September 25, 2011

Toledo, OH – New season, same results.  This seemed to be the theme of the Rockets first games of the 2011-2012 season as they travelled to Chicago this past weekend and for the second year in a row, swept the Eagles of Robert Morris University.

Friday’s game started off on the right foot for UT with a goal from Ryan Sell two minutes into the game.  However, things quickly turned ugly as sophomore goaltender David Rieckhoff had trouble settling in and the team gave up four unanswered goals before Chris Easton tallied with just fourteen seconds remaining in the period.

With Craig Trego now backstopping them in net, the team came out flying in the second, getting a goal from defensemen Nate Connolly and senior Greg Kanis within the first five minutes of the period.  Play was even the rest of the way with Will Grossman picking up a goal late in the period.

Now tied at five all going into the third, the Rockets used an RMU five minute major to score two quick goals again from Sell and Kanis and the team never looked back.  Sell added this third goal of the night later in the period to cap of a hat trick in his first game as a Rocket.

Overall, the team played well in overcoming the early adversity and coming out on top in the end.  The final stat line showed Grossman with four points (1 G, 3A), Connolly and Easton both with three (1 G, 2A each), Sell with the hat trick (3 G) and Kanis with two goals of his own.  Scott Girardi and Justin Phillips also earned their way onto the sheet with each picking up an assist.

Saturday’s game was a slightly easier match for the Rockets as they cruised to a 7-2 win.  Leading the way for the Rockets in this game was freshman Brendon Sokoloski who picked up a hat trick in what was both his first game as a Rocket and his first college hockey game ever.  For his efforts, Soko was picked by hockey blog HockyYall.com as the TSCHL player of the week.  The complete write up can be found here: http://hockeyyall.com/?p=5158 .  Will Grossman and goalie Craig Trego also received nominations for this week’s player of the week.

Toledo looks to carry this momentum into this week’s home opener against Dayton.  This game takes place on Friday, September 30 at 9:30pm at the Tam-O-Shanter Sports Complex. Tickets are $3.00 for students and $5.00 for adults.  SEE YOU AT THE RINK!!!