Dates: November 17-19, 2006
Location: Galactic Ice; Altoona, PA
CHE Teams: CUP-I, IUP-II, SVC and UPJ
MET Teams: Fairfield, Farmingdale, Fordham and Hofstra
Winner: College Hockey East
Final Score: CHE 26 d. MET 16
Congratulations to the teams of College Hockey East for defeating the Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MET League) 26-16 in the first ever CHE vs. MET League Showdown.
The showdown highlighted some of the best teams in each league competing in “nail-biting” games. As you will see with the game recaps below, five of eight games were only a goal difference.
Due to the win by CHE, the 2007 Showdown will be played in the Pittsburgh area. From next season on, the showdown will trade off each year from the Pittsburgharea to the New York area. The top four teams based on regular season standings (in the Atlantic Region of ACHA D-III) in each league will be invited to participate.
Game Recaps:
Pitt-Johnstown 7 vs. Farmingdale State 6 (OT)
CHE gets on the board first with an exciting victory in Overtime by the Ice Cats. Farmingdale did their part by scoring two goals in the last 1:45 to tie the score at 6-6. UPJ quickly ended the game, thanks to the Jason Layman’s second goal of the game, 29 seconds into OT. UPJ’s offense was spread throughout the whole team, with ten players earning points. Farmingdale was led by four points from Captain Joe Mazzie and two points from JR Berotti. Mike Inman stopped 38 of 44 shots in UPJ’s victory.
IUP-II 4 vs. Fordham 3
College Hockey East goes to 2-0 in the tourney with a victory from the defending CHE Champions. The game was tied 2-2 going into the third period, when IUP-II notched two goals to take the victory. Clint Williamson of IUP-II scored the game winning goal 12 minutes into the third with a power play goal. John Gibbons kept it close for Fordham, by scoring his second goal of the game, which was on the power play. Zach Bradley scored two goals and Zack Neubert tallied two assists for IUP-II. Both goalies were strong, with Mike Lady of IUP stopping 27 shots and Joe Wichowski of Fordham stopping 32.
Fordham 7 vs. Pitt-Johnstown 2
Fordham was obviously upset by losing on Friday night, as they came out scoring early and often in the first period. A quick 4-0 lead in the first by the Rams put this game out of reach for UPJ. John Gibbons started the scoring again for the Rams and Steve Barrett notched two goals and an assist. UPJ finally got on the board in the third period thanks to two goals by Dave Alberga. The win was the first for the Metropolitan League in the Showcase
Farmingdale State 4 vs. IUP-II 3
The first major upset of the weekend takes place as Farmingdale snaps a six game losing streak by defeating highly ranked IUP. Farmingdale scored two goals in the third to overcome a 3-2 IUP lead. Farmingdale was once again led by Joe Mazzie and JR Berotti, who combined for three goals and two assists. Berotti scored the game winner with three minutes left in the game. Farmingdale also received excellent goaltending from Pat Mione, who stopped 31 shots. IUP was lead by Ted Gilbert, who had two goals and an assist.
California 8 vs. Fairfield 5
The high flying Cal offense snapped the two game losing streak for CHE. The Vulcan’s scored the five of the first six goals in the game, stomping out to a lead Fairfield couldn’t overcome. Dustin Roux of California notched the first hat trick of the Showcase, scoring a goal in each period. Special Teams kept Fairfield in the game, with the Stags getting two power play goals and one short handed score. CHE All-Star BJ DePaoli scored two goals as well. Justin Eisner of the Stags had three points as well.
Saint Vincent 4 vs. Hofstra 3
In the most exciting game of the Showcase, the Polar Bear Ice Cats score two goals in the third period to defeat Hofstra. Mike Cochrane of SVC scored the game winner with two minutes left in the game. The star of the game was Hofstra goalie George Lorenz, who stopped 53 of the 57 shots in the game, single handily keeping the Pride in the contest. Craig Dolan of SVC notched four points and four times CHE All-Star Matt Ward had two goals. Bryan Mazliach of Hofstra had one goal and two assists.
California 4 vs. Hofstra 2
The Vulcan’s clinch the Showdown win for College Hockey East, by winning a tight contest against the Pride. Cal had a one goal lead going into the third, but it was quickly erased with a Hofstra goal by Rich Hackford. Cal then scored two power play goals in two minutes to ice the game. BJ DePaoli led the way with one goal and two assists. Dan Tonini scored the game winner on an assist from DePaoli. Hofstra was once again was lead by goalie George Lorena, who stopped 55 of 59 shots in this game.
Fairfield 6 vs. Saint Vincent 5
The Showcase concludes with a Stags’ victory, after a furious comeback by Saint Vincent. Fairfield stormed out to a 5-0 lead with the first three goals being scored by JP Ryan. Saint Vincentfinally got on the board in the 2nd with a goal from Craig Dolan. Matt Ward and Chris McDonald contributed in the comeback with each scoring two goals and two assists. The scoring was not enough as the Polar Bear Ice Cats fell one goal short. Ryan finished the game with four points and line mate Jim Pagliaro tallied one goal and three assists.
