The Mastodons hockey team will play Adrian University at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at SportONE Parkview Icehouse.
“I’ve lived my whole life revolving around hockey,” Captain Derek Moss said. “All the kids that have played hockey, we’ve always had the dream of going and playing pro.”
A senior general education major from Fort Wayne, Moss said Adrian will be one of their toughest games of the year. Moss believes they are a good school because they have a feeder system, which draws many hockey players, allowing Adrian to have four hockey teams.
Senior accounting major Grant Isenbarger, who was on skates around the age of 2, said the team will need to be selfless, and trust one another when playing against Adrian.
“One of our main focuses going into this year is staying out of the box, because we have 11 skaters,” Moss said. “So we are going to have to stay to our systems, keep everybody rested and fully energized.”
After serving as captain last season, Moss returns for his senior year as captain once again.
Last season the Mastodons played teams such as Michigan State and the University of Michigan, but Moss said he believes the Indiana Tech game is their most emotional one of the year.
Others are easier to enjoy.
“Eastern Kentucky University is our funnest trip of the year. We did it two years ago, and they came to us last year, but we go down to them this year,” Moss said. “It’s called Midnight Madness. We play them at midnight. It’s a crazy atmosphere, and they draw a lot of fans.”
Moss, Isenbarger, and Brendan Lewis tied for the most goals on the Mastodons team last season, according to the Pointstreak website.
Isenbarger said they also gained a better appreciation for hockey, especially at this level, because they know it will be over soon.
Despite this, they try to have fun in the meantime, because that is what the sport is all about, Isenbarger said.
IPFW Hockey event information:
- IPFW Hockey Home Opener
- Location: SportONE Parkview Icehouse
- Date: Oct. 15 at 6 p.m.
- IPFW Mastodons vs. Adrian University Bulldogs.