Kent, OH – Resilience is the word that can describe not only the 2022-23 Vulcans (19-11-1, 12-5-1) but the entire club. According to Oxfords English Dictionary, that would mean “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; or toughness.” Many could argue that it has been on display for the Vulcans for nearly two years. However, for this group, it was never felt more this season than while sitting in the locker room during the second intermission trailing St. Vincent College (17-9, 10-8) 2-1 in College Hockey East (CHE) Finals.

General Manager Jamison Roth stated, “Winners know how to win, leadership and culture are the difference, and consistency wins championships.” There was that and a team that had something else to play for. The Vulcans came out in that third period and put truth behind Roth’s words showing their resilience once again, quickly scoring two goals in the opening three minutes of the final period. A quick spark to give the Vulcans a lead in the contest, one they would never give up on their way to a 5-3 victory, earning them the championship belt for the first time since the 2020 playoffs.

It was a team effort on Sunday, with four players recording goals in the contest. Sunday’s game began with a lot of emotion and energy from the semi-final victory against the University of Pitt-Johnstown (5-3), a team that swept the Vulcans during the regular season. Much of it carried into the title match, with Mike Farkal providing an early spark just minutes into the contest on a Vulcan powerplay for an early 1-0 lead. The Polar Bearcats would become the beneficiaries of the following two goals in the game. The first came late in the first period on a powerplay, while the second came halfway through the middle period to give them the 2-1 lead.

As has been the case with much of the season, the Vulcans did what they do best: outscore their opponent at the end of the game. Following the two quick goals just minutes into the third period off the sticks of Emery Anden and Farkal, the Vulcans would add more. Halfway through the final period, the Vulcans doubled their lead when Matt Karpuzka added one in the back of the net, making it 4-2. Both Anden and Karpuzka managed to record their first of the postseason with those goals.

Late in the third, the Polar Bearcats cut into the Vulcans lead with just over a minute remaining. Shortly after, they pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker for a last attempt at sending the final into overtime; however, Tony Manuel sealed the fate with an empty net goal moments later, stamping a victory on the CHE Final for the Vulcans. The Vulcans were slightly outshot, with the Polar Bearcats recording 44-40 on the afternoon.

Over the weekend, Vulcan goaltender Adam Serakowski stopped 121 of 129 shots for a .938 save percentage. Offensively, Farkal led the way with the most goals at four, while Manuel posted the most points with five.

Sunday was the culmination of another successful season for the Vulcans showing the resilience of a group that has endured so much over the past few years. It ended up winning the title after suffering defeat last year, only the second time other than 2014 that the Vulcans did not bring home the title since 2007. This victory marked the club's 14th CHE Playoff championship; however, it may have only been more fitting if it were the club's 19th.

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