Written by: Mickey Gonzalez

After two losses in the previous weekend, the UCF Knights set out to bounce back on home ice. The result? A solid sweep with UCF garnering a total of 20 goals in two games.

The first game of the weekend series against the University of Miami Hurricanes began with a rare, penalty-free period. UCF maintained consistent control of the puck, and four shots found their way into the net. Shane O’Donnell, assisted by Alexander Berg and Richie McGuigan, secured the first goal of the night. It was followed by a second just over a minute later from Joseph Zanicchi, with an assist from Rodney LaLonde. In the last few minutes of the period, Matthew Angilella scored, assisted by O’Donnell and Corey Altieri. Then, in the period’s final sixty seconds, Tyler Walkinshaw snagged another goal for UCF from Gonzalo Ruiz. In contrast with period one’s lack of penalties, the Knights’ first goal of the second was a power play goal shot by Walkinshaw and assisted by Ruiz and Donovan McClellan. UCF continued with three more consecutive goals, scored by Altieri from McClellan, Ethan Tangney from Walkinshaw and O’Donnell, and Hunter Chard from LaLonde and Altieri. Miami ended the streak with a short-handed goal that placed them on the board right before the end of the period. The Hurricanes also snagged the first goal of the third, but remained significantly behind. With five minutes left in play, and one Knight in the penalty box, McGuigan grabbed an unassisted short-handed goal for UCF. During the following UCF penalty, Miami managed a last power play goal. In the last two minutes of the game, two players—one from each team—were ejected. Ignoring the scuffle, Altieri scored once again for UCF. The game ended 10-3, a definitive win for the Knights.

UCF players were optimistic heading into the second game of the weekend following such a dramatic win, but not underprepared. The Knights still gave it their all, including an impressive effort from Altieri. He scored the first goal of the game, assisted by Chard. The Knights scored once again before the end of the first—shot by Berg from O’Donnell. Altieri also grabbed the first goal of the second period, once again assisted by Chard. Miami got their own goal shortly after, but UCF followed it with a power play goal scored by Angilella, with assists from Altieri and Chard. The Knights scored twice more in the last few minutes of the period—one goal by O’Donnell from McClellan, and one by Zanicchi from Ruiz and Walkinshaw. Shortly into the third, Jake Toale furthered UCF’s lead with an unassisted goal. Minutes later saw Altieri sinking another puck in the net (assisted by McClellan and Chard), securing a hat trick for himself quickly into his UCF hockey run. The Hurricanes once again interrupted a Knights streak with two goals of their own. But they, once again, remained too far behind to catch up. To strengthen the Knight’s already strong lead, Chard, assisted by Angilella, scored the ninth UCF goal of the game. And O’Donnell, with an assist from Tangney, brought the Knights once again to ten goals. The game ended with another 10-3 Knights win.

This weekend series displayed a strength that will serve the UCF Knights well going into the last few games of the regular season. Along with the strong leads, UCF secured an important conference win to advance their standing in the SCHC. They now sit at #4. The Knights have a chance to move up again in the last two conference games, which will take place this weekend against Tampa and USF.