By Lauren Czenszak
Staff Writer
The stands were quiet, everything paused. The puck dropped, and the season began. First game of the season, Sept. 12, for the College’s men’s club hockey team.
There was fire on the ice as they played against a rival team, Temple University. The starting lineup for the College was senior Joseph Greenspoon, senior Logan May, Zach Duggan, junior Nick Staudt, senior Brian Gaboda and sophomore goalie Ethan May.
The first period was heated, but the College powered through. It ended with no goals for the College, one goal for Temple, two penalties for the Lions by sophomore Josh Kushnir and freshman Alex Gibson, and three penalties for Temple.
This Division 1 men’s club hockey team at the College only began in 2022 and plays in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. They are a rising team, and their determination, resilience, teamwork, and potential were displayed on the ice Friday night.
Skating back onto the ice, the Lions reentered with power and focus. After the sound of the last cheer, the second period started.
About two minutes in, Temple scored, and now they were up two. Not long after, the College scored a goal by Kushnir, assisted by Gaboda. Temple was now only up by one, but not for long. The Lions scored another goal by freshman Kyle Gregory, assisted by Duggan. Before the end of the period, Temple scored again and was now up by one, making the score 3-2.
There was fire in their eyes as they walked back onto the bench, ready to start the last period of this tight game. Strategies, plays, focus and power are what they drew from. Both teams fought, and no one scored until there were 4:53 left on the clock. Temple scored, and now it was 4-2 with them in the lead. The teams went back and forth across the ice, with so many shots on net from the College.
With just 34 seconds left, Kushnir scored, assisted by Staudt and Gaboda. Now the score was three for the College and four for Temple. After a Lions timeout, the game resumed and they pulled their goalie. Everyone was on the edge of their seats in the stands watching as the College rushed the net. They almost had it, but unfortunately, the goalie from Temple was able to grab the puck and hold it till the whistle. The team fought hard for the next couple of seconds, using all they had in that moment, but in the end fell short by a score of 4-3.
The College may not have won this game, but they won a moral victory. It was a close game and they proved themselves to be a solid team. Anyone who was there could feel the power and determination of this Lions team. Only being the first game, they are off to a great start.
Coach Paul Batcho said, “This is the best hockey team TCNJ has seen in a while.” His confidence in the team is instilled in the players, and it’s evident.
There is only a bright future ahead for this team. The season has begun, and the College’s hockey team is just getting started. They’re back in action Friday, Sept. 19.
