Ice time comes in threes for former Blue Devils
Craig Wills, Matt Popen and Brandon Dries have helped lead the MCC ice hockey team to an 11-5-1 record.
By BRYAN SULLIVAN / Messenger Post Staff
They grew up playing hockey together since they were 8.
They continued playing together in high school.
For three former Brockport High School ice hockey players, that still wasn't enough time together.
Craig Willis, Matt Popen and Brandon Dries are teammates on the Monroe Community College ice hockey team. The three graduated from Brockport in 2004 and are in their second year on the team.
The three have played a pivotal role in the Tribunes' 11-5-1 overall record.
"It's been fun just getting to hang out and keep playing with the guys," said Dries, who is a defenseman. "I have enjoyed getting a chance to play with these guys and be successful."
Each of the three players has helped the Tribunes in the quest for the team's first national championship.
Through 17 games. Willis has 13 goals and 24 assists and Dries has 15 points. Popen has two goals and eight assists through 16 games as a defenseman.
Each player has adjusted to the challenges of college. They all said that playing hockey has not been their biggest challenge since they arrived at MCC; instead it has been academics.
On road trips, the three try to catch up with homework. Willis and Dries major in business administration and accounting, while Popen majors in environmental science.
Being on the ice and on the road offers a small escape from the pressure they face in the classroom.
"It's a faster game and you are going against teams with bigger, faster and better players," Willis said. "The biggest adjustment has been the traveling and the road trips."
Before their senior year in high school, the trio knew they wanted to keep playing.
In 2003, their junior year, Brockport embraced the underdog role and won the Section 5 and then state titles. That memorable season fueled their fire to continue playing.
"That state championship was another factor in all of us moving on in hockey," Popen said. "That experience is something we are never going to forget and we are striving to have another championship."
Playing for a national championship is a possibility for the Tribunes.
MCC has won its last four games and has played the toughest teams on the schedule well. The Tribunes tied Morrisville 1-1 on the road and play again at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at ESL Sports Centre.
Each player said a national championship would be just as sweet as the state championship.
"I think the underdog status that we had in high school made that extra special," Popen said. "We can't wait to find out how it would feel to win a national championship."
Also from Brockport, Pat Young has seen action with the Tribunes. The goalie has a 1-1 record with a 4.44 goals against average and 83.6 save percentage.
MCC's next game is 1 p.m. Saturday at Hudson Valley.
Tom Garigen
Athletics
02/06/2006 |