Last Look Into Division I

SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles

In 2010-2011, the Golden Eagles at times were an anomaly.  Some games, they could put 8 or 10 goals on the scoreboard against a Nationals bound team, and then tie a bottom dwelling ECRHA DI team in the next event. Nevertheless it was a learning curve for the Brockport team who spent their first year ever in DI one year removed after a remarkable nationals run and a 22-0-0 regular season in DII.  One thing stayed true was that Brockport had talent to earn a nationals bid with team leader Joe Chappius (24g 23a 47pts) and former Buffalo Wing Alex Durinka (14g 9a 23pts in 8 games).   Although they were a team who had a season of high peaks and low valleys the team made it to Nationals on the back of 3 year goaltender Patrick Keyes (5-9-3 4.52 gaa, .827 sv%) who in his worst year in his ECRHA career still was elected a Division I all-star for his uncanny ability to make a timely save. If Keyes can return to his second year form (17-0-0, 2.19 gaa ,.881 sv%) The Golden Eagles could be flying high in no time.

 

Neumann University Knights

Neumann was one of Division II’s “Big Four” in 2009-2010, who were able to put up a significant amount of damage in Division I one year removed from their elite eight finish at Nationals held in San Jose, CA. The Knights managed a respectable 8-11-2 record, before bowing out in a 6-3 loss to eventual champions Rowan in the playoffs at regionals.

 

To improve upon last year’s totals, Neumann went out and picked up a group of solid players including:  defenseman Andy Zubak from Mission Black Ice, Ed Jones out of Skater's Choice in New Jersey, as well as Tom Youmans and Mike Maczynski from New Jersey.

 

The Knights will definitely have their opening weekend regular season event at Marple Sports Arena circled on the calendar, which the team considers to be their home rink. With the proximity Marple has to many of the marquee teams for DI, it will certainly be a measuring stick for Neumann for the rest of the season.  Goaltender Jim Dumont feels that if Neumann is to come away with a regional title and gain an automatic bid to Nationals it will require a total team effort to create chemistry between the new talent who are fresh to the college game.  

Neumann Fun Fact: Neumann started its own hockey camp for kids, which takes place the last weekend of June.

 

Rowan University Profs 

The 2009-2010 Rowan Profs finished with an outstanding 13-3-3 record, good enough for first overall in the regular season. The Profs rolled all year long all the way to a Division I crown at Regionals beating SUNY Buffalo 8-4 for an automatic bid to Nationals where they fell to eventual DI runners up Cal San Luis Obispo.

 

However, this season the Profs lost all but four players.  The departing players accounted for 433 of Rowan’s 470 total points, a whopping 92%!  Also departing is starting goaltender Phil DaSilva, who posted a 9-3-2 record, along with a 5.25 gaa .792 sv%. Additions to the team during this massive turnover include members from last season’s B team, and Rowan ice hockey player Alex Schmitt. 

 

The Rowan squad is looking forward to playing at the Choice Inline event this year as they will be expecting a great turnout from Prof fans as the rink is close to the University. These “home” games are a major plus in a league where traditional home games don’t exist. With all the immense changes going on throughout the program the Profs do not particularly know what to expect this year. 

 

“Our team's biggest challenge will be making up with our lack of talent with good, solid team play and defense. Goal scoring will also be a challenge with a huge lack in pure scorers. However I hope to finish with a couple wins, and though a bottom of the list team, perhaps an overall good experience with solid improvements for the younger players.“

 

Rowan University Fun Fact: In it's short existence, Rowan University Roller Hockey (B team excluded) has a win percentage of 85%.

Rutgers University Scarlet Knights 

The Scarlet Knights finished with an 11-6-2 season good to tie them with Buffalo in the overall points standings last year. Rutgers, led by the outstanding goal scoring of Victor Masino (34g 7a 41pts), found themselves unable to pass powerhouse Penn State in the regional playoffs. However, their record was good enough for a Nationals bid where they posted a 1-4-0 record, avenging a loss to UConn in the elimination round before falling to Michigan State 6-2.  With an older core group likely moving on this year, the Scarlet Knights are going to have to find some new blood.  Whether it is from the club ice team, the B team or from parts unknown is yet to be seen.      

 

West Chester University Golden Rams

In West Chester University’s first year of competition in Division I, the Golden Rams finished 4^th in points overall during regular season competition with an 11-3-4 record. At the regional playoffs WCU mustered a 2-0-2 record before losing a heart breaker to eventual runners-up SUNY Buffalo in the semi-finals.  WCU had 48 points total for the year which was good for first overall.  This was good enough to get WCU a bid for nationals play where they were ousted by rival Rowan in the round of sixteen, in a 6-5 final; which was bitter revenge for the Profs after the Rams had eliminated them the prior year en route to the DII National Title.

 

The Golden Rams additions greatly will outweigh their losses as their scoring will be greatly boosted with a great offensive transfer from Neumann.  Also, the Rams are patiently awaiting a new student who has been a long standing great forward all across roller hockey.  Among those two additions on the front end, look for a new face to be added to the defensive side of the puck, who is a solid plus to the lineup and a strong point presence.

 

With the season fast approaching the strong rivalry between Neumann University and West Chester University looks to be renewed; however recent action and heated battles last year proved interesting between the Golden Rams and Buffalo. Last year’s national and regional tournament was a precursor as the team faced off in consecutive games splitting wins 7-6 UB and 12-1 WCU. Nonetheless neither team will be backing down this coming fall.

 

Much like their rivals from Neumann, West Chester knows if it is going to have a shot at winning the division this year, it will be because of solid defensive play from the goalie on out, everyone working as one cohesive unit. However, West Chester’s biggest challenge will come from within and molding different playing styles into one system that everyone can respect and work with each other to achieve the common goal.  

 

West Chester Fun Fact: West Chester Roller hockey has been established since 1999. WCU is one of the only organizations that have four full teams in its organization, with two playing in the PCRHL (Philadelphia Collegiate Roller Hockey League).