Since returning to campus from winter break, the Ramapo College ice hockey team played three games, winning once and falling twice. The Roadrunners now sit with a 9-9-2 record on the season, which places them third in the Empire Conference.
Beginning with their game on Saturday, Jan. 27, Ramapo went on the road to face the rival Fordham University, where they fell late, 4-3. The match started out quiet, with the only goal of the first period coming 15 minutes into the frame from Ramapo’s Luca Carnemolla on a powerplay opportunity.
In the second period, the Rams took control of the game, scoring three times. The first goal tied the game two minutes into the period, and came off the stick of Carmine Pittelli, assisted by Andrew Carlson. The second goal came just two minutes later off the stick of Owen Goulette, assisted by Pittelli. With just two minutes to play in the period, the Rams added another one, an unassisted goal from Bryce Vitale.
In the middle of the onslaught of Fordham goals, Brock Fizer provided some damage control by putting one through the net off an assist from team captain Rory Maurer. Fordham led 3-2 heading into the final period.
Five minutes into the final 20 minutes of the game, Carnemolla scored his second of the game to tie it up at three, off an assist from Michael Piccinich. The game remained even until one minute remained, when Pittelli scored the game winner for the Rams.
In goal for the Roadrunners was Paul Fiorello, who managed to save 23 of the 27 shots he faced on the night. For Fordham, Daniel Gertz faced 32 shot attempts and saved 29 of them.
On Sunday, Jan. 28, the Roadrunners faced off against the University of New Haven at home, and stomped down with a 10-4 victory. The match saw eight different Roadrunners score, and two scoring multiple goals. Twelve different players recorded at least one point.
The high man for Ramapo was senior Thomas Moskal, who scored twice and registered three assists. Fizer was right behind him, scoring twice and assisting on two goals. Other players recording points in this one was Piccinich, Maurer, Zach Norton, Daniel Klutkoski, Eric Miles, Brady Vella, Alex Cohen, Duncan Geoghegan and Jacob Hepburn.
For the Chargers, their four goals were scored by Lars Grant, Peter Richetelli, Connor Keaney and Michael Pilato. In goal, Fiorello had the night off as it was Bryan Bartels getting the start, saving 29 of 33 shot attempts. For New Haven, Thomas Fernandes faced 44 shots on goal, saving 34 of them.
Finally, the Roadrunners visited long-time Empire Conference rival Farmingdale State College on Saturday, Feb 3, and fell 6-1. Ramapo got out to a strong start, taking an early 1-0 lead courtesy of a Fizer goal midway through the first period, but from that point out, the Rams controlled the match.
Eric Immel tied the game late in the first period off an assist from Jacob Kravatz. In the second period, the Rams saw goals from Matthew Hawkins, Tim Duffy and Michael LoRicco to take a 4-1 lead. In the third period, the bleeding didn’t stop for the Roadrunners as Farmingdale added two more goals off the sticks of LoRicco and Joseph Minio, leading to the 6-1 final.
Fiorello faced 46 shot attempts from Farmingdale in net, saving 40 of them, and Jake Temkin saved 31 of 32 shot attempts from the Roadrunners.
On Saturday night, the Roadrunners will face off against the New Jersey Institute of Technology at the Ice Vault Arena in Wayne. Ramapo has three more games remaining this season until the start of the Empire Conference playoffs, where the Roadrunners will look to repeat as conference champions.
wjackso2@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of Tessa Pofahl
