Dates: November 16-18, 2007
Location: Center Ice Arena; Delmont, PA
CHE Teams: CUP-I, IUP-II, RMU and SVC
MET Teams: Albany, Fairfield, Farmingdale and Hofstra
Winner: MET League (MCHC)
Final Score: MET 28 d. CHE 18
Congratulations to the teams of the Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MCHC) for defeating College Hockey East 28-18 in the 2nd Annual CHE vs. MET League Showdown.
This year's event was full of competitive games played by the 'best of the best' in both leagues. The weekend was capped off by a showdown between California of PA-I and the University at Albany. Both teams are their respective league's defending Champions and the top two seeds in the Atlantic Region of ACHA D-III. Despite the 7-4 win by CUP-I, the showdown had already been won by the MCHC.
The CHE vs. MET League Showdown-III will be hosted by the MCHC and will take place in the state of New York at a locatiuon TBD. It will once again be played the weekend prior to Thanksgiving on November 14-16, 2008. The top four teams determined by the regular season standings from each league this season will be invited to participate next season.
Game Recaps:
Fairfield University 5 vs. IUP-II 3
The contest came down to the third period with the score tied 2-2. IUP took the lead five minutes into the third, with a goal by Joe Meehan. The Stags took over from there, scoring the final three goals of the game. Brandon Barrucci scored two of the goals, including the game winner. Will McPherson capped off the win with an empty net goal.
Three Stars:
1. Brandon Barrucci (FAIR)- 2 Goals, One Assist, GW Goal
2. Joe Meehan (IUP)- One Goal, One Assist
3. Bill Dwyer- 40 Saves
Robert Morris University D-III 6 vs. Hofstra University 4
The Colonials get CHE on the board with a victory. RMU ran out to a 3-1 lead in the first period, thanks to three power play goals. The Pride came back in the 2nd scoring two consecutive goals to tie the game going into the third period. The Colonials controlled the third, scoring three goals. Dustin Gaworski notched an empty net goal for the RMU win.
Three Stars:
1. Dustin Gaworski (RMU)- 2 Goals One Assist, Empty Net Goal
2. Danny Lio (HOF)- One Goal, Three Assists
3. Dave Reinhart (RMU)- One Goal, One Assist
Fairfield University 6 vs. Robert Morris D-III 2
The Stags complete a successful weekend by defeating the Colonials with a dominating third period. Fairfield scored four of the five goals in the period and cruised to victory. The first two goals of the 3rd were on the Power Play, scored by Ed Mazuer and Justin Eisner.
Three Stars:
1. Justin Eisner (FAIR)- One Goal, Two Assists, GW Goal
2. Ed Mazur (FAIR)- One Goal, One Assist
3. Ian Fitzpatrick (RMU)- One Goal
Hofstra University 8 vs. IUP-II 6
Hofstra makes an impressive comeback, scoring seven of the last eight goals of the game. IUP stormed out to a 3-0 lead, thanks to a hat trick by Stefano Fina. The Crimson Tide stormed out to a 5-1 lead in the second and had the game in hand. The Pride came alive early in the 2nd period, thanks to four Power Play Goals. Dan Lio finished the game with seven points, capping off a great weekend.
Three Stars:
1. Dan Lio (HOF)- Three goals, Four Assists
2. Stefano Fina (IUP)- Three Goals, One Assist
3. Rich Hackford (IUP)- Two Goals, Two Assists
California University of PA-I 5 vs. Farmingdale State 4
The Vulcan’s squeak out a victory over the upset-minded Rams. Farmingdale came out of the gates flying scoring two goals in the first six minutes. The Rams had an answer every time Cal scored to get back into the game, never letting the lead get less than two goals. Then 15 minutes into the 2nd, CUP came alive, scoring two goals in the last six minutes to tie the game. The 3rd Period was closely contested, with Cal getting the game winning goal from Ryan Jones with seven minutes left in the third period.
Three Stars:
1. Ryan Jones (CAL)- GW Goal
2. Bobby Thomas (FARM)
3. Matt Ward (CAL)- Three Assists
University at Albany 6 vs. Saint Vincent College 2
The Defending MCHC Champions easily defeat the Polar Bear Cats in each team’s first game of the Showdown. The score was tied at 1-1 after one period, but the Great Danes took control in the 2nd. Albany scored five goals in the 2nd, led by Will O’Hara’s Hat Trick. AJ Babnik stopped 22 of 24 shots to keep the Albany lead at 4.
Three Stars:
1. Will O’Hara (ALB)- Three Goals, One Assist, GW Goal
2. Alex Leipsic (ALB)- One Goal, One Assist
3. AJ Babnik (ALB)- 22 Saves
Farmingdale State 5 vs. Saint Vincent College 4 (Shootout)
In the most exciting game of the Showdown, Farmingdale holds off a late game rally by the Polar Bear Cats. Farmingdale took a 4-1 lead late in the 2nd period and looked to have control of the game. Saint Vincent scored three goals in the final eleven minutes to send the game into OT. SVC was lead by Dave Ulishney, who notched a hat trick. In the shootout, Rams goalie Pat Mione stopped all five shots he faced.
Three Stars:
1. Dave Ulishney (SVC)- Three Goals
2. Pat Mione (FARM)- 35 saves, five saves in shootout
3. Joe Mazzie (FARM)- One Goal, One Assist
California University of PA-I 7 vs. University at Albany 4
In the Showcase Game of the Showdown, the California Vulcan’s score the last five goals of the game to outlast Albany University. Matt Ward notched the hat trick and the Game Winning goal to help lead the Vulcan’s. The Great Danes scored three minutes into the game on a Power Play goal by Will O’Hara. The turning point of the game was a shorthand goal on a breakaway by Cal’s Matt Warco. Tim Johnson of CUP stopped 43 shots in the victory.
Three Stars:
1. Matt Ward (CAL)- Three Goals, GW Goal
2. Matt Warco (CAL)- One Goal, One Assist, SH Goal
3. Will O’Hara (ALB)- One Goal, One Assist
