VCU Rams Lose a Heart-Breaking 2-1 Battle for the Capital Commonwealth Cup to George Mason Universit

Puck drop at 9:15pm on Saturday (2/13) leaves VCU with a tough loss prior to playoffs.

STARTERS:

VCU

F: Ryan Schafer

F: Joe Halligan

F: Sam Klausner

D: Patrick Dillon

D: Christopher Allen

G: Colin Catherman

George Mason University:

F: Seve Cordova

F: Dan Gassel

F: Tyler Lovejoy

D: Ryan Pageau

D: Nick Baker

G: Bryan Kraus

THE CAPITAL COMMONWEALTH CUP

The Capital Commonwealth Cup has been noted as a rivalry game between VCU Rams and GMU Patriots. Every year, the two teams face-off to compete for the cup, and ultimately bragging rights. The cup match between the two teams began in 2011-2012 season with VCU initially take its ownership. VCU was able to hold rights to it in the 2012-2013 season as well. However, GMU has held it captive for the 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and what will now be 2015-2016 season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

VCU Rams Ice Hockey sought to return the Capital Commonwealth Cup back to Richmond from George Mason University (GMU) Patriots. GMU Ice Hockey recently won their Blue Ridge Hockey Conference Colonial Divisional championship be initially ranked third seed heading into the previous weekend. They were able to come out on top over number one seed, Christopher Newport University.

To start the night, GMU held their senior night, recognizing the graduating seniors and their graduate students in their last game of ACHA hockey, as well as GMU’s Head Coach, Steve Hyjeck, for his last career game as a coach. The game began in a heated battle between the two teams, and there was much action initially to start the game. After few chances and a breakaway attempt by George Mason, VCU’s Ryan Schafer received a penalty a couple minutes later with 4:38 remaining in the first period. Soon, George Mason was able to capitalize with 4:23 left in the first period and while on the power play by Jeff Egan (1) (A: Lovey, Zagade) hitting the puck out of the air from a rebound. With 4:06 remaining, Joe Halligan and Dan Gassel get two minutes apiece for roughing in front of the VCU net making it 4-on-4 hockey. The patriots finished the period up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play with the shots 15-5 in favor of GMU.

The second period began quickly with GMU’s Egan receiving a two minute minor with 15:35 remaining for roughing against Patrick Dillon. Few minutes later with 11:40 remaining, Chris Allen and Wyland get two minutes apiece for hooking and holding, respectively. After much back and forth, VCU comes out with a goal with 2:35 remaining in the second by Stephen Davis (1). The period ends tied 1-1 with shots 20-11 in favor of GMU.

Going into the final period of play, both teams came out hard with both trying to take home the cup. With 12:10 left in the game, VCU’s receives a ten minute misconduct for hitting a GMU player while on the bench. GMU’s Egan followed up shortly with a ten minute misconduct of his own with 10:30 remaining in the game. After much battling, VCU’s Patrick Dillon received a two minute minor for holding with 4:38 remaining. After being killing the penalty, Nathan Ardanowski, who has been contributing to VCU’s offensive shots all game, takes boarding penalty in the VCU zone with 1:58 remaining in the game. Later, with 28.1 seconds remaining, D’Agostino (1) (A: Baker) scores a power-play goal off a deflection by the GMU and VCU player tied up in front of the net. Immediately after next puck drop, VCU pulled their goalie in attempt to add another attacker. With not much time to counter the GMU’s goal, VCU lost in a 2-1 hard battle. Catherman for VCU stopped 36 of the 38 shots he faced, while Kraus finished the game stopping 15 of the 16 shots against him.

GOING FORWARD:

VCU Rams will head into the Blue Ridge Hockey Conference Atlantic Division Playoffs as the number three seed, with a game vs. number six seed College of William & Mary Friday (2/19) at 7pm in Chesapeake, VA. The Rams look to claim the title of their division in the weekend series in single elimination style tournament play.

*Note: The link to the game can be found by clicking here. Full link posted below.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SERAMWdYlw)