Sewell, Nj.- The Bryn Athyn College men's ice hockey team traveled to Rowan University for a DVCHC match up Saturday night. The Lions enter the game 4-0 on the season and 3-0 in the DVCHC.
The Lions started off the game with intensity by putting intense forecheck on the Profs. Anthony Notofrancesco started the Lions scoring three minutes into the game on the power play. The Profs answered on a bad defensive exchange in the Lions' zone. The Lions controlled the play the rest of the period, and went into the locker room tied at one a piece.
Bryn Athyn came out hot in the second period. The Lions threw multiple pucks towards the cage, but the first ten minutes did not yield a change in score.
With 11 minutes left in the second period, Jordan Roth skated the puck out of the Lions' zone and beat three Prof players. After a cycle exchange, Justin Nugent received the puck on the halfwall and stepped into the slot. Nugent beat the Prof player and sent a shot top glove side to put the Lions up 2-1. Six minutes later, Anthony Astorino sent a long pass behind the Prof forecheck to spring Scott Witmyer on a breakaway. Witmyer went forehand to backhand and could not quite lift the puck over the pad of the Prof goaltender. With five minutes left, the Lions went on the power play. The Lions worked the puck around to the weak side to Travis McCurdy for a one-time blast that put the Lions up 3-1. Bryn Athyn held a 3-1 lead to finish the second period.
The Lions kept the pressure on as the third period began. The Profs could not handle the speed of the Lions and their aggressive forecheck. Roth used his speed again through the neutral zone to form a 2-1. Roth threw a puck to the far post, and it was pounded home by Ray Norfo to put the Lions up 4-1 with five minutes into the third period.
Late in the third, on the penalty kill, Witmyer demonstrated defensive skill by blocking three consecutive Prof shots without a stick. The defensive play held the Prof without a shot on the power play. The Lions held the 4-1 lead.
The Profs scored on a 5 on 3 power play with six minutes remaining. The Lions capitalized after a strong penalty kill when Jayson Marbach hit Astorino back door to put the Lions up 5-2.
Junior forward McCurdy stated on the win, "We wanted this game as a team. It wasn't the best game but we pulled away with 2 points. Our focus now is Farmingdale State tomorrow before the Classic over Thanksgiving break."
Graham Lermitte made 22 saves in net for Bryn Athyn. The Lions are now 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the DVCHC.
The Lions return to the ice tomorrow afternoon to face Farmingdale State. The puck is set to drop at 3:00pm.