Delaware rode a terrific performance from goalie Forrest Hines to earn the 3-1 win in the last game of October.
It was a huge win on a number of levels for the Hens, not the least of which that it was the first win for Delaware over the West Virginia in the regular season.
Hens senior Jack Schildkraut said it didn’t come easy, but he was happy with the way his team responded in the win.
“I give a lot of credit to West Virginia,†Schildkraut said. “They taught us a few lessons at the start of the hockey game. They were much better than us in the first so we were fortunate the score didn’t dictate our play. We needed to start stronger.
“People may say that we were sluggish because we hadn’t played full multiple game weekends in a couple of weeks but I don’t think that’s an excuse. I thought we had some good puck possession in the third period. It was a great hockey game and I’m looking forward to continuing the 2 game win streak next weekend.”
Delaware’s Greg Bowers gave the Hens a 1-0 lead 7:42 into the first period with his first goal of his collegiate career, assisted from two other freshman Joe Weindling and Jake Pergolizzi.
The first ended 1-0 but WVU would tie the game at 8:05 in the second.
Thankfully Junior defenseman Eric Smith ( Corey Calendrillo , Matt Bishop ) put the Hens back in the lead with a snipe from the hash marks just fifty seconds later. The Hens put the icing on the cake in the third with a huge goal from Matt Bishop ( Eric Smith , Dylan Garrett ) to finish the night.
“I think a lot of our freshman stepped up tonight and played one of their better games this season,†Captain Steve Cacchioli said. “I think it took a while for us to get our feet moving, I know I didn’t like my start. Going in to the second period we knew we needed to move our feet and stay positive on the bench. It shows a lot about our leadership that we were able to come back like that.”
