While video games may be a common Winter passtime, some students have expanded to other activities. The thrills of living vicariously may be found on the ice.
Kylie Pittenger, ’12, attends hockey games where she watches her brother, Wyatt, a Fresno Jr. Falcons starter.
?My brother has been playing for the Fresno Jr. Falcons for two years,? Pittenger said. ?I enjoy going to the big Fresno Falcon games because I get to spend time with my family and have fun.?
A minor pro on the Falcons hockey team, John Morlang, No.37, began playing hockey 18 years ago and has been on the Fresno Falcons for two years.
“I enjoy hockey because of the competitiveness, challenges, friendship, camaraderie with players and how it’s an accomplishing team sport,” Morlang said. “My favorite memory of hockey was when I led the team in scoring during my first year.”
Morlang played against the Phoenix Roadrunners at the Save Mart Center, Jan. 11. The Falcons beat the Roadrunners, 5-2.
After a penalty by Phoenix, the Falcons ended the first period with a goal. In the second period, a Falcon lost his helmet but recovered and would go on to score another goal. However, The Roadrunners finally scored two goals after the Falcons made two more goals.
While Brian Weskamp, ’09, did not attend the Phoenix game, he has watched numerous Fresno Falcons games in the past.
“I used to go to them (Fresno Falcons games) all the time,” Weskamp said. “I attended the games because I like watching good hockey.”
The Falcons quickly scored again just as the third period started. A brawl then erupted between No. 17 of the Falcons and a Phoenix player. After five minutes, the referees broke it up, nailing a penalty to Phoenix and placing the players involved in the penalty box. The Falcons would then score another goal to finish the game.
In addition to the surging energy throughout the games, many hockey players enjoy the sport because of its challenges and team-orientation.
“Hockey challenges you to not only better yourself physically but mentally as well,” Weskamp said. “Hockey is the defintion of a team sport: good teams are not good because they have the best skill but because they play well together.”
Weskamp traveled throughout California and Nevada while playing for the Junior Falcons. While he no longer plays for them, Weskamp relishes the physical aspects of the sport.
“I enjoyed being a part of the team where everyone works hard together. I loved playing physical down in the corners and working for every loose play,” Weskamp said. “You had to sacrfice everything for the team and play for the name on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back.”
The Falcons will host a rematch with the Roadrunners at the Save Mart Center, Jan. 29. The Las Vegas Wrangler will be in town, Feb 2. For Fresno Falcon tickets, go to Ticketmaster.
