A goal by sophomore forward Liam Lecauchois offered a glimpse of hope for the Gators with 2:47 left, and it seemed Florida had a shot.
But that chance was quickly neutralized by Tampa’s relentless play.
In its second matchup of the College Hockey South playoffs, the Florida Hockey Ice Club faced another loss, this time to the Tampa Spartans Hockey Team, 5-3.
Florida entered the night having already recorded two wins and a tie against the Spartans this season. It was also a rivalry for two brothers – Tampa has senior defenseman Will Fortescue, while Florida has freshman defenseman Jack Fortescue.
The Gators went into the game coming off last night’s matchup, while Tampa came out fresh in their first playoff game of the weekend.
But the Gators could not shake their rocky start to the weekend. With under 12 minutes left in the first period, Tampa freshman forward Marco Beshere set up freshman forward Cole Saterdalen for the game’s opening goal.
The whistles were quiet in the first period, with junior winger Michael Katz going down on the ice at around four minutes left. What seemed to be interference by UT was called a bench minor for Florida, sending junior winger Kegan Lampinen to the penalty box.
Florida tried to generate opportunities for itself. Freshman forward Brian Pine rushed out on a breakaway with five seconds left in the first period, but senior goaltender Kyle Myer made the block.
Starting off the second period, Florida captain and junior defenseman Noah Horwitz fired the puck into the back of the net, equalizing the score 1-1.
However, a match was lit under the Spartans’ blades. Senior forward Robbie Seewagen answered right back for Tampa, putting them back on top. Then, a shorthanded goal by Saterdalen followed shortly after, extending Tampa’s lead to 3-1.
With 16:18 left in the third period, UF’s freshman defenseman Michael Calabrese scored a goal for the Gators, who desperately needed to make some waves.
Shortly after, Myer made his way to the locker room, wincing in pain. Junior goaltender Kaden Hiryok stepped into the net for Tampa.
Florida saw its chance when it clawed its way back to a 3-3 tied game, when Lecauchois’ goal commenced the comeback for the Gators.
But that lasted only 40 seconds.
UT’s freshman defenseman James Lawhorne struck back in rapid succession, firing the puck at Florida’s net with vengeance to make it 4-3.
But Tampa did not quit there. Freshman forward Alex Moeller launched the puck in Florida’s empty net, establishing a two-point cushion with one minute left in play.
Florida’s time ran out.
The Gators relived last night’s game outcome, but were knocked out of contention for the College Hockey South Championship.
Florida will still play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs, facing Florida Tech Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Florida Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs.
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.
