For the first time in the history of the University of New Mexico hockey team, the Lobos have skated into postseason play and will compete in the ACHA National Championships.
New Mexico went undefeated in its first 11 games to start the season and never looked back, posting an impressive 20-4-1 record along the way.
Head coach Grant Harvey said the team was overlooked in the past and felt some politics kept New Mexico out of the postseason mix in previous seasons. But with the selection process, including an algorithm with defined criteria and the team’s impressive résumé, there was no question this season’s effort was good enough to warrant a bid to nationals.
“It’s meaningful in a sentimental value, man,” Harvey said. “This is basically 10 years in the making — ever since I was a UNM captain and then stuck around to be the coach.”
Harvey said the notion of achieving a postseason berth seemed almost like a daydream, but the division was wide open this year — providing a prime opportunity to pursue that dream.
Team captain and left wingman Austin Short said he remembered sitting down and discussing how close, but elusive, earning a postseason spot had been in the past and seemed vindicated that the moment finally arrived.
“It’s pretty surreal actually,” he said. “I do remember talking about that before our season even started. And here we are now. We made it.”
UNM Lobo Hockey released the draw for the 2018 ACHA Nationals Pool B through its Twitter page and appears to be facing some stiff competition. No. 1 seed Michigan State took the division crown in the North and will likely be the favorite to emerge from the group.
New Mexico, which finished second in the Pacific division, Central Florida and Quinnipiac University round out the pool and will all compete against each other for the right to advance to the next round.
Play will begin in Columbus, Ohio on March 13, which could present a challenge for the Lobos, considering the team hasn’t played a game since its 8-0 victory to close out the regular season back on Feb. 3.
Short said the layoff should not be an issue, as it is nothing new for the team. The squad had a lull in scheduling earlier in the season, endured another hiatus during winter break and didn’t miss a beat when play resumed.
Harvey said it is just one of the perils of playing so far into the season, and the main focus will be on keeping the team ready. He said the team has increased the number of practices to three times per week but acknowledged there is only so much practice can provide.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
The break could also help players heal up and recover from any bumps and bruises. Short said he hopes to continue working on his stick handling and stay sharp on passing and shooting.
But the head coach said in order to be game ready, the players will have to play.
Harvey said he plans to organize an exhibition game or two in preparation for competing at nationals.
He has also called on some hockey friends, including some former New Mexico Scorpion players, to work with the players and share some experience, he said.
But don’t expect Harvey to “over-coach” the players on the team during the postseason when the stakes are at its highest. He said he’s learned some valuable lessons about himself and the team during this season.
“I’ve learned a lot about coaching this year,” he said. “I don’t need to tell them the gravity of the situation; I don’t need to lay upon (them) this huge burden of winning. I need to make them more comfortable. Go play our game, and let’s see what settles at the end.”
Harvey said he feels that if the team plays its game, then it can take on anyone in the nation.
He said he will try to balance being a coach and a psychologist and strive to help the players have fun, because they play their best when they are not nervous.
That said, the Lobos will probably need everyone to play at a high level. Harvey said the team has a relatively slim rotation but feels comfortable knowing the players are up to the task, despite knowing they will have to log some heavy minutes.
He said the most critical aspect to the game will be how the Lobos can protect the net — admitting that the team cannot afford to have a bad game between the pipes. UNM has been solid at goal tending this season, recording six shutout wins.
The team has shown the ability to generate some serious offense as well, scoring five or more goals in 18 of its 25 games played. And nobody has been more prolific on the team in scoring than Short, who has put 30 goals past opposing keepers so far.
UNM center Jaxson Farnholtz is the team’s leader in assists with 30 and overall points with 50, followed closely by Short, who has notched 49 points.
The team captain said the team has maintained a national top 10 ranking for pretty much the entire season and has several things working in its favor heading into Ohio. UNM has found a myriad of different ways to win games throughout the season, showing the ability to come from behind and keep its composure.
New Mexico won two of its three overtime matchups during the regular season — earning a draw in the other game — and notched five wins in games that were decided by a single goal.
Short said he’s just looking for everyone to skate and compete with 100 percent effort — saying that, and playing for the person next to you, is really all he can ask for.
Harvey said he and the players have felt embraced by the community, and the support they have received means everything. The team will be representing New Mexico well when it takes to the ice on March 13.
The games are expected to be streamed on the ACHA Twitter page, and results will be posted on the UNM Lobo Hockey team page.
Robert Maler is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers basketball, football and tennis. He can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter@Robert_Maler.
