CCU vs. USC the "Southern 2011 Classic"

[MLRH League]

Webster's defines Rival as:
one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess. One striving for competitive advantage. i.e. See CCU vs. USC

On January 22nd, 2011, a new rivalry was born in the sport of inline hockey. Two teams took the floor in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to prove their worth and their desire to win the title of South Carolina champion for the year. The game played was the Southern classic, the inline version of the Winter classic. As both rosters would be put to the test, this game would feature everything a fan could ask for.

As temperatures would dip to the high 20's, over 400 fans would embrace this challenge and cheer on both squads. Both sides have prepared for this contest for months. The tension and anxiety have begun to surface in forms that only a competitor and athlete can understand. RHTV set up exclusive and private confessional booths for the players and coaches to search their souls and minds to express themselves during the event.

As the excitement mounted and so did the crowd, it was time to introduce the 2011 CCU chanticleers and USC Gamecocks

USC Roster

Andrew Smilak (12)
Adam Patterson (21)
Taylor Desseyn (4)
Connor Johnson (96)
William Scholes (80)
Pat Hull (80)
Brannon Desseyn (7)
Lane Smith (36)
Kyle Headley (91)
Chris Akeson (77)
Jacob Shiansky (30)

CCU Roster

Forwards
5 King, Jeff (C)
89 Hirsch, Ian (A)
92 Westrom, Josh
23 McQuiston, Brendan
15 Basiliko, Vinnie
9 Brimlow,Chris

DEFENSEMEN
11 Montgomery, Nate (A)
28 Bauer, Cory
86 Sherin, Cole
6 Williamson, Ryan
21 Aanonsen, Stefan
19 McCormick, Brett
40 Rutledge, Matt

As both teams would take the floor on the 22nd, only one would emerge victorious on this cold and bittersweet evening. Teams would line up for the national anthem and a call to remember Cory Brooks, a long time hockey supporter and friend of the Chant's who was murdered two years ago.

It was game on at that point. In the first half the Chant's would go up 4 - 0 on scoring four unanswered goals leaving USC bewildered at the remarkable and stellar goaltending of Andrew Marino, who shut down the Gamecocks.

As the rivalry began heating up, both teams would end up letting their ferocity and their exuberance carry over into some physical play that would have officials sort out several delays and penalties in the game. With both teams unwilling to give an inch, regardless of the score, fans were treated to a game which became very physical.

With cooler heads prevailing, the Chant's would remain victorious on this frosty evening as they would persevere and shut down the gamecocks, 7 - 0. The first star of the game was Andrew Marino of CCU who would remain razor sharp and turn away all 28 Gamecock shots he faced. CCU captain, Jeff King would then herald the second star of the game as he had scored the hat trick and added two assists. Rounding out the third star was the play of USC's Andrew Smilak who was a solid and a competent competitor on the floor the whole evening.

With the insurmountable effort and the drive of the Chants too much for the Gamecocks on this evening, a new page in history and collegiate sports rivalries was created. We will return to Myrtle Beach in 2012 to see these two teams face each other again in what has become an annual event.

We look back on some of the moments from the night's event and game that have made this inaugural event special and you can get your own copy of every goal and share in the moments and successes of the inaugural Southern classic!

The dvd produced by RHTV and MLRH will be released on 2/10/11 click this link to purchase your own copy!
http://www.rollerhockeytv.net/RHTV-Order-Form.html

[Hockeyguy22]

A great game. So much energy in the crowd and on the benches. Really a big day for college roller hockey.

[MasonHockey]

Congrats on both teams for growing the exposure of their programs and college roller hockey.
George Mason commends the work you've done to grow your programs
and looks forward to seeing both of your programs grow and become major contenders in the SECRHL for years to come.

[CSteamer]

If only South Carolina could have brought back some of their alumni....