Spring Break
Hockey starts conference play undefeated
Kellen Holtzman
Issue date: 10/30/08 Section: Sports
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ECU knocked off division rival CNU, 8-4, in Yorktown, Va. on Friday before holding off the Blue Devils in Hillsborough on Saturday, 4-2.
"When you come out strong, it really sets the tone for the season," said center Zach Johnston. "We really like to come out hard and let everyone else in the league know, and the whole ACHA know what we're all about this year."
Senior Ian Falcon set up right-winger Sam Duehring with the game-winner against Duke to put the Pirates up 2-1 in the second period.
"I beat the defender down the right side," Duehring said of his game-clinching goal. "The goalie left me a five hole and I put it between his legs."
Duehring put the game away with 3:19 left to play in the second period when he and Sean Burns teamed up for a power play score. Duehring fired a shot past the right side of the goaltender to give the Pirates a 3-1 advantage.
The Blue Devils fought back with a power play goal of their own but Steven Allbright nailed the coffin shut with a score to make the final, 4-2.
Sophomore Nick Dinardo started the scoring with a goal, five minutes into the first period off Falcon's first assist.
ECU never trailed against CNU, but did not pull away until late in the game. Scott Graham, Mitchell Sears and Johnston all netted third period goals to seal the game for the Pirates.
"It was a night where all of the lines were producing," said Johnston. "Everybody was just clicking and playing well. … In the second period, we really started to drop off. They [CNU] decided to fight back and push. Eventually we just decided that we weren't going to lose the game."
ECU jumped out to a 3-0 lead against CNU, but the Captains fought back with two second period goals to stay alive.
Falcon and center Chris Cesario answered with goals to give ECU a 5-2 lead at the end of the second period.
Matt Contipodero, David Orlando and Allbright each scored in the first period, igniting a balanced scoring attack that featured goals by eight different Pirates.
Consistent production from rookies like Contipodero, Orlando and Matt Steffens has provided a lift to the young Pirate squad.
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