With another season added to its legendary history, the Neumann University's Club Ice Hockey Team has wrapped up their season. Where every step is met with determination and every slap-shot with anticipation. They went through the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Conference - DII with razor-sharp skills and high spirits, leaving behind friendship and priceless memories. Our Knights confronted opponents head-on, using strength and skill to carve a path to victory. They fought through 22 games, winning 16 of them. The Knights demonstrated unwavering determination and unmatched resilience during a season that was full of triumphs and tribulations. After a thrilling victory over Kutztown University in the DVCHC postseason, they advanced to the championship game, only to be bested by Penn State Harrisburg. But it was not over for them just yet.
The Knights proved their strength and determination on the ice with excitement and anticipation of the AAU National Games at Iceline in West Chester, Pennsylvania. They had a difficult beginning, losing to the University of Florida, but they fought and won exciting overtime games against Massachusetts Maritime and Anna Maria College. They demonstrated the real meaning of perseverance and teamwork with every thrilling moment, making a lasting impression on the competition and solidifying their place as strong competitors. Sadly, the Knights failed to advance out of pool play into the elimination round (missing out on a goal differential tie-breaker). Andrew McGinley and Zachary Deemer were two players that stood out as the Knights' shining stars during the thrilling weekend at the AAU National Games. Deemer and McGinley demonstrated their extraordinary skill on the ice as they led their team to victory with unwavering determination and putting the puck in the back of the net when needed. Both guys scored the game winning goals in both of their overtime games, McGinley against Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Deemer buried against Anna Maria. Ending this tournament with a win gave goalie Noah Maikischhis 60th collegiate win within ice hockey and roller hockey. The Knights would not have been able to get to the places they were without the extraordinary leadership.
The Knights this year were led by Zachary Deemer, Nicholas Pullano, Ralph Triboletti and Jack Batton. These men have led their team to places they have not been and won games they thought to be unimaginable in previous years. When asking the team about the leaders of the season, all had something great to say about each. From freshman goalie Michael Falkowski he broke down how each captain contributed to the team. Deemer is said to lead by on and off the ice for all the guys, which provides all of them a great role model. Pullano is one to stand up for his teammates and to be in everyone's corner when they are down and need motivation. Ralph is the hype man of the locker room and keeps the team locked in and focused for the important moments. Jack is the welcoming face of the Club Hockey Team and an overall nice person to be around. Each of the guys were asked to be a captain for those specific reasons and they surely brought the needed presences during the season.
