As we near the conclusion of the 2012-2013 club regular season, here is the breakdown of the teams surrounding Western New York.
NIAGARA-
The Purple Eagles secured the NECHL (Northeast Collegiate Hockey League) conference title in their first season in the division, following an 8-3 victory over Binghamton University back on February 9. Niagara has automatically qualified for the ACHA Division I National Tournament and will have their opponent announced on the selection webcast this Wednesday.
Goaltending has been the calling card for the Purple Eagles’ success this season. Senior goaltender Dane Wakefield is 15-5 with a 2.82 GAA and a .920SV% on the year.
UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO-
The UB Bulls barely missed the cut for the 20-team National Tournament, finishing 21st. Even though the Bulls (24-4-8) finished with a better record than rival Niagara (20-8) in the NECHL, the Purple Eagles earned more points in the rankings to finish in the 20th and final spot.
With seniors Matt Ganci (22G 29A 51PTS) Ben Lantz (15G 28A 43PTS), and Chris Covel (20G 19A 39PTS) leaving the Bulls after this season, they have sophomore studs Michael Schalberg (15G 30A 45PTS) and Brenden Robinson (19G 23A 42PTS) to remedy the loss of three of the team’s top five scorers this season.
The Bulls begin conference postseason play on February 23rd at the Northtown Center at Amherst at 8PM.
RIT-
For the Tigers, their 5-20-1 campaign could be targeted by their goaltending issues throughout the season. R.I.T finished last in the NECHL in goals against with 149, followed by St. Bonaventure with 111. All three goaltenders combined for a 5.34 GAA and a .840SV%.
Junior Dirk Thur led the team in scoring this season with 37 points (13G 24A). Thur, a transfer from Erie Community College, scored more points this season than his three years at ECC combined.
ST. BONAVENTURE-
With a 7-11 record this season, the Bonnies were eliminated from playoff contention after losing to last place Cortland on February 9th.
Webster, NY native Mike Iulianello led the team in scoring with 32 points (15G 17A). The 6’0 160LB junior currently has 123 points in his career with another year of eligibility remaining.
INDEPENDENT
CANISIUS COLLEGE-
The Golden Griffins have certainly been golden this season, going 22-10. They will close out their season against Pitt, Robert Morris, than ECC on February 18TH.
Canisius’ success comes from their scoring depth. The Golden Griffins have 12 players with 10 or more points on the year, including scoring leader Andrew Casselberry with 34 points through 31 games.
Forward Patrick Hurtubise leads all freshmen with 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points, good for fourth on the club.
DIVISION III
MEDAILLE COLLEGE-
The Mustangs (8-2-1) are currently second in the UNYCHL West Division behind first place Brockport. Medaille is undefeated at home in division play (5-0), and will conclude their regular season against St. John Fisher on February 14.
Medaille depending on the outcome will finish either second or third as their matchup against St. John Fisher will be the tiebreaker.
Junior Joshua Smith tore up the competition this year, scoring 29 points in his first 13 games (18G 11A).
For more information on Mustangs club hockey, visit Facebook and search Medaille College Hockey ACHA Division 3.
BROCKPORT-
Sitting in first place in the UNYCHL West Division, the Golden Eagles (10-2) are in the drivers seat for a crack at the conference title. Brockport has outscored their opponents 101-44, scoring 32 more than second place Medaille with 69.
FREDONIA STATE-
With an 8-13 record and 5-7 in conference play, Fredonia State missed the cut in the ACHA Atlantic Division, finishing 15th.
The Blue Devils concluded their 2012-2013 season with a 5-3 victory over Penn State
Behrend on February 10TH.
Doug Clayton and Cameron Corsaro guided the club with 28 and 23 points respectively on the year. Clayton scored eight power play and two shorthanded goals this season.
ECC-
Head coach Gary Rost won his 125th game back on February 9th as the Kats took down Broome Community College 4-1.
ECC currently sits fourth in the NJCAA, fueled by forward Ryan Rogalski who has 37 points in 19 games, good for third place in the conference.
D’YOUVILLE COLLEGE
The Spartans finished fifth in their 2012-2013 season with a 3-6-2 record in the UNYCHL and a 7-13-1 record overall in the NAIH, good for seventh place out of 18 teams.
(They have one game remaining on the 16th against Alfred State).
