Elmira finally got the goose egg off of the board in the wins column, defeating both Lebanon Valley and Hobart. Hobart’s week wasn’t completely without high points, though, as it included a romp over Buffalo State. And Manhattanville slapped Neumann around a bit with a big win.
Team-by-Team Report
RIT: RIT was idle this week, and should get back two players from injuries in defensemen McAllister King and Mike Walling. The Tigers return to action against Geneseo on Tuesday.
ELMIRA: The Soaring Eagles were in need of a win after three tough losses to open the season. And Lebanon Valley was kind enough to help Elmira out. Elmira jumped out early with first-period goals by Pierre Rivard and Dean Jackson.
“I thought we controlled play from the beginning,” said coach Glenn Thomaris. Lebanon Valley tipped one in early in the second period, but that was as close as Elmira let the game get as the Soaring Eagles rattled off the next five goals, including two shorthanders on the same penalty kill, to take the 7-1 win.
Next up for Elmira was the opening of league play against Hobart. Steve Kaye got the Soaring Eagles on the board early in the first period with a shorthanded tally. But Hobart played tough and tied the game quickly.
“Hobart gave us a full 60 minutes, all we could handle,” said Thomaris. Elmira got two more goals from Jason Silverthorn and Lawne Snyder to go into the first intermission up 3-1. A quick goal in the second period by Hobart put Elmira on its heels, but a goal late in the second by Adam Godfrey reset the two-goal lead and was the turning point. Third-period goals by Clark McPherson and Eddie Cassie finished off the victory, and Elmira joined RIT in a tie for first in the league.
Life doesn’t get any easier for Elmira this week. The Soaring Eagles host Brockport midweek, and then travel up to the north country for a game against top-ranked Plattsburgh.
HOBART: Hobart extended its winning streak to three games midweek by defeating Buffalo State 7-1. Greg Reynholds got the Statesmen on the board first last in the opening period, but Buffalo State answered to end the first tied 1-1. Goals by Jerry Toomey and Zach Mundy midway through the second period staked Hobart to a lead it wouldn’t give up, and then the floodgates opened in the third period as Hobart scored four more times to finish the 7-1 score. Chris Connolly stopped 31 of 32 shots in the game.
Hobart hosted Elmira on Saturday and kept the game close. Jerry Toomey answered Elmira’s opening goal in the first period, but Elmira took advantage of a string of Hobart penalties to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. A goal just 12 seconds into the second period by Matt Pane got Hobart back within one goal and it kept up that momentum throughout the period.
“I was real happy how we played 5-on-5,” said coach Mark Taylor. “Bad-habit penalties really cost us.” An Elmira goal late in the second period squashed Hobart’s momentum and the Statesmen couldn’t get back into it after that. Zach Mundy scored a goal late in the third period, but it was too late as Hobart dropped the game 6-3.
Hobart hosts Fredonia midweek before heading down to Lebanon Valley for a weekend contest.
MANHANTTANVILLE: Valiant John Auxier scored just 2:24 into the contest against Neumann, and that turned out to be the game-winner. Manhattanville outshot the Knights 35-9 and outscored them 7-0 in the rout. Chad Killam and Jon Peckza split time in net to combine for the shutout. Ray Williams led the way in scoring with a hat trick and an assist for the four-point night.
Four weeks into the season, Manhattanville finally gets to play its first home game this week. Buffalo State comes to town for a pair on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Game of the Week
The best game this week should be Elmira at Plattsburgh. Both teams are nationally ranked, Plattsburgh No. 1 and Elmira No. 7. Elmira got the train back on the tracks last week, and is looking to build up steam against Plattsburgh to get some momentum.
ECAC WEST vs.
SUNYAC 6- 3-0
ECAC East 0- 0-0
NESCAC 0- 0-0
NCHA 0- 2-0
ECAC NE 2- 0-0
Other 2- 0-0
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TOTAL 10-5-0
