33rd Annual CHE Playoffs
Round 1
Date: Friday, February 20, 2004
Location: RMU Island Sports Center, Neville Township, PA
Game 1: Allegheny 6 d. CUP-I 1
Game 2: EUP 6 d. Pitt-II 2
Round 2
Date: Sunday, February 22, 2004
Location: RMU Island Sports Center, Neville Township, PA
Game 1: IUP-II 2 d. Allegheny 1
Game 2: EUP 5 d. SVC 2
Game 1: Indiana of PA-II vs. Edinboro
Date: Friday, February 27, 2004
Location: Indiana Ice Center, Indiana, PA
Score: IUP-II 6 d. Edinboro 4
Game 2: Edinboro vs. Indiana of PA-II
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2004
Location: Indiana Ice Center, Indiana, PA
Score: IUP-II 4 d. Edinboro 3
Game 3: Indiana of PA-II vs. Edinboro
Date: Sunday, February 29, 2004
Location: Indiana Ice Center, Indiana, PA
Score: *Game 3 was not played, IUP-II wins series 2-0
Game One
IUP-II 6 d. Edinboro 4
The Indians capture the high scoring game to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Edinboro actually opened the scoring one-minute in the game with a goal by forward Nick Tucci. IUP answered the score 30 seconds later with a score by Tom Riffle. Tucci of EUP notched a hat trick with his third goal in the second period, with an assist by Ryan Morgan.
The score was tied 3-3 halfway through the game when IUP-DIII took over. Three unanswered goals in six minutes by the Indians put the Fighting Scots away. The scoring was capped off by a power play goal by Riffle. Chris Morgan of Edinboro scored a goal in the third period to cap the scoring.
Danny Thomas of IUP-DIII scored two goals, while Jeff Kahler and Jason Ferrell each had two assists. Ryan Morgan and Owen Bates of Edinboro each had two assists. Goalie Kevin Shovlin of IUP stopped 27 of 31 shots for the win.
Game Two
IUP-II 4 d. Edinboro 3
The Indians started where they left off from the first game with a short-handed goal by Mike Lady in the first period. Edinboro wouldn't go away, scoring a goal with 17 seconds left in the first period on a nice effort by Chris Morgan.
IUP came out strong in the second, scoring two consecutive goals, by Frank Benigni and Jason Ferrell. Again, Edinboro scored a goal with less than a minute remaining on a great individual effort by Mike Yaskulski. Even though IUP outshoot Edinboro 22-7 in the period, the Fighting Scots were only down a goal going into the third period.
IUP gained a two-goal cushion one minute into the third period with a goal by Danny Thomas. Edinboro kept hanging tough scoring to cut the lead to one with four minutes left on another goal by Nick Tucci. But Edinboro would not score again, as IUP wins the CHE Championship.
Danny Thomas was named the MVP of the Championship Series with three goals in two games, the last being the game winning goal in Game Two. This was IUP's first CHE Championship in the 30-year history of the league.
