The Forester men’s hockey team has had an incredible run so far this season as the nationally ranked team nears the end of their regular season.
As of February 2, 2015, The USCHO poll and D3hockey.com rank the men’s hockey team at No. 12 in the nation. “From 1st line players, to role players, and to our goaltending, we have a really wellbalanced team. This is a big reason for our success,” said Charlie Stein, captain of the team.
After their most recent win against Lawrence on January 31, 2015, the men accomplished the longest current unbeaten streak in the nation to extend the school record of 15 games. Their overall record this year is 13- 3-5 and their conference record is 11- 2-1.
One of the powerhouses for the Foresters this year has proven to be the goaltender, Leo Podolsky ’16. At the beginning of February, Podolsky was ranked number 1 in the nation for the highest save percentage with 18 games played this season. “It starts with him (Podolsky) and when guys have confidence in him it works out great for our team,” said head coach Patrick Kelliher.
Pictured: Leo Podolsky ‘15
Photo by: Jenna Brankin ‘15
Kelliher, who returns this year to the Foresters after serving 4 seasons on the coaching staff, also mentioned some other players who have performed outstandingly this year, such as, Bobby Barrett, Captain Charlie Stein, Luke Swardenski, Jack Lewis, and Ben Certo. Captain Charlie Stein mentioned a pair of key freshman this year, Billy Kent and Shawn Nelson, who have been dominating forces on the ice through their commitment to work as team players.
Coach Kelliher was hesitant on specifying big performers on the team by saying, “It is difficult to say these 1 or 2 guys are making a break in our year because we only find success when we work together as a team.” He describes his first year as head coach of the Foresters to be “fun.”
Fun is an understatement for the run that he, his coaching staff, and the Foresters are putting on for their rival in the conference. Adrian, who is the only team that trumps them in the conference rankings and is preventing them from becoming the conference champions.
Coach Kelliher said that he and the boys are taking it one step at a time by focusing on each individual game and the task at hand. He is thankful for his coaching staff, Sean O’ Malley and Tony Martino, who all work together in terms of “bouncing ideas off of one another” to help the team succeed.
Pictured: Bobby Barrett ‘15
Photo by: Matt Weidner ‘17
The men’s hockey team will host Adrian College on Friday, February 13th and Saturday, February 14th, which is also the Foresters’ senior day, at 7:00 PM in the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.
Be sure to come down to the rink and represent the Foresters with enthusiasm as the men close out their regular season at home.
