Seahawks fall in overtime in first game of 2015-16

RYE, N.Y. – Junior co-captain Teagan Waugh (Nanaimo, B.C./Powell River Kings (BCHL)) scored twice and fed classmate and fellow co-captain Nolan Marshall (Drumheller, Alta./Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)) for the game-winning goal with 29 seconds remaining in overtime as the Manhattanville College men's hockey team started the 2015-16 season with a thrilling 5-4 (OT) win over Salve Regina University in non-conference action at Playland Ice Casino on Friday night. 

After going 0-5-2 in overtime contests last season, Manhattanville (1-0-0) pulled out a much-needed victory thanks in part to the play of Waugh, who scored twice and then assisted on the game-winner for a game-high three points. Freshman Cory Anderson(Bakersfield, Calif./Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL)) had a goal and an assist as well for the Valiants in his collegiate debut, while Marshall and sophomore linemate Charlie Ryde (Stockholm, Sweden/Flemingsbergs IK J20 (SWE)) lit the lamp as well on the night. 

The game-winner was the result of a good defensive zone breakout by the Valiants, who were on their seventh man advantage of the night after six fruitless opportunities. Junior Phil Dinner (Dallas, Texas/Connecticut Oilers (EJHL))fed Waugh streaking down the near side into the offensive end, and the junior sent the puck across the crease to a wide-open Marshall, who one-timed it into a vacant net to set off a Valiant celebration.

 The goal finished off a very evenly played contest that saw Manhattanville post a slight 40-39 edge in shots on goal over Salve Regina (0-1-0) – thanks to three unanswered attempts in overtime. 

Waugh opened the scoring less than a minute into the first period, forcing a turnover and then beating Alexander Devine high to the glove side for his first of the night. After Brandon Yee equalized for Salve just 66 seconds later, the score remained tied until another good individual effort by the home team, when Anderson forced a turnover in neutral ice and wristed a shot past Devine for his first collegiate tally at the 13:58 mark.

Salve came back with two in a row after Anderson's score, with Peter Gintoli evening the game with two minutes left in the first period and Pat Thompson netting his first of the night 8:30 into the second on the power play. However, Waugh responded 72 seconds later with his second of the night from Anderson and junior Tanner Hicks (Calgary, Alta./Brooks Bandits (AJHL)) at 9:42 to knot the score again, and the teams headed into the third period tied at three. 

The Valiants took the lead for the third time 8:47 into the third stanza on Ryde's second career tally, as he one-timed a feed from behind the net by senior Matt Coleman (Brentwood, N.Y./Springfield Pics (EJHL)) into the back of the net. Thompson came back at the other end five minutes later to tie the score, but that only set up Marshall for the overtime heroics.

Freshman Tyler Feaver (Whitby, Ont./Whitby Fury (OJHL)) was the beneficiary of the offensive explosion, making 35 saves in his collegiate debut to pick up his first career victory. Devine also made 35 saves for the Seahawks in a losing effort. 

Manhattanville will get back into non-conference action tomorrow night, when the squad welcomes first-year program Daniel Webster College to Playland for a 7 p.m. matchup. Salve Regina will continue their road swing with a game against Neumann tomorrow at 4 p.m.