Aston, Pa.- The Bryn Athyn College men's ice hockey team defeated Shippensburg 8-1 in the DVCHC semifinals Sunday night, advancing to the best of three championship series next weekend.
Five players had multiple-point nights in the victory. David DalCortivo led the team with four assists. Jordan Roth and Benjamin Silvers each notched a goal and an assist, while Ray Norfo and Danny Triesler each recorded two goals
Shippensburg got on the board first four minutes into the period, scoring on a power play. At the 9:36 mark Dustin Synnestvedt and Roth connected with Triesler to deadlock the score at 1-1 going into the second period.
It was smooth sailing for the remainder of the game; as Bryn Athyn went on to quiet the Raiders' offense, and score seven unanswered goals. At the 15:54 mark in the second period, Norfo skated the puck into the zone and one timed it in from the right wing, for an unassisted goal. Three minutes later, Ryan Pickard sent a cross ice pass to Roth, who broke through traffic and ripped a shot in, giving the Lions a 3-1 lead. At the 10:34 mark DalCortivo took a shot on goal, and Blake McCurdy put the puck in off the rebound. One minute later, DalCortivo and Terrence Johnson found Norfo for a power play goal. At the 3:52 mark, Silvers centered the puck to Cade Gurney for the back door goal, giving Bryn Athyn a 6-1 lead. With 1:53 left in the second period, Steven Altman denied Shippensburg of a goal with a glove save on a breakaway.
During the final period of play, DalCortivo skated up the boards and centered the puck to Silvers who found the back of the net at the 14:18 mark. With 8:26 left in the period, Triesler scored the final goal of the game shorthanded.
Altman recorded 21 saves in goal for the Lions. Bryn Athyn outshot Shippensburg 46-22 and killed six penalties.
Triesler said, "We played playoff hockey to its fullest extent. Everyone contributed 110% every shift and every period. We want to be relentless and never satisfied ever. That is the root to all of our success. I am very proud to be part of this family. This is a process. Now we are on to the next one."
Altman stated, "The boys were focused and very excited and hungry to move towards the championship. We knew it wasn't going to be easy and perseverance would be needed. The guys really answered and showed what they were made of. Proud of them and all the fans for supporting us."
Johnson expressed, "Tonight was amazing. It was the epitome of a great team win. We know the finals will be a different monster but we will be ready to accept the challenge."
DalCortivo added, "That was a great team effort tonight. Stevie played great in net for us and we all fed off of his effort. We have been coming together as a family all season long and that game was the ultimate example of that. What a story this season has been. We are all determined to write the final chapter now."
Bryn Athyn begins championship play Friday, Feb. 22nd. The game will take place at IceWorks on Rink 2 at 9:30 pm.