The Delaware team had an eventful weekend on the road, facing both Syracuse University on Friday and Saturday, and SUNY Oswego on Sunday.
Game 1 started in Syracuse, New York at 6:30pm. The starting lineup included #28 Zucker, #15 Mullin, #14 Rabinowitz, #24 Zidansek, #5 Zimmer, and #30 East in the net.
The game was heated as both teams were getting into the rhythm of the game. Syracuse pushed, but East stayed strong to keep the score tied at zero. Despite a few penalties, the first period concluded with no score.
The second period changed pace and Syracuse put one in the net, raising the score to 1-0. Several good saves by Stephen East allowed the score to remain 1-0 as the second period closed. The third period was more of a challenge for the Blue Hens; the pressure was on. Less than a minute into the third, Syracuse put another past East, making the score 2-0. A third goal by Syracuse raised the score to 3-0. The boys struggled to even out the score. The Orange scored another two goals, capitalizing off a power play goal. With two minutes left, Chris Mazzella broke through the scoring streak, putting one in the net and raising the score. The final score was 5-1 in favor of Syracuse.
Game 2 at Syracuse, the boys were even more determined to take the win. The starting lineup was #22 Nisky, #13 Mazzella, #21 Redgate, #24 Zidansek , #5 Good, and #30 East in the goal. The Blue Hens set the tone early in the first period when freshman, #32 Ethan Docking, scored his first goal of the season for Delaware. Syracuse met the challenge and with 13:19 in the first, capitalized off a power play and tied the score 1-1. Delaware’s Cole Zucker broke the tie by taking advantage of a power play, putting the Blue Hens ahead again. Coming into the second, Delaware led 2-1. Syracuse was determined to keep up with the Blue Hens, tying the score 2-2. Delaware was able to hold off Syracuse concluding the second period. The third period set the tone for the direction of the game as Mullin found the back of the net on a powerplay followed by a goal by Nisky. The game concluded with a score of 4-2, A Delaware win, splitting the results of the weekend.
Sunday’s game at SUNY Oswego demonstrated Delaware’s true capabilities as a team. The starting lineup included #15 Mullin, #14 Rabinowitz, #19 Corapi, #24 Zidansek, #5 Good, and #1 Ponticello, starting his first ACHA game.
In the first period, #24 Mike Zidansek started the evening with a puck in the net, his first goal of the season and the first goal of the game, making the score 1-0 Delaware. Oswego challenged the score, tying the game at 1-1. Zidansek broke the tie, scoring yet another goal to put Delaware ahead, 2-1. The first period concluded with Delaware still leading. A little under 3 minutes into the second, Oswego tied the game 2-2. This was no challenge for Delaware as rookie Brian Ostrander scored his first goal for the Blue Hens, making the score 3-2. The boys didn’t stop there – Dustin Rabinowitz scored his first goal of the season, helping to ensure a Delaware win. With less than 5 minutes left in the period, Rabinowitz found the back of the net yet again – the score was 5-2. With 19 seconds left in the second period, Oswego scored again, but was still behind Delaware.
The third period started with Delaware leading. Blue Hen Harrison Good scored his first goal of the season on a delay penalty giving Delaware a 6-3 lead followed by a power play goal by Zucker. Oswego, struggling to keep up, scored a shorthanded goal into the net. Delaware answered back with another power play goal by rookie Chuma, scoring his first goal as a Blue Hen. Delaware won the game with a final score of 8-4. Goalie Chris Ponticello shared his experience of his first ACHA win as a starting goalie stating, “It was a really special feeling to be able to get my first win Sunday. I felt very prepared for it and I’m going to use this experience to keep getting better for games in the future.”
The weekend was a strong overall. Although it was a slow start, the team demonstrated great skill in working together to achieve their wins. While the opponents fought, our Blue Hens fought harder. Rookie, Brian Ostrander, commented on the weekend’s games, “I think as a whole the weekend went well. There were some rough times throughout the weekend but any time you can find a way to get wins on the road, it’s a good weekend. I thought the bonding experience this weekend was great for the team. Giving us a chance so early in the year to spend so much time together, and as a rookie to really get comfortable with all the guys. Also the returners have done a great job at welcoming us into the team and showing us what it’s like to be a part of UD Hockey.”
Stay on the lookout for the upcoming Blue Hen games, such as our Home Opener! This game is taking place at the Rust on October 7 at 4:00pm vs. Navy! For any additional questions or information contact leahedel@udel.edu.
Twitter: @udhockey
Instagram: @udicehockey
Facebook: University of Delaware Men’s Division 1 Ice Hockey
Written by: Daniella Fioretti
