Xavier Humbles Hamden 4-3

On Tuesday night right before the huge storm, we traveled to Wesleyan to take on Xavier. The past two years, we have knocked Xavier out of the post-season, and it was made clear since the beginning of the season that this was going to be a battle.

With us coming off a big win last Saturday over Prep, and Xavier trying to rebound back from their loss to New Canaan, the boys from X came out storming. Soon enough, our penalty minutes piled up and Xavier picked up their first goal on a 4 on 3 man advantage. They followed with another, as Danny Walsh sped down the right side to beat goaltender Matt Hoff with a backhand. Just like that, selfish acts did us in before we could even get started.

Down 2-0 to begin the second, we fought hard. Brandon Dadio and Jim Burt connected for Jim's first, and later MacGregor found Burt once more a few minutes later on the power play to get back within one of the Falcons. Xavier never seemed to be worried, as they put in two of their own in their own to match ours in the second period, and left the game at 4-2 to begin the third. 

As mentioned in previous games, our penalty kill has been hot, and tonight that didn't change. But one can only take so much. Granted, the penalties were a bit more evenly distributed than they were against Prep, playing almost every third shift a man down is in no way fun. That may be the case for everyone but Patrick Lynch, as he scored his second shorthanded goal in three games thanks to a goaltender miscue by the Falcons. 4-3 with 5 minutes left on the clock. More power play chances were basically handed to us, but the puck would not take that extra bounce over the goal line, as the Xavier goalie came up big all game, and kept the score at 4-3.

Some see nothing fun in losing. Well, that is correct, nothing is fun about it. But when a loss of this type comes at this point in the season, it does more good than you'd think. First off, though we did almost all we could do offensively, we were humbled by a hard-nosed Falcon squad. Secondly, hopefully many players, including myself, will start to value 5 on 5 game play, and in the next few games act in a aggressive, yet controlled manner. 

As we don't take on New Canaan until next Tuesday, much will be done in the coming week. I'm sure some conditioning will occur, and special teams will be reviewed. I also have a feeling some disciplinary actions might take place. 

Until then, stay warm.