Danbury, Conn. - The No. 31 ACHA-ranked St. Thomas Aquinas College Ice Hockey team returned to action on Saturday afternoon, facing off with Western Connecticut State University in a battle of the MCHC's top teams, at Danbury Ice Arena in Connecticut. A seven-goal performance by the maroon and gold put them back into the win column with a 7-2 decision over the Wolves.
STAC improves to 10-5 overall and remains perfect in MCHC play at 6-0. The Spartans have also won seven of their last ten contests.
Christopher Smith tallied a pair of goals for the maroon and gold, while Nicholas Delia, Andrew Fenninger, Noah Barr, Anthony Prunty and Jesse Formica also added to the totals on the scoreboard with a goal apiece.
Michael Pippo (W, 6-4) got the start in goal for STAC and turned aside 34 of 36 shots faced.
Game Summary
First Period Scoring Summary
Western Connecticut State University - Blake Alexander (Matthias Paltauf) 6:02.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Nicholas Delia (Kevin Vitiello & Jason Desalvo) 12:18, Andrew Fenninger (Unassisted) 13:41.
First Period Penalty Summary
Western Connecticut State University - Ben Wolff (Holding/2:00 Minor) 7:18.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Andrew Fenninger (Unsportsmanlike Conduct/2:00 Minor) 13:41.
Second Period Scoring Summary
Western Connecticut State University - No Scoring.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Christopher Smith (Unassisted) 18:23.
Second Period Penalty Summary
Western Connecticut State University - Riley Mollica (Cross-Checking/2:00 Minor) 10:48.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Andrew Fenninger (Slashing/2:00 Minor) 5:30, Nicholas Delia (Roughing/2:00 Minor) 8:21, Jason Desalvo (Hooking/2:00 Minor) 13:58, Nicholas Delia (Roughing/2:00 Minor) 19:56.
Third Period Scoring Summary
Western Connecticut State University - Blake Alexander (Matthias Paltauf) 2:54.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Noah Barr (Unassisted) 1:29/SH, Anthony Prunty (Unassisted) 8:41, Jesse Formica (Unassisted) 16:32, Christopher Smith (Unassisted) 18:30.
Third Period Penalty Summary
Western Connecticut State University - Matthias Paltauf (Roughing/2:00 Minor) 15:51, Markus Paltauf (Roughing/2:00 Minor) 15:51, Riley Mollica (Slashing/4:00 Double Minor) 16:01.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Jason Desalvo (Boarding/2:00 Minor) 11:32, Andrew Fenninger (Roughing/2:00 Minor) 15:51, Jason Desalvo (Misconduct/10:00 Misconduct) 16:01.
Goalies
Western Connecticut State University - Markus Paltauf (Loss, 58:00), 66 Saves & Quinn Betancourt (2:00), 1 Save.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Michael Pippo (Win, 60:00), 34 Saves.
Shots on Goal
Western Connecticut State University - 36
St. Thomas Aquinas College - 74
Up Next
St. Thomas Aquinas (10-5, 6-0 MCHC) closes out the Fall 2024 Semester and their season-long 11-game road trip, facing Central Connecticut State University on Friday, December 13. Puck drop between the Spartans and Blue Devils is set for 9:00 p.m. at the Newington Ice Arena in Newington, Connecticut.