2012-2013 Club Varsity Ice Hockey Game Recaps
Lehigh vs. Drexel (October 21st)
Lehigh met Drexel on home ice in this non-league matchup on October 21st 2012. The game started off clean and quick as Lehigh pulled ahead 3-1 in the first period shooting 75% with no penalities from both sides. As the game moved into the second it looked like Lehigh had everything wrapped up with a consistent offensive showing outshooting Drexel 11-8, but Drexel closed the gap an brought it within a one goal difference (3-2) before Lehigh striked again putting them back up to a two goal lead heading into the third. With the third period underway Lehigh's defense would feel the pressure. Drexel began an offensive surge outshooting Lehigh 10-4 and eventually putting one in net moving the score to 4-3 with 13 minutes left in the third period; however, Lehigh would not back down. The goal by Drexel sparked Lehigh's stingy defense who closed the game strong to preserve the 4-3 win over Drexel moving the team record to 7-3-1 for the season.
Notable goals by Tyler Edwards, Mike Eni, Tyler Lewis, and Ryan Lexa.
Lehigh vs. Villanova (October 26th)
Villanova met Lehigh in a league matchup at Lehigh’s home ice at the Steel Ice Center. The puck dropped at 8pm as the game got on its way with a quick goal off a rebound shot in the first period. Lehigh kept the offensive surge throughout the first period scoring two more goals off a turnover in the opponent’s defensive zone and a wrap around the net assist. By the end of the first period Lehigh out shot Villanova 9 to 6 with Villanova putting 2 goals on the scoreboard closing the gap and making the score 3-2 with Lehigh ahead at the end of the first period. With the second period underway Lehigh kicked it up a notch scoring 5 unanswered goals off 12 shots compared to Villanova’s 5 shots in the second period. Joe Ludato carried the offensive barrage putting up a hat trick with one goal in the first period and two in the second period. The other 3 unanswered goals came from a power play advantage, outstanding puck movement in the offensive zone and great individual hustle causing a turnover. By the end of the second period Lehigh out shot Villanova 21 to 12 totaling 5 assists and moving the score to 8-5 in the process. With the third period about to start Lehigh looked to preserve the lead and pick up the defense to shut the door on Villanova; however, the scoring didn’t stop there. Villanova answered back with three more goals two of them off a power play and unfortunate line change in the third period to make the score 8-5. Yet Lehigh remained on top putting in 2 more goals with a one on one deke with the goalie and a three on two advantage off an intercepted pass. The third period moved to a close and the final score ended 10-5 with Lehigh taking the league win and outshooting Villanova 28 to 24 moving Lehigh to 8-3-1 for the season.
Lehigh vs. Bryn Athyn (October 28th)
The final game to a three game weekend, Bryn Athyn faced Lehigh at the Steel Ice Center in this non-league matchup. The puck dropped at 2:30pm as the game got underway with the first goal being scored by Joe Ludato off a rebound nine minutes into the first period. Bryn Athyn would respond with their own goal off a bad line change making the score even at 1-1. Just as the period was coming to an end with the score at 1-1 Ryan Lexa put another one in the net with one second left in the period as Lehigh was on the power play due to Bryn Athyn having too many men on the ice. By the end of the first period the score was 2-1 in favor of Lehigh with 10 shots on goal compared to Bryn Athyn’s 9. Lehigh’s offense woke up in the second and third period as they scored 9 unanswered goals during the remainder of the game. Kevin Melone, Garren Fritts, Joe Ludato, Tyler Edwards, and Tyler Lewis all added to the goal count in the second period with great puck movement breaking the defense down and totaling 6 team assists. At the beginning of the third period the score was 7-1 Lehigh as the home team continued to put up numbers on the scoreboard. Mike Eni, Michael Moreau, Matt Rutherford, and Michael Johnson rounded up the third period with 4 more unanswered goals with one goal off a power play and totaling 7 more team assists. With the third period coming to an end Lehigh continued to control possession of the game and locked it down on both sides of the ice outshooting Bryn Athyn 31 to 16 for the game ending with a final score of 11-1 moving their record to 9-4-1 for the season.
Lehigh vs. Lafayette "The Rivalry" (November 16th)
The rivalry continues with Lehigh meeting Lafayette as the away team in this non-league matchup. Puck dropped at 8pm as the stands were filled with the students, family, and friends showing their support towards a school tradition. The match got underway in the first period with a goal 10 seconds in by Lehigh’s Tyler Lewis assisted by Tyler Edwards for a TNT connection that has been dominant throughout the season. Halfway through the first period Lehigh went on the power play with Tyler Edwards scoring a goal assisted by Joe Ludato and Mike Eni putting Lehigh up 2-0 against their cross city rivals. Lehigh would score 4 more unanswered goals with Tyler Lewis scoring another one making the score 4-0 Lehigh at the end of the first period. As the second period winded down the offensive attack continued with a slap shot goal by Ryan Lexa off the swing pass from Peter Kostakos making the score 5-0 until Lafayette responded back getting them on the scoreboard. Yet, Kevin Melone would put another one in the net assisted by Ben Softy and Michael Moreau before the second period came to a close making the score 6-1 in favor of Lehigh. With the Lehigh fans pumped up by the team’s performance the matchup started to get physical but Lehigh would finish the third period strong and put Lafayette to rest with a final score of 8-1 notching another win for Lehigh in the rivalry.
