By Brittany Burke
The buzzer went off and sticks and gloves flew into the air as the CCSU hockey players rushed from behind the bench to celebrate the 3-1 over the UConn Huskies. This wasn’t just an ordinary win for the Blue Devils; this one gave the athletes the CT Governor’s Cup, something that has never been in their possession before.
The two teams lined up and shook hands, but as soon as the trophy was in the hands of the Blue Devils, the cheers and celebrating started all over again. The cup was passed from player to player, raised in the air and kissed.
The Stanley Cup-esque celebration continued well into the team locker room, and is something the Blue Devils have fought for the right to do each year, always coming up short.
“This is a good thing for us. We put a good win streak together mid-season, [the cup is] just a nice little prize,” said Michael Joy. “It’s a relief because last year we came in second, the year before that we came in second; we came in second at nationals. It’s that point where we finally hit the tipping point and made it over, finally got a big win for a championship. It’s something that this team needs and can rally around pushing to the end of the season.”
The CT Governor’s Cup tournament is a mini two-day tournament featuring club teams from four Connecticut schools. This year CCSU played with the University of New Haven, Western Connecticut State University and UConn.
CCSU played the UNH Chargers on the first day of the tournament, beating the team 5-1. The first game victory put the Blue Devils in the winner’s bracket against the Huskies, who had beat WCSU the night before.
As UNH battled WCSU in the second rink at the Newington Arena, CCSU hockey fought against their in-state rivals.
The last time the two teams had met, the Blue Devils gave up a four point lead, and allowed the Huskies to come back and tie for the draw.
“Last time we played [UConn] we blew a four goal lead, so regardless of it being a championship game or not it’s an in-state rival,” said Matt Siracusa. “There’s nothing we wanted more than to beat them in the championship. Before the tournament started we figured we’d meet them in the finals, so it was really nice to win. We had a good amount of fans come out and celebrating with them, there’s nothing better than that.”
While both teams played hard, this game’s outcome was different, as CCSU wouldn’t give UConn the opportunity to take the lead.
With Greg Coco in the net, the Blue Devils had the game won with 1:56 left to play in the third. Down by one, and already on the man advantage, the Huskies were scrambling to get the tying goal.
In an effort to get that second goal, UConn goalie Craig Naclerio was pulled and the Huskies were given the sixth man on the ice.
Even with the extra manpower, the Huskies couldn’t control the Blue Devils. CCSU’s Siracusa gained control of the puck and skated it up the left side, eventually burying it into the right side of the empty net.
As the puck left his control Siracusa continued to skate behind the net, but was upended into the boards by a UConn defender, but that didn’t stop him from getting up to celebrate with him teammates on the bench. The goal had given CCSU the two-goal padding and momentum for the last minutes of the game.
“Personally I take pride in my defensive game,” said Siracusa. “I wasn’t have the best offensive game, but I just made sure the other team kept the puck out of the net, and I saw that puck wide open, skated as hard as I could and there was no other option than put it in the net [it was a] tough angle, and just the emotions came out. I could’ve went a little overboard on the celebration but it’s always nice to win a championship.”
Even though it was CCSU who topped UConn, it was the Huskies who got on the board first in the opening period.
With Andrew Mazerkiewicz serving the last 23 seconds of a five-minute penalty, UConn’s Joseph Fiori powered past the CCSU defense and netted the one and only goal against Coco.
The lead was short-lived as the Blue Devils countered with under three minutes to play in the period. The stick-side goal from Conor Stanley, assisted by his brother Ryan Stanley and Jon Knobloch, marked his 18th point in 14 games.
CCSU’s score was doubled with a goal coming from Knobloch, for his second point of the night. Evan Mink and Ryan Pereira were also on the score sheet with a single assist each.
“The lines are gelling very well,” said Adams. “I’m very excited that we’re back to running four lines that’s what got us to nationals [two years ago]. I’m confident in putting any person on the ice in any situation, we certainly have some key players that are out there in key times but everybody’s just getting the job done.”
Defensively, the Blue Devils were missing two major powers, Kevin Paglinco and Sean Stoneman, from the lineup. Despite the losses, CCSU managed to clear the puck and keep the Huskies out of the net.
“They’re a big asset to the team, especially Pags … definitely big losses there,” said Joy. “[To fill the void] you just match [UConn’s] intensity legally, we had some rookies step up today so it was good to see them step up and we just had to rally around Coco who was taking heat down low and stand up for one another and it works out.”
Coco had a huge game, saving 44 of the 45 shots UConn took against him.
The Blue Devils have a week off due to the Thanksgiving holiday, and will then go on a two-game home stint. CCSU returns to the Newington Arena on Dec. 10 to take on Endicott College.
