Author: Vanderbilt Hockey

Vandy Completes Dominant Weekend Set With 12-4 Win

Another game, another impressive 12-4 win by the Vanderbilt Hockey Club over Auburn.  Also, another onslaught of penalties.

“I’ve never had four penalties in a game in my life,” explained sophomore Chris Sperandio following a third period interference minor.  “Never happened before.  Ever.”

“I think Chris’s mind was focused elsewhere, possibly on a test coming up next week.  Or more than likely on the luau party that was apparently following the game,” speculated Coach Thomas Bernstein.  “Seriously though, I’ll chalk up the penalties to opening weekend rustiness.  Moving forward, I’m trusting that the boys will clean things up.”

Following another pattern of the weekend, the club spread its 12 goals across each of its 4 lines, a testament to the depth of this year’s squad.  Junior goalie Brenden Oliver explained that, “This is the best we’ve ever looked, at least since I’ve been at Vandy.  If we can make sure guys show up for games, I think we’ll make some noise this year.”

His lips to God’s ears.  For now?  So far, so good for the ole ‘dores.

*  The next game will be away versus Alabama on October 1st at 8pm.
**  Updated stats from the weekend are posted on the “Player Stats” page.

VU Nets Baker’s Dozen, First Win Versus Auburn

Vanderbilt Hockey’s season and home opener, a 13-0 win over Auburn, was a complete game on both sides of the ice for the Commodores.  Highlighted by three goals from sophomore Chris Sperandio and two from both senior P.J. Tatum and sophomore Kyle McCann, 8 different players scored across each of the team’s four offensive lines.  Junior goalie Brenden Oliver locked down the net for his sixth career shutout behind a stout defensive stand anchored by senior Kyle Brennan and junior Nathan Tardiff.

While it would seem hard to find fault in such a convincing win, the Commodores can certainly look to improve in one area: penalties.  The stats were ugly:

  • 11 penalties doled out to 7 different players
  • 24 minutes spent in the box
  • Nearly 4 full minutes spent on the two-men-down penalty kill

Vanderbilt will drop the puck once again tonight (9/18) versus Auburn, this time with a full roster following yesterday’s religious holiday.  The ‘dores will look to reign in the elbows and crosschecks en route to a 2-0 season start.

VU Hockey To Kick Off Season This Weekend Versus Auburn

With 25 skaters and 2 goalies on board for the 2010/11 campaign, the VU hockey team is anxious to officially kick the season off this weekend versus the Auburn Tigers, a newly founded member of the SEC Hockey Conference.  Led by a core group of seniors, including Peter Dignard, P.J. Tatum, Anderson Funk, Matt “Maggs” Maggiore, Kyle Brennan, and Erin Loeb, the team is hoping to pile up a bunch of W’s on its way to a strong ’10/11 showing in the ACHA hockey league.

Come join us for the games this weekend at the Centennial Sportsplex – Friday at 9pm and Saturday at 5:15pm.  We look forward to seeing you at the rink!

Rumors Swirl Surrounding Pfinsgraff’s Potential Return

Nashville, TN – Vanderbilt campus is abuzz following word that former Severn standout and Hockey Night In Boston alum Zach Pfinsgraff may come out of retirement a la Brett Favre to rejoin the Commodores Hockey Club for the 2010/11 season.  Following a disappointing campaign his freshmen year, an experience which Pfinsgraff described as “devastating” and “demoralizing” following an embarrassing minus-7 performance, it appears that the curly-haired wunderkind is ready to lace up his skates once again.

Says one anonymous source, “Zach told me he just can’t keep fighting back the need to ‘put the biscuit in the basket’ – his words.”

While the VU Hockey Club was unable to contact Pfinsgraff for comment, team administrators were able to reach his oldest brother Marty.  “Zach’s a big girl.  No idea what he’s thinking, but honestly … he should totally play.”  The team hopes he heeds his brother’s advice.