Tigers outlast Wagner for title

For the men's club hockey team it all comes down to two things: having fun and playing hockey. They don't need fancy warm-ups, they don't want two-a-day practices or any other of the trappings that come with being a varsity athlete.

Frustratingly enough for everyone else in the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association League, despite the Tigers' (22-5-1 overall, 15-3-0 MACHA) laid-back attitude, they happen to be pretty good. In fact, on Feb. 27, they proved they were the best in the league by beating Wagner College (14-0-0 MACHA) for the championship with a 3-2 win.

"We beat Wagner in a grudge match for the championship," senior Kevan Graydon said.

The victory was a particularly satisfying one because Princeton lost to the Seahawks in the finals last year, 5-3. This year, however, the Tigers have been on a roll. In addition to acquiring several ex-varsity players, including senior goaltender Trevor Clay, Princeton's club team boasts the player with the most goals and the most points in the league for the past two years: sophomore Joe Ulerich.

Providing additional motivation for the Tigers was the fact that their only loss this season was to Wagner at home. The loss was the first that they had given up to the Seahawks at home in four years. It was a tough match, but Wagner was able to effectively stave off the Tigers and clinch a 6-4 victory.

"It even better when we won against them in the finals," said junior Stuart Sinclair, a 'Prince' photo editor. "It was sort of like settling old scores."

"It was the roughest game we've played all year," Graydon said.

Princeton got off to a slow start, falling behind by a pair of goals in the first period. By the second period, however, the Tigers had found their momentum by challenging the Seahawks for every loose puck.

"I don't think there was a time in the second half when they touched the puck and one of us didn't slack, check or hook that player," Graydon said.

By the third period, Princeton and Wagner were tied at two, sending the game into overtime. Despite three exhausting periods of play, the adrenaline kept both teams fighting hard for the win. It was sophomore Jake Cochrane who was able to net the game-winner with a play that was just short of miraculous.

Cochrane was driving toward the net when he was hooked. Despite falling to his knees, Cochrane maintained control of the puck and chipped it over the goaltender's shoulder for the win.

The Tigers quickly stormed the ice and piled on top of Cochrane, undoubtedly the evening's hero.

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"It was a good season," Sinclair said. "We lost to them in the championship last year, and this year we caught up from behind and won, so it was a nice way to wrap up."