Ivy redemption for men's hockey

For most, the lazy days of spring semester shopping period presented a nice respite from their typically harrowed lives at Yale—a way to ease comfortably back into their daily routines after an all-too-short winter break. But for the men's hockey team, the time offered little cause for comfort—the task of rebuilding the season was too pressing to ignore.

JULIA TIERNAN/YH With recent wins over league foes Brown and Harvard, the Bulldogs hope to salvage the season.

After stumbling mig-htily into winter break, losing four of five games to ECAC opponents, the team faces numerous challenges in the new year. And after two road losses to number-one Michigan State before classes had even resumed, the team realized just how long the journey back to respectability might prove. For those reasons, last weekend's games against Brown and Harvard took on particular importance. And for those same reasons, last weekend's victories against Brown and Harvard proved especially sweet, evidence perhaps that the team had turned a corner in its long and winding season.

It is difficult to diagnose many of the team's problems leading up to break, but a few stand out. Opponents, it seemed, outplayed Yale badly, on virtually every shift of every period in all of the team's December games. For players and fans alike, the squad's ineptitude came as a shock, especially after early-season success against nationally ranked opponents. But, as forward Spencer Rodgers, CC '02, explained, "With our success, we couldn't catch them by surprise, as we once did."

As opponents raised their level of play against Yale, they also clamped down on the Bulldogs' top line: Ben Stafford, BR '01, Keith Hamilton, SM '01, Nick Deschenes, MC '03. "A lot of our success comes off our top line," Rodgers said. "Other teams see significant portions of our offense coming from one line. But we have three other lines. We can't rely on one line all the time."

While other teams took their games to new levels against Yale, the Elis did little to respond, playing some of their worst hockey of the season. As Adam Sauve, BR '01, said, "We played some tough teams. But there is no excuse—we didn't play our best hockey." Indeed, the Bulldogs appeared to melt down on offense and defense, often relying on the big saves of goalie Dan Lombard, SM '02, to keep them close in some games. Special teams were a large problem, as the Elis suffered from a nonexistent power play offense and a poor penalty kill defense.

But, amid all that went wrong, the Bulldogs refused to fall apart, continuing to work hard in their practices and hoping that preparation will translate into victories. Sauve, putting it into perspective, said, "You realize you're going to lose some games, but it's a long season. You've got to take them in stride." And, of course, maintain a commitment to winning, something the team has always done. "We kept on working," Rodgers said. "After [two losses to] Michigan State, everybody really worked hard in practice Monday, which showed a lot of character. If we keep on improving, by the time we get to the playoffs, we should be fine."

Last weekend's victories were a nice start, certainly an improvement over a month of what seemed like constant defeat. "After Michigan State," Rodgers said, "we were ready to get back into our league. I can't remember the last time we swept a weekend." And neither can fans, largely because the team has not done so all year. The wins over Brown and number-13 Harvard just may have saved a season that might have soon spiraled out of control.

Fans, however, will find out soon enough: this weekend's matchup against Holy Cross on Sun., Jan. 20, and next weekend's games against Notre Dame (Sat., Jan. 27 and Sun., Jan. 28) may determine whether or not the Elis have reversed their fortunes. Holy Cross has just joined Division I hockey this year, but it is a hungry and strong team. Notre Dame has struggled this season as well. Nevertheless, Yale knows that it cannot take the Fighting Irish for granted.

After the break from ECAC action, the club returns to conference play in February. By then, in all likelihood, time may well have radically altered the landscape of the conference, which makes every game leading up to February all the more important. Currently, Yale stands in second place in the conference, but the Bulldogs have played more games than most of the teams in the conference. "When we come back," Rodgers said, "it'll be drastically different. As far as standings, we'll definitely come back geared up. It's hard to judge other teams when they have less games."

Nevertheless, it is difficult to judge a Yale team on the basis of two victories last weekend. The team may think it has turned the corner, but fans are likely to remain guarded in their optimism. As Rodgers explained, "A lot has been written about how our confidence is down, and there may be some truth to that. But, deep down, we know we're a good team. As far as the rut, I think we're ready to go." Fans, however, may not be so quick to hop on for the ride.

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