MT Tech Diggers “Pink the Rink” in 2nd Annual Breastcancer Awareness Night
The Diggers (Tech) took to the ice Nov 21st and 22nd to battle the Eastern Washington Eagles (EWU) in their second of 3 meetings on the year. Tech split the last weekend (6-2L, 5-4OTW). The weekend started with Tech hosting their second annual “Pink The Rink” annual fundraiser, in which the team wore pink jerseys that were then auctioned off to raise funds for the St. James Breast Cancer Unit. In addition, admissions revenue was donated to a hockey alumni who is currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer.
Tech would sweep the Eagles over the weekend, winning both games 6-4 and 6-5. Tech now leads the season series 3-1.
Photo Credit: Lisa Schake
Tech vs EWU - Friday, Nov. 21st
Although the excitement of the special night was high, Tech came out flat in the first period against EWU. The Eagles scored 2 quick goals near the midway point, one of which came on the power play. Near the end of the frame, the teams traded goals when EWU scored at 18:16, but Tech answered less than a minute later on a goal from Jack Delici. The score did not reflect the play, however, and Tech outshot EWU in the 1st period 20-13.
Photo Credit: Lisa Schake
The teams traded chances in the second period, and both teams had a pair of power play opportunities. However, no goals were scored in the second, and Tech entered the third still down by 2 goals despite once again outshooting the Eagles 15-8.
Photo Credit: Lisa Schake
Tech came out strong in the third period, and controlled play for the majority of the frame. Cade would start the comeback 5:02 into the third, and Delici scored his second of the game 6 minutes later to tie the game. EWU responded at 13:09 to regain the lead, but Tech erased the deficit just 45 seconds later on a goal by Aiden Ripplinger. The immense pressure continued, and Delici would capture the hat trick 6 seconds after Rippliners marker to give Tech the lead. Tech wouldn’t look back, and Raynger Schake put up the insurance marker at the 18-minute mark (his first of the season and his ACHA career). Tech outshot EWU 59-31 on the night.
Photo Credit: Lisa Schake
Tech vs EWU - Saturday, Nov. 22nd
Tech was unimpressed with their slow start on Friday, and looked to come out stronger on Saturday. Cade Holland opened the scoring at the 4 minute mark on a pass from captain Tye Carriere, but EWU responded on the power play 4 minutes later to tie the game. Techs power play, which was held scoreless on Friday, finally found success at 11:28 when Jack Delici scored off a passing play. Carriere scored quickly after the go ahead marker, putting the puck in the net just 18 seconds later on the ensuing faceoff. Tech outshot EWU in the first period 19-14.
The second period saw a quick push by EWU, who scored 2 quick goals in the opening 3 minutes to tie the game at 3. However, freshman Liam Beer would help Tech regain the lead at 6:29, when a low shot on net got past the EWU netminder. EWU, undeterred, would claw back and score the equalizer 3 minutes later on the power play. Although it looked like the teams would go to the locker rooms after 40 minutes knotted up at 4, Colin McCarthy scored on a late power play, giving Tech the late lead to end the second period.
The 3rd period saw goaltender Joe Rolfson stand tall. Tech’s Delici scored 5 minutes into the frame to give Tech the 2-goal lead, but EWU controlled the play for most of the period, putting 19 shots on Rolfson. EWU came within 1 goal of the at 14:10, but Tech shut down EWU’s offensive drive, taking the win 6-5 and the weekend sweep.
Despite the strong push by EWU in the third, Tech outshot the Eagles 52-51.
Takeaways
Delici remains a force for Tech, scoring 5 goals over the 2-game weekend
Captain Tye Carriere led the weekend with 8 points (1G, 7A)
Team scoring leader Cade Holland had 4 points on the weekend (2G 2A)
Tech raised almost $4,000 for Cancer research and support of cancer patients on Friday night through admissions revenue and jersey auctions.
