Ice hockey club sets its sights
on postseason qualification
After a month off, the UCLA ice hockey team returned for the
second half of the season with a 3-2 record and is currently in
second place in the Middle California division of the Pacific
Collegiate Hockey Association.
The Bruins closed the first half of the season with a
heartbreaking loss to crosstown rival USC on Nov. 18. With the game
tied 3-3 in the third period, USC scored a late goal to win the
game. USC is currently first in the Middle California division,
with a key matchup between the two teams still remaining.
To qualify for the playoffs, UCLA must hold on to at least
second place in the Middle division, as only the top two finishers
in each of the three divisions qualify for postseason play.
But before the Bruin’s aspirations for a postseason berth are
fulfilled, they must tangle with a tough Stanford squad in a trip
to Palo Alto on the 20th and 21st of this month. The Stanford
program is one of the most highly regarded on the West coast.
Although the game is a non-league contest, it will be a major test
for UCLA.
"We think we have a pretty good chance of beating them," Brad
Jansen, president of the Ice Hockey club, said. "Cal beat them and
we played Cal 3-1."
Yesterday the Bruins acquired some much needed help at the
center position in the form of Andrew Lister, a new player from
Ottawa. Lister will start immediately for UCLA.
"He’s been playing since he was three or four. He skates really
well and he plays really well, too," Jansen said.
The morale of the team was bolstered by the support of numerous
fans during their last contest against USC.
"It was the first time we’ve ever had more than 20 people at a
game. Our biggest hurdle is just getting people to know that we
have a team and then getting them out to the game. Once most people
get there they think it’s great," Jansen said.
UCLA opens play in the second half of the season with a grudge
match against USC on Jan. 27 at the Pickwick Ice Arena in Burbank.
The game may prove to be the crux of the season for both teams, as
the winner will likely finish at the top of their division. For
UCLA, it will also be a much awaited rematch after a close loss in
which the team played extremely competitively.
To beat USC and ultimately qualify for the playoffs, the Bruins
will have to improve certain aspects of their game, particularly in
the second line.
"The guys who usually skate really well are still skating well
and everybody is playing well, but the guys in the second line have
to pick it up," Jansen said.
The USC game is particularly important because the outcome will
affect seeding in the PCHA playoffs.
"I think we have an excellent shot of making the playoffs. The
key will be beating ‘SC before the playoffs, though, so we’ll be
seeded higher going into the playoffs, " Jansen said.
For anyone interested in supporting one of the most exciting
sports clubs at UCLA, the game against USC will begin at 8:45 p.m.
at the aforementioned location on Jan. 27.