36th Annual CHE Playoffs
Round 1
Date: Friday, February 16, 2007
Location: Center Ice Arena; Delmont, PA
Game 1: IUP-II 3 d. UPJ 2 (2-OT)
Game 2: SVC 5 d. PSB 0
Round 2
Date: Friday, February 16, 2007
Location: Center Ice Arena; Delmont, PA
Game 3: CUP-I 4 d. SVC 3 (OT)
Game 4: IUP-II 5 d. RMU D-III 3
Game Recaps: Round 1
#3-Indiana of PA-II 3 vs. #6-Pitt-Johnstown 2 (Double OT)
The longest game in CHE history turns out to be one of its more exciting games. IUP-II scored with 14 seconds remaining in the third period to tie the score at 2-2. Dan Thomascompleted a spectacular night, scoring his 2nd goal four minutes into the 2nd overtime to advance to the semifinals. UPJ gave a valiant effort behind two goals from Dave Wouthier and outstanding goaltending from Mike Inman, who stopped 57 of 60 shots.
Wouthier opened the scoring with a slap shot off a face off to beat IUP-II goalieBen Levine. IUP-II tied the score ten minutes later on a goal by Bill Gordon. The game remained scoreless going into the 3rd period, where Wouthier scored his 2ndgoal of the game. IUP-II desperately tried to tie the score, but could not get any shots behind Inman. Thomas finally broke through with 14 seconds remaining. Neither team could score in the first OT. Thomas ended the game after winning a face-off in the “Ice Cats” zone.
Three Stars:
1. Dan Thomas: IUP-II
2. Mike Inman: UPJ
3. Dave Wouthier: UPJ
#5-Saint Vincent 5 vs. #4-Penn State Behrend 0
The “Polar Bear Cats” came out smoking in the first period and never looked back to defeat the “Lions” 5-0. Matt Ward set the tone for Saint Vincent scoring two goals in the first eleven minutes. Craig Dolan followed up with SVC's third goal three minutes later. Behrend could never recover and solve SVC goalie Rich Sadlowski, who stopped all 41 shots he faced.
Saint Vincent continued to apply the pressure scoring twice in the 2nd period to put the game out of reach. Matt Ball scored on PSB goalie Eric Thiessen five minutes in and Matt Ward scored his third of the game two minutes after that to put the game out of reach.
Three Stars:
1. Rich Sadlowski: SVC
2. Matt Ward: SVC
3. Craig Dolan: SVC
Game Recaps: Round 2
#1-California of PA-I 4 vs. #5-Saint Vincent 3 (OT)
In yet another Overtime game in the CHE Playoffs, the Vulcans advance to their first ever CHE Championship Series. CUP-I quickly ended the game, two minutes into OT on a goal byAnthony Battista. Saint Vincent was a game opponent tying the score with four minutes left in the third. The Polar Bear Cats were especially tough on the penalty kill, scoring two short handed goals, both by Joe Manning.
SVC opened the scoring on a nice goal by Craig Dolan, eleven minutes into the first period. The Polar Bear Cats held the lead until the last minute of the second, when Matt Warcoscored on a nice pass from BJ DePaoli. SVC scored their first short-handed goal early in the 3rd when Manning made a nice individual effort to beat CUP-I goalie Tim Johnson. Calquickly responded on a goal by Ryan Woodall and took the lead on a PP goal by team captainJamison Roth. Manning then added his 2nd short-handed goal of the game, sending the contest into OT. Battista ended the game early in OT, slipping the puck past SVC goalie Rich Sadlowski.
Both goalies were solid in net with Johnson stopping 34 of 37 shots and Sadlowski stopping 43 of 47 shots.
Three Stars:
1. Anthony Battista: CUP-I
2. Matt Warco: CUP-I
3. Joe Manning: SVC
#3-Indiana of PA-II 5 vs. #2-Robert Morris University D-III 3
IUP-II held on after storming to an early 4-0 lead, withstanding a late Colonials flurry. IUP-II advances to the finals where they will to attempt to win back-to-back CHE titles and their third in five years.
IUP-II came out buzzing, scoring two goals in the first 12 minutes. Zach Neubert opened the scoring on a pass from Mike Richards. Mike Kearns added a power play goal one minute later. IUP then withstood six consecutive RMU PP opportunities, including two 5-on-3 situations. Nineteen seconds into the 2nd IUP-II struck again, this time from Ted Gilbert. Bill Gordon added another goal nine minutes later.
The Colonials didn't quit at any part of the game. Jim Kreider scored 13 minutes into the third to put RMU on the board. Robert Morris had numerous PP chances and even a Penalty Shot, but they could not convert on their opportunities.
RMU cut the lead to two early in the third on a nice goal by Dustin Gaworski. Kreider made it a one goal game with a minute remaining with his second goal of the game. IUP-II finished the game on an empty net goal by Dan Thomas.
Three Stars:
1. Dan Thomas: IUP-II
2. Ben Levine-: IUP-II
3. Jim Kreider: RMU D-III
