Game Recaps - 2002-2003

      10-4-02 WVU at Tennessee
WVU opened the season against Division 3 Tennesse on Friday October 4th. Tennessee made the trip to the ACHA National Playoffs last season and showed why by scoring three quick goals on the Mountaineers in the first period. After making a few adjustments WVU rallied to score two goals of their own, getting scores from Bill Bryson, and freshman Steve Warbutton. Tennessee got another one, and took a 3-2 lead into the locker room. After making some adjustments in the locker room, junior Scott Kozuch helped tie the game at three with a power play goal. Tennessee answered again making it a 4-3 game, but WVU came right back with a fluke goal from freshman Ian Lewis. Going into the third period tied at 4-4, both teams were fighting for momentum, but Tennessee got the last laugh winning the game 5-4, fighting off a late flurry from the Mountaineers

      10-5-02 WVU at Tennessee
The Volunteers and Mountaineers met again in a Saturday afternoon contest, both teams exhausted from the night before. Tennessee got the first goal again, but WVU quickly tied the game at 1 with newcomer Mark Hagen scoring the first goal of his career. Tennesse would score the next two, holding a 3-1 advantage going into the third period. The Mountaineers came out fired up however and cut the lead to 3-2. The Ice Vols got the next goal, but Tennessee also recieved a five minute major penalty, and the Mountaineers cashed in big time getting power play goals from Freshman Jeff Race, and Anthony Mayotte tying the game at 4-4. Neither team could score anymore, and the game ended in a tie. Improving the Mountaineers record to 0-1-1.

      10-19-02 WVU at Maryland
On this past Saturday, the Mountaineers traveled to College Park Maryland to take on the Terps in their first UHL game of the season. The Terps jump out to a fast start scoring three goals during the first period. However, the second period the Mountaineers came out storming. Sophomore John Johnson scored his first goal of the season John LeClair style. Johnson was in front of the net and burried the rebound to make the score 3-1. Only a few minutes later, Jeff Race took out two defenders when he crossed the Terp's blue line. Ben Anderson picked up the puck, skated into the zone and dished off a Lemieux like pass to Race who pushed it past the goalie. Going into the third period the Mountaineer had momentum on their side. Unfortunately, the Terps crushed their hopes by scoring on their first shot of the period which led to five unanswered goals. The Terps rally to beat WVU 8-2, dropping the Mountaineers record to 0-2-1. They'll try to improve their record this weekend against Bucknell University, and Penn St, their second league game of the season