2/21/08
HOKIES WIN VS UVA MEANS REMATCH IN ACCHL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS

The Virginia Tech ice hockey team came into their final regular season game of the year against University of Virginia with a very successful record of 13-6-1-1. Earlier in the season the Hokies had a very disappointing 2-1 loss against their rivals from Charlottesville and the team looked to change the outcome in Roanoke on Sunday, February, 17th. Since the game was senior night, both defensemen Mitch Cline and Ryan Cole, along with their parents, were honored on the ice by both fans and teammates for their successful Hokie hockey careers.

With over 3 thousand fans in attendance, the Hokies hoped to gain momentum early on with a goal but their opposition beat them to it. Virginia Tech would not let the goal get to them as the first line was able to get a goal with a great passing play from sophomore Todd Minetree to junior Matt Harrison, which tied the game up at 1. The Hokies dominated the play for most of the period which lead to another Tech goal from freshman defenseman Joe Woermer ending the first 2-1.

In the second period, the physical part of the game clearly picked up as both teams continued to look for offense. Adding to their lead was Virginia Tech as Matt Harrison was able to get his second goal of the night by stuffing the puck home after an attempted rap around putting the Hokies up 3-1. After Tech's third goal the team constantly found themselves in the penalty box, helping to get Virginia back in the game. UVA were able to get within 1 half way through the period, putting the score back at 3-2. Still facing many penalty calls the momentum seemed to be shifting in favor of the Cavs, but junior captain Jimmy Pope would not allow it to happen. He was able to get himself space for a shot on a Virginia power play and burried the puck home for the shorthanded goal putting Tech back up 2 and ending the second 4-2.

The third period of the game proved to be a very exciting finish, including extremely physical play and disqualifications for both teams. Unfortunately for Tech, Virginia was able to score the first goal of the period to put the pressure on the Hokies to finish out the game. About midway through the final period, Senior Defensemen Mitch Cline lined up a player on the opposing team and had a massive open ice hit that sent the cavalier player to the ice. This hit single handedly changed momentum for both Tech players and fans, giving them the boost they needed for a strong finish. With momentum on their side, Joe Woermer was able to pick the puck off the boards in the offensive zone and get a shot off that beat the Virginia goaltender giving Tech a commanding 5-3 lead. With very little time left in the third, the physical aspect of the game picked up again and lead to many big hits and altercations.

After one tangle between Tech and Virginia players, the ref made a very questionable call disqualifying sophomore forward Todd Minetree and a matching Virginia player. After these penalties the game appeared to just get more out of control, but Tech was able to maintain their two goal lead. With less than one minute left in the game, senior defensemen Ryan Cole, not to be outdone by fellow senior Mitch Cline, laid a huge open ice hit on a Virginia player. After staying on the ice for a few minutes because of injury from the hit, the Virginia player skated by Virginia Tech's bench. The player performed two very unsportsmanlike like actions that should have lead to penalties but because the player was injured, were ignored by the referees. Tech was able to finish the game and get the 5-3 win.

With the 5-3 win over Virginia, the Hokies finished the season 6-4-1-1 in the league and in a tie with Virginia. However, the tiebreaker (Overall League Win Percentage) would go to Virginia, giving them 4th place. With UVA finishing 4th and Tech finishing 5th it sets up an ACCHL quarterfinal rematch at the Roanoke Civic Center on Friday February, 22, 2008 at 7PM.