Hockey / Dukes end 2022 with loss to IUP

Dukes end 2022 with loss to IUP

Date:  Source: Duquesne University Hockey


 

On Saturday December 3rd at Alpha Ice Complex, the Duquesne Dukes played their last game in 2022, facing off against the IUP Crimson Hawks. In a defensive battle, the Hawks came out on top 4-2, sending the Dukes into the break with a loss.  
The Dukes, coming off a loss at Robert Morris the previous night, did not come out on the right foot, being forechecked heavily early and unable to establish many chances in the offensive zone. This culminated with an IUP power play goal 5:12 into the opening frame. The Dukes would be on the kill again, this time having to kill 16 seconds of a 5 on 3 powerplay for IUP. Despite the adversity on the kill, a stretch pass up the ice to forward Sam Hoyen, followed by a great move on the breakaway, allowed the Dukes to tie the game shorthanded.  
Head coach Conrad Waite said “the shorthanded goal definitely gave us a big boost and our penalty kill has been a real strength for us this season. After giving up the quick power play goal earlier in the first period, our guys showed a lot of fortitude to bounce back and kill those off.”  
The Dukes were able to take the lead on a power play as forward Nate McNamara scored with assists from Hoyen and EJ Pohl.  
The game had started to become much more back and forth with rushes on both ends, about which Waite remarked “we have the skill to play a back and forth game, but really excel when we're also committed to outnumbering our opponent in transition and counterattacking.”  
Early in the second period, IUP scored another power play goal, coming up the ice on a 3 on 1, the puck was passed across the goal for an easy tap in to tie the game. All of the open ice of the first period was gone, as both teams worked hard to limit rushes, and limited a lot of the opposition’s offense as a result. “Tactically we did try and limit IUP's rush chances against,” said Waite, also remarking that some fatigue had set in for the tired Dukes, in their second game in as many days. 
The second period and most of the third continued in this mold- both teams limiting the other’s offensive chances, making for a defensive-minded hockey game. With 6:22 left to play in the contest, an IUP player had a breakaway and scored, putting the Hawks on top with not much time left. Waite said, “I think we earned the opportunity to win that game, we just didn't have enough at the end of the day. It's the kind of game where a bounce can go either direction. The only even strength goal by either team was the game winner in the third, and I think we gave all we had and just came up a little bit short.” The Hawks would double the lead on an empty net goal with 33 seconds left and go on to win 4-2.  
Despite what’s been an up and down semester for the Dukes, Coach Waite is happy to see the growth his squad has shown, while also acknowledging there is room to improve. “That's the message that we went into break with. That we've come a long way, but that we also believe with the potential we have, that there a long way still left to go.”  
The Dukes next take the ice against Oakland University on January 13th at Alpha Ice Complex.