Ville Hockey

The Marauders received some good fortune when they had heard Scranton had lost to both Muhlenberg and Bucknell.  The game seemed cut-and-dry enough–win and they’re in, lose and they’re out.

But nothing is ever that easy.

After getting in a good amount of penalty trouble, the penalty kill was spot on, killing off all of Muhlenberg’s dangerous powerplay opportunities.  The defense seemed to key on Muhlenberg’s top scorers Cody McKinney and Andrew Milanesi by cutting off all of their solo opportunities.

On a turnover at center ice in the second period, sophomore defenseman Chris Collins bagged his fifth goal of the season on a blocker side wrister that fooled goaltender Connor McWilliams.  The Marauders continued to play stifling defense, and things were looking up.

The optimism rose when forward Mike Carpenter pounced on a loose puck in the goal mouth, bashing in a rebound for a 2-0 lead in the third.  That goal was his 15th of the year.

The momentum switched in an instant with five minutes to go, as third-leading scorer on the Mules, Rich Nolan, potted two goals in the span of 30 seconds to tie the game at two.  All the Marauders had fought for had been for naught, as overtime was forced.

Towards the end of the third, the Mules took a penalty, but the Marauders were unable to score on the powerplay that had stretched into the overtime session.  Millersville was in all-out attack mode, realizing what the season had come down to.  Mike Carpenter streaked right up the middle on a 3-on-2 break, but was unable to capitalize, shooing the puck wide.

The real story of this game was senior netminder Bryan DeMarco.  His performance in the overtime alone was simply brilliant.  He robbed McKinney with a snag with the glove as well as on a 3-on-0 rush, and he stopped Milanesi on a clear cut breakaway.

It’s safe to say DeMarco saved the season several times.

Now Millersville and Scranton are tied in the standings.  It all comes down to a tiebreaker for a berth in the GNCHC Playoffs.

Jordan Kuhns
Team Broadcaster
VilleHockey.com Webmaster

The five-game winning streak and strong play from the Marauders was on the line, but the streak came to an unfortunate end at the hands of the New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders by a score of 7-5.

Things were looking up when Zach Juliano scored two quick powerplay goals, grabbing a lead right out of the chute.  But the Highlanders fought back quickly, tying it up with powerplay strikes of their own, and after the second goal, seven seconds later, NJIT grabbed another goal to take the lead.

The Marauders wouldn’t get the lead back in the game, but they fought back several times to tie the game up until it was deadlocked at 4 with a top shelf shot by Bobby Snyder, his eighth of the season.

NJIT’s Jason Anagnos and Corrado Mancini played a huge role in this game, scoring the goals that would give NJIT the victory.  Evan Miller’s goal early in the third looked to put the Marauders in a position to come back, but it was for naught.

“I think that if we played the whole game like we played in the 3rd, we probably could have won,” said senior forward Pete Scottoline, who bagged two assists in the game.  ”But losing [Kyle] Hench, and having [Carpenter] sick and not taking many shifts was probably the worst part.”

Before the game, coach Scott Edwards warned that the flu bug was going through the room.  And it couldn’t have come at a worse time for the black and gold.  But there were no excuses from the team.

“I think we need to have a sense of urgency. we need to realize that it’s do or die tomorrow pretty much,” said Scottoline.  ”And how Kutztown disrespected us in our own rink.”

And so the season comes down to one crucial matchup in the heart of the Lehigh Valley.

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For updates on the team, follow the team on Twitter @MUIceHockey!  For highlights to select games (this one will be uploaded this week), go to YouTube.com/MillersvilleHockey.

Jordan Kuhns
Team Broadcaster
VilleHockey.com Webmaster

Who said there was diplomacy in hockey?  The Marauders sure didn’t think so.

Millersville picked up their eighth GNCHC win and continued their playoff push with a romp of the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats, 16-2.  The Marauders, with a few healthy scratches, were up against a hapless Diplomats team with only eight skill players and two goaltenders.

All it took was three minutes for the Marauders to get on the board.  Forwards Sean Darrah, Garth Bolin and Evan Miller gave the Marauders the only real push they needed and were in complete control of the game after that.

The Marauders were cruising along in the second period with a 6-1 lead, but when F&M forward Evan Jones found a rebound with a gaping net, senior goaltender Bryan DeMarco went all Tim Thomas on him, diving across the goal mouth and making a spectacular save.

