Akron Sweeps Weekend In Grove City

Sunday morning action in Grove City started off differently than Saturday night finished. As
things got kicked off with a D2 matchup from Saturday as Penn State took on Drexel. The game
started off slow and systematic, as it wasn’t until the 11:44 mark of the 1st period when Penn
State struck first. In the 2nd, the scoring picked up yet again as both teams traded goals
throughout, and at the end of two, Penn State led 3-2. In the third, Penn State seemed to hold possession throughout, and in turn drawing a few penalties and capitalizing on the powerplay as
the game finished Penn State took the win. Final Score: Penn State 6 Drexel 3.
D1 took the rink afterwards as Temple looked to stay undefeated, and that they did. Temple
came out firing with 3 rather quick goals in the first period. However Cortland was not letting up.
At the end of one, Temple held a 3-1 lead. In the second period, the teams slowed down the
pace, and it wasn’t until 8:44 of the 2nd period when Temple capitalized on a power play
opportunity, lengthening their lead to 4-1. Things remained much the same throughout the end
of this one, as Temple controlled play with possession and on the scoreboard. Final Score:
Temple 7 Cortland 3.

D2 headed back into action as Stony Brook and Penn State returned to action, both teams
looking to hand the other their first loss in regular season play. The Seawolves struck first to
take a quick 1-0 lead, however, PSU answered back with two quick goals to take the lead 2-1.
The first finished with goals from each side, concluding in Stony Brook scoring with just 5
seconds remaining in the first to tie the game at 3 a piece. The second and third periods
seemed to be a chess match between the teams as they exchanged chances, but not finding
the back of the net. With 5:22 left in the game, Penn State drew a penalty and went on the man
advantage. During that power play, a delayed hooking call allowed PSU to pull their goalie and
go up 2 men, where they capitalized, and kept a power play, where John DiMarchi would score
again to take a 5-3 lead. Special teams continued to play a factor however, as Stony Brook
would make it a one goal game on a delayed call. Then again, with 10 seconds remaining in the
game, Stony Brook found a loose puck in the crease to force overtime. Overtime went by the
side with teams trading chances, however, it was in the shootout where Stony Brook would
prevail in six rounds. Stony Brook finishes the weekend at 6-0 overall, their only loss being to
non-conference Akron, and Penn State wraps up their first weekend at 2-1. Final Score: Stony
Brook 6 Penn State 5.

Akron and Drexel were next on the slate, as Drexel was looking for a chance at momentum to
end the weekend, and Akron looked to continue their streak against ECRHA opponents, and
that they did. Akron controlled the tempo of the game throughout, and with two Drexel players
suffering from injuries, Akron cruised to a 6-2 win.

In the final game of the weekend, we saw two familiar teams face off as Robert Morris met with
Cortland. This was a game in which Robert Morris showed off their speed as well as their ability
to play physical. Robert Morris scored 8 goals in the first two periods to initiate the running
clock, and adding another in the third. Final Score: Robert Morris 9 Cortland 1.

Things to note from the weekend, In D1, Temple is sitting at 3-0, in large part due to Ralph Grillo
and his performance. Grillo had 10 goals and 4 assists this weekend, it will be interesting to see
if he can maintain that pace through the year. Also, in D2, Stony Brook remains undefeated in
conference play, but did suffer a 6-0 loss to non-conference Akron, as well as Penn State taking
them to a shootout.

And finally, in D4, RIT managed double digits in all three of their games this weekend, keep an eye out on the firepower on that squad in D4 throughout the year.

That wraps up a successful weekend in Grove City, a thank you to the Grove City YMCA for
hosting another event, as well as the Akron Zips for making the trip to add some inter-region
competition.