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The 2021-2022 ECU Hockey season officially dropped the puck this past weekend in front of two tremendous crowds at the Carolina Ice Zone!

On Friday, September 17th, the Pirates and Christopher Newport exchanged the physicality early as each team was eager to get the game going. ECU controlled the period in the shot department but neither team could find the first goal of the game. It would be the Captains who would strike first in the second period, getting a short-handed goal just over halfway through. CNU would add another and despite only getting six shots on net, they would take a two-goal lead into the third period.

While the Pirates dominated on the shot clock, they continued to find no puck luck until Erik Throndson (Jr.) grabbed his first collegiate goal around the eight-minute mark with a wrist shot from the point. Just a few minutes later, Dylan LeBlanc (Jr.) would even the score up with another blue line shot as both ECU goals would come on the man-advantage. Continuing to dominate possession of play, the Pirates could not find the go-ahead tally. With under four minutes to play, the Captains would score the next two goals in a span of 44 seconds forcing a timeout by ECU. As they continued the constant pressure, the Pirates would get within one goal after pulling their goalie as Daniel Kuhner (Jr.) would deflect a shot in front.

However, that would be all the Pirates could get as they would drop the opening contest of the season by a score of 4-3. ECU outshot the Captains by a margin of 76-25. Graham Emmett (Sr.) would suffer the loss in net.

The Pirates would look to bounce back on Saturday, September 18th, with the two teams facing off to finish out the weekend set. The scoring would come at a much higher pace and the Pirates didn't keep the home crowd waiting for as long as the night prior. Dylan LeBlanc (Jr.) would get the ball rolling for ECU with his second goal of the weekend with seven minutes remaining. CNU would even the score with under three minutes to play but the Pirates would answer right back as Cam Gross (Sr.) would score his first goal on the young season as that score would head heading into the intermission.

The second period would take a turn in favor of the Captains as they would score the next three goals to take a 4-2 lead before the ten-minute mark. The Pirates would run into some penalty trouble but with great play by their penalty kill, CNU would be unable to capitalize on anything. The score would hold but going into the third period, ECU would have to kill off a 5-minute penalty. Starting off the period, the Pirates would successfully get the huge penalty kill but just after time ran out, the Captains would increase their lead to three goals.

With the game slowly slipping away from them, the Pirates never showed quit. Only a couple of minutes later, Hudson Sheaffer (Sr.) would get ECU back on the board as it would open up a surge from the men in black. About a minute later, Caleb Downs (Jr.) would get ECU within one goal before rookie Connor Dubberly (Fr.) would tie the game with his first collegiate goal with a deflection from the blue line. All three goals would come within a span of 1:25. With play slowing down a bit over the next several minutes, the Pirates would regain their lead when LeBlanc would score his second of the game. The Captains would get lucky with about three minutes to go when a shot from the side wall would tip off of an ECU stick to beat Emmett and tie the game.

ECU and CNU continued back and forth and with 51 seconds to play, LeBlanc would ring one off of the back bar only for the goal not to be called. After a scrum in front of the net, the officiating crew gathered for a few minutes to discuss. With both teams waiting on the call, the referee's arm signaled a goal causing the Pirate bench to erupt in celebration. With time still left to play, the Pirates would suffocate the Captains for the remainder not allowing any quality chances on net and would hold on for the 7-6 victory and earn their first win of the season.

Graham Emmett (Sr.) would notch his first win of the season making 37 saves as each team would finish with 43 shots on goal.

Players earning assists over the weekend were Ian McLin (Sr.), Mason McMahon (Sr.), Christopher DePerno (Jr.), Alex Fisher (Jr.), Cam Anderson (Jr.), Connor Dubberly (Fr.) and Andrew Kiriloff (Sr.) while Emmett faced 68 shots from Christopher Newport. The Pirates put up 117 shots over the two games while going 3/17 on the Power-Play as the Captains would go 4/13 on their man advantage.

The two teams will meet again on the weekend of January 21/22, 2022 in Virginia. Next up for the Pirates will be William & Mary on Friday, October 1st, at the Carolina Ice Zone. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:15 PM.

#WETHEEAST