Jumbos get second chance at playoffs

Sometimes, a second chance is all a team needs, and a little luck never hurts.

The men's ice hockey team got exactly that this weekend when it found out that it will be representing Tufts as the eighth and final seed in the NESCAC playoff quarterfinals next weekend against number one seeded Middlebury College.

In its last weekend of NESCAC conference play, the hockey team achieved its goal of winning one game and surpassing last season's win total. However, the team also recieved word that Wesleyan's Athletic Director forced its team to drop out of the tournament, citing disciplinary reasons, giving Tufts a birth in the playoffs.

In the Jumbos 2-0 victory over Wesleyan on Saturday night, only senior All-American goalie Jim Panczykowski suited up and played in the game for the Cardinals, the rest of the seniors watched from the stands.

"We're all grateful to have been given this opportunity," junior forward Gino Rotondi said. "We know Middlebury is a great team, and we're really looking forward to playing up there, it's a fun playing environment."

However, beating Middlebury will not be easy for Tufts. The Panthers, winners of 12 out of their last 13 games, have won the NESCAC crown three of the past four seasons, and already squashed the Jumbos 12-2 earlier this year.

The squad will need to be on top of its game, especially defensively, to prevent another onslaught of Middlebury goals, as in early January.

"We're going to have to play our best defensive game of the year to even have a chance," Rotondi added. "And our goalie, Ben Crapser, will need to continue his high level of play if we want to win."

However, hockey aside, the second wind for the underdog Jumbos could prove to be the difference of next weekend's game.

"We're a team of destiny," Rotondi said. "The new miracle."