Hockey plagues Wooster

Oberlin trounces Wooster 18-2

The buzz is right, folks: Oberlin 18, Wooster 2 - perhaps the widest margin of victory by any Oberlin athletic squard in recent memory.

Wooster College had the misfortune of opening its hockey season against the formidable Oberlin Plague in Oberlin's own Williams Arena on Parents' Weekend. Thus, the Oberlin team had the great pleasure of playing for a loud capacity crowd. Parents and students surrounded the rink en masse and proceeded to chant, cheer and thunderously bellow as the game progressed.

The members of the Plague were not about to let their fans down. Oberlin's performance was exceptionally well-organized and problems that had plagued the team in the past, like poor passing and miscommunication, seemed to vanish in this season opener.

Junior Jessica Friedman had her first start in net for the Plague and she didn't disappoint, allowing only two goals during the first two two periods. Meanwhile, her performance in the third period was flawless and was highlighted by a magnificent save made during a breakaway by Wooster's star forward. Asked to describe her feelings about the game, her only remark was, "My feet were cold."

As usual, the team was inspired by the heroics of senior Greg "Snips" Scranton, whose three-goal performance led the offensive charge for the Plague. He awed Wooster with his incredible moves, speed and precision shooting.

To his credit, he was able to stay on his feet for 45 minutes, a feat unmatched by any member of the Wooster squad. Coming off of the ice after demonstrating a successful powerplay drill in the second period, Scranton said, "Hey, we needed to work on it." Greg ended the night with a hat-trick as did first-year Ken Gary and sophomore Evan "The Rocket" Kelly. Junior Tyler "T-Bird" Kord and sophomore Zoltan Szuts both joined the hallowed ranks of Oberlin goal-scorers on Saturday night by gaining their first net-burners. Other goals were tallied by juniors Dan "Phil" Bourque and Matt Winstanley.

The defense was anchored by the solid play of Bourque. A veteran of three years, his presence on the blue line was felt by Oberlin and Wooster alike. After a poor season last year, the Plague's defense returned greatly rejuvenated. Senior Parkins "Parker" Burger returned to the team after a year hiatus to form a solid new defensive pairing with sophomore Nick Party that will hopefully last the duration of the season. Matt Winstanley, a junior transfer, played a solid game and even showed his uncanny ability to plaster the enemy players, regardless of sex.

Wooster's Black Sheep were just an appetizer for the Plague's insatiable hunger to face their deadly enemy, Denison College. The civilized nature of Saturday's game will certainly not be present against Denison Friday. If your desire for blood and violence has not been satiated by last Saturday's game, then Friday night will provide you with all the carnal entertainment you desire.

-Nick Party and Jeremy Stone are members of the ice hockey team.