Written by: Mickey Gonzalez

This weekend, the UCF Knights hit the ice for another home-and-home series against the Embry-Riddle Eagles. They stayed ahead for most of the play, gaining one win and one tie.

Friday found the Knights once again on Eagles ice. Intent on avoiding a repeat of the last Embry-Riddle home game, UCF pushed full-force out of the gate. Matthew Angiella scored within the first thirty seconds of the game, bringing the Knights to an immediate win. Embry-Riddle tied the game later in the period. The score remained 1-1 for most of the first period, but the Knights weren’t thrilled with such a close game. In the final five minutes of the period, Alexander Berg, Tyler Walkinshaw, and Gonzalo Ruiz each scored, bringing UCF to a strong lead they maintained for the rest of the game. Embry-Riddle did manage one goal in the second period, but the effort wasn’t enough to bridge the gap. Walkinshaw finished it off with one more goal for UCF three minutes before the end of the game. The first game of the weekend ended 5-2, UCF.

On Saturday, the Knights took to the rink with the previous night’s win fresh on their minds. Both teams faced off with vigor—perhaps a little too much, at times. Immediately after four-on-four play in the first period, UCF pulled ahead. Shane O’Donnell, assisted by Walkinshaw, scored. In the second period, O’Donnell assisted Landon Gatz in furthering UCF’s lead with a power play goal. The third period held a multitude of different lineups. Embry-Riddle’s first goal of the game was a power play goal scored in five-on-three play. The Eagles then tied things up with only a few minutes left in regulation. Despite strong effort on both sides, no one else managed to score. Regulation ended in four-on-four play, and the teams headed to overtime. In extra time, the puck saw the entirety of the rink several times over, but never managed to find a place in the net. Overtime finished with no new goals, and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

UCF’s spirited effort this weekend garnered them a positive end to their regular season matchups against Embry-Riddle. Despite a struggle with some costly penalties in the last game, UCF kept up a good fight. Their current record rests at 2-1-1. Let’s hope to see that strengthen as the Knights head into a series of away games.

Come out and support your UCF Knights at their next home game on Saturday, October 19 at 10:00pm in the RDV Ice Den! Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. Students get FREE ADMISSION with a UCF ID.