The room scores again: six with goals in 10-9 win

In a shocking turn of events, the struggling Muhlenberg ice hockey team took down SUNY Broome in a thrilling Sunday night game this past weekend. Not only did the Mules hold on to beat the Hornets, and stand-in goaltender Alex Rosen ‘18 earned his first win, but the victory also marked two in a row for the team. Additionally, the team managed to pull off a win, despite being down four players, showing up with a roster that only allowed for one full line and three substitutes.

The game began in typical fashion for the Mules, with the opposing team scoring two goals less than three minutes apart. Ryan Pretino landed on the scoresheet first with a goal at 7:53 in the first period, and then followed up with another with 4:07 remaining. The Hornets pretty much held control of the last four minutes, until Pat Moran ‘17 found the back of the net with six seconds left for his second goal of the season, cutting SUNY Broome’s lead in half.

Coming out strong in the second period, both teams combined for eight goals in thirteen minutes; six of those goals were by Muhlenberg players. Henry Mette ‘19 scored his first career goal at 16:31 to tie the game for the Mules. Noah Dorfman ‘20 scored his first of the night less than two minutes later, at 15:06. Richie Bittles got one back for SUNY Broome at 14:14, but Dorfman gave the lead back to Muhlenberg, scoring again at 10:21. Just 15 seconds later, Moran scored his second of the night to give the Mules a much needed edge.

Jordan Broughton scored his first of the night at 9:41, bringing SUNY Broome back within one goal. Dorfman completed his hat trick and pushed the lead back to two goals at 4:21, and netted another for extra measure just 28 seconds later. Dorfman has at least one goal in each of the last three games, scoring 7 of his 9 for the season in the last two alone.

Jake Picker ‘18 continued the momentum for Muhlenberg in the third period, scoring his only goal of the game at 16:13. SUNY Broome didn’t back down easily, with Joey Jarrett, Ryan Norris and Bittles scoring three goals in a row at 15:49, 13:25 and 10:45, respectively. With the score now 8-7 in Muhlenberg’s favor, Billy Rafferty ‘18 found the back of the net with 7:36 left.

Broughton scored again for the Hornets at 4:17. Luckily for the home team, Sam Amon ‘19 scored the tenth Muhlenberg goal of the night with just under two minutes remaining. Broughton would finish off his hat trick with 52 seconds remaining, bringing SUNY Broome within one goal of tying the game and forcing overtime. But the Mules held on for the last minute of play for their third win this season, a close 10-9 victory over the Hornets.

There were only four penalties during the entirety of the game, three going to Muhlenberg players: Tyler Tavormina ‘18 for tripping, Dorfman for high-sticking, and Moran for hooking.

Tavormina did his part as captain to lead the Mules to victory with six assists. Picker and Dorfman each had three assists. Ryan Stewart ‘19 had two assists as well, his first career points.

Rosen, who has played three solid games in the goalie position while regular tender Bryan MacAllister recovers from a knee injury, saved 32 of 41 shots on goal.

Muhlenberg ice hockey will, hopefully, take on Lafayette at home this Friday, and then travel to Susquehanna on Saturday for their last two games of the semester. If they do, they will be without alternate captain Billy Rafferty, who sustained a concussion.