Men's hockey moves to first in NESCAC

Author: Peter Baumann

Despite not yet having strung together 60 minutes of perfect hockey, the Middlebury men's hockey team emerged from a crucial week of NESCAC play atop the conference with a NESCAC/ECAC record of 7-1-1 and an overall record of 10-2-1.

A 4-4 tie against the upstart Williams Ephs on Tuesday, Jan. 13, followed by 5-2 and 6-3 victories over Bowdoin and Colby this past weekend, leave the Panthers in control of their own destiny as they pass the halfway mark of the 2008-2009 campaign.

Despite the successful weekend, the scariest part for future opponents might be that Middlebury has yet to play with consistent energy and intensity for an entire contest. Against both Bowdoin and Colby, the Panthers jumped out to an early lead before allowing the opposition to make things interesting in the third period.

"That is something we have to figure out," said Jamie McKenna '09. "If we are going to be successful, we have to play for 60 minutes, wearing teams down in the second [period] and not letting them back in it in the third."

Perhaps the most exciting part of the weekend were the six points recorded by McKenna, giving him 102 for his four-year Middlebury career. In performances that exemplified both his goal-scoring and play-making abilities, McKenna assisted on three goals against the Mules before netting three of his own the next day against the Polar Bears. His outstanding efforts have earned him this week's NESCAC Player of the Week honors.

The selfless senior was quick to deflect praise for his accomplishment.

"In order to get points, you have to have great players surrounding you and that is something I have been fortunate to have at Middlebury," he said, before adding that "in ten years I'm not going to remember goals and assists, but I'll remember my teammates."

Those teammates, however, were quick to give McKenna the praise he deserves.

"He is really a great leader, an exceptional player and a hard worker," said John Yanchek '12, the winning goaltender for both weekend games. "As a younger player, I look up to all the seniors as well as Jamie."

Perhaps it is a testament to the leadership provided by McKenna and the rest of the senior class that the team has received such exemplary results from its first-year class. Martin Drolet '12 and Charlie Strauss '12 have each contributed heavily up front, while defenseman Tucker Donahoe '12 has helped anchor what has been a very consistent back-line.

Throw in the early season performance of Yanchek and it is easy to be impressed with the progression of Middlebury's youngest contributors. The Hotchkiss product has split time almost evenly with Doug Raeder '09, posting a perfect 6-0 record to go with a save percentage of .915.

McKenna recognizes the difference that goaltenders such as Raeder and Yanchek can have on the collective psyche of the team that plays in front of them.

"Being confident in your goalie makes a huge difference," he said. "It allows us to maybe take a chance, knowing that if doesn't work out we have a great guy back in net to stop the puck."

The Panthers return to action at home this Friday and Saturday with ECAC tilts against St. Anslem and New England College.