Oregon’s club hockey team opened its season with a pair of 3-2 losses to Pac-8 newcomers Utah before traveling to Beaverton for a sweep of Portland State to even out its record at 2-2.@@http://www.oregonduckshockey.com/@@
The Ducks were charged with the tough task of replacing not only their starting goaltender from last year, but their backup as well. Freshman Danny Cockriel has taken over for the goaltending duo of Jack Berry and Chris Tackla — both of whom graduated last spring — and picked up his first career win and shutout on Oct. 21.
Not only has Cockriel been thrust into a starting role, but he has been without a backup goaltender through the first four games. The Ducks now have a second goaltender, but he has only played in a few practices.
“It’s a hard role to take as a freshman but he’s done really well,” assistant captain Zachary Peters said.
The Ducks also must replace last season’s leading scorer, Kevin Trihey, though he hasn’t strayed far from the program. Trihey continues to work with the team as an assistant coach.
“It was an easy decision,” Trihey said. “I really @@http://dailyemerald.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2223273&action=edit#@@enjoy being around the team.”
Oregon’s first two wins of the year came against the Portland State Vikings last weekend in Beaverton. On Saturday, the Ducks fell behind by two goals in the first period but stormed back for a 10-2 win. The day before, Oregon came away with its first victory of the season — a 5-0 shutout.
“We have a ton of talent on the team,” Trihey said. “And when they play together they’re hard to beat.”
The Ducks have their sights set on a Pac-8 title and possibly a American Collegiate Hockey Association regional berth this year, but they are taking their season one game at a time and focusing on playing as a team.
“We have to take each game step by step because we’re not a team of individuals,” senior Jeff Kraus said. “We’re not a team of individuals with one guy who can put the team on his back.”
With tough road games against San Jose State and Loyola Marymount University, the Ducks feel that if they get the right results, they can finish the season as a top-ten team in the Western region.
“We need to keep developing as a team,” Trihey said. “Once we learn how to play together as a team we’re going to be a really good team.”
With a slate of games this weekend against a Washington State team that won just two games last year — both by forfeit — it would be easy for the Ducks to look ahead to next weekend’s trip to California, but Trihey isn’t worried.
“The team’s focused on this weekend, Trihey said. “They know we have to get much better if we want to beat the teams in California.”
Another secondary goal for the Ducks this year is reclaiming the I-5 Cup from Washington. The Huskies have won the annual season series against the Ducks for the last three years and that sour taste is still in the Ducks’ mouth.
“(The I-5 Cup) means a lot,” Kraus said. “We had a meeting at the beginning of the season for the guys that were returning and we all had that goal in mind.”
At the same time, the Ducks realize that the series with Washington is a mere four games in a long season.
“At this point in the season it’s an added bonus,” Peters said.
The Ducks take the ice at the Lane County Ice Center this Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m.