Senior Night’s massive student section. (Courtesy/Tan Walker/Twitter)
Following their disappointing loss in the championship game of the Walter F. Ehrnfelt Memorial Tournament, the Vikes took on DeSales in their inaugural Senior Night on Friday, January 25, then Bishop Watterson on Sunday, January 27th.
Senior co-captains Cole Walker and Gunnar Geiger, assistant co-captains David Li and Jacob Sardo, team manager Claire Budzik,and players Keenan Bellisari, Oscar Giller, Aiden Macchia, Greyson Noblitt, and Tyler Schlonsk were recognized by a massive turnout of students, parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends.
The joyous occasion waned, however, when a player from DeSales shot a puck at the glass in front of Academy’s student section, breaking the pane, hurting a student, and delaying the game.
When the puck finally dropped, the first period was even until Campbell Gwin’21 broke the scoring deadlock with 4:46. DeSales leveled the scoring one minute later, sending the game in the second period tied at 1-1. The second period kept the pace from the first going, with two quick goals, Academy’s being scored by
Cole Walker scored two quick goals in the first minute of second period. A few minutes later, Walker scored again to put the Vikes ahead, but DeSales countered to level it once more. Gwin scored his second goal of the night, bringing the score up to 4-3. But DeSales tied the score a few minutes later just before Gwin completed his hat-trick in the same minute, ending the second period at 5-4, in favor of the Vikings. The third period began with DeSales tying the score once more, but in the last few minutes, the Stallions pulled away with three more goals, two of them on an open net, at 8-5, a tough loss for the Vikes after an even match.
The Vikes played again on Sunday the 27 against Bishop Watterson, trying to pick up the pieces after a rough loss two nights before. With a fire in their bellies, Academy came running out the gates, with Geiger scoring four minutes into the game. Watterson fought back and won back a goal. Sardo scored next, putting the Vikes in front, but the Eagles scored two, with the opening period ending 3-2. The Vikes did not back down in the second period, though, as Sardo doubled his total for the day to tie the game. The rest of the second and half of the third periods was end-to-end play until Watterson scored with seven minutes to go in the game. The Vikes fought hard but could not breakthrough, ending 4-3 win for Watterson.
Academy Ice Hockey’s first senior night was a huge milestone for the program, but the Vikes could not take advantage two losses add on to a now three-game losing streak.
Academy has three home games on February 1, 2, and 3 against Westerville, Olentangy Berlin, and Dublin Coffman, respectively.
