Kent State Plays Pitt Close, but Drops Pair of Games
Golden Flashes can learn from losses to Panthers
Playing the University of Pittsburgh, ranked 14th in the A.C.H.A. D-I National Rankings, the Kent State University Golden Flashes were afforded the opportunity to gauge their status against top level competition.
While the scoreboard reflected a pair of loses (8-3, 4-2), the Golden Flashes realized after the opening game of the two-game series last weekend, that with a few adjustments they, indeed, can compete at a high level.
“We felt overall, we played well,” assessed Kent State Head Coach, Zach Nowak. “The scoreboard looked worse than it actually was as the shots were pretty close.”
“We learned a lot Friday night, made some adjustments and were able to keep them off the rush (on Saturday). The guys learned from it. We can compete at this level and can be a Top 25 team. We have that potential and guys need to make sure they are bringing it every single night.”
“The guys believe a little bit more in themselves; that we can and should be here (a top team). It showed us where we can be,” summarized Nowak.
Six College Hockey Mid-America (CHMA) league games remain on the Kent State schedule, with an opportunity to qualify for the CHMA post season playoffs hanging in the balance for the Golden Flashes.
“Something that is in the back of our mind is that we have to make in into the top six (in CHMA) to make the playoffs. So, getting wins here (this weekend) is critical to make sure we are not worrying about things down the line or worrying about making the playoffs,” reflected Nowak.
Kent State travels to play Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Friday evening and the Golden Flashes host John Carroll University on Saturday.
“These are also really good tests for us as both teams are ranked,” offered Nowak.
Indiana Pennsylvania is ranked 31st while John Carroll University is slotted in the 35th position.
“I anticipate that with what we learned against Pitt, the guys will be ready to go and come out firing. I think they kind of want a little bit of revenge in that John Carroll game, as they really smacked us in the mouth early and I don’t think guys were fully prepared with the speed they were going to bring,” said Nowak.
John Carroll defeated Kent 3-2 in early November while the Golden Flashes beat Indiana 4-2 prior to the Thanksgiving break.
Blue Line Notes:
-The Flashes garnered a pair of commitments this week:
Goaltender and former Mentor Cardinal, Alex Toth, committed to playing next season in Kent. Toth, 6’2” 170 lbs., is currently playing with the Columbus Mavericks of the USPHL and has earned a 2.58 GAA and .907 save percentage.
“Shea (Spanier) is graduating, and I think Toth will be a great addition to our goalie group next year,” declared Nowak. “He’s a really great kid; works hard, uses his size well and moves well for a big guy. He tracks the puck well.”
Jack Kinsman currently plays Junior College hockey at Erie Community College near Buffalo. The six feet, right-handed, center has tallied 27 points (15 G, 12 A) in eight games for an impressive 3.38 points per game average. Kinsman played AAA hockey in the Buffalo Junior Sabres organization.
“Jack has a lot of potential to be a top guy for us,” Nowak commented. “He has good size, speed, good hands and can score. He has potential to be a goal scorer and playmaker.”
--- Follow Jim Smith on Twitter @BlueLineNotes
