State College, Penn. — The University of Delaware Division 2 men’s hockey team (5-1-0) battled to a split with defending Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Hockey conference champion Penn State in their weekend series at Pegula Ice Arena, losing 4-1 on Friday (Sept. 27) before posting a come-from-behind 5-4 overtime win on Saturday (Sept. 28).
Friday, Sept. 27 — Penn State 4, Delaware 1
Two first-period goals from Matt Wickman gave the Ice Lions early control before Devin LeBlanc put the Blue Hens on the board with a power-play tally 8:26 into the second period. Delaware’s brief rally was rebuffed by two further Penn State goals in the third period, coming from Ryan Long and Ian Strasinski.
Saturday, Sept. 28 — Delaware 5, Penn State 4 (OT)
The Hens found themselves in a third-period deficit again on Saturday, but used three unanswered goals in the final 11 minutes of the game to upend the Ice Lions. With 5:58 left in regulation and Delaware down 4-2, Cal Raymore connected on an assist from defenceman Tyler Swift to halve Penn State’s lead. Ben Bergman carried much of the weight for the Blue Hens from there, having a hand in both the game-tying and game-winning goals. After setting up Eddie Martorella with the game-tying goal at 16:45 in the third, Bergman potted the game-winning goal in the final six seconds of overtime, giving Delaware their first victory over Penn State since December 2016.
Delaware is off this weekend, but will host Ohio University for a two-game set on Oct. 11 and 12. Both games will air on Delaware Hockey Night TV and Delaware Hockey Night Radio.
