In its first match-up against Boston College, the Florida Ice Hockey Club was in for a high-octane battle.
The two sides traded goals all evening, finding themselves tied up at 8-apiece at the end of regulation.
With 2:01 left in overtime, Florida senior winger Evan Edwards scored the game-winning goal off a rebound from junior winger Kegan Lampinen,
Ultimately, the Gators finished their last home game of the season with a 9-8 overtime victory. The high-scoring game, dedicated to Hockey Fights Cancer, consisted of a mirrored effort from both teams.
The Gators came in hot with a goal by freshman forward Sullivan Swiersz just 58 seconds into the contest. UF kept fighting, keeping the Eagles out of their zone and playing a strong defensive game.
But, with 9:52 left in the first period, Boston bit back. Benjamin Galvin scored and taunted the Gators with a chomp on his way to the bench.
The Eagles gained momentum, looking to leave Jacksonville on top and keep alive the winning streak they’ve held since Oct. 26.
The Gators took back the lead with Swiersz’s second goal of the night, but almost immediately after, Boston struck back with freshman Gavin Eynon finding the back of the net.
In the first-period seesaw battle, Lampinen assisted freshman Brian Pine with a goal that allowed the Gators to head to the locker room on top.
However, that did not last long.
Fifteen seconds into the second period, Boston forward Rowan Brennan scored. However, immediately after, Michael McCoy equalized it for Florida off a backhand pass from Gators winger Michael Katz. The Eagles tied it up and then took the lead 5-4 for the first and only time in the game. At 10:43 in the second period, Gators goalie Connor Lee was pulled for freshman Zachary Shield.
Florida’s offense fought hard. Swiersz completed a hat trick, and the Gators looked unstoppable.
In the relentless tug-of-war, the Eagles did not quit. After UF took control by scoring three goals in four minutes, BC stormed back and tied it with three consecutive scores, sending the game to overtime.
Then, Edwards became the hero, scoring the game-sealing goal.
The Gators will compete next against the University of Tampa on Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. at the Clearwater Ice Arena.
Contact Nicole Scura at nscura@alligator.org. Follow her on X @NicoleScuraa.
Nicole is a sophomore journalism student in her first semester with the Alligator and she is the beat reporter for the University of Florida Ice Hockey Club. In her free time, Nicole enjoys figure skating, watching football (Go Bucs!), traveling and linedancing.
