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Siena Men’s Ice Hockey was back in action this weekend for games three and four of their six game homestand. This weekend, the Saints took on the University of Vermont and Binghamton University.
Friday night the Saints faced off against the Vermont Catamounts, who soundly defeated the Saints in last years’ matchup. The outcome looked to be headed in the same direction as Vermont jumped out to an early two goal lead from the help of Tommy Hauch, TJ Vitullo, and the Vermont power play. Late in the first, the Saints found the answer from Freshman Will Pipher, as well as Sophomore Patrick Temple on the power play to tie the game at two headed into the second. The goals would mark the first ACHA career goals for both Pipher and Temple. Siena was able to hold onto that momentum starting the second as Temple potted his second of the game to give the Saints a 3-2 lead. Nearly a minute later Aidan Grant tied the game for Vermont at three. Knotted up at three with twenty minutes to play, Siena found themselves in a crucial third period. Hauch scored his second of the game to give Vermont the 4-3 lead, but from here on out Siena’s powerplay wrote the story. Goals from Senior Jay Kelleher and Freshman Luke Kurdziolek on the powerplay would give the saints a 5-4 lead that would hold until the final buzzer. The Saints would improve to 3-0-0. Freshman Patrick Temple, who recorded two goals along with an assist in a pivotal game in this early season for the Saints said,
“ It feels great that I contributed to a hard fought win especially against a team like that.”
For Siena Hockey players, weekends typically consist of long bus trips, hard fought games or grueling workouts paired with rest and recovery, but this weekend was different. This weekend was Siena University’s parents weekend but more importantly for the team it was their annual Blessing Of The Sticks luncheon. Father Larry blessed the team with good health, opportunity and sportsmanship but the real message came when he was discussing effort, consistency and accountability with the team. Following the blessing, the Saints gather together to introduce their families.
Just a few hours later the Saints had to change their focus and gear up for game two of the weekend, versus Binghamton University in front of a packed Albany County Hockey Facility. The first period was silent until Brandon Scheuermann found the back of the net on an odd bounce for Binghamton to make it 1-0. The Saints went into the second period, energy high, looking for the answer but surrendered yet another bad break. It was Aidan Stappenback finding the net with the help of a lively bounce off of the back glass to give Binghamton the 2-0 lead. Patrick Temple would keep the hot hand as he would net his third goal in two games to keep Siena in it 2-1. But Binghamton would strike again late in the period to make it 3-1. The Saints would answer back in the third with Sophomore Alex Hart netting his first of the season. It proved to be not enough as the Saints would drop the game 3-2, moving their season record to 3-1-0.
The Saints end their six game homestand next weekend with a game on Friday night versus Quinnipiac University and a game on Saturday versus Montclair University. Friday’s game versus Quinnipiac marks the Saints annual Pink at the Rink game, where the Saints raise money for the American Cancer Society through a t-shirt sale and host a game at the Albany County Hockey Facility partnering with ACS and Colleges Against Cancer.
3 Stars of the Weekend
1st Star – Patrick Temple
2GP – 3G – 1A (1x POTG)
2nd Star – Will Pipher
2GP – 1G – 0A
3rd Star – Luke Kurdziolek
2GP – 1G – 0A