POSTED BY – Jordan Kuhns
What a season. What a playoff run.
Furious action happened at Grundy Recreational Center in Bristol, Pennsylvania. Millersville absolutely crushed Muhlenberg 4-1 in the first round. From what I heard, it was an absolutely dominant effort where co-captain Mike Carpenter scored twice, Dave Rothrock added one more, and Travis Duffey put ‘em away with the empty netter. During the season, the Marauders had difficulty with the Muhlenberg two-headed attack of Cody McKinney and Andrew Milanesi, two of the top scorers in the Great Northeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference. In this game, they showed heart and determination in creating turnovers and capitalizing on them.
The next game was one of the most exciting hockey games I have ever seen. I’m obviously conditioned to high levels of play such as the National Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League, but this D2 matchup between Scranton and Millersville was just awesome. The heart and pure physicality that the team showed in almost coming back from 2 down thanks to some bad breaks was just so exciting. Goalie Bryan DeMarco was outstanding in that game, making saves I couldn’t believe were happening. Carpenter cut the lead to one, but it just wasn’t enough, in the end. Oddly enough, Scranton fell hard to the eventual champions of the GNCHC, C.W. Post, 7-2. What a ripoff for those who went to see that one.
The team remained extremely positive about next year, though.
The usual cast of characters, minus forwards Bill Griffith, Kevin Cotter, and defenseman Dave Sakers, will be around next year to give it yet another run. With the re-addition of Pete Scottoline to the forward ranks and the prospect of some new rookies and the maturation of freshmen such as Duffey and defenseman Chris Collins, this team will be ready for a great season next year. There will be an abundance of scoring depth through two lines, maybe even three, and the goaltending will still be there. In my opinion, this team is built.
The team was up-and-down throughout the season, with some epic victories such as the 3-2 victory against Kutztown where Evan Miller scored shorthanded with 56 seconds left, and with some tough defeats, such as the 6-5 loss against Bucknell where they grabbed the lead several times, and lost it in the third. Nonetheless, it was such a pleasure to be around these guys throughout the year. The games, the trip to C.W. Post, the interviews, the moments…they were all awesome.
When you think of Millersville Athletics, you usually think of Football, Basketball, or our NCAA ranked men’s Soccer team. But the Millersville Ice Hockey team is here to stay, fighting their way towards a championship.
Here’s to next season. Let’s make it awesome.