CLUB SPORTS — The UCSD club ice hockey team is rolling after
a slow start, crushing its last two opponents. The Tritons faced Loyola
Marymount University
on the road, winning the contest 10-4 on Jan. 18 before dominating University
of the Redlands on Jan. 19 with a
12-3 blowout victory.

UCSD currently holds an 8-5 record, reaching that mark with
a rollercoaster of an early season. After starting out 2-0, the Tritons ran
into problems, particularly against San Diego
State, losing to the Aztecs twice
early in the season. The Tritons also suffered tough losses to UC Davis and UC
Irvine, giving the Tritons a 5-4 record in the first half of their season
before winter break.

UCSD returned after the break with intensity, posting a 6-5
win over Northern Arizona
University on Jan. 12 before its
two wins last weekend.

“Our game against NAU and past two games over the weekend
are the best hockey that we’ve played,” freshman forward Stephen Lockwood said.

In their second game against University
of Redlands this season, the
Tritons posted an easy victory.

“We played well in the game while missing three of our top
scorers,” junior captain Ken Yamashita said.

UCSD started out strong against LMU, scoring four straight
goals before the Lions could answer back. The Tritons led for the entire game,
never allowing LMU a chance to come back in the contest.

“LMU is a Division II team and we beat them,” Yamashita
said. “The win should give us a boost in rankings.”

Junior forward Chris Bachman had a team-high four points in
the game, including a hat-trick. Sophomore forwards Kenny McCubbins and Michael
Frederick added three points each.

Bachman’s return to the team is one reason why UCSD has had
greater success as of late. Bachman came back to the team recently after
missing the first half of the season.

“Bachman returned from playing junior hockey out east,”
Yamashita said. “He has been one our top-caliber players since his freshman
year.”

In addition to Bachman’s return, the team’s younger members
have also become more comfortable playing with each other, ironing out kinks
that nagged the team earlier in the season.

“Our team chemistry is great and we’re all comfortable with
each other,” Lockwood said. “We trust each other on the ice and have really
bonded.”

According to Yamashita, there was confusion early in the
season because of the players’ and coaches’ limited experience working
together, which hindered the Tritons in the early games.

“We got a lot of problems and confusions straightened out
and have been able to relax and concentrate,” Yamashita said.

While relaxing is important, UCSD is now focusing on the
postseason.

“Our goals are to get a high seed in the playoffs and make
[it] into the top four teams in our region so that we can go to nationals,”
Lockwood said.

UCSD will next face UC Irvine on Jan. 25. The last time
these two teams squared off the Tritons took a 7-4 loss to the Anteaters on
Nov. 30 at Irvine. UCSD will follow
up that game against Fresno State
on Jan. 26.

“We have a debt to settle with Irvine,”
Yamashita said. “It’s definitely a winnable game. We need to come out strong
and beat them. We also have a debt to settle with Fresno
because of last year’s hard, physical game against that team. We won that game
but [Fresno] doesn’t respect us as
a team.”

Readers may contact Janani Sridharan at [email protected].