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Ranked Second in the nation, the Manhattanville Men's hockey team put together its best all-around effort of the season, holding Utica to seven shots on goal over the first two periods and hanging on for a hard-earned 3-1 win over the Pioneers Friday night at the Playland Ice Casino in the
ECAC West opener for both teams.
The Valiants had 13 days to prepare for Utica after opening the year 3-0-1 despite sluggish performances against Buffalo State, Fredonia and Brockport. Friday, the Valiants came soaring out of the gates, playing with a newfound intensity in front of a raucous home crowd.
"Our biggest concern after the first four games was how much we were willing to do the little things it takes to win hockey games," Head Coach Keith Levinthal said. "But we bounced back with a great effort tonight and showed how much easier it is to win games when you have all 18 skaters finishing checks, winning one-on-one battles, winning races to loose pucks and doing what it takes to win a game."
Manhattanville was strongest on the defensive end, refusing to allow the Pioneers to establish any kind of offensive flow, blocking countless shots and delivering some ferocious hits. Utica recorded only two shots on goal in the first period and five in the second, despite enjoying seven power plays - including a 60 second 5-on-3 - over that time. The Pioneers recorded only five shots on goal on their first seven power plays of the game.
The Pioneer defense was equally strong in the first period, but the Valiants finally cracked the scoreboard early in the second. Senior Jason Murfitt (Ottawa, Ontario) set up shop behind Utica goalie Adam Dekker and waited for someone to come free in front, eventually finding junior Chris Trafford (Kinburn, Ontario) with a perfect pass to the post that Trafford banged home for his second goal as a Valiant. The assist was Murfitt's 103rd point of his career and sixth helper in five games this season, but the senior made a bigger impression on his coach without the puck on his stick. [highlight]
"Jason has obviously had a lot of great games here," said Levinthal of the man who sits second on Manhattanville's all-time scoring list. "But I think this game highlighted perfectly what a great defensive hockey player he is."
The Valiants padded their lead later in the second when Mike Ruberto (Stoney Creek, Ontario) notched his second of the season at 14:43. Arlen Marshall (Quill Lake, Saskatchewan) found Ruberto on the doorstep with a pretty cross-ice pass, and the senior one-timed a shot past a helpless Dekker. [highlight]
Marshall made it 3-0 early in the third, scoring the Valiants' lone power play goal of the night by putting in a rebound off a hard shot from the top of the circle by Dillon Henningson (Edmonton, Alberta). A.J. Mikkelsen (Chestermere, Alberta) earned the second assist on Marshall's team-leading fourth goal of the year.
Joe Watson scored the lone Pioneer goal 5:55 into the third but Utica would get no closer despite doubling their shot output from the first two periods in the third. Paul Reimer (Boissevain, Manitoba) responded after Watson's goal to make a couple key spots to earn his third win of the season and improve to 13-0-0 in his four-year career. Reimer made 20 saves in the victory.
The Valiants out-shot Utica 24-21, including a 15-7 edge in the first two periods, and went 1-for-5 on the power play. Manhattanville's penalty kill was outstanding, holding the Pioneers (2-2-0, 0-1-0 ECAC West) without a goal in 11 opportunities, and limiting the Pioneers to only 12 total shots on goal while on the man advantage. Dekker made 21 saves but suffered the loss.
Manhattanville (4-0-1, 1-0-0) will continue their ECAC West season Friday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. against preseason conference favorite Neumann in Aston, Pa. Live audio coverage of that game will be available on http://www.govaliants.com/, beginning at 6:45 p.m
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