By UGA Hockey Staff
ATHENS – After a sluggish start Friday night, the Ice Dogs wore down the Life University Running Eagles in a 9-5 win to close out their “Pink in the Rink” weekend.
Santa Maria led the way on the scoresheet tallying four goals and an assist, his highest point total thus far in his young Ice Dogs career.
In the middle period, the Ice Dogs used three goals and take a two goal lead into the final period. Santa Maria tallied Georgia’s first two goals of the period. His first goal of the period, came as he skated off the right half boards and beat Life goalie, Joey Roberts over his glove hand to make it 2-1 Ice Dogs. After the Running Eagles tied the score off a long range shot by, Santa Maria would give the Ice Dogs the lead for good as he tapped home a point feed from junior forward Dan Fendius to make it 3-2. Carey would make it 4-2 heading into the third period as he put home the rebound off a Santa Maria shot from the right side.
In the third, Life came within a goal as Chase Quinlan was able to find a loose puck behind Schwartz to make it 4-3. The Ice Dogs would respond as they rattled off three straight goals from Ryan Bray, senior forward Michael Falkenstein, and Santa Maria to make it 7-3 with just over 10 minutes in the contest.
Life would draw within three goals as Drew Quinlan scored on a 5-on-3 power play. Santa Maria would respond with his fourth goal just over a minute later and sophomore defenseman Cam Gilmore would cap off Georgia’s victory, as he found the back of the net from the high slot in a 4-on-4. Mark Paveleck would add a late goal for the Running Eagles with 4:34 remaining.
“It wasn’t perfect, but we got it done,” Carey, the Ice Dogs captain said. “We know have a big road test in Tennessee this next weekend and we know we can play better than we did. I’m happy we were able to get the win after such an emotionally draining game [Thursday] night against KSU.”
Following their win against Life, the Ice Dogs auctioned off their Breast Cancer Awareness Jerseys as part of their “Pink in the Rink” weekend to promote breast cancer awareness. The team donated all proceeds from the auctions to the St. Mary’s Health Care Women’s Health Fund.
The Ice Dogs return to action on Friday, October 9 and Sunday, October 11 as they travel to Knoxville, Tennessee to take on the University of Tennessee Ice Vols in two pivotal Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference games. Puck drop is scheduled for Friday evening at 8:30 and 12:30 Sunday afternoon at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum.
For more information on the UGA Ice Dogs be sure to check back to UGAHockey.com for all of the latest updates on your favorite Georgia Ice Hockey team.
