The Standard

Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jason Chambers

Hard hits and tough goaltending served as the winning formula that allowed the Ice Bears to capture two important wins over the weekend against Texas Tech.

"I thought we played better as the weekend went on," head coach Mike Schroeder said.

Ice Bears won 3-1 on Friday night and kept up the hitting on Saturday night to help them to the 4-1 victory.

"Saturday night's game was much more physical," Schroeder said.

On Friday, the Ice Bears scored first with the goal coming from freshman forward Tyler Polizzi.

"Pete Cero just tossed it on net and I got a stick on it," Polizzi said. "I was kind of surprised it went in."

Texas Tech then went on to tie the game at one toward the end of the first period. The game remained tied throughout the second period and penalties became the trend.

"With all the penalties, I thought our units that killed them off did an excellent job," Schroeder said.

At one point in the second period, three Ice Bears found their way into the penalty box at the same time, but the penalty kill unit and senior goalie Mike Poepping denied Texas Tech the tally.

"The reason that they only scored one goal for the most part is just Poepping played a great game," Schroeder said.

The tough play shown by each team in the second period carried into the third as the teams played stronger, fighting for the tie-breaker.

"I was actually a little surprised, I didn't think with the 10 to 12 guys they had that they'd actually be able to do anything offensively, but they got a couple good chances," Poepping said.

Poepping kept the Ice Bears in the game stopping 29 of 30 shots on Friday, some of which were odd-man rushes.

"We started off a little slow, but we finished strong," he said. "That's what it's all about."

The strong finish came when Polizzi once more found the back of the net scoring the tie breaker, putting the Ice Bears ahead for good.

"I just got the puck and put the rebound in off his back, kind of lucky," Polizzi said.

Polizzi's goal put the Ice Bears up 2-1, and senior forward Andy Whitener provided the insurance goal, scoring on an empty net at the end of the third period.

Saturday night shared many of the same characteristics as Friday's game with tough physical hockey and strong goaltending.

"I think the boys responded well," Schroeder said of the physical play.

Despite Texas Tech scoring first, the Ice Bears scored twice in the first two periods, and Poepping once again only gave up one goal.

"He was outstanding in both games," Schroeder said.

With only two more regular season games left before the MACHA playoffs, the Ice Bears have won four games in a row and are 17-16 on the season and 12-4 in the MACHA Gold Division.

"We're persevering, so that's good," Poepping said. "We're just putting the best players we can on the ice night in and night out, just trying to grind our way to a win."

The Ice Bears will look to finish the season strong next weekend against the Arkansas Razorbacks at 7 p.m. on Friday at Mediacom Ice Park.

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