The season is over and it ended in sudden death. When you look back the Warriors lost a number of games in the last minute of a game. One with 10 seconds left, but this hurt the most because so much was riding on the win. Last season ESU hit its stride in the playoffs and went to the championship game. Really felt like we were going to repeat that feat. But it was not to be.
Alvernia University scored the first goal of the game with seven minutes remaining in the 2nd period on a 4 on 4 situation. On an outlet pass along the right boards the Alvernia forward made a perfect pass to a teammate crashing the net who deflected the pass into the net. ESU 0 AU 1.
With just 27 seconds left in the period, the Warriors tied the score. Brian Duggan won the face off and Nick “the Quick” Londino picked up the puck, took a stride and ripped a twisted wrister and buried the biscuit in the basket. ESU 1 Alvernia 1. End of two and tied at one.
With a little over 7 minutes left in the 3rd period, and on a power play, Dean “the Hammer” Malanga scored an unassisted goal with the aid of a Ryan Malandra screen. On an attempted clearing pass, Dean stopped the puck inside the blue line and fired a slap shot past the screened goalie. ESU 2 AU 1. Alvernia tied the score four minutes later when a puck, being thrown out from behind the net hit the skate of a Warrior defenseman and into the goal. ESU 2 AU 2. Regulation time ended with the teams tied.
Thirteen seconds into OT a penalty was called on ESU. Alvernia took advantage of the power play and scored on a snap shot that was deflected at the crease into the net. Final score ESU 2 AU 3. We played well enough to win and out shot our opponent 52 – 21 as they visited the sin bin often. It was a hard way to end a very exciting and action filled season. See everyone at Stony Acres!
