Buffalo, West Chester, And Northeastern All Crowned ECRHA Champions

After the excitement and celebrations had subsided the ECRHA was left with 4 champions in 4 divisions. SUNY Buffalo, Northeastern University and West Chester University all took home trophies this weekend after fighting through round robin and bracket play on their way to become champions in their respective Divisions.

 

In the B Division Buffalo was able to ride the momentum of a late comeback win against West Chester University in the Semi Finals in order to upset the undefeated favorites of Penn State University. Buffalo broke out into a 4-1 lead after two periods on the strength of a Daniel Vrana natural hat-trick in the second period, Brian Feiler added to the three goal lead at the start of the third to stretch the lead to 4. Feiler's goal proved to be the insurance Buffalo needed to fend off late heroics by Penn State in the third. Despite being out shot 18-9 in the last period Buffalo would hold on, winning the B Division Championship.

 

With the University of Scranton unseating 2nd seed Loyola College in the Semi-Final, the defending champions were unable to upset undefeated Northeastern University, who steamrolled into the final out scoring all opponents in regional play 33 to 8. Led by senior Myles Lutheran the Northeastern offense scored 10 goals for the fourth time in five games to take the Division III Championship in a 10-4 win.

 

With both teams in the Division II final coming in hot off of strong semi-final wins against SUNY Brockport and Neumann University respectively, West Chester and Rowan would face off in a tight contest. Three goals from duo of Brian Ems and Bob McLaughlin the Golden Rams never looked back as Ben Wirjosemito only conceded 2 goals in the third to Rowan sealing a 4-2 victory and West Chester's first ever Division II Championship.

 

In a grudge match from last year's Division I ECRHA final, the familiar foes of Buffalo and University of Rhode Island squared off once again. With the thoughts of Chris Manchester's overtime winner surely still fresh in their heads, Buffalo exacted their revenge on the back of Tyler Walser's 3 goals and 2 assists and a three goal third period to break the 3-3 tie and go on to win the Division I Championship 6-3.

 

Congratulations to the winners of this year's regional tournament and to all those who participated this year for your hard work, devotion, and skill in the ECRHA.