The odds were against them.
Oregon coach Scott McCallum said he and his team felt that way coming into their battle Friday against fourth-seeded San Jose State as the No. 9 seed in the American Club Hockey Association’s West Regional Tournament.
But just like in the Pac-8 Tournament, McCallum said it was another opportunity to prove that they belong.
“San Jose State was someone that nobody gave us much of a chance against,” McCallum said.
The Spartans – a perennial top-10 squad that finished the season 21-6-1 and that was seeded first in the West last year – scored an overtime goal during the opening round match-up in Logan, Utah, sending the Ducks out of their first-ever regional tournament appearance with a 3-2 loss.
“It’s the way the game goes,” McCallum said. “Sometimes it comes down to the last goal. It’s frustrating, but it felt good to go out here and play as well as we did.
“At least people saw us play and saw that we are good and hopefully that helps us schedule games next year.”
In the first period, freshman goaltender Elliot Harvey and San Jose State senior goaltender Ryan Lowe were equally impressive, making several crucial saves and each posting shutouts.
Oregon earned the first score of the contest when freshman Sam Cehula assisted junior forward Eric Steinmann in the second period. Cehula later scored the Ducks’ other goal in the heartbreaking loss.
A day later, Oregon ended its season with a 4-0 loss in a consolation game against No. 8 Long Beach State, which was defeated by Denver in the earlier round.
“It was one of those game where the team pulled their hearts out,” McCallum said of the loss to Long Beach State. “I think that the second overtime loss (to San Jose State on Friday after the Pac-8 Championship loss to USC) emotionally and physically took a lot out of the guys and it showed Saturday.”
The USC Trojans also dropped both of their matches, losing to sixth-seeded Utah State and No. 10 BYU.
San Jose State eventually beat fifth-ranked Denver in the second round of the tournament 6-5 in overtime to earn a berth into the National Tournament, scheduled for March 7-10 in Fort Collins, Colo.
It was a tough weekend for the Ducks aside from losing both games.
Steinmann took a shot to the face against San Jose State, which required 13 stitches to his chin, and McCallum said Cehula played against Long Beach State after having been knocked unconscious the night earlier against the Spartans.
Of course, certainly not all was lost.
As a result of their first-ever ACHA West Regional appearance, McCallum said he now feels confident that Oregon, which finished the season 22-6, will be able to strengthen its non-conference record next season by scheduling regular-season matches against teams like San Jose State, Colorado, Colorado State and Denver.
Four games against Arizona State, a Pac-8 opponent that it did not play in 2006-07, are also expected to be scheduled for next year.
Upon returning from Logan, Utah, via bus at 7 a.m. on Sunday, the Ducks began to look forward to the future, and there’s reason for great optimism.
The Ducks return 22 players for the 2007-08 season. The team also received great financial support from the University for the first time when the student senate allocated $5,944 for the weekend trip.
“That’s huge to get that support from the University,” McCallum said. “Hockey is such an expensive sport as it is. It’s a couple hundred bucks for every ice time, and it all adds up.”
When the Ducks arrived back in Eugene, McCallum said he and his teammates were exhausted and glad to be home. He said that this spring, the majority of the team will continue to play in an adult league. During the summer, he said, some will train, some will go to or teach at hockey camps and most will do whatever else necessary to prepare for the 2007-08 campaign for Oregon club hockey.
Icy cold finish for club in first regionals
Daily Emerald
February 19, 2007
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