“The guy took a shot from the point, and I was really far out of position,” said DeMarco.  ”I got lucky with the leg pad … and then I went into a desperation split.  [The puck] hit me in the face, and went out of play.”

Sophomore forward Josh Schultz picked up his first collegiate hat trick in his first game back from a wrist injury that kept him out for most of the first semester.

“It feels pretty good,” Schultz said of the hat trick.  ”I’m feeling really good.  [The wrist] is back to 90%.  The doctor said that’s as good as it’s gonna get.”

It’s just the beginning of a tough weekend, however, as the Marauders will take on New Jersey Institute of Technology on Saturday, and Kutztown University on Sunday. The game on Sunday will be the most crucial of the weekend, and not just because it’s in enemy territory.

“We gotta try to get some of the younger guys in against NJIT so we can save some legs for Kutztown,” said Miller.  ”It’s the league decider–whether or not we get into the playoffs.”

Before the playoffs, adjustments must be made.

“We gotta work better in the defensive zone,” said DeMarco.  ”We gotta keep playing our game.  We’re on a five-game winning streak, so we have to keep it going.”

The Marauders didn’t practice in their usual slot on Wednesday, so this game against an opponent like the winless Diplomats was a good test to get their legs under them.

“It was good to get some of the younger kids ice time,” said Miller.  ”We got to work on some stuff, and get ready for the weekend.”

Let the playoff push continue.

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Check the schedule tab for time and location of upcoming games!  Follow your Marauders on Twitter @MUIceHockey.  For video highlights of select games, go to youtube.com/millersvillehockey.

Story Coming

Jordan Kuhns
VilleHockey.com Webmaster
Team Broadcaster

The Ivy League came into Millersville turf for two straight weekends.  And for two straight weekends, the Ivy League didn’t know what hit them.  The Marauders fired over 55 shots towards UPENN  goalie Andrew Layne, and crushed the Quakers 8-1.

Mike Carpenter, after returning from a week-long team leave, made his presence known with not only the first goal of the game, but a hat trick in this game as well along with 3 assists for 6 points.  Captain Evan Miller added two more and an assist to this game, as the Marauder offense kept blasting shot after shot.

The game started with a bang.  After a penalty kill to Kyle Hench’s interference minor, the top line furiously forechecked with shot after shot, and on the third rebound given up by Andrew Layne, Mike Carpenter shoveled it past the down-and-out goaltender for the 1-0 lead.  Just a few minutes later,  on a Carpenter shot breaking down the wing, Miller easily deposited the rebound driving to the net to make it 2-0.

The rattled Quakers took a bad hooking call, and defenseman Sean Nielsen rushed 3-on-2, splitting the D and going top shelf on Layne to make it 3-0.  That was the freshman’s third goal of the season.

After an absolute wave of shots, it took an absolute snipe-job by Bobby Snyder to break Layne to make it 4-0, his first goal of the season.  Towards the end of that period, Joe Vendetti (wearing Garth Bolin’s jersey) received a 5 minute major and 10 minute misconduct, the the Marauders killed that, and a second penalty off almost effortlessly moving into the third period.

In the second and third periods, the Marauders seemed to continue some penalty troubles, but after the refs saw it the Marauders’ way with a powerplay of their own, Mike Carpenter won the draw forward and performed a slick backhand maneuver, the 45th shot of the game, to elude Layne’s pad and make it 5-0.

With just 5 minutes left, Marauder goaltender Bryan DeMarco’s shutout bid was ruined by Chris Schiavetta, who sniped a shot on the left wing top shelf, to give the Quakers very little life.  Miller lauded his goaltender.

“Bryan stood on his head again, had another good game,” said Miller.  “When he came up big, he saved us in a couple of situations.”

It didn’t take long for the Marauders to get angry and respond.  After some furious chances, including a resounding pad stop on Miller, Carpenter found a loose puck in front and backhanded it past Layne to make it 6-1.  Just seconds later, Dave Rothrock found a puck behind the net and wrapped it past Layne to make it 7-1.

Miller capped off the scoring with his second goal of the game on a snap shot to the top shelf.  It was set up by a nifty drop pass from Carpenter.

