ASTON, Pa. – The No. 14 Neumann University men's ice hockey team will travel to No. 7 Elmira College for the ECAC West Championship game Saturday, March 5 at 7 pm.

The Knights are coming off a 5-2 semifinal win over Utica College last Saturday night. In that game, Neumann had five different goal scorers contribute: Jake Kratz, Marlon Gardner, Jordan Zalba, Harley Garrioch and David Gervais. Goaltender Ross McKinnon provided 26 saves in the win.

Neumann took the season series vs. Elmira 2-1, splitting a pair of early season matchups and taking the final regular season game of the year. In the first game back in November, Neumann was led by goalie Ross McKinnon. The junior shutout the Soaring Eagles, making 26 saves for a 1-0 victory on home ice. Freshman Michael Rey tallied the only goal the Knights would need off an assist from Zalba.

A month later, Elmira would exact some revenge on the Knights with a 4-2 home win. Neumann started strong, with both Zalba and Jeff Rodell finding the net to give the Knights an early 2-0 lead. However, the Soaring Eagles turned it on in the latter half of the game, scoring four unanswered goals to come away with the win. Goalie McKinnon turned away 31 shots in the loss.

The regular season rubber match between the two sides took place just two weeks ago, with the Knights winning at Elmira 4-2. Again, Neumann jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with goals from senior Sean Bianchini and freshman Rey. However, just like the December matchup, the Soaring Eagles came roaring back to tie the game at 2. The game would be decided in the third period, when Neumann junior Gardner notched a power play goal with just under ten minutes to go. Sophomore Aaron Keaney would add some insurance just a minute and a half later to give the Knights back a two-goal cushion that they would never relinquish. Ross McKinnon was again solid in net, notching 36 saves in the win.

For the season, the Knights have been paced by ECAC West Rookie of the Year Rey. The freshman forward has made an immediate impact for the team, compiling 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points, tying him for fourth in the league in scoring (first among freshman). Alongside Rey, sophomore Steve Gervais has added 19 points while fellow sophomore Zalba have has notched 18. Junior Brett Tamane has tallied 17 points. Defensively the Knights boast a core of defensemen that have been steady all season. William Lacasse leads Neumann's defense corps with 20 points. The junior defenseman was named to the first-team All-Conference team for the second season in a row. Sophomore Scott Farrell has also notched 15 points on the back-end for Neumann, while senior assistant captains Rodell and Bianchini have also provided valuable leadership. Goalie Ross MacKinnon has also been solid in net, posting a 9-5-3 record with a 2.53 goals-against-average and a 0.917 save-percentage.

The Soaring Eagles are led by junior forwards Kevin Willer and Darcy Vaillancort. Both players have tallied 32 points for Elmira this season, tying them for secong in the conference in scoring. Willer was selected first-team All-Conference, while Vaillancort was named to the second-team. Defensively, Elmira boasts a pair of solid upperclassman. Junior Martin Lee was named the ECAC West Defensive Player of the Year, with 3 goals and 11 assists to go along with his solid defensive play. Senior Martin Linden was named to the second-team All ECAC West, after registering 19 points from the blue-line this season. Sophomore goalie Darren McDonald was also named first-team All-Conference. In 21 games for Elmira this season, McDonald went 15-2-4 with a 0.933 save percentage and a 2.08 GAA.

Neumann looks to come away with its second ECAC West Championship in the past three years. The Knights last conference championship came back in 2009 when they would eventually move on to win the NCAA Division III National Championship. The winner of the ECAC West does not receive an automatic qualifier, so the Knights and Soaring Eagles will have to wait until the NCAA selects its field for the Division III national tournament on Monday, March 7th.

Tickets for the ECAC West Championship game will go on sale on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at the Murray Center. Tickets for adults are $5; and $3 for all students and children.

 
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