Steamboat Pilot & Today

With the postseason quickly approaching, the Sailors hockey team needed a weekend of offensive success after suffering three straight loses.

The Sailors scored a combined 13 goals over the weekend, defeating Wasson, 6-0, on Friday and Coronado, 7-5, on Saturday. Both games were in Colorado Springs on the shorter Honnen ice rink.

"We were getting a lot of shots anywhere from the red line on in," assistant coach Jeff Ruff said. "They played well, and we were working on controlling the pace of the game. In the Wasson game, we did a real good job. In the Coronado game, I think the guys were satisfied with the way we controlled the game. We gave up two late goals, but the score wasn't as close as the final score indicates."

Steamboat fired a total of 112 shots on goal between the two games, getting a goal or an assist from 15 players, including several scores from defensemen.

"To be more successful, we have to have more scoring from our depth, whether it's from our defense or the third or fourth line," Ruff said.

In the Friday game against Wasson, juniors Sam Spillane and Brad Bonner each scored a goal, while senior Jamison Allee notched an assist for the defense.

"Spillane's goal was as pretty a goal as you're going to get," Ruff said. "(Chris) Baumann won the face off to (Jamie) Lokkesmoe, and, without thinking, in just one motion he moved it to Spillane who one-timed it high, right corner. The goalie never even saw it."

In the Saturday win against Coronado, senior defensemen Taylor Leary had a hat trick to go along with one assist.

The Sailors are preparing for Friday's rematch against Aspen as well as postseason play, which begins next week.

Against better teams, Steamboat is looking to score more on rebounds. Creating shot opportunities for the players at the point will allow the forwards to crash the net looking for rebounds and possible scores, Ruff said.

Scoring over the weekend for Steamboat were: senior Taylor Leary -- three goals, one assist; senior Casey Earp -- two goals, one assist; senior Tucker Greene -- two goals; senior Chris Timmerman -- four assists; senior Matt Legrice -- one goal, one assist; senior Curtis Nelson -- one goal; senior Jamison Allee -- one assist; senior Jamie Lokkesmoe -- one assist; junior Chris Baumann -- three assists; junior Sam Spillane -- one goal, one assist; junior Brad Bonner -- one goal; junior Nate Coram -- one goal; junior Ryan Brees -- one goal; sophomore Sam Gary -- one assist; sophomore Tanner Grimes -- one goal.

Steamboat senior goalie Cooper Lee turned away a combined 31 of 35 shots on goal over the weekend.

With the wins, the Sailors improved to 9-6-1 overall and 6-4-1 in Mountain League play. Steamboat returns to action at 5:30 p.m. Friday in Aspen where the Sailors will attempt to avenge a 4-3 overtime loss to the Skiers on Jan. 17 in Steamboat.

-- To reach Melinda Mawdsley call 871-4208

or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com