“It was a good game, we came out in the first period hard,” said  Miller.  “Carp was clicking tonight, it was good to have him back.”

Coach was really happy with the effort.

“We’re really working together and working hard,” said coach Scott Edwards.  “I really got them to buy into the program I have here, and we’re believing in each other.”

The team will get this weekend off, but the weekend after that, the Marauders will take on the Lasalle Explorers at Regency Ice Rink.  Another tough GNCHC opponent is ready to battle, but Miller knows what the team has to do.

“They are always close games,” said Miller.  “But if we bring our intensity like we did [during the game], we’ll dominate.”

Coach Edwards couldn’t be more pleased with the effort within GNCHC play as well, warning future opponents.

“We’re undefeated in the league right now, and our goal is to stay that way for a long time.”

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Be sure to follow the Marauders on Twitter (www.twitter.com/@MUIceHockey), and watch highlights and other feature interviews on YouTube (www.youtube.com/MillersvilleHockey)

Jordan Kuhns
VilleHockey.com Webmaster
Team Broadcaster

The Millersville Marauders exerted their dominance of the Great Northeast Collegiate Hockey Conference over the weekend as the team routed the Princeton Tigers 13-4.

The Marauders got some prime scoring chances before finally, the Marauders’ transition play created several odd-man rushes.  Chris Collins, Evan Miller, Zach Juliano and Kyle Hench all scored within eight minutes of each other to give the team a quick 4-0 lead, all of them coming on 3-on-2 and 2-on-1 chances.  Juliano’s tally was set up on an exquisite one-handed pass by senior forward Pete Scottoline.

The team didn’t stop.  Chris Reinhart, Chris Collins, Joey Crothers and Evan Miller scored in the second period to keep the Marauders up by a considerable margin.  Miller’s goal came just seconds after Princeton scored a powerplay goal, keeping the team’s spirits high.

In the third period, Sean Darrah, Brendan Lutz, Kyle Hench, Evan Miller and Sean Nielsen capped the Millersville scoring, with captain Miller capping off a hat trick with a goal while two-men shorthanded.  It was the exclamation point on the dominant win.

The Marauders will stay at home, taking on UPENN at Lancaster Ice Rink, Friday at 7:00PM.

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Be sure to follow the team on Twitter @MUIceHockey, and to watch highlight videos and other specials on our YouTube channel (youtube.com/MillersvilleHockey)!

Jordan Kuhns
VilleHockey.com Webmaster
Team Broadcaster

If the GNCHC ever needed a welcome to what the captain of the Millersville Marauders had to bring in his senior year, Bucknell University sure felt it over the weekend.

Evan Miller was absolutely dominant in the Marauders’ first test against the Great Northeast Collegiate Hockey Conference, scoring all four goals in a 4-3 victory against the Bucknell Bison.  His final tally, the game winner, was with only a few seconds to play.  Flashing back about a year against Kutztown, Miller scored a shorthanded goal with 56 seconds left in the 3rd, giving the Marauders a 3-2 victory.

Just another day at the office for Mr. Miller.

“I feel pretty good with my performance this last weekend.  I’m glad to have gotten on the score board,” the captain said.

Miller did not stop there though, as the Marauders plowed through St. Joseph’s University by a score of 4-3.   He was the first to score on the powerplay as his longtime linemate and alternate captain, Mike Carpenter set him up for one of his two assists on the day.

Center Zach Juliano and defenseman Sean Nielsen also got on the board in the first period, giving the Marauders a quick 3-0 lead in the first period, all within the span of 3 minutes.  But the team just knew it wasn’t over then.

“I take our motto from [Evan] Miller, ‘don’t be satisfied’,” said defenseman Gaetan Juliano.  “When we were up 3-0, that’s all he said in the locker room.”

Brian Newman’s powerplay goal cut the lead to two, but it was Chris Reinhart’s first goal of the season, a powerplay tally, that gave the Marauders their three goal lead right back.   St. Joe’s was not done in that period, striking twice within a minute to make it a one goal game.

But senior goaltender Brian DeMarco was tremendous in the final frame, stopping all of the shots that were fired his way, and sealing the victory away for the Marauders.

“I’m really happy about the wins and impressed by the team’s performance,” said Miller.  “If it wasn’t for everyone on the bench working hard for 60 minutes we would of came up short in both games. The team showed a lot of heart this weekend.”

