Warminster, PA. – The Bryn Athyn College men's ice hockey team defeated Southern Connecticut State, 5-2 in Saturday afternoon action. Bryn Athyn remains undefeated in the Empire Classic, 2-0.
Travis McCurdy led the Lions with two goals and one assist. Blake McCurdy scored one goal and an assist. Ray Norfo scored and Terrence Johnson scored one goal, a piece for Bryn Athyn. Cade Gurney notched two assists in the win.
The Ice Owls got on the board, 1:45 into the first period to take the early lead. Bryn Athyn answered to tie at the game at 10:31 on the power-play. Gurney passed the puck to Travis McCurdy, who was waiting on the blue line. McCurdy exploded to the right circle, beat two defenders and shot the puck at the goalie. The puck rolled from the back of the goalie into the net, to tie at the game 1-1.
Southern Connecticut answered quickly a minute later to retake the lead. The Ice Owls forward, backhanded in a rebound after a shot that was taken from the hash marks. Both teams would keep up the pressure and kept the score at 2-1 into the break.
Bryn Athyn tied the game 12:00 minutes into the second period. Jordan Roth dumped the puck into the offensive zone off a high pass. Norfo picked up the loose puck, fought off a defender and scored stick side high.
Four minutes later in the second period, Blake McCurdy scored the game-winning goal after Travis McCurdy passed the puck from the back-door. Blake McCurdy picked up the puck outside of the crease and scored to take the lead. The Lions defense stepped up and blocked shots to go into the second period break ahead 3-2.
The Lions didn't let down the tempo in the third period. Johnson scored with 11:00 left in the third from top of the crease. The Ice Owls had a chance to chip away at the Bryn Athyn lead, but the defense laid out their body to block shots from the open net. Travis McCurdy scored an insurance goal with 5:40 left in the game, off a pass from Blake McCurdy from a give-and-go.
Kyle Watters played between the pipes for Bryn Athyn.
Bryn Athyn will play UNC-Wilmington tomorrow in the last game of the Empire Classic. UNC-Wilmington is currently ranked #13 in the South Region and 2-0 in the Empire Classic.
Game is slated for 8:15 am at Warwick Ice Rink in Warminster, Pa.