ANNAPOLIS, MD – The United States Naval Academy Midshipmen defeated the Villanova IceCats 5 – 1 on Saturday night at McMullen Ice Arena in Annapolis, Maryland. It was the IceCats’ first defeat in ECHA play this season, after five consecutive victories in league play. Navy was coming off a lackluster loss to division rival Drexel on home ice the night before, and appeared to be ready to play the IceCats. John Persichilli started the night in goal for Villanova, while Luke Markus was in net for Navy.
The first period was evenly played with Navy taking 15 shots to Villanova’s 12 At 19:01, it was Midshipman John Linenger getting on the board on an even strength goal from Hyo Jun Baek and Derek Golembrosky. The period saw three minor penalties with Navy being whistled for two to Villanova’s lone penalty.
Navy came out fast and furious in the second and took control of the game At 5:01, Conner Hyden scored on a power play goal with assists from Linenger and Josiah Tolvo. Just over a minute later, at 6:17, it was Hyden scoring again, this time Joe Kelly and Andrew Douglas had the assists on the even strength goal. It was after Hyden’s second goal that Villanova’s coach Kenny Orlando called a timeout and replaced Persichilli in goal with Nathaniel Brose. At 8:05 it was Andrew Douglas continuing the assault on the IceCats net with a power play goal assisted by Hyo Jun Baek and Luke Turk. Villanova’s penalty killing unit was then called on to kill off a two man power play for almost a minute and a half. The final goal for the period, and for Navy, came from Matthew Stamler at 17:35 with help from Turk’s second assist of the night.
Villanova was not about to be shut out, and got on the board at 3:52 of the third period on a goal from Jack Skaggs. Timothy Matthews and Troy Donahue got the Villanova assists. After the IceCats’ goal, Navy’s coach Kevin Rooney called a timeout to settle down his players. The timeout appeared to work, as the Villanova goal was the last of the game as Navy finished the game almost doubling up Villanova’s shot attempts, 47-24. Luke Markus of Navy made 23 saves on 24 shots while the IceCats’ tandem of John Persichilli and Nathaniel Brose made 14 saves on 17 shots and 28 saves on 10 shots respectively.
Villanova remains in first place in the ECHA after Saturday’s loss. The IceCats’ have an important weekend coming up on Friday, December 1, and Saturday December 2 with back to back games versus conference rival Towson University.
Navy regained possession of second place with the victory. Navy travels to the University of Rhode Island for two games on December 1 and 2 to end the 2017 portion of the 2017/2018 season. The Midshipmen will retake their home ice on Friday, January 12 versus their arch rival, Army Black Knights. As every ending to a Navy sporting event, we leave you with the following: “GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!”
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