Buffalo, March 20, 2013 – Ed Draper, head coach of the D’Youville Club Hockey Team, the Spartans, reports the team captured third place in the National Association of Intercollegiate Hockey’s (NAIH) national championship tournament held in Buffalo March 15 through the 17th.
The Spartans competed against Gannon University, Le Moyne College, Western Washington University and Ventura County Community College over the three-day period. All games were held in the Bud Bakewell Arena in Riverside and Cazenovia Rink in South Buffalo.
“After losing to the Knights from Gannon by a score of 5-4 in the first round, we had to fight our way to the medal round,” Draper said.
“This journey culminated with a thrilling overtime win over Gannon on a goal scored by freshman Justin Nelson to earn a berth to the bronze medal game.”
Riding high on the energy wave from the night before, the Spartans scored four goals prior to the Corsairs from Ventura Community getting on the board late in the second period.
“Ventura could not overcome our fast skating and was defeated 7-1. Justin Nelson and Spartan Captain Nate Wiles tallied for two goals apiece in the victory,” Draper said. Jordan Kilijanski and Clark Betyn rounded out the scoring.
Western Washington University went on to win the NAIH Championship in an exciting overtime game by defeating number one seed Le Moyne College by a score of 2-1.
