Score: Neumann University 5 – Elmira College 3
Records: Neumann (11-6-3, 3-5-2 ECACW), Elmira (9-8-2, 2-6-1 ECACW)
Location: IceWorks Skating Complex – Aston, PA
 
Aston, PA -- Coming off a thrilling comeback to salvage a 2-2 tie less than 24 hours earlier, the Elmira College men's ice hockey team looked to carry the momentum into today's contest which figured to have a major impact on a tight race for the final home-ice seed for the opening round of the ECAC West Tournament. Unfortunately, the in-conference struggles continued for the Soaring Eagles, as they fell to Neumann University 5-3 on Saturday evening.
 
In stark contrast to last night's contest, which witnessed the Knights dominate the opening 20 minutes, it was Elmira that came out of the gates with a fast start on Saturday. Jonathan Grassie '19 got the Soaring Eagles on the board at 4:55 of the period, blasting a feed from Brent Lafayette '19 past Neumann netminder Mitch Weibe to stake EC to a 1-0 lead.
 
The Soaring Eagles doubled the lead just 2:07 later. Blake O'Neill '19 whipped a pass to Mitch Atkins '19 who moved in on net. The rookie labeled a pass to Jeremy Marginsky '18 who fired the puck into the twine to make it 2-0.
 
The Knights found their legs towards the end of the period, as the home side clawed back into the contest. Brandon Gagne found the back of the net for the second night in a row to get Neumann on the board just before the intermission. EC took a 2-1 lead to the break.
 
The second period proved to be the difference in this one, as the Knights tallied three times in the frame to secure a lead they would not relinquish.
 
Nick Perruccio equalized the game just 57 seconds into the middle period. The tie did not last long, however, as Tommy Sumi '16 forced a turnover on the ensuing shift and netted an unassisted goal on the break to reestablish the Elmira lead at 3-2.
 
The score line remained the same until another late-period rally by the home side would jettison Neumann into the lead. Ryan Luiten retied the game at 3-3 at 13:13 of the period, while Shane Topf lifted the Knights to their first lead of the contest at 4-3 just 1:37 before the intermission horn.
 
The third period was the Mitch Weibe show, as the Neumann netminder stood on his head in stopping 24 Elmira shots in the third period alone to maintain the lead. Liam Board secured the game for the Knights with an empty-net goal with 24 seconds remaining.
 
Turning Point
Holding a 3-2 lead during the latter portions of the second period, Elmira allowed consecutive Neumann goals over a 5:10 span to snatch its first lead of the game heading into the third period. Honorable mention goes to Mitch Weibe who was remarkable in stopping 24 Elmira shots in the final period to make the lead stand up.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Elmira outshot Neumann 49-to-30 in the contest.
• EC held a dominant advantage over the Knights in the third period, outshooting them 24-to-7 in the final frame.
• O'Neill led all players with a game-high six shots on goal.
• Elmira dominated the faceoff circle, winning 39-of-63 draws in the contest.
• Michael Collins '16 dominated the dot winning 14-of-19 faceoffs on the night.
• Elmira went 0-for-3 on the power play, while Neumann was 0-for-2 with the man advantage.
• Grassie, Marginsky and Sumi each netted one goal apiece.
• Lafayette, Atkins and O'Neill tallied assists.
• Sandro Aeshclimann '19 got the starting nod, stopping 19 shots and allowing four goals in 40 minutes of action.
• Sal Magliocco '17 relieved Aeshclimann in the third period, stopping all six shots he faced, before Neumann netted the empty netter.

 
News and Notes

• With the loss, Elmira falls to 2-6-1 in ECAC West play.
• Elmira went 0-2-1 against Neumann in the season series.
• It was the second consecutive night in which Elmira set a new season high for shots on goal. EC finished with 49 shots on goal in the contest, three more than yesterday's 46-shot effort.
• Grassie's first period goal was the first of his collegiate career.
• With his second period goal, Sumi stretched his point streak to three consecutive games. It was his second unassisted goal this season.
• Elmira did a good job staying out of the penalty box in the contest, giving Neumann only one full power-play opportunity in the contest. It is just the third time during ECAC West play in which Elmira has not allowed a power-play goal.

 
Up Next
Elmira returns home to begin its final homestand, which will take place over the next two weekends. The Soaring Eagles are set to host Nazareth College on Friday, February 5^th, and Saturday, February 6^th, as part of Athletics Alumni Weekend at the Murray Athletic Center. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. on both days.