RYAN MORGAN — Managing Editor
The Ice Owls got the retaliation they’ve been looking for against Penn State Brandywine over the weekend, winning 5-4 in a nail biter.
“We really wanted this win,” said captain Joe Innamorato. “Penn State gave us our only loss this year and we were looking for revenge. We knew this was going to be a tough game so we stayed with it and kept working hard.”
The Owls defense came out strong, passing the puck around Penn State. Early in the first period, only a few shots made their way back to goalie Mike Federico.
In all, Federico tallied nearly twenty saves in the contest. “[Federico] played a great game last night against Farmingdale too, [a 4-2 victory] and honestly I’d say he is one big reason we are going to Nationals. Our team doesn’t have to worry. We can just skate because we know our goalie is going to make the big saves.”
Federico is nearing the end of his first full season with the Owls, joining the team late last season.
Steve Rosenkrantz had a hat trick for the Ice Owls, opening up the scoring with 10:53 to go in the first period on an assist from Justin MacGregor. Rosenkrantz found himself in the penalty box shortly after, giving Penn State their first of many power plays. Penn State would go on to score all four of their goals in power play action.
Going into the second period, the Ice Owls maintained their 1-0 lead. MacGregor and Anthony Dercole found Rosenkrantz right in front of the net, less than a minute into the second period. Rosenkrantz dumped the pass right past the defense and through the goalie’s leg for his second goal of the night.
The Ice Owls then found themselves on a power play with 12:15 to go in the second period. Rosenkrantz, Michael Penna, and Innamorato all took strong shots on goal but the Penn State goalie kept the Ice Owls out during the power play.
With 8:21 to go, the momentum switched as Penn State scored a power play goal. Penn State continued to rally against
the Owls, tying the game with a shot that slipped between Federico and the goal post with 1:52 left in the period. MacGregor refused to head into the locker room without the lead. MacGregor netted an unassisted goal with 1:08 to go in
the period.
“We knew it was going to be a close game so we weren’t surprised with the 3-2 score heading into the third period,” said Innamorato. “We really weren’t that worried and knew what we had to do.” Rosenkrantz said everyone was told to “stay out of the box” during the third period because Penn State had already capitalized on two power plays.
However, less than a minute into the third period, the Ice Owls gave up another power play goal to Penn State. Federico was completely laid out for the save, but Penn State still managed to jam the puck in to tie the game 3-3.
Innamorato regained the lead for Southern with 8:39 to go. His strong shot sailed past the Penn State goalie. The
crowd erupted, seemingly thinking the Owls had already secured yet another win, but Penn State answered quickly, scoring on a power play goal with 7:31 to go in the game.
As the clock ticked down, both teams battled for the win but the Ice Owls came out on top as Rosenkrantz put in his third
goal with only 1:58 to go.
“It’s not just me,” said Rosenkrantz. “The main thing is we are doing the right things in practice and making sure we find
ways to make this work. They set me up with the puck and these perfect opportunities and I just finished it.”
Penn State pulled their goalie, putting an extra man on the ice, but couldn’t score on Federico. The win only further strengthened the Owl’s number one ranking.
“This was a huge win,” said Innamorato. “It doesn’t solidify it, but it puts us in a good position to be the number one seed
for Nationals.”
