NEWS

SHU D2 ice hockey has become the first club team to win in the Martire Family Arena on the Sacred
Heart University campus. They defeated the University of New Hampshire 5-2 on Sunday night to close
out the university’s festivities for opening weekend. On-ice action started following a ceremonial puck
drop by Sacred Heart University Director of Club Sports, Fitness, and Recreation Ray Mencio and Dean of
Students Larry Wielk. Senior Justin Bernhard made history as the first club player to score a goal in the
MFA when he put SHU on top in the first period. The Pioneers added 2 more, with goals from junior Nick
Chiurazzi and freshman Maxwell Brown heading into the first intermission up 3-0. UNH closed the gap in the
second, scoring twice before senior Mark Garfinkel extended the Pioneer lead with just under 1 minute
remaining in the period. The Wildcats were held scoreless again in the third. Junior Ryan Oechsner
sealed the win for SHU with a power play goal in the 9th minute. Junior goaltender Corey Splaine became
the first club goaltender to record a win in the new arena, tallying 29 saves. When asked for his thoughts
on the team’s first game back from winter break, senior captain Max Mele said, “We really came
together as a team in the new arena to start off the semester right with a big win.”
Fans who missed the first look at the Martire Family Arena this weekend have plenty more opportunity
to see the facility this season. SHU has 7 home games remaining on the schedule. Visit
www.shuclubsports.com for more information on upcoming games and the team. All three of the SHU
ACHA Teams, MD2; MD3, and WD2, will be playing home games at the new arena this and in future
seasons.