10 Questions with Head Coach Craig McAlister

By Rocky Wiles

 1).Coach, what possessed you to start off your first year UCO Bronchos with one of the toughest ACHA Division 1 schedules?

The hockey ties that I have developed over the past few years seem to be with some of the top programs in the ACHA.  Which means that we don’t get to have a night off.  We have to come out focused each and every game, to be competitive.  I also feel that to be noticed, we had to play some of the toughest teams in the ACHA.

               
2).When looking at your October schedule, it looks like murders row.

I call it baptism by fire, because we had to travel and compete against two national powers, Iowa State and the University of Illinois followed by another national power, Colorado State at home.  We battled in each game and took Iowa State into overtime in game 1, then came back and played Illinois tough, in one of the most difficult venues in hockey.  When we came back home, we looked like a team and played extremely well against Colorado State, winning both games.

3). What makes the University of Illinois a tough venue?

The University of Illinois rink is extremely wide.  Perhaps the widest rink that I have ever been in.  It’s beyond an Olympic sheet in its width.  It takes you about half the game to get used to the angles, but Illinois is all over you, notgiving you any time to think.  They are an extremely talented team that knows their rink and plays every strange bounce of the puck to their advantage.

4).How many unbeaten teams have you faced this season?

We’ve faced 4 teams that were undefeated when we played.  Starting with Illinois, then Colorado State, Southern Illinois and the University of Oklahoma.

5).How many teams did you play that remained unbeaten after you played?

Only one, the current number one team in the nation, the University of Illinois.

6).Who are your unsung hero of the ice?

I would have to name three players, Tony Panizzo, Shawn Steggles and Kevin Fukala.  Tony and Shawn have really blossomed as hockey players.  They are full of potential and seem to be getting better each game.

Kevin on the other hand, has had to work for every stride on the ice.  In order for Kevin to be successful, he has to bring his lunch pale to the rink every day. He had adapted to our style of play and has become one of the heart and soles of this team.

7).Leadership is primarily a veteran player role, how did this team find it’s leaders?

From the first time on the ice, it was obvious who are leaders would be.  AJ Alfrey has a presence like no other on the ice.  He leads by example and has the personality that others just want to follow.

Kyle Hirsch and Mike Glowa are our two assistant captains that were selected by the team.  Kyle, Mike and AJ do a terrific job of both on the ice and off. 

8).How do you rate the crowds at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena?

During our opening games with Missouri State, the crowd came in groves.  That is when we knew we had something special.  Not only did families come in, but the UCO Students came out and really added a lot of spirit and atmosphere.

During our home game with OU, the entire place was packed to the roof with UCO Students and it made it an atmosphere like I’ve never experienced before. Not only did we win the game, but we won a tremendous following that night.

9).That was an unbelievable atmosphere, possibly the best crowd to watch a hockey game in the state of Oklahoma.Do you think the crowd had a hand in the victory?

Absolutely, the atmosphere was electric and it charged our team that night.  We feed on each others emotions and the fans lifted us in the third period when we started to run out of gas.  It was a tribute to the UCO Hockey fans to see the headline in the Daily Oklahoman the next day, UCO won round 1 in the new bedlam series.

10). So now the second half of the season awaits, is it going to be as good as the first half?

Better, we have seven home games left, including 5 games against ACHA Division 1 opponents.   We also have to go on the road to face another Top 10 power, Lindenwood University.  We view this as a chance to prove to the nation that we are worthy of being voted into the top 20.