Six players, including team captain and leading scorer Nick Udovicic and one-time conference Rookie of the Year, goaltender Kevin Fines, have been dismissed from Findlay’s hockey team for unspecified rules violations.
According to Findlay coach Craig Barnett, “They broke some team and university rules and had to be disciplined. … Unfortunately, Kevin was one of the ones we had to let go, as was Nick Udovicic.”
The six (with class, position and 2002-03 statistics):
Fines was 4-6 this season with a 2.61 goals against average and .920 save percentage. Udovicic had 10 goals and 26 points. Also let go were freshman center Dan Francis (0-0–0, 3 games played); freshman forward Brandon Harker (1-4–5, 23); junior defenseman Lance Holmes (0-1–1, 22); and junior defenseman David Sell (0-0–0, 1).
The suspensions happened prior to last week’s games against Niagara.
“We went into the Niagara game a little shorthanded,” said Barnett. “We came back Saturday and played our butts off, and I was so proud of our guys.”
Findlay lost 6-0 on Friday but tied their conference rival 1-1 on Saturday.
The dismissals come as the team’s winless streak grew to 13 games (0-11-2).
“It’s an unfortunate situation, but we have to move on. The guys that we have left impressed us last weekend. It’s rallied the guys and allowed some other guys to step up.”
