With the season on the line in the first round of the ECAC men’s ice hockey playoffs, forward Jake Goldberg ’14 hit the game winner against the Clarkson Golden Knights. The 4-3 victory sends the Bears to the ECAC quarterfinals against the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers.
This marks the first time the Bears have advanced within the ECAC tournament since 2010. Having been bested by the Engineers the past two seasons, the Bears are now looking to reclaim their dominance in a best-of-three series. For his part in propelling the Bears to the next round, The Herald has selected Goldberg as Athlete of the Week.
The Herald: You hit the game winner last game. How does that feel? What was going on in your head when that happened?
Goldberg: It was an interesting game. I guess what turned out to be the game winner was the last goal to put us up by three, and that was a nice pass by (Jimmy) Siers (’13). It was a good situation — good circumstances. To answer your question, I’m just really excited, and it hasn’t happened in a while. It’s a pretty surreal feeling.
Can you talk about the mindset you’re taking with you into Friday’s match?
I’d say we’re going to win. We have to come with that mindset. Last time we played them, we didn’t play well and they killed us, and I think we have the upper hand now because they’ve never seen our best game.
Do you have any pregame rituals?
Nothing too crazy, no. I take the game seriously, but some guys shower and tape their socks three times — I usually just play on my phone a little before games. I play Angry Birds or something.
When did you first start playing hockey?
When I was four and a half.
Did you know right away that was what you wanted to do?
My dad took me to a Flyers game. I’d been to baseball games, football games, but hockey was the game I just couldn’t take my eyes off, my dad said. The next week he signed me up for hockey lessons.
What is it like balancing a varsity sport and your academics?
I think it’s not as hard as people assume, just because you have other guys on your team that can help you out. When I was a (first-year), my juniors and seniors gave me a lot of advice on how to take classes, how to manage your time.
What do you do with your free time when you’re not playing hockey?
We have an intramural softball team — my class on the hockey team — and we’re looking to win it this year. I take that pretty seriously.
What is your concentration and why?
Technically I’m trying to be economics, but I’m still signed up for (Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizations). I’m really interested in the econ(omics) side and all the statistics.
Do you have any hidden talents that most people would be surprised to know about?
Do you know the game 24? Nobody knows it. I went to the state championships for this card game. I won my district and placed in county and had to go to state.
When you’re out, what is your go-to karaoke song?
Depends really what I’m feeling. I’m a big fan of “Build Me Up, Buttercup” — who doesn’t love that? That’s probably my go-to.
Last question: You have one day. If you could trade places with anyone in the world just for that day, who would it be and why?
I don’t know. I wouldn’t really trade with anybody right now. I like my life and can’t really think of anybody who has it better. I enjoy my time here.
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