by John Wardach
Staff Writer
ROANOKE ? The Virginia Tech ice hockey team finished a weekend series against in-state rival University of Virginia by pulling out an exciting 5-4 victory Saturday evening at the Ice Station in Roanoke.
Tech came out of the locker room strong in the first period, playing a tight-checking defensive game and trying to set the tone for the matchup. However, UVa opened up the scoring 13 minutes into the period.
Senior Chad Watkins answered back for Tech only 40 seconds later, knotting the score at one. The first period ended this way, despite the Hokies trailing the Cavaliers in shots on goal.
Early in the second period, junior Matt Fillion scored a short-handed goal after the Tech penalty-killing unit killed a two-man power play advantage for the Cavaliers.
Midway through the period there was a sequence of end-to-end play resulting in some scoring chances for the Hokies, but they were stopped by some great saves by UVa.
After UVa lost two men to penalties, the Hokies put some great pressure in front of the net and capitalized on their two-man advantage, extending the lead 3-1.
UVa answered back later with two power-play goals of their own only minutes later in the period, tying the game at 3-3.
?UVa scored key goals on the power-play, making it a close and exciting game? said Tech head coach Michael Spradlin.
Tech came out with a burst of energy in the third period against a UVa power play, maintaining possession deep in the offensive zone.
?Our defense played great,? Spradlin said. ?You have to give respect to UVa (though), they have a great team.?
Ten minutes into the final period, UVa took the lead with a top-shelf goal capitalizing on a flurry of good scoring opportunities.
But the Hokies scored two goals in the final five minutes of play to overcome the Cavalier lead and take the victory.
Down 4-3 late in the third period, junior Joe Cavucci tied the game with less than five minutes left and Fillion notched the game winner for Tech with about three minutes left in regulation, scoring his second goal of the contest.
Despite a UVa?s furious attempt to tie the score, the Hokies held on for the victory.
Tech goalie Pat Briant played a great game, including a save on a UVa breakaway with less than a minute to play.
The team will look to keep the momentum from this win to finish up the regular season with the final games at the University of North Carolina next week. Playoffs begin later this month.
