SPORTSBRIEFS

Author: ZAMIR AHMED AND RYAN REESE, SPORTS EDITORS

Gilchrist '08 skates to POTW

Middlebury forward Mickey Gilchrist '08 was named the NESCAC Player of the Week for men's hockey for the week of Jan. 10-16 after tallying six goals and an assist to lead the Panthers to wins in three NESCAC games. Gilchrist's hot hand carried over into this past weekend as he scored three goals and notched three assists as the Panthers improved to 15-0-1 with two tough wins.

On Jan. 10, with the Panthers down 2-0 to Williams in the second period, Gilchrist kick-started the Middlebury offense and notched his first goal of the game at 11:35 of the frame. He also added an empty-net goal with eight seconds to go in the game as the Panthers came from behind to win 5-2. On Jan. 13, Gilchrist again opened the Panthers' scoring, this time against Colby with a goal in the first period to give the team a 1-0 lead. He later added a power-play goal in the third period as the Panthers cruised to a 6-2 victory. The following day saw Gilchrist add a goal and an assist to the Panthers' 9-1 steamroll over Bowdoin.

Gilchrist continued his offensive explosion on Jan. 20 against New England College. Gilchrist had a hand on all of the Panthers' goals, netting two goals and an assist in a 3-0 victory. On Jan. 21, Gilchrist again got in on the Panthers' offense, scoring the game-winning goal and assisting on two others as Middlebury beat St. Anselm 3-1.

Gilchrist currently has 11 goals and 13 assists on the season to lead the Panthers with 24 points. He sits in third place in the NESCAC in both points and goals scored.



U.S. hockey team visits Kenyon

On Monday, Jan. 16, the United States women's national ice hockey team paid a visit to Middlebury's own Kenyon Arena. The team had been on a tour of exhibition games that served as solid preparation for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. They were up in Vermont in order to face off against the Green Mountain Glades, a midget boy's team. The game was well-attended as nearly 1,000 spectators filled the stands for the early afternoon contest. Rather than charging admission, fans were asked to bring canned goods in order to replenish the Addison Country food shelf.

As it turns out, Vermont's own Glades beat the women's team by a score of 8-6. They were powered by four third period goals and two goals from Taylor Juneau. Natalie Darwitz led the charge for the United States as she knocked in a goal while ringing up two assists. Team captain, Krissy Wendell scored one of her own and assisted on another.

This was the last tune-up game for the Olympians before the team was scheduled to depart for Italy later this month. The team looked ready for action as its skating looked sharp and its power-play was nearly unstoppable. The team is definitely a medal contender and some consider the women to be favorites to win the gold. Their main challengers, as always, will be their neighbors to the north. In Nagano, the first Olympic Games to feature women's hockey, the U.S. took the gold while the Canadians stole the show in Salt Lake City. With the opening ceremonies set for Feb. 10, our eyes will be focused on the small Italian town and the nation's top competitors.



Midd to host cheer competition

On Sunday, Feb. 19, Middlebury College will play host to the inaugural Midd Extreme Cheerleading and Dance Team Competition. The competition is being organized by the Middlebury Co-Ed Competitive Cheerleading Team, which will perform an exhibition routine during the day but will not be competing.

The event is expected to draw teams from all over New England, with competitions in a number of dance categories for all age groups and ability levels. The event is expected to draw over 1,000 competitors, with the main event running from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. in Pepin Gymnasium. The doors will open at 9 A.M. on the morning of the competition and tickets are $5 per person.