Newark, N.J. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Ice Hockey team wrapped up regular season play on Tuesday evening with a 6-3 victory over New Jersey Institute of Technology at the RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center.
STAC heads into the upcoming Metropolitan Collegiate Athletic Conference playoffs on a four-game winning streak and has secured the second seed in the tournament by way of a 15-7 overall record and an 11-1 MCHC mark.
Andrew Fenninger tallied a pair of goals, while teammates Anthony Prunty, Devin Niccoll, Jason Desalvo and Joey Camporeale also lit the lamp for the maroon and gold. Michael Pippo (W, 10-5) got the start between the pipes for the Spartans and turned aside 32 of 35 shots faced to earn his tenth win of the season.
Game Summary
First Period Scoring Summary
New Jersey Institute of Technology - John Pinkham (Tim Apelizan) 0:42, Matthew Francescutto (Eric Cacdac & Noah Bergen) 3:24, Eric Cacdac (Matthew Francescutto & Tim Apelizan) 9:30.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Anthony Prunty (Noah Barr) 4:32.
First Period Penalty Summary
New Jersey Institute of Technology - Charles Youse (Roughing/2:00 Minor) 8:24, Brendan Smith (High-Sticking/2:00 Minor) 10:31.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Anthony Prunty (Cross-Checking/2:00 Minor) 8:24, Nicholas Delia (Boarding/2:00 Minor) 19:59.
Second Period Scoring Summary
New Jersey Institute of Technology - No Scoring.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Andrew Fenninger (Unassisted) 19:14/PS.
Second Period Penalty Summary
New Jersey Institute of Technology - Matthew Francescutto (Tripping/2:00 Minor) 13:15, Charles Youse (Hooking/Penalty Shot) 19:14.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Anthony Prunty (Tripping/2:00 Minor) 9:43, Anthony Prunty (Cross-Checking/2:00 Minor) 18:02, Anthony Prunty (Misconduct/10:00 Misconduct) 18:02.
Third Period Scoring Summary
New Jersey Institute of Technology - No Scoring.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Devin Niccoll (Noah Barr & Christopher Smith) 8:33, Jason Desalvo (Nicholas Delia & Andrew Fenninger) 9:38, Andrew Fenninger (John Brennan & Jason Desalvo) 9:55, Joey Camporeale (Christopher Smith & Noah Barr) 13:09/PP.
Third Period Penalty Summary
New Jersey Institute of Technology - Salvatore Micciche (Hooking/2:00 Minor) 0:43, Richard Kosco (Cross-Checking/2:00 Minor) 12:56, Charles Youse (Elbowing/2:00 Minor) 16:39.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Allen Magie (Slashing/2:00 Minor) 5:12, Christopher Smith (Roughing/2;00 Minor) 16:45, John Brennan (Tripping/2:00 Minor) 18:00.
Goalies
New Jersey Institute of Technology - Colby Puletz (Loss, 60:00), 41 Saves.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Michael Pippo (Win, 60:00), 32 Saves.
Shots on Goal
New Jersey Institute of Technology - 35
St. Thomas Aquinas College - 47
Up Next
No. 2 seed St. Thomas Aquinas College (15-7, 11-1 MCHC) now faces No. 3 seed SUNY Maritime College in the semifinal round of the MCHC postseason tournament, which takes place on Saturday, February 22 (8:30 p.m.) at the Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink in Great Neck, New York.
The other semifinal features top-seeded Sacred Heart University, battling No. 4 seed Western Connecticut State University, with that puck drop scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
The winners of the two Saturday semifinal matchups will battle for the MCHC Championship on Sunday, February 23 (3:00 p.m.), also at the Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink.
Admission is $5 each day (Cash Only Please).