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The Bulls and Knights split the first series of the War on I-4 with both teams protecting their home rinks.

 

Tampa, FL- This past weekend, the Bulls took on the University of Central Florida Knights twice. The teams went head-to-head Friday night at AdventHealth Center Ice, and Saturday night at RDV Sportsplex Ice Den, with both teams splitting the weekend match-up.

The Bulls’ first home game started off strong when #5 Scot Nelson scored a power play goal from #28 Alexander Rhoads and #9 Owen Welch only 4:10 into the first period. Less than a minute after Welch was called for roughing, UCF scored a power play goal with 11:44 left in the first period. The score was moved to 2-1 USF when #12 Trevor Woodall made a power play goal with the help of #25 Danila Mikheev and #9 Scot Nelson. Three minutes later, another USF goal was scored by #18 Joseph Temoyan from #26 Dylan Hultberg, ending the first period with a

score of 3-1 USF.

#7 Zachary Slezak received a penalty for interference 3:19 into the second period. Another USF goal was scored by #24 Zach Parker from Temoyan and #11 Kevin Holman, bringing the score to 4-1 for the Bulls. The Knights received penalties throughout the second period for cross checking, holding, and tripping; but they managed to score with 3:39 left in the second period.

USF’s goalie, #31 Matthew Richard, showed great effort throughout the third period, blocking shot after shot and making diving saves. One UCF shot was successful with 14:17 left in the third period, and the Bulls were able to hold off the Knights for the remainder of regulation. The

USF Bulls were victorious with their 4-3 win over the UCF Knights.

 

Orlando, FL- The Bulls headed to UCF’s home rink on Saturday, September 25th looking for another win against the Knights. The first period started off slow with UCF taking most of the possessions for the beginning half. USF finally found their pace when #13 Thomas Gadbois was called for a 5-minute major for charging. The Bulls took advantage of the penalty, and with a little less than three minutes to go in the first, #25 Danila Mikheev gave USF the lead.

During the second period, the teams were going back and forth on penalties, neither team scoring with their extra man offense. Both the Bulls and the Knights had trouble keeping the puck in their offensive zone with only a few of their shots finding the opposing goalie. UCF was able to split the Bulls’ defense and tie the game by #14 Mate Imre with less than 2 minutes in the period.

With the third period ticking down to the final minutes and no major plays from either team, it was looking like the game was going to go into overtime. Just under four minutes left in regulation, #11 Kevin Holman was called for cross checking and the Knights were on the power play. The Bull’s defense wasn’t enough to keep the Knights from scoring, and #17 Max Weinstock was able to get the puck to the back of the net. The Bulls just fell short for their second game of the weekend against the UCF Knights.

 

The USF Bulls are taking on the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles for the first time this season in South Daytona on Friday, October 1st at 7:00p.m., and in their home rink, AdventHealth Center Ice, on Saturday, October 2nd at 6:30p.m.

 

Written by Jadyn McCarthy (Twitter and Instagram) and Kayla Deegan (Twitter and Instagram).