University of Kentucky Hockey goes 2-1 on the weekend

by:Alex Holder•10/16/17•

@Alex_Holder_KSR

The Kentucky Hockey team played in a three-game stint this past weekend in Washington D.C. at the Kettler Capital Iceplex, the same facility where the Washington Capitals practice. Coming into the weekend the Cats were 4 and 3 on the season with two losses to Louisville and one to North Carolina. Head coach Tim Pergram is in his debut season with the Wildcats, one thing to take note.

The Cats started off the weekend taking a 10-hour bus ride from Lexington to D.C. on Friday where they had to get off and play George Washington. At the end of the first period, Kentucky was up 3-2, but couldn’t finish the job. They would end up losing 8-6 after three periods. According to Pergram, “the ice was fast and George Washington will finish top three (in the ACC).” Needless to say, Pergram had respect for the opposition.

Next up for the Cats on Saturday was the Georgetown Hoyas. Before the game, however, the Wildcats visited the U.S. Capital building set up by Senator Mitch McConnell’s office. Coach Pergram said he was worried but “hopefully” the Cats would have their legs against the Hoyas.

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Well they did, as Kentucky dominated the Hoyas, winning 5-1.

“We came out again skating well, great positioning lot’s of shots but few scoring opportunities, then Aaron Bickle scores late in the first period and goals start in the 2nd period with Jordan Shannon (who had a hat trick in the game) and Beck Schultz, our defensemen Duffy, Pakkala, Boss, Patneau and Higgins played outstanding shut down, shot-blocking defense. Our Goaltending was outstanding with Eric “Ricky” Williams in between the pipes. Ricky was eating the puck up and controlling his rebounds by far the best game of his career in a UK jersey,” Coach Pergram said of the Cats.

Last but not least, the Cats played again on Sunday, this time at 11 am against the Naval Academy. Kentucky would go on to win the game 5-2 which puts them at 6 and 4 on the season.

Heres what Pergram had to say about the victory:

“At first the boys were tired and the big ice (rink) took a period to get transition over to the speed and angles. Then Jimmy Kasch sniped a goal in with 5 seconds left in the first period. Second period the boys were just gassed from a lot of hockey, travel, and lack of recuperation time to play a good three periods of hockey. In the 3rd period they grew up as a team and decided the game is over our call, Beck Schultz and Jordan Shannon took the lead to put some pucks in the net and Jimmy Kasch again started and finished the scoring. In net was Eric “Ricky” Williams again who played another outstanding game. This weekend we came out 2-1 against very good ACC competition and were very close to being 3-0 on the weekend. The boys have bought into the systems, hard-working, TEAM, and dedication. These guys give a lot to this sport. Everywhere we played the BBN was out in support, thank you again. The boys are once again wanting to fill “The Barn” on Friday night verses Xavier. This team is starting to come together and they could be a very good team when the SEC tournament rolls around in February 2018.”

So now with the Cats winning 2 out of the 3 games this weekend, let’s pack “The Barn” (Lexington Ice Center) come Friday against Xavier. The puck will drop at midnight and the Cats could really use your support.

Here is the look at the rest of the season: