By Joann Groff
Staff Writer
Who would have thought?
It’s not often that you see the words “Pepperdine” and “ice hockey” together in the same sentence. But this year the intramurals department has begun to fund an ice hockey club team, creating the unlikely pairing of two seemingly unrelated terms.
After all, most California natives think in-line, not ice, when you mention skates.
Junior transfer Grant Matsushita has been a major contributor to the new team.
“It was really exciting to see those guys out there in their first game,” said Matsushita, who played two years of Division III ice hockey in Rhode Island before coming to Malibu.
The Waves faced West Los Angeles College in their first game on Monday evening, and a welcome opportunity for new members of the team to get some playing experience. The Waves came out strong and tied it up in the first period, but eventually succumbed to the Oilers, 8-2.
Freshman goalie Andrew Michaels really “hung in there,” Matsushita said, a difficult task when goalies, “can get very frustrated in the game of ice hockey.”
Most of the players have some experience, but not necessarily from competitive programs. Juniors Adam Diemasun and Anton Rivera played in their first hockey game on Monday.
The men’s team is not only committed to offering new opportunities to Pepperdine students, but also helping out in the surrounding community. In a classic Pepperdine spirit, they are planning a team effort to prepare food for the homeless.
“Honestly, I just don’t know how to describe it. They are such a fun bunch, and to see them out there is great,” Matsushita said. “Your reasons for playing a sport change with each level. We are having fun because we want and love to play the game of hockey.”
Pepperdine has had an ice hockey team unofficially in the past, but this year’s team has taken the extra steps to secure the university’s representation. They have faced challenges, but are working hard to establish a base for this growing program.
Pepperdine is currently an independent team. Free from league restrictions, the team faces significant scheduling issues because most college programs are affiliated with a league in which they play all of their games against other teams in that league.
The guys look forward to at least one more game, possibly against USC’s junior varsity squad.
They are still looking for a coach, and for the time being practices are lead by Matsushita and his co-captain, Joe Kim.
Kim was on his way to play ice hockey at Boston University but decided, “it wasn’t for him. He’s been in the big times, and knows a lot about hockey,” Matsushita said.
The team practices at Van Nuys Iceland once a week, and is eager to accept new members with or without experience. E-mail Grant.Matsushita@pepperdine.edu if interested.
March 21, 2002