A season ago, Fairfield men’s club hockey enjoyed a banner season that lasted well into a national playoff tournament.
Only a few months ago, the Stags ended one of the team’s best seasons in program history, as the team compiled an overall record of 20-6 clinched and clinched a berth in the postseason.
Despite a 1-3 record in playoff play, the Stags ended their trip to the ACHA national tournament with a 6-3 victory over Old Dominion, concluding the visit and the team’s season on an all-time high note.
This season is looking just as strong as last year’s mark, as the team returns a core of veterans in a solid lineup.
With about four offensive lines and three defensive lines, the club hockey team is looking to win more games and advance deep into the postseason.
In fact, the team already looks as if it is building off of 2007’s success. The Stags have jumped out to a 6-3 record. In addition, Fairfield is currently ranked six in the ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) Power Rankings.
Despite the decent ranking in the ACHA polls, and the fact that the team lost several key seniors from last year’s roster, it looks as if this season’s version is just as talented.
Much of that talent come from several core players returning on defense and in goal.
Some key players include junior defender Anthony Mamone and both goaltenders, junior Kevin Curtis and freshman Mike Pagliuco. Both have proven to be dominating between the posts in the team’s early-season games.
The clear-cut vocal leader of this year’s team is returning’ head coach Marshall Richards. Richards served behind the bench a season ago in the Stags 20-win season.
This season, Richards tabbed junior Will McPherson and Kevin Curtis as the team’s primary captains, both of whom are joined by Dan Ferrara and Ethan Finley as assistant captains
Now in the team’s sixth year of existence, club hockey has evolved into a perennial contender with a consistent, loyal fan base traveling to the Wonderland of Ice in Bridgeport without fail to cheer on their beloved Stags.
Junior captain and right winger, Will McPherson claims that he is more than satisfied with the turnout at games.
Despite some disparities with the rink and bus transportation for fans, McPherson maintains that the crowds always seem to come.
‘All of our games are getting filled up,’ McPherson said. ‘We have a very strong base among families and students.’ ‘
Aside from the team’s regular-seaason games against MET rivals, the Red Sea can look forward to rivarly contests against SUNY-Farmingdale and Albany.
McPherson calls the SUNY Farmingdale rivalry a ‘friendly’ one, but added that games against Albany are always ‘a fierce battle’.
While Fairfield hockey will face off against these rivals in the regular season they will also participate in several regional tournaments, just as they have in years past.
The Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MET) versus College Hockey East (CHE) showcase, which is typically played in the middle of the regular season, and the league playoffs will mix up play for the team.
Regardless of the team’s hectic schedule – the’ farthest games take the Stags four hours north to upstate New York- the team anticipates that games this season are expected to be well played and well attended.
Despite facing common drawbacks as a club team with no school budget, the team pays to play and as a result is always poised for team loyalty and consistent effort from freshman.’
Freshman defender Brendan Sweeney is looking forward to a strong turnout at the team’s home games again this season.
‘I’m really excited about getting the fan buses so we can get some students to the games so they can see Dan Ferrara’s amazing power play goals,’ Sweeney said.
‘And of course so everyone can see me snipe,’ Sweeney added.
Following a game on Dec. 3 against the County College of Morris (CCM), the Stags play in-state rival Yale at the Wonderland of Ice on Friday, Dec. 5.
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