Box Score Admitting you have a problem takes guts – especially when you're a University athlete, and even more so when you're a hockey player.

But that's exactly what Sammy Banga did last season.  The Badgers forward was fighting something and was finally diagnosed with Dysthymia, a mood disorder similar to depression but less severe and with longer lasting symptoms.  

Fast forward a few months and Banga says he's feeling great.  And his play on the ice is proof of that.
 
The 22-year old scored three goals in two games over the weekend – both Brock wins – including a 5-2 win over the Concordia Stingers Saturday night at the Seymour-Hannah Centre.

Banga now leads the Badgers with six goals on the season. 

"I approach every game the same, but I definitely have more confidence this year," said the Windsor native and Criminology/Sociology major.  "They (coaching staff) expect a lot out of me this year after we lost two of our top scorers last year."

Banga is quick to credit his teammates with his success and comfort level this season.

"The guys have been good, they've been very supporitive," Banga explained.  "I think I'm dealing with it (anxiety) pretty well.   It's carried itself.  It's my second year now and it's made things easier because I know what to expect both on and off the ice.  Hockey's good and school's good too.  I've conquered it so far.  I'm proud of myself for that."

As for athletes or hockey players not getting sick, or admitting they have problems, Banga is quick to point out it's exactly the opposite.

"People don't realize I'm here more then I'm at school.   We're here (arena) so many hours of the day, so many hours of the week.   And a lot of that stress is translated to hockey.   And then there's school stress, so it's definitely a bit of both. "  
   
Brock Head Coach Murray Nystrom says Banga knows his role with the team.

"(Sammy) understands his strengths as an offensive player, particularly below the dots ," Nystrom said.  "He's got a great nose for the net.  He's got great hands and he knows where everybody else is on the ice.  I think one of the things we can help him be successful is to getting the pucks into those areas for him, and then let him do his thing.  And he did it this weekend, consistently."

Banga's powerplay goal on Saturday opened the scoring for Brock who led Concordia 4-0 midway through the second period. 

Andrew Radjenovic, who leads the Badgers in points with nine, scored twice but should have been credited with the hat-trick after his one-time slapshot ripped through the mesh of the goal.  Replays clearly showed the puck went through the mesh but the officials on the ice disagreed.

Jordan Gignac and Dylan MacEachern had the other goals for the Badgers who improved to (2-3-1) on the season.  The Stingers fell to (3-5-0).

Adrian Volpe made 24 saves to pick up the win in goal.

Brock visits McGill next Friday night before playing a pair of games in Thunder Bay against Lakehead the following weekend.  The Badgers next home game is Friday November 14^th against Carleton.   Game time at the Seymour-Hannah Centre is 7:15 pm.

"We're trying to make up some of those points we lost early, but this weekend, hopefully we're finding our game at the right time," said Nystrom.