Seahawks claim first ever ECAC Northeast Championship

SEAHAWK MEN'S ICE HOCKEY RESULTS

Salve Regina 4, Endicott 0
Beverly, Mass. – Raymond J. Bourque Arena
Saturday, March 5, 2016

ECAC NORTHEAST CHAMPIONSHIP

Summary
The Salve Regina University men's ice hockey team claimed its first Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Northeast Championship in program history on Saturday afternoon in a front of a sellout crowd at Raymond J. Bourque Arena with a 4-0 victory over first-seeded Endicott College.

With the win, Salve Regina (17-10-1) has also earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament – its first in program history – and continues to add to its program record for victories in a season.

Salve Regina struck first at the 8:11 mark of the opening period when Kevin Clare (Chicago, Ill.) gathered a loose puck near the blue line and sniped a wrister through traffic past Endicott goaltender Kevin Aldridge (Beverly Hills, Mich.) for his first collegiate goal and a 1-0 advantage.

In the second, Tommy Evangelista (Methuen, Mass.) made it 2-0 at 13:59 with a one-timer from the slot off a pass from Shaun Altshuller (Nepean, Ontario), who was positioned behind the net.

The Seahawks tacked on two more goals in the third as Alex Pompeo (Hingham, Mass.) found an empty net from his own blue line at 17:57, while James Malone (Beachwood, N.J.) tucked home his fifth goal of the season at 18:24 to cap the scoring.

Salve Regina goaltender Blake Wojtala (Trenton, Mich.) stopped a season-high 43 shots to improve to 13-7-0 on the year and also earn ECAC Northeast Tournament Most Outstanding Player (MOP) honors. In three games in the tournament, Woltjala did not allow a single goal and compiled 93 saves.

Series and Streaks
This was the third ever meeting between Salve Regina and Endicott. The Seahawks have now won two in a row over the Gulls - both 4-0 victories in Beverly, Mass. - and own a 2-1 advantage in the series. Third time's the charm - Salve Regina wins its first title in its third trip to the finals in last four years.

Three Stars of the Game
1 – Salve Regina freshman Blake Wojtala - made 43 saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season and third straight.
2 – Salve Regina freshman Kevin Clare - scored the game winning goal 8:11 into the first period.
3 – Salve Regina senior Alex Pompeo - scored a shorthanded empty-net goal 

Key Stat of the Game
The Seahawks held the Gulls to 0-4 on the powerplay, and while the shots on goal were nearly even, 49-43 in favor of Salve Regina, the Seahawks were generating the better scoring chances and controlling the pace of play.

Turning Point
The Seahawks had  been in control from the outset and were in the driver's seat as the final minutes were ticking away, leading 2-0. However a hooking call against Nick Owen (Metheun, Mass.) gave the Gulls life with 2:30 to play. The Gulls would pull Aldridge for a 6-on-4 advantage and get a couple shots to the net, but 27 seconds into the penalty kill, Alex Pompeo collected the puck at his blue line and without fear of icing it, fired it the length, into the empty net, shutting the door on Endicott's comeback hopes.

Quick Hits

• Both Shaun Altshuller and Liam Centrella (Andover, Mass.) registered two assists for the Seahawks.
• Freshman goalie Blake Wojtala continues to add to the record for wins by a goaltender in a season, now owning a 13-7-0 mark. He also has set a new record for shutouts in a season with four, and is the only goaltender in program history to register three straight shutouts.
• Senior Peter Gintoli (Shelton, Conn.) and sophomore Pat Thompson (Hellertown, Pa.) both were named to the all-tournament team.

Quote
"As I said to the boys, it's a life lesson. Sometimes life doesn't give it to you right away to see if you're ready for it. My guys were this year and earned it. Very happy and proud for my guys as well as all the alumni and parents who have put in blood, sweat, and tears." - head coach Andy Boschetto

Next up
Salve Regina (17-10-1) – will await its opponent for the first round of the NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Championships on Saturday, March 12
Endicott (16-9-2) - end of season