Monday, December 10, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Umass Lowell Riverhawks Hockey Game
I have played hockey my entire life, and it has probably been the most influential activity I have ever done. That being said, I always wanted to play D1 ice hockey for a Hockey East team. Growing up watching BU, BC, Northeastern, Harvard, and of course UMass Lowell, I have been to the Tsongas Center a few times as a kid. However, I had not been during the recent years prior to this semester.
Coming to UMass Lowell, I was naturally excited to watch the hockey games here. I have been to quite a few this year but I have chosen to write specifically about the UML-Northestern game on 12/8/2012. I chose this game in particular, not only because we won, but because it was the game that I felt we played most as a team and fluent. Also, Northeastern was always a team a really looked up to as a kid.
During the first period, both teams were battling for a goal. We weren't playing necessarily awesome, but then again neither were the Huskies. When the second period came around, though, the score was tied 0-0. We came out killing them, a few open ice hits letting them know we weren't messing around and the Riverhawks were here to play; the fans, including myself, were going crazy. We were taking shots from every angle trying to slide one past the Northeastern goalie, but he was giving us nothing. Finally, with about 2 and a half minutes left in the period, we put one in to make it 1-0. It was a nice shot from the slot (right in from of the net) going right by the goalie's leg, bottom right corner. That was the end to the second period in terms of goals.
The third period was filled with stress and anxiety. The Huskies came out swinging with a vengeance this time, determined to come back. Our backup goalie (not sure why he was in the net) was giving them nothing. He was making great saves left and right. Eventually, we got back to our game, great passes, good hits, and some quality shots. We finally put in a second goal to make it 2-0; it was perfect. Riverhawks were coming down on an odd man rush, the forward passed it right across the slot for a backdoor goal, meaning he shot it right where the goalie wasn't looking, as he was too distracted by the player who made the great pass. We fought hard the rest of the game, and came out with the 2-0 win. It was by far my favorite game of the season.
As for my experience at the Tsongas center, I'd like to talk about the first game I went to this season. I hadn't been there in years and it was just as incredible as I remembered it. Walking through the doors, the blowup shooting station, the inspirational pictures painted on the stairs. As I walked up the stairs to the main part, I suddenly felt a sense of nostalgia. All I could think was being 10 years old walking the halls with my team, anxiously awaiting the day I could play here. It was incredible.
I wanted to play hockey again so much; it made me sad remembering that I don't have time with all of classes going on. I quickly snapped out of it, though, and remember I was about to see one of my childhood legendary hockey teams play again. I waled around looking at all of the merchandise and people all here to cheer on their team, whichever team that may be. Walking down the steps to my seat, joining the mass of Umass Lowell students, was insane. There were so many kids ready to cheer, yell, scream, laugh, and anything else that was about to happen. I loved every second of my first back at the Tsongas Center. Unfortunately, the prices of food were a lot higher than I remember them being though...
Coming to UMass Lowell, I was naturally excited to watch the hockey games here. I have been to quite a few this year but I have chosen to write specifically about the UML-Northestern game on 12/8/2012. I chose this game in particular, not only because we won, but because it was the game that I felt we played most as a team and fluent. Also, Northeastern was always a team a really looked up to as a kid.
During the first period, both teams were battling for a goal. We weren't playing necessarily awesome, but then again neither were the Huskies. When the second period came around, though, the score was tied 0-0. We came out killing them, a few open ice hits letting them know we weren't messing around and the Riverhawks were here to play; the fans, including myself, were going crazy. We were taking shots from every angle trying to slide one past the Northeastern goalie, but he was giving us nothing. Finally, with about 2 and a half minutes left in the period, we put one in to make it 1-0. It was a nice shot from the slot (right in from of the net) going right by the goalie's leg, bottom right corner. That was the end to the second period in terms of goals.
The third period was filled with stress and anxiety. The Huskies came out swinging with a vengeance this time, determined to come back. Our backup goalie (not sure why he was in the net) was giving them nothing. He was making great saves left and right. Eventually, we got back to our game, great passes, good hits, and some quality shots. We finally put in a second goal to make it 2-0; it was perfect. Riverhawks were coming down on an odd man rush, the forward passed it right across the slot for a backdoor goal, meaning he shot it right where the goalie wasn't looking, as he was too distracted by the player who made the great pass. We fought hard the rest of the game, and came out with the 2-0 win. It was by far my favorite game of the season.
