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Icecats too much for Rutgers

Using their size and quickness, the Icecats made easy work of a smaller Rutgers University squad this weekend, sweeping both games in dominating fashion.

With 10-2 and 12-0 victories, the Icecats now move their record to 8-1-0, with a game against No. 5 Delaware next weekend.

Head coach Leo Golembiewski used various combinations on all lines, a move that paid off with 22 goals in two games.

"We used lots of combinations this weekend, we are looking for that edge that we had early on," Golembiewski said.

Rutgers was able to play it close in the first period Friday night, before the speed of the Icecats proved too tough to stop.

Ed Carfora set the tone early against the Ice Knights, wristing in a goal 57 seconds in.

Rutgers was able to capitalize on a penalty by senior center Hunter Cherenack, with a power play goal 30 seconds later.

Crisp passing and quality shots led to two more Icecats goals before Rutgers was able to get a breakaway goal, making the score 3-2. That was a close as the Knights would get all weekend.

A more aggressive defense came out to play in the second period of Friday's game, and didn't leave the ice until 10:30 Saturday night.

Both sophomore Jason Morgan and senior Mark Meister turned out solid performances in net, with Meister garnering his first shutout of the season.

The Icecats was able to keep the Rutgers defense on its heels, pushing the puck up ice with ease and getting off quick shots.

Friday's game started off with a moment of silence in honor of former teammate Paul Juran, who was killed last weekend in a car accident. For the remainder of the season the Icecats will be wearing Juran's No. 6 on their helmets.

Two unexpected performances for Icecats this weekend were hat tricks by junior left wing Carfora and Cherenack.

Carfora is coming off a huge road trip, where he had 10 points in three games. He started right where he left off at Scranton (Penn.) by beginning the scoring fest with a pass of the stick of Cherenack.

The Icecats will need the extra scoring to make up for junior left wing Mike Graves, who had surgery on his wrist last week and may redshirt this season, depriving the Icecats of its third leading scorer from last season.

"In order for us to be successful we all need to step up and score more," Carfora said.

Next up for the Icecats is a showdown with Delaware, a game the team has been looking forward to the entire season.

"The game against Delaware is one of the most important this semester," junior right wing Paul Dorn said.