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Eastman rejuvenates SCSU
After academic ineligibility, senior defenseman Derek Eastman returns to pump life back into the hockey team.
By Bobby Hart
Published:
Thursday, January 23, 2003
Media Credit: Adam Maslowski
SCSU defenseman Derek Eastman has been a major contributor since his return to the lineup. This season he has two goals, five assists in six games.
The pregame ritual at the National Hockey Center has grown into a meaningful tradition to many who have supported the Husky red and black over the years. When the lights go out and the introductions begin, a sense of pride can be tasted among those who realize the greatness that the SCSU hockey program has achieved over the years. When the lights come back on, the Huskies huddle around their net in an attempt to gain the focus that they will try to maintain for the following 60 minutes.
There is only one thing missing from the huddle. Senior defenseman Derek Eastman is still circling around the neutral zone staring at the ice. He finally makes his way to his teammates and is greeted by Jeff Finger's arm, which grips his neck moments before the huddle ends and the game begins. The saying "better late than never" is probably the best way to label not only Eastman's pre-game superstitious arrival, but also his presence on a team that has missed him greatly for about three months due to academic ineligibility.
The first half of the season left the Huskies with the nickname "Team M.A.S.H" due to endless amounts of injuries and a handful of struggles. As the young, thin defense bolstered most of the criticism, and the losses kept showing up on the schedule, nobody took the woes deeper to heart than Eastman.
"It's been a long wait man...long and hard," Eastman said. "It was my own fault and I was pretty bummed that I let my teammates down. It's tough to sit back and watch when you know that if you're out there, you could make a difference."
That difference has been clear since his return Jan. 3 when the Huskies beat the Gophers 4-3 at Mariucci Arena, where he arrived on the score sheet immediately with one assist. Since then he has tallied four more assists and two goals (both against Providence Jan. 17) in five games.
Eastman used a bold work ethic to keep himself rust-proof, which included extra ice time shooting on the goalies and teeing off some one-timers.
"He's still out there everyday before practice getting better so that boosts his confidence quite a bit," assistant coach Brad Willner said. "From just being able to practice he knows what he can do. He's a very confident athlete."
That confidence was in jeopardy during his suspension time but was maintained because of some help from coaches and teammates who reminded him of his leadership duties.
"They told me to stay positive and help out the new guys that were coming in and playing right away, the same guys that maybe if I was in, they wouldn't have been thrown in so quickly, but just to help out with them and give them tips," Eastman said. "The younger guys look up to the older guys and you've got to lead by example. That was just a mistake I made last year and they all know that."
Although Eastman, at 5-foot-11 190 pounds, looks meager next to fellow defenseman Colin Peters (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), Jeff Finger (6-foot-2, 215 lbs.) and Tim Conboy (6-foot-2, 210 pounds), he makes up for it with good speed, a sharp head and deadly offensive skills. In 2000, Eastman scored seven goals, had 17 assists and scored one of the most memorable goals in Husky history with his game-winner against UND in the WCHA Final Five championship game. Last season the St. Paul native rated first on the team among defensive players with 26 points, including eight goals.
"He's obviously someone that the other team has got to be aware of on the ice because sometimes he's the one leading the rush and the first one in the zone," Willner said. "As a defenseman he's very offensive and he gets way up in the zone sometimes. But he's got great speed so he can get back, so it's not a problem. He always wants the puck. He's kind of a quarterback."
Equipped with their playmaker back on the blue line, the Huskies have been 4-1-1 and all smiles with a seemingly new season ahead of them. After all, it is "better late than never."
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