WAYNE, NJ – The William Paterson University (WPU) Ice Hockey team I recently announced the club’s second straight berth in the American Collegiate Hockey League (ACHA) National Championship Tournament.
The Pioneers (24-8-1-1) enter the tournament as the number one seed in the Northeast Region of ACHA for the first time in school history. Last season, the Pioneers made headlines by clinching the tournament for the first time in the team’s 36-year existence. 
Simsbury, Connecticut is the site of the 2010 ACHA National Championships, which will take place March 17-20, hosted by the Super East Collegiate Hockey League (SECHL). The Pioneers won the SECHL regular season crown for the second time in as many years.
The top two teams in each of the four ACHA regions (Northeast, Southeast, West, and Central) earn an automatic entry to Nationals, while teams ranked third through tenth must qualify for Nationals through a regional playoff process. The top two teams to emerge from their respective regional playoff will have earned a spot in the National Championships, bringing the total number of teams in the tournament to 16.
William Paterson University had appeared in three consecutive regional playoffs prior to last season, when they earned an automatic entry after finishing the season ranked number two in the Northeast. After a rough outing at last season’s National tournament, which included a loss to eventual two-time National Champions Davenport University and a 0-3 record, the re-tooled, first place Pioneers look to take the Nation by storm.
New Jersey has never crowned a National champion at any level of college hockey. The Pioneers look to live up to their nickname in that regard.
“Last season was the first experience on the National stage for the team.” said Bob Carnathan, Director of Hockey Operations and Assistant Coach. “While we still have a relatively young team this year, a few of our returning guys, our leaders, know what to expect this time around. They are very excited to have another shot at the National Championship.”
The Pioneers enter the tournament with one of the top goaltenders in the nation, Chris Bauer, who leads the country in wins with 19. The freshman goaltender also ranks third in the Nation in minutes played with 1,528, and has a posted a 3.85 goals against average; an impressive average, considering the high-scoring nature of the ACHA and the minutes that Bauer has played as opposed to competing goaltenders. The Scotch Plains native has also recorded a .890 save percentage and recorded one shutout on the season. 
Entering the tournament, WPU’s offense ranks number one in the Northeast with 188 goals; 16 goals ahead of Central Connecticut State University, who are ranked second in goals in the Northeast. Junior Alternate Captain Albert Campbell leads the offensive charge for the Pioneers with 28 goals and 25 assists for 53 points, placing him tied for 52nd in the country in points. Senior Alternate Captain John Gomez’s 29 goals ranks first on the Pioneers and tied for 30th in the Nation.
Prior to the National Championship Tournament, the Pioneers will enter the SECHL Playoffs in Albany, New York from March 6-8. The Pioneers earned a spot in the SECHL Championship game last season, losing to host Siena College.
William Paterson University Ice Hockey is funded by the William Paterson University Student Government Association and by player tuition. The Pioneers Ice Hockey team is in its 37th year of existence and has no ties to the University’s Athletic Department. The team plays all home games at the Ice Vault Arena, located on Nevins Road in Wayne, New Jersey.
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