Off on the right foot

Flames take ESCHL title in first year as member

The Liberty University American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I men’s hockey team (29-13) finished its 2016-2017 season March 9 with a loss to Colorado State in the ACHA national tournament with a score of 2-4.

Coming into the ACHA tournament in Columbus, Ohio, the Flames were on a 10-game winning streak after taking the cup for the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League (ESCHL) conference, a conference of the ACHA.

This was the first year that the Flames were in the conference, and they defeated Stony Brook University — the four-time defending champions — by a score of 6-1.

The Flames season started slow with intermittent wins and losses, and according to Head Coach Kirk Handy, the team had not quite found a consistent level of play. It was not until the last 10 games that Liberty found its confidence and the consistency it needed to win big games.

“We came to a critical point on Jan. 28 when we had just lost two games to Delaware,” Handy said.

“We looked like we were out of the national picture at that point, and then to win 10 games in a row is a solid feat.”

Last year the Flames did not reach the national tournament.

This year was the first time that many of the players participated in a tournament game since a large majority of the team consists of underclassmen.

Handy said having a young team with 15 freshmen and only five upperclassmen can come with some struggles.

“One thing that I noticed with our team this year was the work ethic and the ability to perform,” Handy said.

“What we had to teach them was how to win at this level. The consistency of play and the effort had to be in there for game in and game out.”

Handy said in the junior level of hockey, the teams play more games and can afford to lose games, but at the collegiate level, there are fewer games.

Thus, each game counts for more.

Even with its struggles, the team was able to stay strong when it was most important at the end of the season.

“When our young players had to have their backs against the wall, we saw great character in their ability to fight back,” Handy said.

“I think when that happened and we knew we were out of the playoff picture, we had to battle our way back in. What it did for us was show us what kind of character we had inside that locker room.”

Captain Ben Hughes, who is in his last year playing with the Flames, said he was happy with what the team has accomplished this year.

He said the team found its identity and moved in the same direction, allowing the players to build off of each other’s confidence and momentum.

“We have accomplished a couple things that have not been done in a while or even before,” Hughes said.

“We won the ESCHL, and we got to revamp our rivalry with Davenport where we finally won that trophy between us.”

Several players won awards including sophomore forward Zak Hayes who won the ESCHL Tournament most valuable player award.

Freshman Quinn Ryan was named ESCHL Rookie of the Year.

According to Hughes, there will not be as many new guys next year, so things will run along the same course as this year.

Also, because the freshmen will have had a year under their belts, they will be able to keep up the momentum they gained this season.

Even though Hughes will not be on the ice next year, he said that the team needs to keep its competitive nature in order to be successful in the new season.

“We have ‘competitive greatness’ built into the locker room on a plaque, and it is something that the guys see every day single day,” Hughes said.

“That has been the motto that we have ridden this past year. Now, the guys are a little bit more mature and they know what it takes to be successful as an ensemble.”

Copeland is a sports reporter.