C.W. POST HOCKEY CLUB LOOKS TO GET BACK TO THEIR WINNING WAYS

After a 3-0 start to their season, the Pioneers have tumbled to a 3-6 overall record and a 3-3 record in the Great Northeast Collegiate Hockey Conference. Coming off an embarrassing loss to the University of Connecticut (ranked 6th in the ACHA Northeast) and Wagner College (ranked 3rd in the ACHA Southeast), the Pioneers showed up for their league game against Muhlenberg College, at Parkwood Ice Rink ready to play.

Unfortunately for Post, Muhlenberg's goalie, Dave Emerson, had a night for the history books. Emerson became the first goalie in GNCHC and ACHA history (and maybe all hockey history) to stop a player on a penalty shot and score a goal in the same game! With the Pioneers trailing 2-1 in the first period, freshman and leading scorer Stephen Ferguson, was awarded a penalty shot. With a chance to tie the game, Ferguson deked the Muhlenberg goalie toward the left post. At the last second, Emerson got his leg pad on the shot to deny Ferguson. Trailing 4-1 in the second period, Ferguson got his revenge, with his 8th goal of the season. Trailing 6-2 in the third period, the Pioneers finally woke up from a three week slumber. Goals 23 seconds apart by Danny Gale and Shawn Hroch cut the margin to 6-4. From that point on, the Pioneers played the same why they did during their three game winning streak, putting on intense offensive pressure. With Post on a power play late in the game and goalie Michael Towers pulled for an extra skater, Emerson stopped a barrage of shots. When a Post centering pass went all the way down the ice and into Post's empty net at 19:40 of period three, history was made. Since Emerson was the last Muhlenberg player to touch the puck, he was awarded credit for scoring the goal.

"We were playing like we didn't care for a few weeks. I don't know why after the home opening loss to Seton Hall and losing the next game to Kutztown caused the team to react like the season was over.” said Assistant Head Coach, Mark Peters. "The Kutztown goalie had the game of his life against us, but the guys allowed that loss to get into their heads. For the last few games, it seemed like there were only a handful of players that were willing to give the effort necessary to win. Finally in the third period on Saturday (loss to Muhlenberg), we remembered how to play hockey. The forwards and defenseman shot and hit, guys went to the net for offensive rebounds and back checked in our own end to help out Mike Towers. I believe we're in good shape to make the Great Northeast playoffs and we're going to start winning again this Saturday in Scranton.” Peters concluded.

Game Note: Sophomore defenseman, Anthony Zlata, scored the first goal of his College career.

TWO PIONEERS GO DOWN WITH INJURIES

The Pioneers suffered a major hit against Wagner College, when senior co-Captain, Chris Schultz, suffered a separated shoulder in the second period. Minutes later, his defense partner, Junior Sean Doheny, suffered a knee injury. The injuries reduce the clubs numbers to five defensemen for the foreseeable future. Although Doheny began the game against Muhlenberg, he had to retire to the locker room near the end of the second period.

CATCH THE PIONEERS RESULTS IN THE ACHA AND GNCHC

For those fans looking for up to the minute Post statistics, log on to www.achahockey.org. Click Division 2 under Men’s on the home page and then check out standings, scoring, etc. For those looking for the Great Northeast Collegiate Hockey Conference, which is the league the Pioneers are competing in, log on to www.gnchchockey.org.

ALUMNI GAME WAS FUN FOR ALL

Post's Ice Hockey Club Alumni returned for a gathering at Park wood Ice Rink on October 13th to face the current edition of the club. Avenging last years loss to the Alumni, the current group of Pioneers won the game handily. "As always, it’s about the older guys telling stories to the new guys and giving them the history of the team.” said Assistant Head Coach, Peters.