The broomball champions rise to the surface after a Jterm of ice battles.
By Maddie Christy | For the Clarion
Bright white stadium lights pierced the sky over the rookie ice rink on campus Thursday night, Feb. 9.
Billows of smoke floated by carrying the warm gooey scent of roasted marshmallows and piping hot chocolate.
All four doors of a white Chevrolet Avalanche truck stood open, singing melodies of Jason Derulo, Justin Bieber, and The Chainsmokers.
A few dozen fans bundled in scarves, mittens, parkas, and Love Your Melon hats leaned against the boards anxiously awaiting the start of the Broomball Championship game.
Dump and Chase, with a perfect season at 7-0 entered the rink confidently.
“Win or lose, it’s been a good year of broomball,” sophomore Brett Norling of Dump and Chase said. “I am just happy to be here, but a win would be nice.”
Genetic Advantage, fresh out of a qualifying semi-final win, brought a 4-1-1 record into the evening of competition.
The entire team clad in red, consisted mostly of Stein family members. Most notable, Professor Keith Stein.
“Uncle Keith would definitely be the MVP,” junior Erica Jensen said. “He sacrifices his whole body for the game. Students on opposing teams are terrified to run into him, but he goes all out.”
The first whistle blows.
The slipping, sliding, diving, and dribbling begins.
Early in the first 8 minutes, Dump and Chase is the aggressor while the sea of Nebraska Huskers jerseys fall into defense.
Goal! Dump and Chase 1, Genetic Advantage 0.
For the remaining sixteen minutes, the action doesn’t stop. Genetic Advantage presses and pushes to fight for multiple shots at a goal. Each time deflected.
High stick calls, a groaning crowd, one violent intentional shove, a professor throwing himself on the ice.
One last chance at a goal for Chris Stein. 3. 2. 1.
The final whistles blows.
Dump and Chase piles into a group victory hug.
Genetic Advantage takes the loss gracefully.
They slowly make their way off the rink making jokes of consistency….they earn second place for the second year in a row.
Maybe next year Genetic Advantage will really have the advantage.
