Hockey defeats UGA, 5-0

At 2-11, Tech men's hockey team was unlikely candidate to pull up an upset victory against undefeated UGA last week in a rivalry game, but was able to easily win the game, 5-0.

Tech played shorthanded but did not let that play a factor when they took on the Ice Dogs last week. Sound defense and timely scoring allowed the team to score their third win of the season in dominating fashion.

The Jackets did a good job of keeping Georgia off balance and that kept the Dawgs from setting up a clean shot on the offensive end. This combined with Tech's sudden offensive explosion allowed the unlikely rout to happen.

The Jackets started the scoring quickly. 53 seconds into the game, second-year forward Andy DeCherico scored. He was assisted by forward Dale Sharpe and defenseman David Means. Four minutes later Whitney Yiu scored with assists from forward Tom Porter and defenseman B.J. Stapleton. Stapleton also took it upon himself to make his own scoring opportunities.

Stapleton took advantage of two separate power play opportunities in the first period to score twice; the second score put the Jackets up 4-0. The senior was also a force on defense. He finished with two goals and one assist, making something happen on both ends of the rink.

The Jackets added another goal in the second period on an end-to-end unassisted shorthand goal by Yiu. Goalie Maxx Lucas turned away shot after shot to secure his first shutout of the season.

After building a large lead, Tech played strong defense in the second half to preserve the shut out and the win. Lucas stopped 35 shots.

Tech had come into the game allowing upwards of 50 shots per game. Tech scored its five goals on 36 shots, though they did not score a goal in the third period.

The Jackets will get another two chances to defeat the Ice Dogs come January, when the teams play twice in a span of a week, on Jan. 19 and 26.

Their next game comes against Middle Tennessee today in Alpharetta at 9:45p.m.