The St. Thomas Aquinas College Ice Hockey team takes the #2 seed into Friday's Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference playoffs, against #3 SUNY Maritime College in the semifinals at Sport-O-Rama Ice Rinks in Monsey, New York, with puck drop scheduled for 8:40 p.m.
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How They Got Here - The Spartans wrapped up the regular season with a record of 16-4-2, tying the program's highest win total with the 2024-25 campaign. With their 11-1 mark in conference action, STAC secured the #2 seed in the MCHC Tournament, their fourth appearance in the last five seasons.
SUNY Martime opened their 2025-26 season going 3-5-0 over its first eight games in the fall semester. The Privateers then posted a 4-2-0 record in their final six contests in the Spring campaign to secure the #3 spot in the postseason at 7-7-0 (7-5 MCHC).
The Match-Up - STAC took both regular season matchups from Maritime, with the maroon and gold scoring an 8-1 victory on October 24 at Sport-O-Rama Ice Rinks before taking a 5-2 decision over the Privateers on November 22 at World Ice Arena.
October 24, 2025 - Andrew Fenninger scored a pair of goals and added two helpers, while teammates Jack Dickerson, Christopher Smith, James Guild, Jeremy Poggi, Joey Camporeale and Noah Barr also added to the totals on the scoreboard with a goal apiece. Michael Pippo (W, 5-1-0) got the start between the pipes for the Spartans and was stellar, stopping 32 of 33 shots faced to earn his fifth win in six tries.
November 22, 2025 - Noah Barr tallied a hat trick for the maroon and gold, with Andrew Fenninger and Devin Niccoll also netting a goal apiece. Michael Pippo (W, 8-1-0) stopped 35 of 37 shots faced to pick up his eighth win in ten games played.
Players to Watch - The Spartans were among the best offensive teams in the conference, led by senior Jeremy Poggi with 17 goals and 30 assists (47 points), junior Andrew Fenninger with 23 goals and 23 assists (46 points), junior Christopher Smith with 17 goals and 18 assists (35 points) and junior Nicholas Delia with 14 goals and 18 assists (32 points).
On the defensive side of the puck, senior goaltender Michael Pippo has an 11-2 record with a 3.05 goals against average and a .911 save percentage, appearing in 14 contests played to date. Teammate and junior Theo Morris has the Spartans five other victories (5-2-2), while posting a 2.80 goals against average and an .892 save percentage over 10 games.
Pat Freitas - 11 goals and 15 assists (26 points), Cody Sousa - 8 goals and 7 assists (15 points) and Mike Korn - 8 goals and 6 assists (14 points) are the offensive players to keep an eye on for Maritime, while Chris Paulino Simms (5-4-0, 4.55 goals against average, .878 save percentage) will tend the Privateers' net.
What's Next? - Friday's other semifinal sees #1 seeded Sacred Heart University (11-1) taking on #4 Western Connecticut State University (5-6-1) in an 8:00 p.m. start also in Monsey. The winners of the two semi-finals will advance to the Championship game on Sunday, February 21 at the Martire Family Arena in Fairfield, Connecticut. Opening faceoff is set for 8:00 p.m.
2026 METROPOLITAN COLLEGIATE HOCKEY CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS
Semifinals – Friday, February 20 at Sport O-Rama Ice Rinks (Monsey, N.Y.)
8:00 PM - No. 4 Western Connecticut State University vs. No. 1 Sacred Heart University
8:40 PM - No. 3 SUNY Maritime College vs. No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas College
Final – Sunday, February 22 at Martire Family Arena (Fairfield, Conn.)
8:00 PM - Semifinal winner vs. Semifinal winner
TICKET INFORMATION
*ALL SPECTATORS MUST PAY ADMISSION FEE TO GAIN ACCESS TO BOTH SPORT-O-RAMA ICE RINKS & MARTIRE FAMILY ARENA*
$5 - General Admission (CASH ONLY)