Seniors Lead Bulls to Victory
Friday, January 31st – South Daytona, FL
The Bulls traveled to South Daytona, FL last weekend to face the Embry-Riddle Eagles. The Bulls previously ended the Battle of The Bay with a 4-2 win over University of Tampa Spartans. In hopes to start another winning streak, the first period is underway.
As the puck is dropped, the battle begins. A few penalties are called on both sides of the ice and the Bulls wait. Captain #22 Kenny Weightman scoops up the puck and shoots it over to #14 Nicholas Falbo. Falbo sees #12 Brock Hoffman finds an empty net and the Bulls go on the board first,1-0. Leading the first period, the Bulls are shortly found in a tie in the beginning of the second period,1-1. After a High Sticking penalty is called on the Bulls, the Eagles sore in with opportunity, scoring on the Power Play. Less than 15 seconds later, #21 Zack Mlady has a different plan.
Mlady shoots over to #22 Kenny Weightman. Weightman finds #24 Zach Parker, who ties the game up once again, 2-2. The Eagles plummet into the penalty box where #17 Nick Walters finds leverage. A Power Play goal is scored with the assist from #20 Michael Alfaro and #17 Tim Lynch. Another Eagle flies into the penalty box after a Hooking penalty and the Bulls continue the lead. Forward #25 Danila Mikheev passes the puck over to #12 Brock Hoffman. Hoffman shoots the puck to #14 Nicholas Falbo, who scores on the Power Play, 4-2.
The third period is underway, and the Bulls lead 4-2. Opening seconds into the period, #22 Kenny Weightman eager for another goal, shoots it over to #11 Andrew Miranda for a 5th goal for the Bulls. Nearing the end of the period, the Eagles manage to put two more goals on the board but still fall short to the Bulls. Game one of the double-header ends in a Bulls win, 5-4.
Saturday, February 1st – Tampa, FL
With an amazing season coming to an end, we honor our Seniors for all of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the USF Bulls Hockey Program.We thank: #12 Brock Hoffman, #14 Nick Falbo, #15 Logan Sheehan, #17 Tim Lynch “A”, #18 Nick Walters, #20 “A” Michael Alfaro “A”, #22 Kenny Weightman “C”, #26 Angelo Pata, #27 Mitch Campbell, #28 Alex Rhoads “A”, and #29 Sam Coleman, all displayed the leadership needed to guide the Bulls this season.
The first period allows the Bulls to take the lead 1-0 when Senior #18 Nick Walters gets ahold of the puck and shoots it Senior #23 Mitch Campbell. Senior #14 Nick Falbo solidifies the first goal of the game. Senior goalie #29 Sam Coleman ends the period with 9 saves. The Eagles tie the score in the second period 1-1. After a Kneeing penalty, the Bulls go on a three-goal streak. Senior #28 Alex Rhoads scores on the Power Play. Minutes later, Senior #22 Kenny Weightman continues the lead, 3-1. To go up 4-1, #25 Danila Mikheev gets his first goal of the night. The Bulls Demolish the Eagles 4-1 with a combined 10 points for the Seniors.
Sunday, February 2nd – Tampa, FL
With two wins over the Embry-Riddle Eagles, the Bulls play their last War on I-4 game against the University of Central Florida Knights. The Bulls previously beat the Knights 6-1 and 5-0 before taking a 7-2 loss to the Knights on a road game but now the Knights our in Bulls territory. Full of home spirit the Bulls welcome Sonya Bryson-Kirksey, Athletic Director Michael Kelly, and fan favorite Greg Wolf.
The Knights start the War on I-4 with an opening goal, to take their first and only lead of the game, 1-0. With a temporary sign of victory for the Knights, their called for Roughing. #14 Nicholas Falbo turns the puck over to #12 Brock Hoffman who scores on the Power Play, tying the score, 1-1 at the end of the first period. #22 Kenny Weightman scores an opening goal for the Bulls, taking the lead 2-1. #20 Michael Alfaro turns the puck over to #10 Drake DiPaolo who finds an open #23 Mitch Campbell who puts up the third goal of the night for the Bulls. To end the second period, #28 Alex Rhoads adds to the lead in the War on I-4, 4-1. An eager #16 Spencer Geer shoots the puck to #22 Kenny Weightman to secure the win 5-1 over the University of Central Florida Knights. Giving the Bulls the War on I-4 series vs the Knights with three wins in four games!
Up Next Up
The Bulls enter the SCHC Championship Playoffs at RDV Sportsplex Ice Den in Orlando, FL. Coming off of a 4-game winning streak the Bulls look to take home some hardware starting with the Semifinal game on Saturday, February 8th at 4:00pm vs the highest remaining seed after Day 1 (ERAU, FGCU, or UCF) then on Sunday, February 9th the Bulls will either play in the Third Place game at 10:00am if they lose Saturday or the Championship game at 1:00pm if they win on Saturday.
Written by Mo'ney Roseman.
