It's time to talk about Kentucky Hockey

By JOSH SMITH

If you ask the typical college student what they will be doing on a Friday night, you will undoubtedly receive a few different answers: catching up on homework, going out on the town, hanging out with friends, or simply resting in anticipation of a Saturday filled with partying. Regardless, no student will tell you that they’re going to a midnight hockey game.

Unless that student is enrolled at the University of Kentucky.

In spite of being a Division II club hockey team at a university dominated by basketball, UK Hockey does not have an attendance issue, frequently selling out The Lexington Ice Center every home weekend. Fans often stand in line for as long as two hours.

Kentucky Sports Radio went to the Wildcats’ final home game against Ohio U this past weekend and spoke with some students who braved the bitter cold to cheer Kentucky on to the 3-1 win.

“Once you get in there, we find that common ground,” said UK student Sebastian Astolfo. “It’s like we’re all friends — like we already know each other.”

“The atmosphere is just insane, well, from what I’ve seen,” explained Ky Keane, who was attending her first UK ice hockey game. “And it’s really cool, especially just like midnight, like who else plays at midnight?”

Beta Theta Pi’s Crew Berkeley had this to say: “It’s like everyone at a high school basketball game, except they’re drunk and ready for a good time.”

What the vast majority of our home schedule looked like..

Lots of 🧹🧹🧹

2 more regular season games this weekend in Michigan! pic.twitter.com/TNwGgrW6qp

— Kentucky Hockey (@Kentucky_Hockey) January 30, 2023

Kentucky Football players join the UK Hockey movement

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone shows up to UK Hockey games intoxicated.

“I came here sober,” Kentucky offensive lineman David Wohlabaugh, who played hockey growing up, said. “I just came to enjoy the game…you gotta remember the memories.”

Wohlabaugh was joined by his teammate Jager Burton, who was attending his first game along with his girlfriend.

“We’ve been wanting to come, like, all semester, so we just decided this was a good one to come to,” Burton explained. “Fights [are] what I’m looking forward to.”

Burton wasn’t the only one excited to see a hockey fight.

“The fights make it fun,” said Andy Mallamacy. “Seeing [the players] go at it. It’s fun to watch.”

“I do like to see the guys hit each other. It’s kind of funny,” said student Mandy. She attended the game with her friends, Ella and Emma, all of whom have boyfriends on the team.

As if there weren’t enough reasons to attend a UK Hockey game, one student confessed that she also came in search of a potential boyfriend.

“Nothing ever happens on a Friday night anyway,” the anonymous student told KSR.

A great last weekend at home! pic.twitter.com/alJ3Etcop0

— Kentucky Hockey (@Kentucky_Hockey) January 31, 2023

“It’s one of the top atmospheres in all of college hockey”

Kentucky coach Tim Pergram, better known as TP, is thankful for the support from the students and is happy for his team to put on a show for the Big Blue faithful.

“Just having a packed house, it’s a great atmosphere. It’s one of the top atmospheres in all of college hockey,” said Pergram in a prior interview. “We’re putting on a show for folks who are waiting in line for a long time in the cold. That’s what we need to do; we need to give them entertainment, so that’s why we enjoy it. For a guy that’s 60 years old, I love it. It’s what makes me young.”

Pergram inherited the program in a year in which the Cats finished with a measly 3-20 record. However, he and his staff have since turned it completely around, leading Kentucky to a 25-4 record this season with two games remaining. Kentucky also appeared in last year’s regional tournament and cracked the National Division II Top 10 following its season sweep of Louisville.

Pergram also appreciates his fan base when it comes to hitting the recruiting trail.

“We had eight different kids from eight different junior programs around the nation contact us about wanting to come play at UK, so now we’re recruiting nationwide,” Pergram added. “We’re into Canada and we’ve had a couple of European players express interest. So when they see the fans, the atmosphere [and when opponents] see what they have to go up against, it’s a great feeling.”

While Kentucky has finished its home schedule for the season, a new campaign will commence in mid-September, carrying all the way through to late January. Whether you’re looking to meet new friends and enjoy a rowdy environment on a weekend night, or are simply in need of a new winning team, UK Hockey has something for you.

“Just come along and we’ll save you a spot in line.” said student Sebastian Astolfo.

UK Hockey finishes the regular season this weekend at Michigan. Games take place Friday (8:30 PM ET) and Saturday (6:30 PM) at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Ann Arbor. You can stream the games online at BDEHockey.com. From there, the Cats will compete in the TSCHL Playoffs in Columbus Feb. 10-12.

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Josh Smith is a senior at Lafayette High School. As a student, he is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Lafayette Times, Lafayette’s student newspaper. You can follow him @LTJoshSmith on Twitter.