Sports

Jacks sputter during winless week

By Tyler Ohmann

12/11/2012

Goals were not an easy thing to come by as the Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) Lumberjacks scored only twice in three games this past week, which led to three more losses.

The losses dropped the Jacks’ overall record to 2-12 on the season.

DCB began the week with a 9-2 loss to rival Williston State last Tuesday in the Lumberdome.

Things looked good for the Jacks early as they scored the first goal and were within striking distance throughout the first two periods. However, the Tetons kept putting the pressure on freshman goaltender Cody Brooks, which eventually led to nine goals.

The Jacks were out shot 63-18 in the loss, which was their second loss to the Tetons this season.
They lost their first game to the Tetons in Williston on Nov. 14, by a score of 10-0.

“We actually played pretty good today for the first half of the game and started off real well with the first goal,” stated DCB head coach Travis Rybchinski. “Then we started the turnovers and stopped moving our feet. We need to realize that we need to bring it every shift and every minute of the game.”

Despite the loss, Rybchinski still believes that his squad has what it takes to win come the playoff series in February.

“I believe in this team and believe we can shock the world this year. We have to start now,” Rybchinski said. “Start being accountable on and off the ice.  We need to play well consistently.  Overall we just need to be better.”

Then the Jacks took a trip to Iowa State to take on a Division III ACHA team. The Cyclones didn’t allow a single goal throughout the weekend to the Jacks as they won on Friday 11-0, and concluded the weekend with an 8-0 victory.

On Friday the Jacks stuck with the Cyclones in the first period, allowing only one goal in the opening frame.

Starting in the second period the flood gates opened and Iowa State scored five times in each of the final two periods to come away with an 11-0 win.

The Cyclones out shot the Jacks 53-14 in the game.
Brooks started the game in net and had 37 saves in 47 opportunities. Dylan Snyder finished the game as he saved 5-of-6 shots.

Derek Kohles was the top performer with two goals and an assist in the win.

The Jacks did not allow the Cyclones to get a power play, but DCB was 0-for-3 on the power play themselves.

The Jacks again were waxed by the Cyclones on Saturday as they were again shut out, this time by a score of 8-0.

Snyder had 46 saves in the loss, as he allowed three goals in the first two periods and two in the final frame.

Again the Jacks were out shot by a ton, 54-12.
Georgi Iskrenov had a pair of goals, while Mark Huber had a goal and four helpers in the win.

“We were out matched and did not work well together,” Rybchinski stated about the weekend series. “To give ourselves a chance we need to be one unit, together.”

Up next

The Jacks hope to turn it around this Saturday and Sunday as they will host Finlandia.

They play at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

At Sunday’s game the Jacks will present a special honor to Terry Charnholm.

“Terry has been a staple with lumberjack hockey and we want to honor him with a big crowd and a win next Sunday afternoon,” Rybchinski said.

Rybchinski believes that the games should be competitive as Finlandia includes a lot of young players, much like the Jacks.

“Finlandia is a team comparable with ours having kids just out of high school, should be close competitive games,” Rybchinski stated.