From: Jeff Febus (jfebus@calvin.edu)
Date: Sat Mar 08 2003 - 16:37:36 EST
CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR MARCH 8, 2003
MEN’S CLUB ICE HOCKEY
MUSKEGON – Calvin rebounded from a disappointing semifinal loss to Muskegon
Community College Friday night with a 6-3 victory over the University of
Georgia in the ACHA Division III Consolation Finals Saturday afternoon at the
L.C. Walker Ice Arena.
With the win, Calvin finishes third in the 16-team ACHA Division III National
Tournament, giving the Knights their second top-four national finish in the
last 10 years as they also took third at the 1992-93 national tournament in
Albany, New York.
Calvin also closes out the season with a 19-6 record, a remarkable turnaround
from its 2-15 record during the 2001-2002 season.
Playing in its fourth game in three days, Calvin jumped out to a 6-1 lead
behind goals from freshman David Veeneman (Grand Rapids Christian HS), freshman
Max Sieplinga (Grand Rapids Christian HS), seniors Brett VerKaik (Grand Rapids
Christian HS) and Justin Gritter (Holland Christian HS), sophomores Jason Koole
(Tri-unity Christian HS) and Aaron Okkema (Ancaster, Onatario).
Georgia answered with a power play goal with seven minutes and another tally
with six minutes to go but would get no closer.
“Obviously we would have preferred to be playing in the championship game
this evening but a third place national finish is nothing to be disappointed
about,” said Calvin head coach Mike Petrusma. “This team took a tremendous
leap forward this year and I am extremely proud of them. We have several
underclassmen on this team so we feel the future is bright. To have as many
young guys get the kind of national tournament experience that we did this year
is a tremendous bonus for the future.”
Calvin was making its first appearance in the ACHA Division III National
Tournament since the 1993-94 season.
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