FOLLOW THE ACTION
Dates: Friday February 17th | Saturday February 18th
Place: Rostraver Ice Garden Belle Vernon, PA
Time: FRI: 9:45 p.m. | SAT: 7:00 p.m.
Teams: PennWest California Vulcans (14-10-1, 10-4-1) vs. Robert Morris University Colonials (5-10-3, 5-7-3) | PennWest California Vulcans (14-10-1, 10-4-1) vs. Duquesne University Dukes (5-11, 5-11)

Watch | Follow: LiveBarn | @VulcansHockey

THE MATCHUP

• The Vulcans enter this weekend coming off a successful weekend that saw them pick up two victories against Indiana University of PA and Case Western Reserve University.
• With playoffs looming, this weekend plays large with the opponents entering the Ice Garden as they look to fight for a spot in the tournament as the Vulcans are settling into their place for the early March classic.

LAST TIME OUT WITH THE COLONIALS

• The Vulcans and Colonials met on December 10th at the Island Sports Complex to finish up the first semester.
• At the time, the Vulcans came into the contest as a team riding high and had won seven of their past nine.
• The teams played extra hockey and skated to a 2-2 tie after 65 minutes of play.
• In that game, the Vulcans received their offensive contributions from Xavier Rolin and Matt Lucido. However, while in net, it was Adam Serakowski who stopped 36 of 38 shots faced.
• For the Colonials, they were led by Justin Newton and Tyler Weekly, each recording a goal.
• Check out the full box score.

LAST TIME OUT WITH THE DUKES

• The Vulcans and the Dukes met earlier in the season, back on October 28th. However, for the Vulcans, it was their ninth contest at the time, but they were playing five hundred hockey. So it was the ability to push the season forward.
• On the other hand, the Dukes came in as their fourth contest looking to pick up their first victory.
• It was a game that saw scoring spurts which started with the Dukes first, followed by five straight from the Vulcans. Three of the following four came from the Dukes, giving the contest a 6-4 second-period score.
• The scoring spurts in the contest are playing havoc on the goaltenders as both teams would have their netminders chased from the contest. Evan Cook began the game in net for the Vulcans playing the first two periods, allowing all four goals. Serakowski relieved him for the third period and managed to stop all 11 shots that came his way. For the Dukes, both Zachary Alvarado and Zachary Ott split time in the net during the contest.
• Offensively, the Vulcans were led by Tanner Kalmanir and Matt Karpuzka, who recorded two goals each in the contest. The Dukes Matthew Lasker posted two goals of his own as well.
• The Vulcans finished with an 8-4 victory; check out the full box score here.

PLAYOFFS?

• Playoffs are right around the corner, beginning on March 3rd in Kent, OH.
• The top six seeds within the College Hockey East will earn a spot in the tournament, with seeds one and two earning a bye into the semifinals.
• Based on current standings, the top two seeds are 1st (Kent State) and 2nd (Pitt-Johnstown).
• Currently, the 3rd – 6th place matchups would fall as follows: 3rd (California) vs. 6th (Robert Morris) and 4th (Saint Vincent) vs. 5th (Akron).
• With games still to be played, many possibilities remain.
• Last year’s title game saw the Vulcans compete against Indiana University of PA. However, unfortunately, they fell 2-1 in that contest.
• The Vulcans last won the College Hockey East playoff championship in 2020 (*no playoffs were held in 2021 due to COVID-19) over Pitt-Johnstown 5-4 in overtime.
• The Vulcans have won more playoff championships than any other team in College Hockey East history, with 13.
• To read more about this year’s playoffs, please visit the official home of the College Hockey East Playoffs.

A LOOK AT THE COLONIALS

• The Colonials enter this weekend coming off a 4-3 victory over Indiana University of PA.
• Parker Smith (11 goals, six assists, and 17 points) and Justin Newton (six goals, nine assists, and 15 points) lead the way for the Colonials. Both Smith and Tyler Weekly led the team in power-play goals with three.
• Nicholas Arcaya has started nine of 20 games this season for the Colonials, posting a record of 2-5-2. Additionally, Nicholas has accumulated a 3.85 goals-against average .884 save percentage.

A LOOK AT THE DUKES

• The Spartans enter this weekend after a 5-3 defeat to the University of Pitt-Johnstown.
• Michael Krzyzewski (10 goals, 13 assists, and 23 points) and Nicholas Lippa (nine goals, nine assists, and 18 points) lead the way for the Dukes.
• Daymond Kovaly has started 10 of 15 games this season for the Dukes, posting a record of 3-7. Additionally, Daymond has accumulated a 4.55 goals-against average .819 save percentage.

VULCANS LEADING THE WAY

• Tony Manuel (13 goals, 14 assists, and 27 points) and Mike Vasko (five goals, 13 assists, and 18 points) lead the way for the Vulcans. Emery Anden leads the team in power-play goals (two).
• Adam Serakowski has started 17 of 23 games this season for the Vulcans, posting a record of 10-6-1. Additionally, Adam has accumulated a 2.58 goals-against average .929 save percentage.

WHAT COMES NEXT

• Vulcans will travel to face the University of Akron before preparing for the College Hockey East playoffs.