The John Carroll University hockey team had a goal at the beginning of the season, to win the College Hockey Mid America Championship and make it to the ACHA Division 1 National Championship Tournament. This is something that has never happened in the history of the program, but after finishing second in the conference last season it was a goal the team knew was within reach. After sweeping a pair of CHMA games over the weekend, JCU had wrapped up the first conference title and national tournament bid.
Being locked in a battle for the top spot with Mercyhurst College and West Virginia University Most of the season, JCU needed wins against local rival Youngstown State and up and coming Duquesne University to attain the season long goal. Saturday night's home game against YSU was first on the agenda. After beating the Penguins 8-3 early in the season, JCU prevailed with a 10-1 win. After scoring an early power play goal to tie the game, YSU was never able to keep the game close. Senior Defenseman Jon Orr led the way with 2 goals and 3 Assists. Senior Sean Lattal also scored two goals for the Blue Streaks. Sophomore Pat Dengler chipped in his first goal of the season and Freshman Jimmy Pooler put in his first career goal. Junior Goaltender Justin Camuto and Freshman Scott Cromling
combined for 20 saves to get the win in net.
As the Blue Streaks boarded the bus for Pittsburgh and a road game Sunday afternoon at Duquesne University, what was at stake was on everyone's mind. The game started slow with neither team managing many scoring chances until the final moments of the period when Duquesne took a 1-0 lead on a 2 on 1 rush with 3 seconds remaining. Just over a minute into the second period, JCU was able to tie the game on a goal by Junior Dan Potter. Less than two minutes later Sophomore Tyler Rhodes put the Blue Streaks ahead and they never looked back. Potter put in another before the period ended and Duquesne scored to get within one. But in the third the JCU defense and goaltender Justin Camuto shut the door on any Duquesne comeback. With the goalie pulled and Duquesne trying to tie, Rhodes put in an empty net goal to seal the 4-2 win for JCU and lock up the conference title.
For many players, the conference championship is what they have worked for throughout the last four years. “When coach Wilk was recruiting me, he told me that my third year we would make the league playoffs and my senior year we should make nationals” said senior captain Jesse Dietrick. “We've worked hard for it and he must have had a plan. Coach Wilk had a slightly different sentiment while addressing the team as they returned home. “Getting there is nice, so enjoy it. But winning once you get to nationals is that much sweeter” he said. The team knows its work is not finished and has a new goal for the rest of the season.
The JCU hockey season continues this coming weekend as the team wraps up league play with a road game at West Virginia University on Saturday afternoon. After that the Blue Streaks will return home for senior weekend against Slippery Rock University February 15th and 16th before heading to Indiana, Pa., the site of this years CHMA playoff tournament. The national tournament begins Friday March 1 in Chicago. Come out for senior weekend and support the Blue Streak hockey team and cheer them on as they head into the playoffs.
