Owen Kitzan – Sports Editor

After a debut weekend at home against Mass Maritime Academy, the Gaiters won back-to-back games. The BU Club Hockey team then traveled to Lake Placid to take part in the Burning Leaves Invitational hosted by Paul Smith’s College.

Photo courtesy of Casey Gerrish

Game one took place on Oct. 10 with a puck drop at noon against Jefferson Community College. The team coasted through that game taking a quick and easy 6-1 win highlighted by Jamey Beaufils who scored a goal and received the player of the game belt for his performance, along with Goaltender Nicolas Halle Tanco who had a good performance in net. 

Game two was a barn burner against Hobart College, a university located in the state of New York. Both teams managed to find the back of the net a few times with a final score of 9-4, Bishop’s fourth straight win of the year. Rookie defenseman, Anderson Hapke, showed he is a monster from point notching four goals en route to the victory. Jack McFarland played well in net for the boys to send them on to the finals of the Invitational.

In the finals, the team took on St. John Fisher, the same team they beat in the finals in this tournament four years prior. Player of the game in this one went to rookie goaltender, Nicolas Halle Tanco, who had an excellent outing allowing only two goals en route to a 3-2 win to stay undefeated on the year and win the Burning Leaves Invitational.

The following weekend the team returned to Lennoxville as the University of Maine made the trip up to play against them at the Jane and Eric Molson arena. Game one of the double header took place on Oct. 18 with puck drop at 1 p.m. Jack McGowan received player of the game for his assist and excellent physical and defensive play as the team won 6-3 to carry their momentum into the Sunday.

Sunday saw the team start earlier than usual as the puck dropped at 8:30 a.m. This didn’t seem to phase Bishop’s, whose practices are at 7 a.m. on weekdays. They kept their undefeated streak going and advanced to a record of 7-0-0 on the season with a 5-1 win against Maine. Jordan Waite received the player of the game in recognition of his first goal for Bishop’s in the AAU.

The teams next games will take place Nov. 15 and 16 when they make the trip to Maine this time to take them on in their rink. The next home games for the team will be Jan. 17 and 18 following the winter break. Check out their instagram to stay up to date and keep an eye out for stream links for games!