Lehigh vs. Lebanon Valley (January 18)
Coming back from winter break Lehigh looked to get right back on track with their first game back against league opponent Lebanon Valley College. The puck dropped at 7:45pm with the first period underway. Only until halfway through the 1st period did Lehigh get on the board with a goal by Kevin Melone assited by TnT, Tyler Lewis and Tyler Edwards, from an interception off a clear which cause a counter attack favoring Lehigh with numbers. That would be the only goal in the first period as Lehigh takes an early lead going into the second. Lebanon Valley outshot Lehigh 13-9 in the first period. Moving into the second period Lebanon Valley came out strong scoring three goals, one shorthanded, to take the lead back from Lehigh, but the game was not over yet as Lehigh looked to respond putting one more in the net before the end of the second period. Goal was scored by Joe Ludato assisted by John Hite and Mike Morneau with persistent attack around the opponents net. By the end of the second period the score was 3-2 Lebanon Valley. Yet there there was stil one more period left for a come back. At the start of the third period both team were fighting for puck control as the total shot count for both teams were slightly even with an edge going to Lebanon Valley. However, Lebanon Valley put one more in the net to move the score to 4-2 and Lehigh wouldn't respond. With a valient effort Lehigh continued to attack but just couldn't move the score closer. At the end of regulation the final score was 4-2 with the win going to Lebanon Valley. Lehigh's next game was a rematch against Lebanon Valley on 1/19/2013 followed by a matchup next weekend against Drexel on 1/25/2013.
Lehigh vs. Drexel (January 25th)
The team knew this was going to be a tough matchup going into the game. Drexel who is ahead in the conference traveled to Steel Ice Center for this showdown on the ice. The first period was an even one as Lehigh put in two goals off 8 shots and Drexel matched with two goals of their own off 12 shots. Lehigh's first goal came off a counter attack which gave Lehigh numbers on the attack. Ben Softy would score off an assist by Pete Kostakos and Keith Knapp. The second goal came with great puck movement which found the open man Tyler Edwards who was assisted by Tyler Lewis and Kevin Melone. Lehigh was up 2-0 before Drexel responded. Going into the second period the game was tied and Lehigh looked to keep control on their home ice. Unfortunately Drexel would turn up the level of play and score two more in the second period to put them up 4-3 where Lehigh sole goal in the second came off a bad dump which was turned over for a breakaway by Tyler Lewis. Still down one moving into the third period Lehigh couldn't respond has Drexel continued the offensive surge and scored 2 more unanswered goals by the end of the match making the score 6-3 at end of regulation. Lehigh had this win in their grasps, but yet they would have a second chance to redeem themselves the following day January 26th as Lehigh played Drexel on Drexel's home ice. Lehigh would come away with the victory as they were short rostered only suiting up 15 players. Yet "Showtime" showed up in goal and saved 50 shots putting the team on his back and carrying them to a victory.
Lehigh vs. PSU Berks (January 27th)
This is the fourth time these teams have met this season. Lehigh came away with victories in all of their match-ups , but that was not going to changed the focus of the game in this one. Lehigh was looking for a victory to seal their playoff hopes for the post season. Just coming off their outstanding win at Drexel and a three game weekend, fatigue started to set in. Yet Lehigh stayed focused and came a way with the victory. In the first period Lehigh would score three unanswered goals and take a commanding lead that they would hold onto for the rest of the game. First goal was scored by Tyler Edwards assisted by Tyler Lewis and Scott Mogerley both made the extra pass to find Edwards open right in front of the net. The second goal would come right after as Edwards had a wicked slapshot set up again by Tyler Lewis and Justin "Uzi" Uzcategui. Tyler Lewis would finish the period with three points as he put in the final goal of the period with some outstanding stick work and a finish on net. At the end of the first period PSU Berks looked done, but their was alot of game left. PSU Berks would come out in the second period putting in two goals of their own moving the score to 3-2 and inching closer to a come back. Lehigh would shut the door though as Scott Mogerley scored off a deflection from Tyler Lewis taking back a two goal lead at the end of the second period. Moving into the third the score would remain unchanged as both teams couldn't get one in net. The total shot count for the game was even at 28 and Lehigh took the edge in goals, which made the difference in the game. Next home game is on February 8th 2013 at 7:45pm against Cortland as we will be looking to recognize the Seniors for their valient effort this season. Come out and show your support!