Games 999 and 1,000 didn’t turn out too well for University of Rhode Island men’s club hockey coach Joe Augustine and his players. Game 1,001 was definitely better—a win.

But game 1,002 on January 26 was outstanding. More than 1,000 fans, dozens of URI men’s hockey alumni, and family and friends turned out to honor Augustine for reaching the 1,000-game milestone a week before.

They not only had a chance to applaud Augustine, they saw the second win of a two-game set with Delaware. The 1–0 thriller featured great goaltending, end-to-end action, crunching hits, and a blistering one-timer into the bottom right corner by defenseman Alex Lund for the only tally of the game.

In pregame ceremonies, Augustine was presented with a congratulatory plaque by Kathy Collins, vice president for student affairs, and Joe Wilbur, coordinator of club sports. “The University offers its huge congratulations on all of his accomplishments,” Collins said. “He has not only coached 1,000 games, but I am sure he has had an impact on thousands of young people. He is a teacher who helps his players learn how to work effectively in groups, how to be patient, and how to shoot for big goals.”

Dave Lavallee