RYE, NY - The Manhattanville College men's hockey team defeated Chatham University, 5-2, on Friday evening to extend their win streak to five straight games. The victory moves the Valiants' record to 11-9-2 overall on the season and 10-6-1 in UCHC play.
A four goal second period tilted the ice in favor of Manhattanville as the Valiants ended the night with five separate goal scorers, including senior Ben Steele who would get his first goal of his collegiate career.
The Cougars got things underway with a goal in the 12th minute of the first period. Bekk McClaine would light the lamp off of a dish from Oscar Saarinen and Lucas Rothe to put Chatham up early, 1-0. The Valiants would be unable to respond within the first 20 minutes of regulation but would fire 11 shots throughout the period.
In the second period, the Valiants would be dominate on the ice. With an even 12 shots taken for both teams, Manhattanville showed their strength with four goals scored to take the lead and hold advantage over the Cougars. AJ Bella would get the team on the board in the fifth minute with assists from Mitchell Watson and James Gregory to tie it up, 1-1. In the 12th minute during a man advantage, Watson would fire it past Chatham's goalie, Ricardo Gonzalez, for the Valiant lead. Assists would be credited to Gregory and Dylan Pollak. Less than a minute later, a pass from Mason Emoff to Glynn Robitaille would find its way to Raymond Speerbreeker who would score one of his own to put Manhattanville up, 3-1. With only 20 seconds left in the period, Steele would find the perfect opportunity for his first collegiate goal and to give the Valiants a 4-1 lead heading into the final period of regulation.
Early in the period, 16 seconds exactly, the Cougars would respond and get another one from Caden Smith from Michael Hurst for a 4-2 score. To bring it all home, Artem Mateichenko would get a goal of his own off a dish from Lane Paddison and Watson for a Valiants 5-2 win.
Rookie Sebastian Woods would get another win under his belt for a 9-4-2 record so far this season. Tonight, he only two allowed goals while making 33 saves.
Manhattanville and Chatham were fairly even in the faceoff circle as the Valiants won 30 draws to the Cougars' 26. Speerbreeker led the team with 12 draws, while Josh Fletcher and Paddison won nine and seven, respectively.
Manhattanville went 1-for-2 on power play opportunities with five total shots taken during the four minutes, The Cougars got off six shots while the Valiants held a perfect 4-for-4 on the night during the penalty kill.
The Valiants look to keep the good times rolling as they return to action tomorrow at 3 p.m. against the Cougars and celebrate 12 members of the graduating class for senior day.