Icecats torpedo Navy, win twice

The Icecats (17-1) swept the Midshipmen (8-7) by beating them 11-2 on Friday and 6-2 on Saturday in front of a weekend total of 9,351 fans.

"We really needed these two wins," Icecat coach Leo Golembiewksi said. "What we were hoping for was some momentum (before) going on the road, and I think we accomplished that after the loss to Delaware."

The momentum for the Icecats began in the first period Saturday night. Sophomore Bob Majka sparked the scoring, connecting at 7:47 off of passes from co-captain Peter Scott and Josh Flett.

Center Brian Consolino notched in the second goal at 9:20 off of passes from seniors Sam Battaglia and Joel Nusbaum. The Icecats took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission, having outshot the Midshipmen 17-7.

"You've got to give a lot of credit to the whole team," Golembiewski said. "We're without Meehan and Knick and we've got incredible bumps and bruises from Consolino to Flett to Scott to Nusbaum. We're very proud of what we've accomplished."

Sophomore Andy Knick is still injured after suffering a severe concussion against Kent last weekend. Doctors say he has a bruised brain and the time of his return remains up in the air.

Nagging injuries did not stop Consolino, however, from completing a hat trick. It was his second of the weekend. His second goal came in the second period on a power-play at 8:45, off of passes from Battaglia and junior Ben Ruston.

However, Navy's Joe Carney would score two goals in the second period, pulling Navy within reach.

Scott connected on another power-play at 16:15 off of passes from Flett and Ruston.

The game still remained a question mark as the Icecats headed for the locker room with a 4-2 lead with only one period to play.

After freshman goaltender Beau LeMire let in two goals in the second period, freshman Mike Tesi took over for the rest of the game.

Golembiewski said LeMire has not been playing well.

"He let two soft goals in again," he said. "That can't happen. He had something to say about it at the end of the second period and I had something to say about it too - 'Tesi has the third period.'"

Tesi showed he has what it takes to come in off the bench, blocking Navy's eight shots on goal.

"It's pretty scary coming in cold," Tesi said. "Once I'm out there I feel good. After the first shot comes at you, you don't have time to be nervous."

Golembiewski said Tesi has been in the organization since he was 11 years old having grown up performing such duties as stick boy and equipment manager.

"I'm very proud of him," Golembiewski said. "He did a great job in the third period."

The Icecats scored two last minute goals to clinch the victory.