The University of Georgia Hockey team finished the home stretch of their regular season on Saturday night with a 8-2 win against Coastal Carolina. The victory came after a 10-6 win on Thursday night against Clemson.
Thursday night the Ice Dawgs jumped out to a 1-0 lead early after a goal from Austin Krusko, but less than two minutes later Clemson evened the score. That would be the last time the score was that close after the Ice Dawgs rattled off five consecutive goals to end the period, including two from Caleb Santa Maria. Eric Mauge, David Spielberger and Christopher Santa Maria also contributed goals during the first period.
The second period showed less offense, but Carter Penzien and Kyle Harris were both able to find the net for the only two goals. The second period ended with the Ice Dawgs leading 8-1.
The Ice Dawgs extended the league early in the third period with back-to-back goals from Thomas Woolley and Jackson Katz. Clemson rallied for five straight goals to end the game, but Georgia was able to withstand the comeback.
Saturday night the Ice Dawgs recognized seniors Matthew Drouin, Christopher Santa Maria, Eric Mauge, Carter Penzien and David Spielberger ahead of the game.
The game against Coastal Carolina started out with tough defense. Coastal Carolina scored the first goal eight minutes into the game, but it would be their last goal until the final period. Jackson Katz scored his second goal of the weekend to tie the game up before Caleb Santa Maria found the net to put the Ice Dawgs ahead. David Spielberger scored the final goal of the first period in what was his last home game in Athens.
The second period was all Ice Dawgs with Christopher Santa Maria starting the scoring just two minutes into the period. Austin Krusko scored his second goal of the weekend a little over three minutes into the period. Carter Penzien celebrated his senior night with a goal in the second before Seth Johnston finished off the scoring for the period, making it 7-1 in the Ice Dawgs favor.
Cam Campbell scored the only goal for the Ice Dawgs during the third period. Coastal Carolina scored their second goal of the game with less than ten seconds on the clock.
The Ice Dawgs are headed to Nashville, Tennessee this weekend to compete in the South Eastern College Hockey Conference tournament. Georgia will face off against Tennessee on Friday afternoon at 1:15 PM central time.
Tickets for the SECHC tournament can be found here: https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/predators/EN/buy/browse?i%5B0%5D=892
