The Marist Red Foxes’ season came to an end Friday evening, as they fell 5-3 in the SECHL playoffs.
Marist and the University of New Hampshire Wildcats had faced off twice in the regular season. The Wildcats shut the Red Foxes out 5-0 in New Hampshire, then topped Marist again 4-3 in Poughkeepsie. Though the score was closer in their second encounter, UNH dominated play with the Foxes collecting two goals in the waning moments of regulation.
The pressure was on right from the get-go, as Wildcats forward Bobby Leone potted the first goal of the game just 1:15 into play. Though New Hampshire jumped out to an early lead, they played a relatively conservative first period, not taking a whole lot of chances in the neutral and offensive zones. As a result, the Red Foxes were able to test goaltender Dylan Palmer and establish offensive pressure.
With just over two minutes remaining in the first period, the Foxes went on their first (and only) powerplay opportunity of the game. Senior Andy Vovk won the ensuing draw in the UNH zone, getting it back to defenseman Daniel Roberts. After a quick cycle to allow Roberts to drift to his usual position at the far-side circle, Roberts received a pass and sent the puck to the net. Vovk positioned himself at the far post and managed to redirect the shot to the back of the net.
Whatever momentum the Foxes built for themselves at the end of the first period was almost immediately nullified in the second. The Wildcats dominated the opening minutes of the second, seemingly never leaving the Marist zone. With the Red Foxes missing top-pair man Lucas Milbank and key depth player Nick Rudzewick from their blueline, their defensemen were tested heavily and worn down by the speed of the Wildcats.
Midway through the period, Marist finally was able to lead a rush up the ice. Captain Austin King entered the UNH zone and sent a cross-slot pass to linemate Justin Genga. Genga, as he drifted to the crease, managed to slip a quick shot past Palmer to give the Red Foxes their first lead of the game.
New Hampshire would not waste time with a response. A pass banked off the endboards and landed on the stick of leading goal-scorer Austin Sprague. Marist netminder Justin Larkin hardly had time to adjust from post to post, and Sprague banged home a backhander to even up the score once more.
Minutes later, the Wildcats sprung into the Marist zone once again. Bobby Leone rifled a wrist shot past the blocker of Larkin for his second of the game on a 2-on-1. 3-2 UNH.
Despite all the pressure, Justin Larkin held the damage to just two Wildcat goals in the second period. Abject dominance from New Hampshire was met with flashy acrobatics and stellar rebound control to limit second-chance opportunities.
New Hampshire seemed content killing time and wearing out Marist with their relentless skating ability. With just under 11 minutes remaining in the game, the Red Foxes were able to win a faceoff in their own zone, a feat rarely achieved in the game. Defenseman Connor Flynn lofted a home run pass down the length of the ice, with the speedy Genga giving chase. Genga corralled the puck, deked around a defenseman and found freshman Seamus O’Rourke. O’Rourke fired a one-time shot that surprised Palmer and somehow hit twine.
The Wildcats finally drew their first penalty of the game with 8:23 remaining. Marist senior Michael Donato was tagged with a questionable tripping call in the neutral zone, sending the Wildcats on the man advantage.
New Hampshire went to work. After preventing a near-shorthanded breakaway chance, the Wildcats entered the Marist zone with Brendan Murphy leading the charge. Murphy dropped it back for Kyle Scancerella. Scancerella opened up space for Murphy once more who found the streaking Dom Velluzzi for a tic-tac-toe goal to go on top with 7:45 remaining.
The Wildcats’ dominance in the faceoff circle and in the possession battle stymied the Foxes. Donato had a breakaway chance and was brought down from behind, but no call was issued for a penalty shot or powerplay. Marist would have one final shot attempt with the net empty but could not reach Palmer.
New Hampshire potted an empty netter with seconds remaining, icing a 5-3 victory.
True credit goes to the depth players on the Marist roster. With a depleted roster due to injuries, the bottom six forwards were a refreshing boost of energy. Sean Gavin led the way on the third line, utilizing his speed and aggression to generate plays in the offensive zone. His style of play is beautifully complemented by playmaker Garrett Mast and a rotation of hard-nosed Max Henry and two-way winger Kenny Nygaard. Anthony Vitale and Christian Maselli also had strong games on the fourth line.
Thus ended the Red Foxes’ season. Though the Wildcats’ skill was simply too much to handle, the Red Foxes put up an admirable showing with their grit and intensity. Had a bounce here or there gone their way, it could have been a much different outcome.
Marist lost their final two games of the regular season by one goal each, preventing a trip to the ACHA Regional tournament.
The Wildcats lost to the NYU Violets Saturday afternoon, though they still have a berth in the Regional tournament.
