Skyhawks return to playoffs following two-year hiatus
Schoen was named NE10 Goaltender of the Year this week leading the Conference in save percentage, saves, and minutes played (PHOTO BY: Mary Gettens) |
EASTON, Mass. (February 27, 2020) – Third-seeded Stonehill men's ice hockey team will make their way to South Burlington, Vermont for the second-straight weekend to face the second-seeded Saint Michael's College for the semifinal round of the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament on Saturday, February 29 at 4:00 p.m. at Cairns Arena.
Tickets for the first-round matchup will be $6 for adults, $4 for children/seniors and $1 for students (with a valid NE10 ID).
The winner of Saturday afternoon's game will advance to the NE10 Championship next Saturday, March 7, to face the winner of the other semifinal matchup between top-seeded Assumption College (15-8-4, 12-4-2 NE10) and fourth-seeded Franklin Pierce University (15-11-4, 8-7-3 NE10) being played at the Buffone Arena in Worcester, Massachusetts, at 8:30 p.m. The championship game will be played at the highest-remaining seeded arena.
Stonehill (11-11-5, 8-6-4 NE10) ranks third after the NE10 regular season, after a two-year hiatus from the Tournament. The Skyhawks emerged during the second half of the season posting a record of 10-4-4 after winter break, following their 1-7-1 record in November and December.
This will be the Skyhawks' 19th appearance in the NE10 Tournament, as they have taken the title in 2015-16 and in 2006-07. Their last appearance in the NE10 Tournament included a 4-1 loss to the Purple Knights in the 2016-17 season. Since 1999 when NE10 Tournament play began, Stonehill is 4-11 in the semifinal round, and have played Saint Michael's in four of their 11 losses during playoffs.
Earlier this week, the NE10 released All-Conference honors, as three Skyhawks appeared on the list, including seniors Matthew Schoen and Cameron Wright, and freshman Brendan Nehmer. Schoen was voted as the fourth Skyhawk to be named NE10 Goaltender of the Year. He was also named to the first team with classmate Wright, while Nehmer earned All-Rookie team status.
Wright currently leads the team with a career-high 29 points, scoring a career best 16 goals and 13 assists. Junior Kayser Raei follows the senior also with a career best 27 points, including nine goals and 18 assists. Nehmer is third on the team with 21 points, with six goals and 15 assists.
In the NE10, the Tolland, Connecticut native is ranked first in save percentage, saves and minutes played, second in wins, third in goals against average, and sixth in goals against. Throughout his career, Schoen has played in 28 games, giving up 77 goals against, for a 2.94 goals against average. He has totaled 942 saves for a .924 save percentage and a 12-11-3 record.
Stonehill and Saint Michael's have squared off three times this season and have split the series 1-1-1, as the Skyhawks kicked off the series with a 2-1 win at home and then most recently in South Burlington, the Purple Knights took the second game, 4-2, and the teams skated to a 3-3 draw on Saturday, February 22.
Wright was selected to the NE10 All-Conference team as he leads the team with career bests in points, goals, and assists (PHOTO BY: Mary Gettens) |
Saint Michael's has won five NE10 Tournament titles as they appear in their 19th NE10 Tournament. Last season, they lost in the semifinal round against Southern New Hampshire University, 3-2. The Purple Knights have a record of 10-7 in the semifinal round of the Tournament.
Most recently, Saint Michael's saw six names selected to the NE10 All-Conference list, as Sel Narby was tabbed as the Defensive Player of the Year. Narby leads the team with 26 points, including eight goals and 18 assists, while Paul McAuliffe leads the team with 11 goals as well as seven assists for 18 points. Matt Schreiner, who was selected to the All-Rookie team has totaled 10 goals with six assists for 16 points.
Senior goaltender, Tim Decker has played in 18 games giving up 49 goals for a 2.75 goals against average. He has totaled 532 saves for a .916 save percentage with a 12-4-1 record to lead the league. Decker was named to the NE10 All-Conference second team.
Stonehill and Saint Michael's have squared off three times this season and have split the series 1-1-1, as the Skyhawks kicked off the series with a 2-1 win at home and then most recently in South Burlington, the Purple Knights took the second game, 4-2, and the teams skated to a 3-3 draw on Saturday, February 22.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
2020 Northeast-10 Conference Ice Hockey Tournament
Saturday, February 29 – Semifinals
Game 1: No. 4 Franklin Pierce College at No. 1 Assumption College 8:30 p.m.
Game 2: No. 3 Stonehill College at No. 2 Saint Michael's College 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 7 – Championship
Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 *
*At highest-remaining seed arena
