The University of Delaware Division 2 men’s hockey team (17-11-0) split their two-game Virginia road trip this weekend, edging away from Virginia Tech, 6-3, at the Berglund Center on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 20) before falling to Liberty, 4-0, at LaHaye Ice Center on Sunday midday (Jan. 21).
Saturday, Jan. 20 • Delaware 6, Virginia Tech 3
A quartet of goals from the bottom six forwards—three in the third period—propelled the Blue Hens to a 6-3 victory over No. 15 Virginia Tech (14-6-1) on Saturday afternoon at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Va. While the Hens gave up the first goal to the Hokies’ Andrew Calandra 13:41 into the game, freshman defenceman Tyler Swift responded only 22 seconds later to tie it for the Hens. The teams again traded goals—Brendan Hoey for Virginia Tech at 17:56 in the first and Delaware’s Tony Jorgenson in the first minute of the second period.
Despite the slow start, the Hens built momentum stoutly through the final 40 minutes. Following a fairly involved dustup in the eighth minute of the second period which saw the Hokies’ Stephen Gerke ejected for a hit after the whistle and a further ten minutes of penalties assessed to Felipe Rodriguez (Virginia Tech), Ty Perry (Delaware), and Brian Boylan (Delaware), the Hens took their first lead of the game courtesy a Jeremy deWit goal at 9:37. Thirty-one seconds later, Mason Wildgrube tied the game at three for Virginia Tech, but the Hokies were then held scoreless for the final 29:52.
After trading goals in pairs through the first two periods, Delaware broke out with a trio of unanswered goals in the third. Shane Moran accounted for a pair, with a Justin Grossman contribution between the two. In all, the Hens pelted Hokies goalie Christian Ciraco with 50 shots, while Eric Birnberg successfully handled 16 of 19 shots faced in victory for Delaware. The Hokies were successful on both of their power play opportunities, while the Hens converted once on six occasions with the man advantage.
Sunday, Jan. 21 • Liberty 4, Delaware 0
The Blue Hens remain winless at LaHaye Ice Center in Lynchburg, Va. after a 4-0 loss to the No. 3 Liberty Flames (12-2-1) on Sunday midday (Jan. 21). Delaware fell behind early, giving up three first-period goals, and failed to muster a rally against a strong Flames forecheck.
A full recap will follow.
Delaware returns home for four of their final five regular-season games, all of which will be aired on Delaware Hockey Night Radio. They next face off against Monmouth University (2-14-4) on Saturday (Jan. 27); game time is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.
