What Upsets?

Feasterville, PA - The 2008-2009 ECRHA Regional Championship officially kicked off last night at the Sportsplex in Feasterville, Pa. All twelve Division II teams were in actions including tournament favorites West Chester and Neumann. All six top seeded team held rank in handing the underdog six consecutive defeats.

 

Top seeded West Chester University used a three goal second period to fend of a pesky Temple team 7-4. West Chester was lead by Tim Saraceni who registered a hat trick, helped by two goals in the decisive second period. Brian Ems (1g,1a), James Shaffer (1g,1a) and Kevin Keane (2a) added multi-point games for the Golden Rams. Brian Scott made 18 saves in net, earning the victory.

 

Defending DII champion, both regionally and nationally, Neumann College kick started the first of hopefully two title defense with a decisive 8-0 victory over Albany. Jim Dumont made 10 saves in goal to earn the only shutout in the opening round of the tournament. Tom Lamont and Kyle Struble lead the way, scoring a pair of goals and chipping in an assist apiece to pace the Knights. Steve Klenk, Ryan Haswell, Dominic Mariotti and Rob Cras all record multi point games.

 

Top Seed in Pool C, Rowan University took control of a close game in the second period en route to a 5-2 victory over Millersville. Cameron Rowand and Eric Jones scored a pair of goals for the Profs, while Jones added an assists for a three point game. Matt Grossi also recorded a three point night, setting up three goals in the win. Philip DaSilva made 18 saves in goal, earning the win.

 

Sixth seeded Drexel University jumped out to a four lead before eventually skating past Cornell 6-2. Andrew Nguyen lead the Dragons, scoring a goal and setting up two others. Jim Rish and Jason Mardinly both found the back of the net twice in the victory. Steven Stewart stopped 22 shots in picking up the win and moved Drexel into second place in Pool A.

 

Fifth seed Brockport University used three goals in 1:10 to distance themselves from Slippery Rock late in the second period before holding on for a 7-3 victory. Steve Masocco scored a goal in each period to record the hat trick for the Golden Eagles. Mike Williams (2g,1a), Chad Shaw (1g,2a), and Jon Henty (2a) contributed with multi-point nights as well. Patrick Keyes was strong in net for Brockport, turning away 25 shots for the win and second place in Pool B.

 

Fourth seeded Shippensburg started slow before pulling away from Binghamton in a decisive 9-2 victory. Sean Sheridan lead the way for the Raiders, scoring a pair of goals and assists for a four point night. Kyle Grizzard (2g,1a), Jeff Kulp (1g,2a), Brian Schenpp (1g,1a), Matt Sheridan (1g,1a) and George Gallen (2a) all registered multi-point games in the win. Tyler Anderson made 23 saves in picking up the win and moved Shippensburg into second place in Pool C.

 

Stay tuned to www.ecrha.net for news and updates throughout the weekend.