FOLLOW THE ACTION
Dates: Friday February 3rd | Saturday February 4th
Place: Morgantown Ice Arena Morgantown, WV | Rostraver Ice Garden Belle Vernon, PA
Time: FRI: 9:30 p.m. | SAT: 7:45 p.m.
Teams: PennWest California Vulcans (12-8-1, 8-3-1) vs. West Virginia University Mountaineers – D2 (11-4-2-0-1, 4-4-1) | PennWest California Vulcans (12-8-1, 8-3-1) vs. Kent State University Golden Flashes (14-7-1, 12-2-1)
Watch: FRI: WVU YouTube | SAT: LiveBarn

THE MATCHUP

• The Vulcans enter this challenging two-game weekend after a weekend split at the UPJ showcase. At the showcase, the Vulcans struggled to find offense against Pitt-Johnstown, falling 5-1 while flipping the script against Rowan, picking up a 5-2 victory.
• A familiar name will be first up for the Vulcans this weekend, however a new opponent. The Vulcans will travel south to take on the Mountaineers of West Virginia, but not those competing within the College Hockey East (CHE). Instead, they will take on the club’s ACHA Division II team. The weekend's second matchup will have the Vulcans in a pivotal CHE matchup against Kent State University. The Golden Flashes hold the top spot in the CHE standings, and a win for the Vulcans can keep their hopes of a first-round bye in the playoffs alive.
• Since 2016 Cal 1 has been undefeated when playing at Morgantown Ice Arena.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK BACK

• In the showcase, the Vulcans met the Ice Cats for the third time this season. However, this time was a nonconference meeting.
• The Ice Cats set the tone quickly in the contest, with two goals in the first two minutes, taking a quick 2-0 lead, which ultimately would prove to be enough.
• Halfway through the period, Xavier Rolin struck back with the Vulcans lone goal of the contest, cutting the lead to 2-1 heading into the first intermission.
• The Vulcans could not hold off the Ice Cats, though, as they would add three more goals, two late in the second and one early in the third, to take the 5-1 victory.
• You can find the full UPJ box score here. A Rowan box score has yet to be reported.

LAST TIME OUT WITH THE GOLDEN FLASHES

• The Vulcans met the Golden Flashes earlier this season on October 8th in their second CHE road contest. The Golden Flashes were victorious 5-2.
• That contest was a starting point for the Vulcans second-period goal differential downfalls as they allowed the Golden Flashes to outscore them 4-0 in the middle period.
• Kent State managed to find success for their top scorers that day as their leading four-point scorers recorded four of the five goals. Two of those goals came from top player Alex Sanchez.
• For the Vulcans, both goals came in the third period by Joseph Chopp and Matt Karpuzka.
• The Golden Flashes saw the advantage in shots over the Vulcans 45-32, with Evan Cook getting the nod in net that evening. Additionally, the Golden Flashes recorded both a short-handed and power-play goal.
• Check out the full box score.

A LOOK AT THE MOUNTAINEERS

• The Mountaineers enter this weekend off a 5-1 victory over James Madison University to clinch a spot in CHMA playoffs.
• The Mountaineers and Vulcans met last season, with the Mountaineers picking up a 4-0 victory.
• Nathan Panchisin (nine goals, 12 assists, and 21 points) and Nicholas Mohardt (eight goals, nine assists, and 17 points) lead the way for the Mountaineers.
• Michael Mackey has started 10 of 16 games this season for the Mountaineers, posting a record of 6-3-1. Additionally, Michael has accumulated a 3.06 goals-against average .902 save percentage.

A LOOK AT THE GOLDEN FLASHES

• The Golden Flashes are coming off a tough weekend that saw them face 10th-ranked Purdue University, dropping both contests 10-3 and 6-3. Before that, the Golden Flashes opened the second half of the season with CHE league action, tying Robert Morris University (2-2) and defeating Duquesne University (7-0).
• Dating back to the 2019-20 season, the Vulcans hold a 3-2 series lead over the Golden Flashes, with all games being decided by at least three goals or more.
• Alex Sanchez (26 goals, 17 assists, and 43 points) and Luke Maier (eight goals, 17 assists, and 25 points) lead the way for the Golden Flashes. Sanchez also leads the team with four short-handed goals and three game-winning goals. While Noah Voelker has a team-leading three power-play goals.
• Bailey Hammons has started 14 of 22 games this season for the Golden Flashes, posting a record of 12-1-1. Additionally, Bailey has accumulated a 1.49 goals-against average .945 save percentage.

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 host the Indiana University of PA and Case Western Reserve.