FOLLOW THE ACTION
Dates: Saturday, January 28 | Sunday, January 29
Place: 1st Summit Arena at War Memorial | Johnstown, PA
Time: SAT: 8:30 p.m. | SUN: 12:00 p.m.
Teams: PennWest California Vulcans (11-7-1) vs. University of Pitt-Johnstown Ice Cats (12-7-1) | PennWest California Vulcans (11-7-1) vs. Rowan University Profs (7-5)
Watch: LiveBarn

THE MATCHUP

• The Vulcans enter the showcase from a dominating performance against the Zips from Akron, keeping them in the chase for a top-two finish within the College Hockey East (CHE) standings.
• This weekend provides the Vulcans two chances to impress outside of the CHE. While a familiar foe, the University of Pitt-Johnstown (UPJ) is a member of the CHE, Saturday’s contest will not go down a recorded contest in the standings.
• While last year’s UPJ Showcase did not see the Vulcans participate, the Vulcans are not strangers to partaking in the event. In the four years the Vulcans have participated, they have compiled a 6-3-1 record. Three of those times, the Vulcans have faced off against Rowan, recording a victory in all three.
• Since falling to the Vulcans back on November 12th, Rowan has played .500 hockey, posting a record of 2-2.
• On the road again: Rowan University will continue its travels this season. They have gone on the road to play Columbia University, Indiana University of PA, Florida Gulf Coast, Hope College, Calvin University, and the UPJ Showcase. By the completion of this weekend, the Profs will have traveled a total of 5,232 miles round trip.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK BACK

• The Vulcans and Zips met for the first time this season last weekend and saw the Vulcans come away with an 8-4 victory.
• The Zips struck first, wasting little time, recording the goal within the first two minutes of the contest. After that, however, the Vulcans posted the following six goals to take a commanding lead.
• Tony Manuel led the way for goal scorers with two, although it was a balanced attack for the Vulcans, with seven players recording a goal in the contest. In addition, 10 players recorded a point, three of whom managed to have two points in the game (Manuel, Joseph Chopp, and Emery Anden).
• It was the Zips who managed to lead the way in shots with a 32-27 advantage. However, Adam Serakowski picked up his ninth victory of the season, stopping 28 of those shots.
• Check out the entire game box score.

A LOOK AT THE ICE CATS

• The Ice Cats have come into this contest going 5-5-1 since they first met the Vulcans in October.
• Most recently, the Ice Cats completed a trip to Western Ohio, facing a group of highly-ranked opponents. While they dropped all the games against #15 Miami (OH), #9 Grand Valley State, and #14 University of Nebraska, it was only the game against Grand Valley State that was out of reach, putting on an excellent representation for the CHE.
• Aiden Rice (10 goals, 24 assists, and 34 points) and Logan Fear (12 goals, 19 assists, and 31 points) lead the way for the Ice Cats. Zachary Zeto leads the team in game-winning goals (three), and Caden Kaczorowski leads the team in power-play goals (five).
• Drew Pfeil has started 16 of 20 games this season for the Ice Cats posting a record of 9-6-1. Additionally, Drew has accumulated a 3.94 goals-against average .893 save percentage.

A LOOK AT THE PROFS

• The Profs will return to action for the second half of the season when they get underway on Saturday against UPJ and follow up with the Vulcans on Sunday.
• Their final action of the first half of the season saw them take on ACHA Division III perennial powers in Hope College and Calvin University. Hope has held on to the top spot in the rankings for the entire season thus far, while Calvin has bounced around its mid 20’s. The Profs hung tough early with Hope; however, they were no match late in the contest as they pulled away for the 7-2 victory. The opposite was the case against Calvin as the Knights pulled away early as the Profs tried to crawl back into the contest.
• Aadan Plank (six goals, seven assists, and 13 points) and Colin Sullo (seven goals, three assists, and 10 points) lead the way for the Ice Cats. Plank also has a team-leading two short-handed goals.
• Matt Lynch has started 10 of 11 games this season for the Profs posting a record of 6-3-1. Additionally, Matt has accumulated a 3.01 goals-against average .919 save percentage.

NEW SEMESTER, NEW TRENDS?

• In the Vulcans game against the Zips they managed to record five second-period goals. Those goals brought their season total of second-period goals to 26 compared to their opponents' 25.
• During the first half of the season, second-period scoring proved the worst for the Vulcans as they easily outscored opponents in the first, third, and overtime.
• The Vulcans may need to look to shift another trend moving forward with short-handed goals allowed, as the team has given up five all during the first half of the season.
• While the short-handed goal change has proven through two games so far, it may need to continue past Sunday as Rowan has managed three as a team this season.

VULCANS LEADING THE WAY

• Tony Manuel (12 goals, 12 assists, and 24 points) and Matt Lucido (seven goals, nine assists, and 16 points) lead the way for the Vulcans. Emery Anden leads the team in power-play goals (two).
• Adam Serakowski has started 15 of 19 games this season for the Vulcans, posting a record of 9-5-1. Additionally, Adam has accumulated a 2.43 goals-against average .934 save percentage.

WHAT COMES NEXT

• Vulcans will head to Morgantown to take on West Virginia University ACHA DII.