Sports
Jacks losing streak extended to seven
Tyler Ohmann
12/13/2011
Despite a couple close games the Dakota College at Bottineau hockey team’s losing streak extended to seven games after the Jacks lost a pair of games to both Minot State and St. Mary’s JV this past week.
“I don’t think we have played for a full 60 minutes all season,” said DCB Head Coach Travis Rybchinski. “When you work hard you are going to get those bounces, but we haven’t worked hard enough to deserve those bounces.”
The toughest of the losses came in a 3-2 defeat at the hands of St. Mary’s JV on Sunday afternoon. It was the Jacks final game before semester break.
In that game the Jacks trailed 1-0 entering the third period, but goals by Will Kinsman and Robin Danielsson gave the Jacks a 2-1 lead with 17:35 to play in the period.
Chippy play caused both teams to garner several roughing penalties in the game, and gave St. Mary’s a 5-on-3 opportunity in the middle of the period.
With only a second left in the two man advantage St. Marys’ Kyle Maas hit the back of the net to even the game.
After power plays by both teams were killed by both teams, the Jacks appeared to take the lead as several Jacks swiped at a rebound that wound up in the back of the net. However, the score was waived off as the officials had blown the whistle as St. Mary’s goaltender Allen Mekah’s helmet came off and he took a blow to the nose.
With 1:49 remaining in the period Peter Ronning scored the game-winner for St. Mary’s as he snuck the puck past DCB net minder Troy Chandler a split second before the net was dislodged.
Rybchinski cited a lack of consistency as the determining factor in the loss.
“I thought we worked really hard, battled hard today, but you can’t just turn the light switch on and off,” Rybchinski said. “That’s what we were doing today.”
The week began with a home and home battle against the Beavers of Minot State.
Game one was in Bottineau and the two teams traded blows to begin the contest.
Former Lumberjack Danny Urban notched first blood early in the first period. Brett Fiddler and former Bottineau High School standout and Mr. Hockey Eric Herbel assisted.
DCB tied the game with 2:06 left in the first when Cole Reisenauer took a pass from Kinsman and hit the back of the net.
Two straight second period goals from MSU, including Urban’s second on a power play gave the Beavers a 3-1 lead.
The Jacks landed another blow late in the period to draw within one. That goal was scored by another former BHS player Seth Serhienko. Sophomore Kirby Braybrook assisted.
However, the third period belonged to the Beavers as they scored four goals and came away with a 6-2 win. Herbel scored the first, and Dan Lamb and Cam McGeough finished it off.
Chandler finished with 40 saves in 46 opportunities for the Jacks.
The second game on Friday evening at MAYSA arena in Minot proved to be an even tighter contest, but again it was the Beavers who wound up on top 4-2.
Rybchinski was disappointed with the lack of effort throughout an entire game.
“It’s disappointing, but you have to play 60 minutes and we haven’t done that,” Rybchinski said. “We have had good stretches, good spurts, but we just got to put it together all game.”
The first period was dominated by MSU as Urban again kicked off the game. Goals from Kellen Tollefson and Lamb gave the Beavers a 3-0 lead after period one.
DCB’s Patrick Martin scored an unassisted marker in the second period as the Jacks mounted a comeback.
Serhienko brought the Jacks back to within one early in the third period on an unassisted goal. However, McGeough closed the game again with a goal late in the third to end the DCB comeback.
Chandler had a solid game in net, as he saved 46 out of 50 shots as the Beavers sent an onslaught at the Jacks goaltender. Rybchinski was happy with the performance, but can’t help but want more from the sophomore goaltender.
“He makes the big saves, but we need him to win us a game, and he hasn’t yet,” Rybchinski said. “We just need to work harder and battle back, the break has come at the right time.”
Following the series with the Beavers the Jacks got slapped in the face on Saturday evening as they hosted St. Mary’s JV at the Lumberdome.
The game resulted in an 8-1 Cardinals rout of the Jacks.
The Jacks lone goal came from sophomore defenseman Scott Walters. Assists were credited to Nick Sutton and Braybrook.
Chandler allowed four goals, but stopped 24 in the first two periods before he was replaced by Cesare Dall’Ara in the third period.
Dall’Ara stopped 10 shots, but allowed four goals in the final frame.
Following the four losses the Jacks fall to 4-12-1 on the season.
Their next action will be in the new year at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday Jan. 3 as they host NJCAA rival Williston State. The Jacks have lost twice in Williston so far this season.
Rybchinski hopes the Jacks work hard over the break and are ready for the big game against the Tetons.
“Our first game back is Williston, so we need to be ready,” Rybchinski said. “We will have workouts for them, and come back early. If they do those and buy in, we will be successful.”