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Metro power-played by Red Raiders
'Runners troubled by rule changes in heavy loss to Texas Tech
By Eric Lansing
lansing@mscd.edu

The Metro State hockey team has enough battles on the ice trying to compete with hockey powerhouses such as Colorado State and Denver University. But in a 10-1 loss on Oct. 12 to Texas Tech (2-0) at the South Suburban Ice Arena in Centennial, it looks like the new rule changes on penalties will be a battle in itself.

The Roadrunners had numerous penalties that led to seven power-play goals, five of them in the first period. Metro was constantly fighting two- and three-man advantages while having up to four men in the penalty box at one time.

“Penalties are going to be a very interesting thing for everybody this season,” Metro captain Curtis Duffus said, “Whichever teams are going to learn to play this kind of game first are the ones who are going to win hockey games.”

The NCAA’s new rule against “offensive players coming through the neutral or offensive goals being unfairly/illegally held-up while they make a legitimate attempt to get or remain open for a pass from a puck-controlling teammate” is now being enforced. And enforced it was, as penalty after penalty was called on both teams throughout the game.

New head coach Brian Teneyck, who was recently given the job based on his playing experience with the players, explained that the new rules are changing the game of hockey not only for his team but for the entire league.

“There is absolutely no stick work,” Teneyck said. “These guys have grown up knowing how to use their sticks, and now you go into a game where you can’t. Last week (against Colorado) you saw penalties, and this week was no different.”

Duffus said he spoke to one of the Texas Tech players after the game and was told that in a game against Northern Texas a few nights ago, the referees called 60 penalties.

Duffus added it will be a learning process for his team and understanding the new rules will be their primary focus.

“The first month here really doesn’t matter a whole lot,” Duffus said. “Simply because everybody is adjusting. This game was ridiculous with the number of penalties, so a game like this doesn’t concern me.”

Texas Tech left wing Kevin Mayoux led the Red Raiders with seven total points off four goals and three assists. Left wing Wes Shirley pitched in three goals, and starting goaltender Andrew Mossberg logged his second win on the year.

The lone Metro goal came from Brin Arakaki at the 8:53 mark of the second period. There was a scrum for the puck in the corner of the Red Raiders’ zone, and Arakaki pulled it out, found himself alone in front of the net and shot it home to end the shutout.

Starting goaltender Troy Aubol, who won his first game on Oct. 7 against Division III Colorado University 6-4, had a hard time fighting off the many Texas Tech power plays and was pulled for backup goalie Casey Sherwood in the final period.

With the new changes being a factor for every hockey team, Teneyck said his players need to understand the new rules and once they eliminate the mistakes, they will be able to compete.

“The guys need to watch the New Rules of Emphasis video,” Teneyck said. “They need to understand what’s a penalty and what’s not, and we definitely need to work on our penalty killing. But tonight we came out flat and do not want to make any excuses, because we should have shown up to play.”

As the Roadrunners’ captain, it will be Duffus’ job to help his team adapt to the new system of rules so they can focus on the game instead of the penalties.

“It’s going to be hard to not be able to touch people with our sticks, hook people, or cross check,” Duffus said. “What we need (is) to start practicing this stuff and learning how to clear people out of the front of the net without using our sticks and use our shoulders and our bodies. We are going to have to change the way we play.”

The loss drops the ’Runners record to 1-2. They hope to turn things around in their next two games on the road in Utah, where they play Utah State on Oct. 20 and Utah Valley State College on Oct. 21.