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This past weekend the Saints traveled 90 miles down Interstate-87 for game one of the I-87 cup versus longtime rival, the Marist Red Foxes. The Saints are currently four time defending champions of the I-87 Cup with a 10-2-0 record in that span. Tensions were high and the standard was set as the puck dropped at 4:15 p.m. at McCann Ice Arena. Freshman Will Pipher wasted no time getting the Saints on the board, finding the back of the net two minutes into the game assisted by Sophomore Patrick Temple. This score would hold until the third period despite both teams threatening with power plays as the teams split twelve penalties between the two periods.
Marist’s Declan Bayne found the back of the net early in the second period to tie the game at one goal a piece. Minutes later, Siena would take the lead back as Freshman Luke Kurdziolek scored his fifth goal of the year as the puck slowly crossed the line, giving the Saints their second lead of the game. Less than one minute later, Assistant Captain Dominic Rosone would get his stick on a shot from the point from Braden King, doubling the Saints lead. Marist would find the back of the net one more time but their efforts would prove to not be enough as Siena would storm into Poughkeepsie and take game one of the I-87 Cup. Pipher’s and Kurdziolek’s goals mark their firsts ever in the I-87 series and Senior Matthew McCarthy continues to dominate Marist taking home the Player Of The Game stopping 23 of 25 shots thrown his way. When asked about the importance of winning game one of the I87 Cup, Coach Hunter had this to say;
It’s always important to start on the right foot and win game one. We’ve played from behind and chased the Cup in years past, as a coach, it’s obviously more enjoyable to be in the driver’s seat. We need to make sure we take this momentum and continue to build on it.
The Saints would have a quick 2:00 p.m. turnaround the next day with a road trip down to Tate Rink to take on the Army (West Point) Black Knights. Tensions sparked between these two teams last season as they split in the regular season with both games needing extra time. Army would take one game in overtime, while the Saints would claim their own win in the matchup with a shootout win over the Black Knights. Additionally, Army took down Siena in the SECHL semi-final matchup. Army carries a style of hockey that not many teams are able to match, making them a very fierce and competitive team to play against, as well as a National Championship contender. Army came out strong, holding a 3-0 lead after the first period. With their backs against the wall, the Saints delivered. Senior TJ Pierce and Assistant Captain Daalten DeMarsh both cashed in on the red-hot Saints powerplay. Freshman Dominick Oppedisano added his 6th of the year, tying the game at three a piece heading into the third period. Army would prevail in the third period, finding the back of the net twice and taking home a 5-3 victory.
After a long Halloween weekend road trip, the Saints are back home next Friday against Westfield State University. Saturday, the Saints will play their third SECHL league game of the year against a familiar foe in Sacred Heart University.
Three Stars of the Weekend:
1st Star – Dominick Oppedisano
2GP – 1G – 2A – 3PTS
2nd Star – Matthew McCarthy
2GP – 65SA – 58SVS – 0.892SV% (1X POTG)
3rd Star – Luke Kurdziolek
2GP – 1G – 1A – 2PTS