Elmira College (0-0-0, 0-0-0 ECAC West)
Neumann University (2-0-0, 0-0-0 ECAC West)
Manhattanville College (2-0-0, 0-0-0 ECAC West)
Friday & Saturday, November 6-7, 2015 | 7:00 P.M.| Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena – Pine Valley, NY
Live Coverage | Twitter: @ECSoaringEagles | Game Notes
 
Elmira, NY -- In just about 24 hours the Elmira College men's ice hockey team will begin the 2015-16 campaign. The Soaring Eagles open the season with an early-season conference bout with Neumann University on Friday, November 6th, at 7:00 p.m. EC then takes on ECAC West foe Manhattanville College the following night, also at 7:00 p.m.

Season Opener
Elmira College opens the 2015-16  campaign this evening against Neumann University, who already has two wins under its belts this season. The Soaring Eagles are 22-18-1 in season opening games dating back to the 1973-74 club season. Elmira has opened the year against Neumann twice in EC's 41-year history, both meetings occurring in the last two seasons. Elmira is 1-1 against the Knights in season-opening games, with Neumann boasting the most recent win, a 3-2 overtime victory to open the 2014-15 campaign. 

Meet the Captains
With the departure of three of EC's captains a year ago, Elmira ushers in a new era of leadership in 2015-16. Brian Depp '16, who wore the 'A' on his chest a season ago, has been named the captain of this year's team. Fellow classmates Tommy Sumi '16 and Rob Simpson '16 have both been named assistant captains for the upcoming season. 

Strength in Numbers
Offensively, Elmira should be in good hands this year. The Soaring Eagles return their top six scorers from a season ago, five of whom registered 20 or more points. Headlining EC's returning scorers is AHCA Second Team All-American and reigning ECAC West Player of the year, Jarryd ten Vaanholt '16. His 35 points a season ago was tops in the conference, while his 12 goals and 23 assists were both career highs.

Scouting the Knights
Neumann enters tonight's contest with a 2-0-0 record after opening the season with back-to-back home victories against Daniel Webster College and Salve Regina University. The Knights' 2-0-0 start marks just the fourth time in program history Neumann has opened the year with back-to-back wins. Ryan Luiten, Mike Davis, and Shayne Morrissey lead the Knights with three goals apiece. Keep an eye on Morrissey, who has the tendency to score in bunches after recording a hat trick in Neumann's season-opening win against Daniel Webster. Defensively, sophomore Matt Gibney has started in both Neumann wins and owns a 1.00 goals against average to go along with 47 saves.

Scouting the Valiants
Manhattanville opened the year with back-to-back wins against Salve Regina University and Daniel Webster College, marking the eighth time since 2001 the Valiants have begun the year with a 2-0-0 record. In the previous seven seasons when starting 2-0-0, Manhattanville went on to win three conference titles. Offensively, Manhattanville is led by Teagan Waugh and Stephen Gaul, who have four points apiece. Defensively, Manhattanville has split time in net between rookie Tyler Feaver and senior Kurt Williams. Both have a win to their name, while Feaver leads the squad with 35 saves.