The Ducks (14-2 Pac-8 Conference) were more than shooting for a Pac-8 tournament title on the ice in Anaheim, Calif. — they were expecting it.
But the Pac-8’s consensus No. 1 had the misfortune of taking on a USC Trojan squad on the heels of a seven-goal winning effort that morning.
USC (5-8 Pac-8 Conference) took the Ducks to overtime in Southern California early in the season, eventually dropping a 4-3 decision. This time, the Trojans edged Oregon 4-3 this weekend after knocking off UCLA 7-4.
After an 18-hour bus ride from Eugene to Anaheim, the Ducks took the ice of their namesake NHL squad, the Anaheim Ducks, only moments after waking up and dismounting the vehicle. Naturally, dead legs proved to be a factor against an in-rhythm Trojan squad.
“USC had played early in the morning, so they had their feet underneath them,” Sam Cehula said. “We just couldn’t get into a flow.”
Nine penalties contributed to the lack of offensive flow for the Ducks. The shorthanded Oregon crew still managed to outshoot their opponents 47-20. The margin, however, did not reflect the complexity of the game.
“We’re a flow team,” Cehula said. “But we didn’t get sustained momentum, and penalties broke up our rhythm.”
After one period, Oregon held a 2-1 lead on two goals by senior Cam Forni. A slew of
issues seemingly devoured the Ducks heading into the second period. Penalties ignited a USC rally, allowing the Trojans to take over the lead 3-2. Compounding problems for the Ducks, Forni sustained a concussion in the second.
“I don’t remember the first period (against USC)” Forni said. “(Sam) Cehula told me I scored twice, but I really only started feeling better against ASU.”
Both teams notched a goal apiece in the third period. With the 4-3 final, the Ducks were destined to Saturday’s third-place match with Arizona State. The result was bittersweet. The Ducks erupted for eight goals in the win, topping the Sun Devils 8-5.
The game was 4-4 after two periods, but four goals by four different scorers in the third propelled the Ducks to victory. In total, seven different Ducks netted shots, with Forni the only multiple goal scorer. With the win, Oregon remained perfect against ASU on the year.
“We were able to get into a flow, we didn’t have many penalties,” Cehula said.
Other less tangible factors played into the Ducks’ final effort in Anaheim. For instance, graduating seniors were playing their last game. Among them were Forni, Jarett Cicirello, Tom Stocklin and goalkeeper Wren Arbuthnot. Knowing it was their last game provided the necessary extra motivation.
“We stepped it up, knowing it was some of our last games,” Arbuthnot said.
“All these guys give 100 percent,” Cehula said. “Everybody just loves going on trips and being on the team. Camaraderie is our biggest asset.”
USC was the eventual tournament champion, as the Trojans unseated the Huskies 5-4, coming from two goals down to get the victory. The Trojans’ Ryder Fyrwald was the tournament’s leading goal scorer with seven, including one against the Ducks.
Despite weighty expectations and the bittersweet win against ASU, Oregon’s club hockey team was less dejected about the game than they were pleased by the full weekend with their closest friends.
“We’re all close, and we had fun with the trip,” Forni said. “We played football and joked around; other teams wished they were us.”
Taking full advantage of his elite status and the league’s inability to suspend him, Forni did fight with an ASU player during his final contest.
In good spirits after a final win to send them off, Oregon’s seniors boarded the bus for the 18-hour return trip one last time.
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