Tech's club hockey team hopes to win league tournament
They'll envision teeth-chattering hits, stick clattering checks, sniper-precise passes and later scenes of victory, when the Virginia Tech Club Hockey team readies to take center ice against its commonwealth foe Virginia for the opening round of the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League tournament Friday in Roanoke.
"It gives me chills just thinking about it," said John Fratello, Hockey Club president and defenseman. "We're going to have a great game. We're out workin' 'em, out hittin' 'em, and out shootin' 'em. I really feel like we are going to go out there and put it to them. They don't have a chance. We're going to go out there, and beat up on them."
If Fratello's bold prediction comes to fruition, the Hokies (13-6-1-1) would go 2-1 on the season against UVa (10-9). But his visions aren't very far-fetched, either. Tech takes on Virginia with less than a week's rest from its last match-up, which is surely fresh in the minds of the Cavaliers.
Last Sunday, the Hokies hosted the Cavaliers in their home rink at the Roanoke Civic Center and wore down the stout UVa defense in a 5-3 victory, avenging a 2-1 loss to the Cavs in Charlottesville during the fall semester.
Doug Francken, a junior defensemen on the Cavalier squad, described his team's need to cut down on shot opportunities from the Hokies, and the necessity to slow down their speedy stick work. Tech's stellar passing helped it capitalize on some power plays, which contributed to its recent game's success.
"It's certainly a huge rivalry," Francken said. "We know it's going to be a tough game versus Tech. They have a great team this year, and some great leadership. It's going to be a hard-fought battle."
Fratello called his teammates "warriors" and attributed their second semester turnaround to "figuring out how to win with what we have." What they have, Fratello said, is guts.
"We're grinders," Fratello said. "We're hard workers. We're always in there battling for the puck. We don't get a whole lot of pretty goals; they're trash goals. But we get the puck in the back of the net."
Unlike varsity athletes, there are no economic incentives for playing this club sport. The 45-minute drive to Roanoke several times a week for practices and games takes a toll on the mind, wallet, and bodies while they pound each other in practices in pursuit of excellence.
"We don't get scholarships," Fratello said. "We pay to play, because these guys just love the game."
All of the players on the team, Fratello said, played high school or club hockey growing up. Some even turned down opportunities to play varsity hockey at larger schools in order to cool off from the intense level of competition from high school. Tech's team, Fratello said, was competitive but relaxed; just a bunch of hockey loving Hokies willing to sacrifice time and commitments to enjoy playing their passion.
But long nights of practice can be frustrating after tough loss games. So far this season, Tech has only lost one game by more than a single goal. But the one game that got away was against Georgetown two weeks ago.
Back in November, when the Hokies first met the Hoyas, the underdog Tech team pulled the ice from underneath Georgetown in a definitive 5-2 win. In the spring during their second meeting, a regular season sweep seemed on the way late in the third period with Tech up 4-2.
The Hokies had dominated the pace of the game, never having less than a two-goal lead throughout. But before time expired, the Hoyas built some steam and tied it up 4-4 to send it to overtime. With just 34 seconds remaining in the extra period, the Hoyas scored to win 5-4 and complete the comeback
Fratello was adamant this tournament would not end as quietly for the Hokies as it did last year, when they lost to Duke in the second round. The Hokies, Fratello said, were back for UVa, back for Georgetown, and back for Duke.
"We've got the talent," Fratello said. "We've got to play our A-game, and do what's right. We're ready to go. This is our year."
Fratello can already see it happen.
