The FGCU Division II club hockey team swept both of its games in dominating fashion against Delaware. The Eagles beat the Blue Hens 11-1 on Friday and followed it up with another beatdown, 10-1 on Saturday.
Game One – Friday, October 24
The first goal came two minutes into the game. FGCU forward Shayne Tomlinson scored an unassisted goal with his backhand on the second shot of the game.
The tone of the opening period was set early with an abundance of physical play. There was no shortage of contact as both squads finished their checks and battled along the boards throughout the period.
Trey Wandall extended the Eagles’ (10-0-0) lead at 12:11, scoring a goal with assists from Aiden McCarthy and Ty Broten. Late in the period, a contact to the head penalty did not go unanswered. The hit drew an immediate response from Eagles forward David Walsh, who stepped in for his teammate.
“Walsh is the kind of kid that’s always sticking up for his teammates,” head coach Eric Mabie said. “All the guys know that he has their back, and we’re pretty happy about it.”
The Blue Hens (4-7-0) opened the second period with three scoring opportunities to open the period, but came up empty.
FGCU added a flurry of goals beginning at 6:58 from Jordan Comilla, Carson Engelmann and Adam Beauvais. All three goals occurred within two minutes. Colin Anna added a shorthanded goal at 15:09.
Delaware’s Aidan Starr scored on a rush opportunity at 17:26 to cut the lead 6-1. Eagles forward Broten increased the lead to 7-1 at 19:56.
The game’s physical play built up to this point, leading to a scrum after the goal. Four players, two on each team, were given roughing majors and game misconducts.
Early in the third period, FGCU went on the power play following a roughing minor penalty. Eagles defenseman scored on the ensuing power play when he rifled a shot from the point for FGCU’s eighth goal.
FGCU defenseman Blake Farrell added a pair of goals and Chad Noetzel’s goal at 18:20 sealed the 11-1 win for FGCU.
The Eagles controlled the pace of play, outshooting Delaware 47-16. Goaltender Mason DeCaire recorded 15 saves in the contest.
Game Two – Saturday, Oct. 25
The Eagles found themselves trailing just 23 seconds into the game when Delaware forward Brendan Stamm opened the scoring.
FGCU never wavered, and Jaiz Barner scored the equalizer at 16:21. Less than a minute later, Eagles forward Beauvais gave FGCU the lead. Broten would add another goal whilst killing a penalty to make it 3-1. From this point, the Eagles never looked back.
FGCU forwards Barner and Tomlinson each added two more goals in the middle frame. Tomlinson’s goal came on the power play.
Eagles forward Engelmann scored his second goal of the weekend 19 seconds into the final frame. Six minutes later, Anna would bury another to make it 7-1.
FGCU’s lethal power play continued its work in the third period, adding three more goals. Noetzel, Anna and defenseman Braedon Dougherty found the back of the net on the man advantage.
Delaware’s goal in the beginning wound up being the only blemish against goaltender Kai Girard, who earned his third win of the season by stopping 13 of 14 shots on goal.
“We’re not trying to score [in double-figures] every night, but when it happens, it’s great. I’m happy with the result,” Mabie said.
The Eagles sit undefeated with 10 wins going into their bye week. They will return to action against the DePaul Blue Demons on Nov. 7 and 8.
