The D3 Club Hockey team kicked off their season this weekend with games on both Friday against the University of New Haven and Sunday versus crosstown rival Sacred Heart. The Stags are coming off a strong national tournament performance last March, and with a talented freshman core this season, they looked to pick up right where they left off.
On Friday night, the Stags took a trip up to New Haven and started their first game of the season off right. An early goal by junior Andrew Thornton (#12) got the party started for the Stags, and the pressure just kept coming. That relentless energy carried into the second frame when senior Lucas Chaconas (#3) buried a puck in the back of the net to put the Stags up by two. Goalie Paddy Kirchner played lights out, with his only blemish coming on a power-play goal from the Chargers. Heading into the third period, the Stags added some insurance with goals from freshman Colby Arel (#16), who netted the first of his career, and junior Jack Perreault (#34), who capped off the win with a goal. The Stags went on to take the opener 4–1.
Coming off Friday night's win, the Stags looked to sweep the weekend with a victory over Sacred Heart. Once again, they started strong with a goal from Jack Perreault (#34) off a missile from the blue line. Shortly after, sophomore Ryan Dinicola collected his first of the year to put the Stags up 2–1. Freshman Shane Reidy (#11) tallied his first of the night and of his collegiate career, to send the Stags into the intermission up 3–1. The second period brought another goal from sophomore Jonathan Vitka (#10), extending the lead to 4–1 entering the third. Strong defensive efforts helped preserve the advantage, and an empty-netter from Reidy sealed the 5–1 win for the Stags.
With a great start to the season, the Stags look to continue their success after Fall Break with upcoming matchups against Rutgers and Hofstra.