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This past weekend the Saints took on Westfield State University at home for their 12th matchup of the season. Siena’s third annual Hockey Fights Cancer game, which was originally scheduled for this game, was previously moved back to Friday, November 14th versus Marist.
The Saints would open the scoring early as Senior Anthony Zappala would find the back of the net for his third goal of the year giving the Saints the opening lead. Westfield would strike halfway through the first tying the game at one, but from here on out the Saints would find that statement they have been searching for all season. Siena would go on to score seven unanswered goals, giving them a whopping 8-1 lead. Goal scorers for the Saints were Freshman Defenseman Kaden Wood, Freshman Forward Will Pipher, Senior forwards TJ Pierce and Alex Stone, and Senior Defenseman Jay Kelleher (2). Westfield would answer with one more tally late in the third, but It would be the Saints walking away with a monster 8-2 win. Wood’s goal marked the first of his ACHA career, Sophomore Goaltender Caleb Murray logged his first career ACHA point with a breakout pass assist on the Saints 7th goal, both of Kelleher’s goals came on the powerplay, Stone took home the Player of the Game and there was a total of 14 Saints that logged a point.
The weekend was far from over as the Saints took on the Sacred Heart Pioneers for their third SECHL league game of the year. There is no good blood between these two teams as past playoff matches and in game drama has built up to a hard matchup. It would be Siena finding the back of the net early again, this time on the power play from Tj Pierce. Sacred Heart would answer with a goal of their own very late in the first tying the game at one going into the second. The second would stay quiet until the dying twenty seconds when Star Freshman Forward Dominick Oppedisano would score a goal off of a giveaway to give the Saints a 2-1 lead. The third would also stay quiet until Sophomore Assistant Captain Daalten Demarsh would bury an empty net goal giving the Saints the dagger they needed to finish the game with a 3-1 victory. Senior Goaltender Matthew McCarthy was lights out, stopping 36 of 37 shots thrown his way and taking home the Player of the Game.
Next weekend the Saints have a familiar weekend, taking on Marist and Army. Friday’s game versus Marist will mark game two of the i-87 cup (Saints 1-0) and Siena’s third annual Hockey Fights Cancer game. Saturday’s match versus Army marks their second and final SECHL league game against each other.
Three Stars of the Weekend:
1st Star – Matthew McCarthy
1GP – 36SVS – 0.973 SV% (1X POTG)
2nd Star – Dominick Oppedisano
2GP – 1G – 3A
3rd Star – TJ Pierce
2GP – 2G – 2A