SPORTS
PAGE 14
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Men’s hockey season comes to an end By Annie Markel Staff writer
On March 18, the Mercyhurst Men’s Hockey team went up against American International College in the Atlantic Hockey Association Semifinals in Utica, New York. The Lakers have been crushing their opponents in these semifinals. However, their season ended on Friday when our men fell to the Falcons. The Lakers started out the first period by being outshot 13-4. However, this did not stop sophomore forward, Dante Sheriff, from taking a 1-0 lead. After making the most of an AIC turnover deep in the opposing zone, at the opening of the period at 12:32, he put the Lakers ahead. This was a great start for Mercyhurst. The second period was all a tussle back and forth with two goals from both teams. AIC scored their two goals first. Seeing this, our boys put on the pressure and hit back with two of their own. Sophomore forward Austin Heidemann, made the first goal by deflecting off a shot from senior defenseman Devon Daniels. The AIC goalie was way out of position from Daniel’s shot and
Hurst Athletics photo
The Mercyhurst men’s hockey team celebrates after scoring a goal in a semifinal playoff game against American International College.
Heidemann made the most of it and took his. Junior forward Rylee St. Onge came in with the second goal scored on a power play from an assist by senior defenseman Josh McDougall. This would give the Lakers a 3-2 lead with five minutes left in the second period. It was look-
ing pretty good for us. By this point, sophomore goalie Kyle McClellan had a grand total of 28 saves. It was a tie game by the end of the second period. The third hung in the balance. Who would break the tie? When asked what his mindset was going into the third period,
senior Own Norton said, “Just do whatever it takes to win. They are a hell of a team over there. You can’t sit back and wait and see what they’re going to bring. I mean, you have to go up and get the next one.” In the third period, AIC would come out on top with three more goals. One was even
an empty netter pushing the score to 5-3. However, our Lakers did not give up. With a second goal from senior forward Rylee St. Onge with an assist sophomore forward Mickey Burns. With only 1:20 left in the period, they pushed the final score to 5-4. It was a narrow loss. McClellan rounded out his sophomore season with 44 saves in his tenth game of the season. Head coach Rick Gotkin talked about what he was most proud of from the team this season. “I’m just proud with how they embraced it, and we just got better as the year went on,” Gotkin said. “We got lots of great leadership. Pierce Crawford and Geoff Kitt, our number of seniors. You know, I’m happy for the senior class.” The men’s hockey team had a great season. A long season of wins and losses and making it so far in the playoffs. They should be extremely proud of themselves. This concludes their season, but the hockey team will come back for more, like they always do, next year.
Tom Brady is not retiring from the NFL HURST RESULTS By Bella Lee Staff writer
And we all thought he was actually gone for good. Tom Brady, a man of many names. Taken by the New England Patriots in 1999 in the sixth round and 199th pick overall, no one thought he would dominate as the quarterback he has ever since. Between the Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady has had 10 Super Bowl appearances, seven wins and five MVPs, more than any other player in history. In fact, he has more Super Bowl wins than any other NFL team, with the Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers being tied for most by a team with six each. Brady initially announced his retirement on Feb. 3 after rumors had been circulating on the Internet for a week prior. “As I look back on my career in football, the memories we have made, and the relationships we have built are by far the most meaningful,” Brady wrote on Instagram. “Yes, the scoreboard was important, but the toughest times always taught me the most important lessons. I am grateful to the people that stood with me through every high and low, win and loss, and the memories we created TOGETHER. Memories
Contributed photo
Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady.
that won’t ever fade. I played for the name on the front of my jersey and the name on the back of my jersey. I played for my friends, my family, and our community- every single one of you- that have given me what I have today. I love you all. Thank you ALL for making this journey possible.” Everyone, from current and former teammates, to rivals, to his family, congratulated Brady and gave him a well-deserved
sendoff. However, everyone soon learned that this would not be the case just yet. On March 13, Brady announced that he was returning to football. “These past two months I have realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,” Brady wrote on Instagram. “That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love
my supportive family. Without them, none of this is possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. We have unfinished business.” After just six weeks of retirement, Brady shocked everyone with his return. Many people made jokes, including how a nearly 45-year-old quarterback with 7 Super Bowls to his name could possibly have unfinished business and that the reason he was “unretiring” was because the gas prices have become so high, or he was not able to help his kids with their math homework. Despite this surprise return, his family has been nothing but supportive. An spokesperson for Brady said that his wife, model Gisele Bundchen, has backed him this entire time. “Gisele has been vocal about wanting him to retire for years but she’s also his biggest cheerleader,” the spokesperson said. “He would never do it if she weren’t on board. Everything they do they decide as a family.” So, what will happen in Brady’s 23rd season? Will he secure an eighth Super Bowl victory? Will he break more records? We will have to wait until Sept. 8, the beginning of the 2022 NFL season, to find out.
March 16: Women’s Lacrosse vs Slippery Rock University: 1310, Lakers March 18: Softball vs Seton Hill University: 9-6 Lakers March 19: Men’s Tennis vs Millersville University : 5-2, Lakers