The Oregon club hockey team faces off against Washington at home this Friday and Saturday. The Ducks are down 2-0 in the inaugural I-5 Cup and must win both games to force a shoot-out after Saturday’s match.
Both of the teams are evenly matched, said Oregon captain Tyler Shaffar. He added that he expects physical games against the Huskies, and that a bitter rivalry exists between the two teams.
“The team that is able to keep its composure on the ice and still play a physical game will win,” Shaffar said.
In November, when the Ducks took on the Huskies in Seattle, Oregon suffered on the larger Olympic-size rink that threw its systems off. This time, things will change, Shaffar said.
“We got them on our ice surface,” he said. “No hiding anywhere on our ice. We want Oregon engraved on the first cup.”
Additionally, Oregon has had problems with its strategy this season and has changed systems numerous times since Seattle. But the Ducks have finally settled on one to last through the PAC-8 championships later this month.
“I think we have the system in place that is going to carry us through to the championships,” Shaffar said. “Winning involves executing with the systems and lines that we have in place.”
If the Ducks manage Washington this weekend and bag a couple of games at Western Washington in Bellingham, Wash., the following weekend, Shaffar expects the Ducks to be in good shape heading into the championships at home.
Hockey ready to face Huskies
Daily Emerald
February 1, 2001
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