SHU D2 Ice Hockey Wins Martire Family Arena Opening
SHU D2 ice hockey has become the first club team to win in the Martire Family Arena on the Sacred Heart University campus. They defeated the University of New Hampshire 5-2 on Sunday night to close out the university’s festivities for opening weekend. On ice action started following a ceremonial puck drop by Sacred Heart University Director of Club Sports, Fitness, and Recreation Ray Mencio and Dean of Students Larry Wielk. Senior Justin Bernhard made history as the first club player to score a goal in the MFA when he put SHU on top in the first period. The Pioneers added 2 more, with goals from junior Nick Chiurazzi and freshman Maxwell Brown to head into first intermission up 3-0. UNH closed the gap in the second, scoring twice before senior Mark Garfinkel extended the Pioneer lead with just under 1 minute remaining in the period. The Wildcats were held scoreless again in the third. Junior Ryan Oechsner sealed the win for SHU with a power play goal in the 9th minute. Junior goaltender Corey Splaine became the first club goaltender to record a win in the new arena, tallying 29 saves. When asked for his thoughts on the team’s first game back from winter break, senior captain Max Mele said, “We really came together as a team in the new arena to start off the semester right with a big win.”
Fans who missed the first look at the Martire Family Arena this weekend have plenty more opportunity to see the facility this season. SHU has 7 home games remaining on the schedule. Visit www.shuclubsports.com for more information on upcoming games and the team. All three of the SHU ACHA Teams, MD2; MD3 and WD2, will be playing home games at the new arena this and future seasons.
