Despite lack of scholarships, team draws talented local players

Ah, the sweet stench of the locker room.

When most of UNLV's ice hockey team members finished their high school sports careers, they probably thought they had their last whiff of wet leather. But because they were willing to pay to keep playing, they have been able to enjoy that odor.

"It's a big commitment," said Mike Zenzola, a sophomore forward. "But if you love to play, you find a way to do it."

Playing at the Fiesta on Rancho Drive, UNLV has been able to grow the program since it began five years ago. Coach Rob Pallin has convinced several of the good local players to stay home, and the team recently concluded one of its best seasons to date. UNLV finished 25-8 and qualified for the American Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs where it lost in the first round of the regionals to San Jose State's club team.

"It's been a good group," Pallin said of this year's team. "They have fun, but they respect the game. They have a great work ethic, and I think people appreciate that," he said of team members who pay $2,100 to wear a UNLV jersey.

The team draws about 400 to 500 fans for most of its home games. Around campus, the team has gained attention.

"I've had football players and guys from the basketball team talk to me about our team," said John Beavers, a junior forward. "It's nice the other athletes notice what we're doing."

Pallin credits the local youth hockey program for helping UNLV become better.

"We've had kids from Las Vegas earn scholarships to Division I schools," Pallin said. "But there are a lot of good hockey players in town who want to stay home and play. For them, we're an attractive option, even though we can't offer a scholarship."

UNLV's talent level was evident late in the season when it dominated Loyola Marymount. Beavers had a first-period hat trick in helping the Rebels build a 4-1 lead in what would end up an easy 9-5 victory. And while the quality of play wasn't quite up to NCAA Division I standards, UNLV skated, passed, shot and checked well enough that it was pretty good college hockey.

"There's some talent on this team," Zenzola said. "We've got guys from Vegas and from all over the country, even from Canada."

Pallin, who manages the rink at the Fiesta when he's not coaching UNLV, said the program will continue to grow.