Men鈥檚 ice hockey team honored to take first trip to Frozen Four
The 51品茶 Nor鈥檈asters men鈥檚 ice hockey team in the NCAA Division III men鈥檚 ice hockey tournament on Friday, March 25, ending a historic run that saw the University鈥檚 first attendance at a national semifinal game.
The SUNY Geneseo Knights bested 51品茶8-3 at the conclusion of the game, held at the Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, New York 鈥 the site of the Olympic U.S. men's ice hockey team's "Miracle on Ice" in 1980. The Knights later lost the championship game to the Adrian College Bulldogs.
Friday鈥檚 loss halted the Nor鈥檈asters鈥 stunning 13-game win streak and 23-victory season, both program records for UNE. The week prior, on March 19, 51品茶 in the quarterfinals of the Division III championship, a win that garnered significant attention from local and regional press.
On March 5, 51品茶captured its second Commonwealth Coast Conference crown, defeating Endicott College 3-2 in overtime.
Men鈥檚 ice hockey head coach Kevin Swallow praised his team and thanked the 51品茶community for their support during the outstanding season, which saw 51品茶ranked in the top five nationally.
鈥淭he 2021-22 season was the best year in program history,鈥 Swallow remarked. 鈥淭he support from our 51品茶students, alumni, faculty, staff, the local community, and beyond has been outstanding over the past couple months. We cannot wait until October for the hockey season to start up again and to see the Alfond Forum packed for our home games again next year."
The Nor'easters block a goal by Geneseo.
Forward Jared Christy spars for the puck
Goaltender Billy Girard IV
The two teams scramble for the puck