The Pitt Johnstown’s men’s hockey team is taking a different route for team travel. The Icecats have been carpooling to and from practices and games, as far as Pittsburgh, due to lack of transportation.

Team captain Kyle Harnen says that the carpool can lead to problems.

“We did have a flat tire once this year. We had to call and try and find a ride, but, thankfully, the coach came and got us in time,” Harnen said.

The team usually travels with at least three players to a car.

The Icecats have driven to places such as Robert Morris University one-and-a-half-hours away and to Bethel Park to play California University of Pennsylvania, which is one hour and 45 minutes away.

“With equipment, gas and dues each player looks to spend more than a thousand dollars a season.“I just bought new skates that were $600 and a helmet that was just under $100 I buy two-to-four sticks a year around $200 each. That is just this year,” says Harnen.

According to Harnen, no one has ever missed a game or missed any part of the game due to a car problem.

“We are supposed to be at the games an hour before they start, but, due to car problems, people have been late but it never resulted in anyone missing any part of the game,” Harnen said.

The school pays for the cost of busing to long-distance games like trips to Albany and Fredonia, N.Y. or to Penn State Behrend.

In order to solve the problem John Ziats , the Icecats’ adviser , says the team has enlisted the Conference Center’s vans to transport the players to games. The first time the team was to use the vans was to be Saturday. The vans will be paid for in part by the dues the hockey team pays.

Ziats said the activities fund also helps the team pay for things like the vans. Also, Ziats said the team is very grateful for the activities fund.

“ Hopefully the van will eliminate any problems that carpooling created. It will provide another option for students on the team,” Ziats said.