Seahawks top Thoroughbreds 3-2; claim Thanksgiving Invitational Championship

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The Salve Regina University men's ice hockey team earned a hard-fought 3-2 decision over Skidmore College in the Skidmore Thanksgiving Invitational Championship game Sunday evening at the Saratoga Springs City Rink.

With two of the region's top goalies in action, scoring figured to be limited. That held true with a scoreless first period. Salve had its best chance midway through the first. A Skidmore neutral zone turnover on a power-play, gave Seahawk Paul Boutoussov a breakaway with Thoroughbred goalie Brandon Kasel. Boutoussov faked right and tried to shoot left, but Kasel did take the bait and got his skate out for the save.

Skidmore had its best chance near the end of the period, when Adam Moodie ripped a shot from the point that hit the top left corner of the pipe. The Thoroughbreds were aggressive in the opening period with a 12-7 shot advantage.

During a 4-on-4, Vincenzo Renda gave Salve the lead from Brent Hill and Danny Eruzione at 1:56 of the second. Renda made it 2-0 on a delayed penalty at 5:06 from Eric Lipa.

Skidmore took advantage of a pair of ill-timed Seahawk Penalties to get on the board at 18:13. Brandon Borges fired a shot that Matt Muzykapounded in on the rebound in front of the net. Austin Rook had the second assist.

The Thoroughbreds tied it 2-2 at 4:17 of the third when Tim Allen won a faceoff to the left of Salve goalie Blake Wojtala. Allen then fired a shot that Muzyka redirected past Wojtala for his sixth goal of the season.

The Seahawks went back in front when Eruzione took a cross-ice pass from Colin Clapton and got it past Kasel glove side for a 3-2 lead at 7:00.

Muzyka appeared to have tied the game off a scramble in front of the net late in the period, but the officials conferred and waved the goal off.

Skidmore had a few additional chances late, but Wojtala stood his ground for the 3-2 final.

The Thoroughbreds had a 35-34 edge in shots and went 1-6 on the power play. Salve was 0-5.

Kasel totaled 31 saves, while Wojtala had 33.

Muzyka and Borges represented Skidmore on the All-Tournament team. Eruzione was tournament MVP and joined Renda and Wojtala on the All-Tournament team. Dakota Ulmer from Bryn Athyn and Evan Lugo from Post rounded out tournament honors.

Salve Regina (6-1-1, 4-1-1 CCC) returns to action on Friday, November 30, when it travels to face Becker College in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) matchup at 7 p.m.