By Kelly Preston
The Rams hockey team pulled off a great impression of the men’s volleyball team on the weekend.
In back-to-back home games, the team responded to an 11-3 drubbing at the hands of the Royal Military College with a four-all tie against Queen’s.
The games were typical of how inconsistent the young team has played this season. Head coach Lou Carnevale said that weekends like this are indicative of the emotional rollercoaster he has faced so far this season.
“It must have been a full moon,” said Carnevale referring to the blowout to last-place RMC. “Everything that could have possibly gone wrong, did. We played well [against Queen’s]. If we worked that hard every game, I’d be a happy coach.”
Against Queen’s, the Rams battled back from a two goal deficit in the third to salvage a point in the last minute.
Following the weekend, the team’s record drops to 3-14-1, good for last in the OUAA’s Mid Wed Division.
Much of the team’s misfortune can be attributed to their youth, as the Rams squad is dominated by 15 rookies.
“Sometimes I see the potential in them. But this is being a young team. They just don’t play with consistency night after night,” said Carnevale.
Kirby Tokarski, who netted two goals against Queen’s, is one of the team’s first-year players who agrees the Rams’ youth and a sagging team confidence have been major obstacles.
“There have been times this year when we work hard but just don’t get the job done,” he said.
Although the season has been frustrating to this point, the team refuses to believe their fate is sealed.
“I think we’ve still got a shot at the next playoffs,” said Carnevale. “The next eight games will show how many of our guys want to step up to the forefront.”
Despite the team’s horrendous record, the Rams maintain their youth makes the future seem exciting.
“We’re rebuilding, but next year we’ll have all of our young players coming back,” said Tokarski.
Carnevale agrees.
“We’ve still got to fill the holes and add depth, but we’ve got a good nucleus. I think we have the foundation, it’s just up to the players to play with pride and commitment every night,” he said.
Leave a Reply