season to date, 5 players each have 5-6 points on the team.

 

SBCC B, showing up with just 5 skaters, figured out quickly that they would need to use some loaner gear from the facility to suit up a goaltender.  Jesse Wells played in the first game, stopping 22 of 32 shots in the loss to Cal Poly SLO B Green.  This morning against UC Davis B, first-time goaltender Keith Chancey got the win, stopping 11 of 14 shots for SBCC B.  Up next, word is that Adam Costello will be strapping on the pads.  In the UC Davis B game, SBCC B top scorer Justin White finished with 7 goals and 2 assists.  White currently sits in 5th in B Division scoring, with 1 game remaining.

 

Thanks go out to both teams for illustrating what collegiate roller hockey is all about.  Sportsmanship, love of the game, and the pride of playing for your school.