By Brooke Killgore, Head Beat Writer
SYRACUSE, NY — After 221 days off the ice, Syracuse Men’s Club Hockey returns for its regular season opener against Robert Morris University at 7 p.m. tonight at Tennity Ice Pavilion.
The first home game of the year entails brand-new Orange offensive and defensive lines, SU goals and a renewed chance at the ESCHL playoffs for the last time before realignment. It also welcomes a ceremonial puck drop from Senior Vice President and Chief Student Experience Officer Allen Groves.
Groves leads a team at SU whose main goal is “creating an unsurpassed student experience for every student at the University.”
“It’s special to see someone who the program has nurtured a great relationship with come out and drop the puck,” senior forward Brock Alvers said. “Allen has done great things for this university and we’re excited to have him kick off our season tonight.”
Brock, who serves as the team’s president, has developed a connection with Allen over the last six months.
Syracuse is coming off an intense exhibition matchup against Clarkson University last weekend; a chance for Head Coach Chris Timmons and his squad to work out any last-minute kinks.
The Orange dominantly swept the Golden Knights in the first game last Friday, 9-1, and won in thrilling overtime fashion on Saturday, 6-5. A key factor for SU lay in the work of some of the eight new faces to this year’s squad.
Freshman forward Cam Gaffney accumulated two points (1 G and 1 A) in his first night wearing the block “S.” On Saturday, the left-winger secured Syracuse’s second win of the weekend after skating up the slot and potting a goal early into the overtime period.
“My teammates [set me up for success.] It was a hard game all night but we got the job done,” Gaffney said. “I think we look good. We’re going to have a lot of fun.”
For Timmons, last weekend showcased the team’s growing pains but a chance to grow and clean up before today.
“We tried a different look…there will be a learning curve but we want to have that ironed out,” Timmons said. “[We’re] going to take it game by game, week by week. Consistency is the key in terms of being successful and that is what we will strive for.”
The Orange faced off against the Colonials on the road last year for RMU’s season opener. Syracuse split the series, one in a heartbreaking 6-5 overtime loss and won the other in a 6-4 victory.
RMU started its season last weekend with two losses on the road against Canisius College.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. today. All home games are played at the Tennity Ice Pavilion on Syracuse University’s campus and are free to attend for students and the general public. Home games are also broadcast live for free on the SU Hockey Network.
Contact me:
X: @BKillgore13
Email: bnkillgo@syr.edu
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