Photo story by Seeger Gray for The Daily Northwestern
A behind-the-scenes feature on the Northwestern Wildcats' little-known Division III ice hockey team. With no hockey rink on campus and limited public transportation options for late games, few students show up to Robert Crown Community Center to cheer for the Wildcats. But for the team, showing up for each other is everything.
Northwestern club ice hockey treasurer Evan Popat pauses on the way to Robert Crown Community Center for the team's against Purdue Northwest in Evanston, Illinois on October 29, 2022. The community center has the closest ice rinks to Northwestern's campus, so some team members have to drive to their games. For The Daily Northwestern.
After warming up, Northwestern club hockey team members take a break before their game against Purdue Northwest to watch Evanston Township High School's hockey team play on one of Robert Crown Community Center's rinks in Evanston, Illinois on October 29, 2022. For The Daily Northwestern.
Northwestern club hockey team treasurer Evan Popat struggles with Purdue Northwest players for the puck at Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, Illinois on October 29, 2022. For The Daily Northwestern.
Members of the Northwestern club hockey team lean against the side of the rink to watch the their teammates play against Purdue Northwest in Evanston, Illinois on October 29, 2022. For The Daily Northwestern.
Northwestern club hockey team treasurer Evan Popat smiles during a timeout during Northwestern's game against Purdue Northwest at Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, Illinois on October 29, 2022. For The Daily Northwestern.
Maria Zamora-Padilla, an athletic trainer for club sports with Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service, checks in with a team member during the Northwestern club ice hockey team's game against Purdue Northwest at Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, Illinois on October 29, 2022. Zamora-Padilla said Northwestern hockey games typically have an athletic trainer present because hockey is a high-impact sport, creating health concerns for athletes. For The Daily Northwestern.
Northwestern club hockey team members on and off the rink celebrate a goal against Purdue Northwest at Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, Illinois on October 29, 2022. For The Daily Northwestern.
Northwestern club hockey team treasurer Evan Popat huddles with the team at a critical point in their game against Purdue Northwest at Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, Illinois on October 29, 2022. With less than four minutes left in the final period, Purdue Northwest led Northwestern 4-3. For The Daily Northwestern.
Northwestern club hockey head coach Ari Lifschutz speaks to the team at a critical point in their game against Purdue Northwest at Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, Illinois on October 29, 2022. With less than four minutes left in the final period, Purdue Northwest led Northwestern 4-3. For The Daily Northwestern.
