POTTSTOWN, Pa. ? The Monmouth University men's ice hockey club team returned from Pottstown, Pennsylvania with the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Conference championship on Saturday, February 28th. Defeating rival East Stroudsburg, 2-1, in the second of a two game series, the IceHawks capped off an exceptional 17-2 season with the league's title. Left wing Matt Miller was named MVP of the championship game, capping of a successful campaign for MU club hockey.
The Blue and White fell just short of their ultimate team goal this season when they fell just short of making it to Nationals. In the play-in game to nationals, the IceHawks fought PSU-Brandywine in an instant classic match featuring three game lead changes, ultimately losing 6-5 in an overtime shootout. Despite the loss, the Hawks finished first in the DVCHC conference and sixth in the region.
Monmouth, a division 3 club team, were led all season by defender Steve Black, who racked up a slue of post season awards including the Atlantic Regions Most Valuable Player award ? an honor shared by only four players in the country. Black was also named Second Team All-American and First Team All Atlantic Region. Goalie RJ Hering was also named Second Team All Atlantic team as the second best goaltender in the region.
The IceHawks dominated the league statistically this season as three of their own were atop the conference in scoring, and they possessed the best goalie in the DVCHC between the pipes. Steve Black led the conference in goals and points, as he tallied a league high 40 points on 24 goals and 16 assists. Teammates Corey DeFranco and Ryan Melis followed with 17 goals and 14 goals respectively.
Goalie RJ Hering directed the back line and was a general in net for the IceHawks this season as his 14-2 record tied for league-high. Hering led the league with a 3.07 goals against average while producing a DVCHC-best two shutouts as well.
For more information on the Monmouth men's ice hockey club team go to www.muicehockey.com or catch conference action at www.dvchcd3hockey.org.
