The Chapman club hockey team made a comeback Saturday, Oct. 8 with a 7-1 win against UCLA at its home rink in Anaheim. The win came a day after its 5-2 loss against the Bruins the previous night.

The Panthers dominated the first period by scoring three goals with center Anthony Zapanta scoring the first goal less than five minutes into the first period. Center Jimmy Wilkinson then added another goal six minutes into the period, which was followed by a goal by junior center Easton Miller six minutes later.

The second period brought two more goals from center Burke Daily and left wing Heikki Veharanta. Daily scored just under two minutes into the period and Veharanta scored over three minutes later.

Despite the 5-0 score before the third period, tensions were high in the game, as Chapman racked up a total of 13 penalties, eight of which came during the last period.

Veharanta said there were incidents the previous night that caused the tension.

“We play them in home opener every season,” Veharanta said. “I think that wasn’t the main source of the tension. I think the main source of the tension was last night a couple of their fans after the game decided to verbally assault a couple of our players and that really fired us up.”

Both Daily and Veharanta led the team with offense. Daily had one goal and two assists, while Veharanta racked up a total of two goals and one assist.

And with five goals within the the first two periods, Chapman was dominating – a  reality that was very different the night before. Miller said the difference was playing at home.

“I think the team played well. Everyone was working hard and there was a lot more energy,” Miller said. “The crowd was a big factor for us too. All the fans made it a lot more fun to play for.”

The game finished with Veharanta scoring 20 seconds into the third period. UCLA freshman forward Evan Rittenhouse finally scored at 12:54 p.m. and Chapman forward Ramin Taheri responded with Chapman’s last goal a few minutes later.

Verhanta attributed the team’s success to a combination of energy and teamwork.

“Tonight we really found ourselves as a team and we played as a unit. Last night we were still trying to figure that out,” Verharanta said. “We were shuffling line mates around a lot last night. Today we stuck with our lines and it was pretty successful for us.”

Chapman is set to have its next game against California State University, Northridge at the CSUN Iceoplex. Head coach Sam Uisprapassorn thinks the game will be a good challenge.

“I think next week’s game against Cal State Northridge is a good measuring stick to where the team currently stands,” Uisprapassorn said. “Cal State Northridge always historically has had a pretty solid team. So it’s going to be a true challenge and I think our players will be ready for it.”

Chapman’s next three games will be away, and the Panthers will not see a home game until Thursday Nov. 17 against Loyola Marymount University at 10:30 p.m.