Spring Break
Hockey loses heartbreaker in finale
Michael Perry
Issue date: 2/24/09 Section: Sports
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In what could only be described as a heartbreaker on ice, the Pirates (18-5-2, 10-1-2) lost the final game of the Blue Ridge Hockey Conference Tournament to George Washington in overtime, 6-5.
ECU created a two-goal cushion midway through the third period when Chris Cesario put a quick wrister past the George Washington goalie to make it 5-3 with 13:14 to go.
The Colonials answered back, putting home a rebound less than a minute later, and then taking a deep snipe past ECU goaltender Matt Dalgetty from the point to tie things up at 5.
With less than half the period to play and the BRHC Championship on the line, both teams gave a valiant effort to end this one in regulation, but it headed into overtime thanks to a great goaltenders' duel.
Just 40 seconds into the 4-on-4, five-minute overtime, a George Washington attacker attempted to put the puck on net only to be stonewalled by Dalgetty twice. On a third attempt, the attacker put the puck up and past Dalgetty to seal the deal for the Colonials, 6-5.
The BRHC Championship pitted ECU against the one team to beat them in conference play. George Washington brought an end to a great season, but the Pirates left with their heads held high.
"George Washington is a classy organization," captain Sean Burns said. "But we get better every year, so we can't wait for next year."
With the end of the season, ECU loses a valuable member of its blue line. Senior Donovan Dean, a huge defensive presence and anchor of the team, will be graduating this spring.
"This team, it's kind of a family environment," said Dean. "There is a lot of dedication from not only the coaches, but the players here."
After graduation, Dean will pursue a career as a U.S. Marshal.
In wake of this weekend, coach Mike Markham spoke highly of his team and its winning season.
"They've grown so much," said Markham. "It's a pleasure to be around them, and we really look forward to next year."
In the first period, George Washington scored first, but ECU flexed its power play muscle, scoring two goals on the man advantage. At 6:34, Philadelphia native Dave "Cheese" Orlando burned one in from the blue line and a minute later, Ryan Konchalski got in on the action as he too netted one from the point to send the Pirates to the locker room up 2-1.
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