Last weekend, the D2 Hockey team had a huge weekend matchup as the University of Tampa took the trip up to participate in a two-game series at the Rinks at Shelton on Friday and Saturday. Friday's matchup was an important one for the Stags, as it was in honor of Charlie Capalbo, a beloved member and hockey player in the Fairfield community, who lost his life to a battle with cancer in 2022. The game started with a ceremonial puck drop between the teams' captains, which was followed by the starting lineup and national anthem.
The game was underway, and the Stags set the tempo with their line centered by freshman Devin Bard (#24), backed by goaltender Pierce Brucker, who was loaned to the team from the school's D3 men's team due to injuries to the team's goalies that sidelined them for the weekend. The Stags were forced to kill an early penalty, which was followed by the opening goal by Fairfield freshman Duncan Stewart (#91) that came from a 2-on-1 snipe. The pressure continued back and forth for both teams, but Tampa scored a tying goal off a shot after a faceoff that beat Brucker on his right side. Tampa would quickly grab the lead after a breakaway goal deke that beat Brucker on his right side again.
The Stags found themselves down 2–1 after the first but would later tie the game in the second off a breakaway goal that was slid five-hole on Tampa's goaltender by senior Brendan Burke (#11). The Spartans would regain their lead late in the second frame with two power-play goals and a third goal which came at even strength. The Stags would start the period down 5–2, and even with the relentless pressure they were able to put onto Tampa's defense, the Spartans were able to get a sixth and final goal, which resulted in a 6–2 loss in game 1 of the series.
The second game started off with an opening goal for the Stags by freshman Luke Gerardi off a beautiful 2-on-1 feed from Duncan Stewart (#91). Once again, though, the Spartans would find their tying goal with just around three minutes remaining in the period and would also take the lead with another goal just two minutes later, heading into the intermission up 2–1. As the second period began, the Stags came out fast and were able to capitalize on a breakaway by Duncan Stewart (#91). Tampa would finish off the period with two power-play goals, taking a 4–2 lead into the second intermission.
The third period consisted of some penalty trouble for the Stags, as Tampa was able to capitalize and score three more power-play goals, going 5 for 6 on the power play in the game. Despite goals by freshman Nate Patch (#15) and freshman Logan Traynor (#12), the Stags still fell 7–4 and ultimately closed out the series 0–2. The Stags look to bounce back with a huge weekend trip to Tennessee to play the University of Tennessee in another two-game series.
