From Eagle Media
By Nicole Hardman
Florida Gulf Coast University’s club hockey team opened home play with two wins against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 6-1 Friday and 3-2 Saturday. The Eagles advance to 3-2 on the season after losing two of three games against Liberty University’s Division I and II teams.
Friday: FGCU 6, RPI 1
The game started with FGCU leading the game with great offense, controlling the beginning of the game. Forward Chad Noetzel scored at 6:55. FGCU continued to control the game, but forward Brady Griffin scored for the Engineers at 16:48. A minute later, Eagles forward Shayne Tomilson scored, allowing them to pull ahead.
The second period started the same way as the first, with FGCU maintaining possession. Both teams got penalties one after the other. Then, at 5:42, Eagles forward Francesco Santaniello scored an unassisted goal. At 18:34 RPI was on the penalty kill following a roughing call, which led Noetzel to score a power-play goal with 17 seconds left in the period.
The final period started pretty quiet, with FGCU’s offense staying in control of the puck. There were a couple of penalties, and a fight between Engineers defenseman Joseph McManus and Eagles defenseman Braedon Dougherty, which resulted in both players getting a 10 minute misconduct. At 14:46, Eagles forward Ty Broten scored. Two minutes later, Eagles defenseman Tootoo Fotheringham scored the final tally of the game, sealing the win at 6-1.
Saturday: FGCU 3, RPI 2
Tensions quickly arose at the beginning of the game. Both teams were playing physically. FGCU continued to have the same strong offense as the game before, but RPI’s defense was hard to beat. Engineers’ goalie Torin Schraven blocked 21 shots in the first period, leaving the game scoreless entering the middle frame.
The first goal was scored, but that was until RPI capitalized on the powerplay following a roughing call on Eagles forward Jordan Comilla. The Eagles struck back a minute later at 14:33 with a goal by forward Trey Wandall. FGCU continued to pull ahead with a goal by forward Noah Trathen. Then, on another powerplay, RPI evened the score with a goal by forward Wim Van Rossum.
Just like the first period, tensions were high at the beginning of the third. Both teams continued to play aggressively, with six penalties called in the first 12 minutes. The score remained tied at two until FGCU forward Anthony Zebley scored at 16:42. The game continued, as fierce as before, but the last three minutes remained goalless, resulting in FGCU winning their second game of the weekend, 3-2.
The Eagles return to Hertz Arena Friday Oct. 2 and Saturday Oct. 3 where they will host University of Florida.
(Originally published at https://eaglenews.org/35819/sports/fgcu-club-hockey-sweeps-rpi-in-home-opener-series/)
