NOVA's ice hockey team plays against Maryland in a Nov. 20 game in Prince William County. Photo: KJ Mushung

By: Arch Scurlock
Sports Columnist

After having suffered some lopsided defeats early in the season, NOVA ice hockey coach, Barrett Haga, finally found some time to smile after the second period of the Nov. 20 Sunday morning game against the University of Maryland at the Prince William Ice Center. Northern Virginia Community College was trailing only 2-0, despite having been outshot by 36-10.

“Our hard work has finally paid off. Our goalie is playing out of his head,” remarked Haga.

The third period saw NOVA take only 14 seconds to score its first goal by James Powers from about five feet out. UMD came back, however, to score the next three goals before James Powers scored at 11:49 from about 10 feet out on a one-on-one shot on the goalie, making it 5-2. Powers twice had one-on-one breakaway opportunities against the goalie during the game but was not able to capitalize on either.

NOVA next took advantage of a power play at 6:59 as Richard Orksider scored on a slap shot from about 25 feet out to cut the deficit to 5-3. NOVA could get no closer as UMD finally prevailed 6-3.

After the game, the coach exulted, “We’ve come a long way. The team is starting to come together, to gel as a team. Towards the end of the year we should make decent showings. We’re missing some key players today, but the guys played the best game they could have played as a team.”

The previous weekend, NOVA had traveled to southwest Virginia to play two games. On the Nov. 12 in Roanoke, NOVA fell hard to Radford, 12-1. However, the following afternoon, NOVA recovered from its late night beating to lead Virginia Military Institute after every period and hung on for a 7-6 win, NOVA’s second of the year.

Kevin Hastings had two goals and two assists and Casey Dunn added two goals.

The weekend following the Maryland game, NOVA traveled up north but did not receive much hospitality, losing 8-1 on Dec. 3 to Rowan University in New Jersey and then the following day 7-1 to Bryn Athyn College near Philadelphia, a team they had played much better against earlier in the season at home.

NOVA’s record stands at 2-11.

By: Arch Scurlock

Stay updated by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.