As for my experience at the Tsongas center, I'd like to talk about the first game I went to this season. I hadn't been there in years and it was just as incredible as I remembered it. Walking through the doors, the blowup shooting station, the inspirational pictures painted on the stairs. As I walked up the stairs to the main part, I suddenly felt a sense of nostalgia. All I could think was being 10 years old walking the halls with my team, anxiously awaiting the day I could play here. It was incredible.
I wanted to play hockey again so much; it made me sad remembering that I don't have time with all of classes going on. I quickly snapped out of it, though, and remember I was about to see one of my childhood legendary hockey teams play again. I waled around looking at all of the merchandise and people all here to cheer on their team, whichever team that may be. Walking down the steps to my seat, joining the mass of Umass Lowell students, was insane. There were so many kids ready to cheer, yell, scream, laugh, and anything else that was about to happen. I loved every second of my first back at the Tsongas Center. Unfortunately, the prices of food were a lot higher than I remember them being though...
Honors Event - Women's Basketball Game
Upon arriving to the game, I was excited to see Costello Gymnasium. I had been inside, but I have only seen the pool, so the gym was new to me. My first impression was that it was enormous; the gym was so much bigger than I expected it would be. Also, arriving not too much after the game began, I was shocked to see so many people supporting the Women's Basketball Team. It was my false belief that hockey was the only sport important to this school; it was all I had ever gone to, and I assumed it was all that the other students at the school have gone to as well. I was very wrong, though. They were handing out blue Commonwealth Honors Program shirts, and we were all wearing them, so it looked like a giant blue see behind the hoop; it was very cool. Also, the gym had all of the banners from all of our sports teams championship wins hanging all the way around the ceiling (as seen in the picture to the left). With bleachers on both sides, and behind the hoop, where I was sitting, the gym holds a ton of people. A good portion of the seats were filled by fans cheering for their team to win.
Also surprising to me was the pep band. I was not expecting a band there (for whatever reason). As I walked in I heard some great music coming from the stands between plays. It was pretty awesome. They were playing songs like "The Final Countdown" and, I think, "Shout," and a ton of other popular, fun songs to hear while watching a great game.
As far as the game goes, I believe the Riverhawks ended the game with a 70-65 loss (if I remember correctly). It was a great game, though. Lots of battling for the ball and heated confrontations. In my opinion, the refs threw the game away; they were calling our team for just about everything. It eventually got to the point that our fans were screaming and yelling at the refs for blowing the game. It got pretty intense and entertaining, really. Their were so many foul shots that the last ten minutes of the game actually lasted a good half of an hour. I didn't mind though, because fouls are what makes basketball interesting. Otherwise, I have never been a huge basketball fan. I was very impressed at the skill that these girls had, however. They were making a lot of 3 pointers and almost never missed a foul shot. Those types of things made me respect the time and effort they must have put into the sport throughout their entire lives.
Even though I am not a huge fan of the sport, I did enjoy this. I had a great time rooting for the Riverhawks with the other kids, and I will definitely going to more games. Hopefully next time I can see a nice win.
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| Costello Gymnasium |
Also surprising to me was the pep band. I was not expecting a band there (for whatever reason). As I walked in I heard some great music coming from the stands between plays. It was pretty awesome. They were playing songs like "The Final Countdown" and, I think, "Shout," and a ton of other popular, fun songs to hear while watching a great game.
As far as the game goes, I believe the Riverhawks ended the game with a 70-65 loss (if I remember correctly). It was a great game, though. Lots of battling for the ball and heated confrontations. In my opinion, the refs threw the game away; they were calling our team for just about everything. It eventually got to the point that our fans were screaming and yelling at the refs for blowing the game. It got pretty intense and entertaining, really. Their were so many foul shots that the last ten minutes of the game actually lasted a good half of an hour. I didn't mind though, because fouls are what makes basketball interesting. Otherwise, I have never been a huge basketball fan. I was very impressed at the skill that these girls had, however. They were making a lot of 3 pointers and almost never missed a foul shot. Those types of things made me respect the time and effort they must have put into the sport throughout their entire lives.
Even though I am not a huge fan of the sport, I did enjoy this. I had a great time rooting for the Riverhawks with the other kids, and I will definitely going to more games. Hopefully next time I can see a nice win.
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