PINE VALLEY, N.Y. -- The Elmira College Soaring Eagles Men’s Ice Hockey team took the ice Wednesday night in the first round of the NCAA Division III Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament against the Colonels of Curry College. Elmira College entered the contest with an overall 18-8-1 record, while the ECAC Northeast champion Colonels possessed a 19-8-1 overall record.
As play began in the opening period both teams were looking for the first goal of the NCAA Division III Men’s Hockey Championships. The teams were in the feeling out process during the first ten minutes of action as neither team could produce a quality scoring opportunity, but at the 14:57 mark of the period the Purple and Gold struck with a goal produced by Mark Morikawa. In his first NCAA Tournament appearance the rookie standout blasted the puck past Curry goaltender Steven Jakiel to give EC a 1-0 lead. Morikawa was set up for the score by Larry Willard. This would turn out to be the lone score of the period. Elmira College held the edge in shots in the period with 18 on net, while Curry produced 10 shots in the session.
Three minutes and twenty-seven seconds into the second period the Colonels were able to even the game back up at one with a score by Ross Enmark during five on five hockey action. Enmark was assisted by John Williams and Brett Kaneshiro for the game-tying goal. However, the Soaring Eagles would respond at the 6:20 mark of the period with a power-play score by Darcy Vaillancourt. Vaillancourt converted the successful power-play opportunity with the help of Karl Linden and Kevin Willer. This was Vaillancourt’s team-leading 19th goal of the season for the Purple and Gold. As play concluded in the second period Elmira College led the Colonels in shots, 31-21.
Down one goal the Colonels were looking to even the game at two during the third period, but the Elmira defense held Curry to just one shot on net during the session. At the 17:49 mark of the period Vaillancourt iced the game as he notched his 20th goal of the season through another successful EC power play. Captain Rusty Masters and Brendan Sanders recorded the assists on the play. Morikawa added the final EC goal just a few moments later as the Colonels attempted to pull Jakiel to the bench for a man advantage. The game would conclude in favor of the Soaring Eagles, 4-1. Elmira College would finished the contest with 43 shots, while Curry managed to fire 22 shots toward EC net-minder Casey Tuttle.
Tuttle was outstanding in net for the Purple and Gold with 21 saves during his 60 minutes of action. Jakiel was also impressive for Curry College producing 39 saves throughout the contest.
Elmira College moves on to the NCAA Division III Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament Quarterfinals this Saturday as the team travels to Norwich. (Game recap courtesy of Elmira Sports Information)
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