Ice hockey holds on for first win of season

Muhlenberg ice hockey finished with a weekend split against two teams, winning 4-3 over East Stroudsburg University at home on Friday and falling 9-1 against Bloomsburg University while away on Saturday. Beating ESU gave the Mules their first win of the season, just five games in. This was an improvement from last season, during which it took until the eighth game to earn a victory. However, the loss of five players to injury and penalties, as well as a goalie injury in the third period of the Bloomsburg game, led to another loss for Muhlenberg’s ice hockey team.

Despite being down four players, the Mules came out strong against ESU. The four missing players were: Liam Bonner ‘18, Noah Dorfman ‘20, Alex Rosen ‘18 and Anthony DiPalma ‘20, who is out indefinitely with a concussion. For the first time this season, Muhlenberg looked like the stronger team right out of the gate. Sam Amon ‘19 scored just 29 seconds into the game to give the Mules the early lead. He followed it up six minutes later, with another goal at 12:56, to put Muhlenberg up 2-0. ESU’s Ray Seaken scored with 7:05 left in the first to cut Muhlenberg’s lead in half.

Muhlenberg’s Billy Rafferty ‘18 scored two goals in the second to extend the Mules’ lead. Rafferty’s second goal, at 14:46, would prove to be the game winner. Seakan and Travis Moore went on to score a goal a piece to put Muhlenberg up by one late in the third.

The game was not without tense action, however. Thirteen penalties were handed out, with the Mules serving seven. Henry Mette ‘19 was called for slashing, Tyler Tavormina ‘18 for hooking and two tripping calls, Bryan MacAllister ‘17 for delay of game, Amon for spearing which lead to a disqualification, and Ryan Stewart ‘20 for interference.

Mules’ goaltender MacAllister was able to hold on for the remainder of the game. MacAllister faced 31 shots on goal and saved 28.

Coming off their first win of the season, Muhlenberg ice hockey traveled to take on Bloomsburg University. The Huskies went into Saturday’s game boasting a 6-3 record over Muhlenberg’s 1-3 record. With experience and points behind them, Bloomsburg came out strong, as expected. They scored twice within the first half of the opening period. It wasn’t until eleven minutes in the Rafferty scored the only goal of the game for Muhlenberg.

MacAllister was solid in net, but left with an injury four minutes into the third. Without a backup goaltender, it looked like Muhlenberg would be forced to forfeit the remainder of the game— which at this point they were losing 6-1. Instead, defenseman Pat Moran ‘17 changed into goalie gear. Having not played goalie since middle school, he faced eleven shots on goal, saving eight.

Muhlenberg ice hockey’s Friday night game against LaSalle will be rescheduled to mid-February, due to MacAllister’s injury. With no stand-in on the roster and without MacAllister, the team may be forced to forfeit the remainder of their season.

Photo courtesy of Alyssa Hertel.