The Bradley Braves Division II hockey team played a series against Iowa State the weekend of November 17th and 18th. The Owens Center was filled with students cheering on the Bradley Braves hockey team at home. Unfortunately for the home team, both games were close, but the Braves lost both games by a score of 3-2 on Friday and 2-1 on Saturday.
The Owens Center prior to the start of the game.
Cooper Kaplan, a Bradley junior who works for Bradley hockey’s broadcasting team was disappointed in seeing two consecutive losses. “When you call so many games and watch this team so much, especially when they play for your school, it’s hard to watch them lose two in a row.”
The Bradley Braves broadcasting team is hard at work making sure the game is reaching maximum audiences.
On Friday, November 17th the Braves fought back after a 3-1 deficit, but could only add one more goal. It was an evenly matched game where both teams fought hard. However, the Cyclones were able to keep the puck out of their net for the win.
Kelly Mordini, a senior at Bradley University used Friday night’s game as an excuse to go to her first Bradley hockey match. “It was really cool,” Mordini stated. “The Owens Center was not at all how I pictured it and I didn’t expect it to be so close to campus.”
The game on Saturday, November 18 stayed at 0-0 until 10 minutes were left in the second period where Iowa State struck first. The Braves quickly tied with a goal from Joe Norton, giving the team some confidence going into the end of the game. However, this was not the team’s weekend and Iowa State scored yet again, ending the game with a score of 2-1.
At the end of the game, Bradley trying to score and ISU trying to keep the puck out of their net.
Bradley fans were upset with two consecutive close matches that both resulted in losses, but it is noteworthy that the Braves held their own in two games against a team with a much better record than their own.
Both teams wait for the ref’s call as they prepare for a face off.
Rachel Kendziora, a junior at Bradley attended the Saturday game with her sorority sisters, only to feel disappointed after the team’s loss. “They came so close, and we all had to go home a little sad,” Kendziora said. “Even though we had fun at the game, it’s never fun to see your team lose.”
The Bradley Braves don’t play again until after the Thanksgiving holidays. The boys have a break for a bit. The next games are at NIU on December 1st and 2nd where the Braves hope to up their record from its current 7-11-2. The Huskies have a record of 5-15-0 so this might be Bradley’s chance to secure a win. The Braves haven’t won a game since November 1st against Illinois State. If there were a time that they absolutely needed a win, it would be now.
The end of Fridays game where the Braves lost by a point.
The record may point towards the losing side for the Braves, but the season is not over yet. Things could still pick up for the Braves. The season is only halfway over and the ACHA National Tournament is not until March. They have a lot of time to improve their record.