This weekend was decided improvement over Millersville’s showing against Rider last weekend.  The Marauders were able to get scoring from other sources, including “Bing”, Zach Juliano.

“I loved seeing him get his first goal in a Millersville uniform,” said older brother Gaetan, otherwise known as “Google”.  “He’s been working hard all year and throughout the summer training and I knew his hard work would pay off.”

Miller believed it was a decided improvement in all facets of the game.

“Our first weekend against Rider really exposed our team’s inexperience. Everyone was still knocking the rust off and they took advantage of it,” said Miller.

“It was a huge weekend for the team. Battling back from a disappointing 0 and 2 start against two quality teams has really changed team morale,” Miller added.

“We’re ready to prove what we can do. We got some momentum.”

The Marauders now improve their overall season record to 2-2, and are now 1-0 in GNCHC play with their victory against Bucknell.

The Marauders will now stay home for the rest of the month of October, with their next game on Friday, October 8th against The College of New Jersey at 7 PM, skating on Regency Rink ice.

Jordan Kuhns
VilleHockey.com Webmaster
Team Broadcaster

Clearly a transition period for the Millersville Marauders, the Rider Broncs took advantage of their scoring opportunities early and often and defeated the Ville in back-to-back games, losing 4-0 and 6-4.

In game one, DJ Nork got the Broncs off to a quick start scoring on a slick cross-ice feed just a minute in.  The Marauders seemed to have early pressure, but Rider came back, and proceeded to score two straight goals, ending the 1st period down 3-0.

In a scoreless second that saw a chess match of penalties, the Marauders were beginning to build momentum with a few powerplays.  But Rider’s forecheck kept the Black and Gold in check, keeping them completely off the board.

In the third period, Frank Garvey scored his second powerplay goal of the game to seal the Marauders’ fate in this largely one-sided affair.

“It all starts with mental frustration.  We lost our mental focus,” said defenseman Gaetan Juliano.

The team was largely angered by the start of the game, but felt that it wasn’t all bad.

“We need to put 60 minutes together,” said senior forward Pete Scottoline.  “We have a lot to build on for the next few games.”

In the second game, the Marauders came home to Regency Ice Rink in Lancaster looking for revenge.

The team got off to a great start, with Dave Rothrock capping off a tremendous rush with a forehand-backhand deke that beat Rider goaltender Andrew Nalbone, giving the Marauders the lead.

But Rider’s quick-strike offense, led by Greg DiPiscali and another two goals from Garvey, gave the Broncs a 3-1 lead going into the second period.

The Marauders found their legs and Rothrock got right back on the board for Millersville with another nice move in the goal crease.  Him, along with his linemates Scottoline and Zach Juliano, all ended up with two points.

Rider continued to show their offensive strength, responding right back to make it 4-2.  Chris Collins’ backhand deke on a 2-on-1 rush brought the Marauders to within one, but Rider once again found a way to end the 2nd 5-3 in favor of the Broncs.

Newcomer forward Brendan Lutz received a pass intended for alternate captain Mike Carpenter in the high slot and blasted a slapshot, his first goal of the season, to respond in this topsy-turvy affair.

Rider’s Conor Dragone put the nail in the coffin towards the end of the game, creating a 6-4 margin, and after that, a massive scrum ensued.  When the dust settled, forwards Rothrock, Scottoline, Sean Darrah and defensemen Chris Reinhart and Jake Bongiovanni ended up with 10 minute misconducts.

Darrah received a one-game suspension from the ACHA for instigating conduct off of the bench.

“The first game was chaotic, but we came together as a team in game two,” said head coach Scott Edwards.  “We were 100% better from game one into game two, and we were more dominant.”

The powerplay over the two games came up dry, but the penalty kill picked up where they left off last year, with only Garvey’s two powerplay goals in the two games the only ones scored.

“We gave 100%,” said captain Evan Miller, who had an assist in game two.  “There’s no letdown after this one.”

“Our powerplay needs to be better, but I think everyone was trying to prove themselves, and was a bit too excited.”

The Marauders will look to get in the win column by traveling to Bucknell University on Saturday, and finishing out the weekend against St. Joe’s University on Sunday.