Vikings Go to Break Looking Ahead

December 18, 2007

By: Skip Berry – Director of Media Relations

PORTLAND, OR – The Portland State Vikings hockey team ended the year, 2007 with two back-to-back losses at Arizona State University and now start the Holiday break looking ahead to 2008. With the Vikings competing in the ACHA Div. II for the first year, Head Coach Lance Gilbert is impressed with the success of his team; however Coach Gilbert is looking forward to receiving some additional help in the New Year.

“It has been impressive building this thing and amazing that we have been able to have a winning record in our inaugural season,” said Gilbert, who is expected to push the guys the rest of the year. “With new players about to attend PSU we are going to have more bodies in practice and games, which will help us generate more wins this season.”

The Vikings (6-4-0-1) have a winning record despite having a roster of only 11 players. But, the Vikings will have a tough road ahead, which makes adding a possible, 5 players key to playing University of Texas and University of Oregon in one month.

“We have been fortunate in that our schedule has all the tough games in 2008, but with some good talent coming in, we might have a chance to upset UO in one of our four showdowns,” Gilbert added.

One thing is for sure, the Vikings have two great goalies and they showed their potential against the Sun Devils at ASU a couple weeks ago. J.J. York had 60 saves on 66 shots against, while Miles Wahrer had a Vikings team record 67 saves on 74 shots against. Coach Gilbert says it is now time to get some offense going on a more consistent basis to help the goalies out.

“We need to establish more offense in our games… We should not be allowing 74 shots on our net,” Gilbert said after the second game against the Sun Devils. “We have to be more aggressive on the fore-check and generate some more goals against our opponents to see wins in the future. With players on the way we should get better, however, the guys we have now need to get the job done.”

Currently, the leading scorer on the Vikings is Hunter Levengood with 16 points (7 goals and 9 assist). Right behind Levengood is Captain Alex Zsenyuk with 15 points (7 goals and 8 assist). Despite their efforts, Coach Gilbert wants more out of Levengood and Zsenyuk.

“Hunter and Alex are two of the best in the ACHA and they need to play like it every shift on the ice. Ryan (Ellis) is another who has a great potential and we need him to play better as well. There is no doubt that we have talent, but we still need to play harder in games.”

If you would like more information about the Portland State University Vikings Hockey Club, advertising and sponsorship opportunities at our home venue, Mountain View Ice Arena, please contact BWL Media LLC at 971-409-7443 or by email: skipberry@psuvikingshockey.com