While the Brandeis club hockey teams record of 5-4-2 may not seem as good as one might expect of a team who won the NESHL Championship last season, the club is still playing exceptional hockey thanks to the contributions of players like forward Josh Levine 06, goalie Jeff Wieskopf 08, and forward Alex Botwick 08. The team has hit a somewhat rough patch with a 1-2-1 record in the last four games, despite an impressive 8-3 victory over the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Nads. This can be attributed to the team not always playing a full roster for various reasons. Wieskopf, who led the division in goals-against average at least through the first nine games, said, Overall, things are going well, but without consistent rosters, its hard to build up team chemistry. All things considered, were all happy with where we are right now, near the top of our division.

Last Tuesday, the Judges faced off against a local club team called the Pirates at Bavis Rink in Rockland, Mass. With Wieskopf late to the game and a few other key players absent, Brandeis was forced to start a goalie who had played in the previous game at the arena. By the time Wieskopf had finally suited up, the team was already down 2-0 in the first period against a squad who had a significant size advantage. Brandeis eventually got as close as 5-2, but the Judges defense and offense were both inconsistent to the point where the team lost 6-2. Defenseman David Feingold 08 scored his first career goal during the contest, and Botwick added another to his season total as well.

With a game on Wednesday, Dec. 7 against NESHL competition, the Judges stand a good chance at further improving their record. The team is also hoping that teammate and goalie Mike Cohen (GRAD) will return sometime early next semester from a spinal injury.