D3: The winter break provides a challenge for regional teams

Oswego head coach Ed Gosek (Courtesy Photo)

One of the biggest challenges facing college hockey programs is the winter break. Schools close and students, including the players, go home for the holidays. For many of the New York-area teams, the final game of the semester came December 8.

Having so much time off in the middle of the season isn’t ideal, especially with conference tournaments looming.

“The teams are equal when you come back after the holiday break,” Oswego head coach Ed Gosek said. “You’ll be rusty when it comes to execution. They’re maybe not in the same game shape they were before the holiday break.”

There is no easing the players back once they return, either, because many teams take part in holiday tournaments, playing back-to-back games with a championship on the line.