With crushed playoff dreams and broken hearts, the D3 Men’s Ice Hockey team rallied on in hopes of a better season next year.
Ranking at number fifteen with a month still left in the season, the Blue Hens were doing all they could to secure their spot in Regionals. This season was different than last year — they were playing better teams and had developed more depth and skill as a whole.
After making it to the first round [of Regionals] last season but falling to George Mason University in the first game, the team was anxious for redemption. So when the playoff schedule was released and they saw they’d have another chance to prove themselves over GMU, the game shifted.
“Playoffs are different energy. It’s not just a regular game, even though it is. It’s do or die,” said captain Shane Saladis.
Despite the seriousness of the game, and the long awaited rematch against GMU, the team assured they weren’t nervous: “We weren’t nervous going into any game because we always knew we were capable [of winning].”
Along with the team, Head Coach Joe Garrett chimed in on the nerves during the game: “No, we weren’t nervous at all. And we pretty much controlled play for most of the game which helped nerves.”
Coach Garrett has been with the team for four years now, each season gaining more skill and confidence. Last season he coached the team to Regionals for the first time in D3’s history, so making it again this year was expected.
“Our next goal is making it to Nationals. We had a good ride this year. We can do it,” Coach Garrett stated.
But the pressure was on for this season. With the team dreaming of traveling to Dallas for Nationals from the start of the season, everyone was playing for each other. Their goal last year was to make it to Regionals and they did. Their goals this season was National and they were determined.
However, when it came down to it, the Blue Hens fell to GMU once more. The team played a strong game and held possession for a good majority of each period, but the number four ranked GMU came out victorious.
While it wasn’t the ending they were looking for, the team still felt like winners. They knew how far they had come as a team, especially the seniors. This year compared to their previous years was more structured and serious, but still fun. Everyone was showing up to practices and knew to take it seriously or they would get penalized. Even the rookies knew now that it’s not a joke.
Plus, the team had a “good locker room” said captain Saladis. “We’d always pull positives out of tough games and losses. Everyone still showed up and worked their hearts off after those games.”
Now that the season is over and tryouts for next season are coming up, the team is looking to the future. “We made a couple of simple mistakes at Regionals, but I think we’ll be back next year,” said Coach Garrett regarding next season’s goals.
Captain Saladis also had some things to say about the team’s 2019-2020 season: “The team has a lot of potential these next few years with good guys. They can go to Nationals if they really put their minds to it.”
Even though it wasn’t the ending the D3 team was looking for this season, it’s the one they got and they weren’t going to let it drag them down. The team has shown that they are fighters and always able to bounce back and prove themselves game after game, and this season was no different.