April 25, 2012

Central Michigan, St. Charles, Lindenwood B Champions!

Runners-up Pittsburgh, Saddleback, West Chester B

Photo by BC Photography - Division II Final - Central Michigan vs. Pittsburgh

Central Michigan University outscored their opponents 46 to 14 in the event, so it was no surprise that they emerged victorious as the Division II National Champion. Central Michigan went 6-0-1 in the event, with their only tie being a 3-3 tie in their Round Robin matchup against Pittsburgh, who they defeated in their rematch for the Championship, by a score of 8-0. Central Michigan’s Mikie Joncic scored 2 goals and 2 assists in the Championship Game, and Dean Kmiecik had 2 goals and 1 assist as well.

Pittsburgh reached the final by defeating fellow ECRHA Northeastern by a score of 5-3 in the Final Four, as well as GPCIHL’s Maryville University 2-0 in the Elite Eight. Pittsburgh accomplished all of this with just 5 skaters, as one of their players was injured and out for the event in Round Robin play.

Kansas State and Northeastern also reached the Final Four this year. Kansas State played a great team game that gain them that little bit extra, advancing past Chico State in the Sweet Sixteen 6-5 in overtime, defeating Kennesaw State by scoring 4 unanswered goals in the 3rd period (final 2 empty net goals), and eventually falling to the champion Central Michigan in the Final Four.

Northeastern defeated Western Michigan 7-3, Colorado 2-0, and fell to Pittsburgh 5-3 in the Final Four.

Photo by BC Photography - JC Division Final - St. Charles Community College - Champions!

In the Junior College Division, St. Charles Community College defeated Saddleback College 3-2, coming back from a 2-1 deficit and scoring the game-winner with just 38 seconds remaining in the game. St. Charles’ Brendan Dugger had 2 points in the game, earning the #3 star, while both teams’ goaltenders earned the top 2 stars, each stopping 90% or more of the shots faced in the game.

St. Charles was the #1 seed after Round Robin (3-0-1), while Saddleback was the #3 seed (2-2-0). St. Charles made short work of Santa Barbara CC, although SBCC did strike first. St. Charles went on for 5 straight goals and finished with an 8-3 win, gaining St. Charles a spot in the final. Saddleback College easily handled St. Louis CC in the other semifinal game, with the game-winner coming just 4:15 into the game, on a goal from Ryan Todd. One 2nd period goal would make the score 2-0 going into the 3rd period. Saddleback added 3 empty net goals, as St. Louis CC made every effort to get on the scoreboard. Saddleback’s Angel Rios stopped all 18 shots he faced in the game.

Photo by BC Photography - B Division Final - Lindenwood B vs. West Chester B

For the 3rd time in 4 years, West Chester University B faced Lindenwood University B in the B Division Championship Game. Lindenwood B emerged victorious once again, with a 7-1 win. 5 different Lindenwood players scored goals and it was Patrick Fuist’s power play goal scored midway through the 2nd period that turned out to be the game-winner. Lindenwood outshot West Chester 32-10 in the game.

Make sure to check out the All-Tournament Team selections, available online at http://ncrha.org/article.php?article_id=55101.