The 4-1 UC Bearcats prepare to take on the 0-2 Xavier Musketeers in a two game series this weekend.

The Bearcats went 1-3 against Xavier last season, and are looking to redeem themselves on home ice in this weekend’s series.  The contests mark the first two of a total of four games against the Musketeers this season.

Fully one half of UC’s 30 man roster are new, and have never set foot on the ice against rival XU.  As senior goalie Ted Riolo pointed out, the Bearcats haven’t faced the XU team since last season’s disappointing series.  Riolo also noted this Friday’s game will be only the second game the Bearcats have played at their new home, Sports Plus.

The Bearcats hope to add to two big wins picked up at the ACHA National Showcase in Roanoke, VA two weeks ago.  After dropping the first game of the showcase to the PSU-B Lions, UC rallied with an impressive 13-2 victory over NOVA.  The Bearcats finished out the tournament with a 5-3 victory over the USF Ice Bulls, which team captain Mike “Jags” Jagelewski, and assistant captain Will Hunter call the highlight of the season so far.  With more than half the season still ahead, fans can hope to see some exciting hockey from this young team.

The games will take place at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Sports Plus in Sharonville.  For directions to Sports Plus see below. Tickets are only $7 for adults, $5 for non-UC students, $3 for children, and are available at the door.

Bearcat Hockey encourages all UC students and Alumni to come out and cheer the team to victory against arch-rival Xavier this weekend.

This weeks guests: Will Hunter, Ted Riolo, Ben ‘Cash’ Bailey

Topics: Showcase results, team dynamic, t-shirt contest, raffle, pick-ums

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The UC Hockey team is starting its first ever t-shirt design contest.  Currently there are 2 catagories for which you can submit a design:  Best team shirt and best UC v XU shirt.  The best team shirt winner will be selected based on which shirt best captures the spirit of UC Hockey.  The UC v XU shirt must embody the spirit of the rivalry, but it may not include any mention of the “Cross Town Face-Off”

All entries must be sent to info@bearcatshockey.com in whatever format you have.  You do not need to “design” the best shirt.  A clever saying which we can design is just as good as a full mock design.

Deadline for the UC v XU shirt is this Monday, October 13th.  The team shirt deadline is Monday, October 27th.

Winning designs for each catagory will receive a FREE UC Hockey Season/Raffle Ticket.

Any questions can be directed to info@bearcatshockey.com

In the first showcase of team history, the Bearcats left their mark on Roanoke, Virginia.  The Cats played three games against some far away ACHA teams.  The first contest matched UC with Penn State Behrend.  After an eight hour bus ride and some early equipment problems, the Cats found themselves trailing 0-3 after just the first period.

The intermission seemed to spur the Cats to action as they came out and brought the game closer to even, ending the second period trailing just a goal 3-4.  But the bus legs seemed to creep back up on the Bearcats in the third period, as the Lions ran away with it finishing the game up 8-4.

Last weekend the 2008-09 UC Hockey Team opened their campaign against long time rival Eastern Kentucky.  In the past the matchups with the Colonels were never taken lightly, and this year prooved no different.  In front of a encouraging home crowd the Bearcats jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.

The Colonols refused to lay down for the cats and found the back of the net past freshman goalie Greg Geyer early in the third period.  Finding the strength to keep fighting, EKU managed a second goal late in the third.  The first game of the season was destined for overtime.

After five nervous minutes of 4-on-4 sudden death the game would have to be decided in a shootout.  The Cats talents surfaced in the pressure packed breakaway situation, scoring on two of their first three attempts.  Geyer did his part keeping the Colonels out of his net.  The game was put out of reach when freshman Alex Silvestros put in an unmatched goal to seal the victory for the Cats.

In the second game of the home and home series, the Bearcats traveled down the winding I-75 headed for Lexington.  As usual the Colonels students came out in droves for the storied midnight game.  But it was the Cats who struck first.  Sophomore forward Toni Sarni began what would be an impressive night early.  The Colonels matched his mark later in the first to bring the game back to even, until Sophomore forward Michael Rehbaum gave the Cats another lead.  A lead that wouldn’t last long.  EKU tied the game back at two, until Freshman forward Eric Farenkopf sent the Cats into the locker room ahead 3-2.

The Bearcats headed out to the second period with a familiar face back in net.  Senior Goaltender Ted Riolo was called on to settle the game in a hostile environment.  The Cats took the game over in the second period.  Rallying behind Sarni who went on to score the next 3 Bearcat goals.  By the end of the game it was clear the Cats were in control, going onto win the game by a score of 7-4.