Image: WCU’s Brennan Whitaker
West Chester University’s own Golden Rams ice hockey team pulled off an impressive and captivating win on Friday, Sept. 20, stunning the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Crimson Hawks in a 5–0 shutout victory at Ice Line.
Prior to the season opener, Assistant Captains and Seniors Connor Keiser and Brennan Whitaker spoke to The Quad about the upcoming D1 season and the expectations for the team.
Q: What are some feelings you’ve had leading up to the beginning of the season?
Keiser: Excitement — it’s a growing feeling every day. The guys are eager and ready to play. I’m thrilled to see all the new guys play, we have brought in a lot of talent and skill. Although we had a lot of upperclassmen depart from the team, it helps a lot bringing some of our key pieces back as in the starting goalie (Chad Simmerman) and our top forward (Jake Vitullo). Their value to this team is insurmountable and irreplaceable; they bring passion, experience and leadership to the team.
Whitaker: A lot of emotions leading up to the season after two disappointing losses, but we have a special group of guys here and we are excited and ready to work and win games.
Q: What are some goals you feel the team has for this upcoming season?
Keiser: The bare minimum is to make it back to nationals and go all the way.
Whitaker: The goals are always the same and that is to win. We expect to win the ECHA conference championship as well as not only make another national championship appearance but make some big noise there.
How is the team preparing for this upcoming game against IUP?
Keiser: We have been practicing hard the weeks leading up to game week. Lots of conditioning and lifting off ice, some video. Coach likes to say, “1% better every day.” It’s just doing the right things like taking care of your body and school work so we can mentally be focused.
Whitaker: We prepare as if we are playing the number-one team each week. We work on our game and we feel we can compete with any team in the country.
Needless to say, the Golden Rams’ first game of the season was nothing short of exciting. The first period of the game saw the Rams go up two goals, the first scored by freshman forward, Aydin Thierolf (#28), and the second by junior forward, Tyler Carter (#55), both at even strength. The opener’s starting goalie, Patrick Goldschmidt, dazzled in the first, posting eight saves. The Rams’ biggest aid in this first period was their positioning and poise. Both goals were supported by the team’s ability to find each other on the ice and keep up a fast style of play that seemed to keep IUP on their toes at all times. The Golden Rams outshot the Crimson Hawks 19–8 in the first period, taking the 2–0 lead at first intermission.
While there was no update to the score in the second period, WCU’s Goldschmidt continued to shine, with 15 saves throughout the entire period. The Golden Rams also showcased their penalty kill during this period after they took their first penalty of the game for roughing after tensions rose between the teams following a pileup in WCU’s defensive zone. The team came to the aid of Goldschmidt after a play had IUP crashing the net, resulting in a minor scrum. The strong defensive core of the team was demonstrated during this penalty kill, only further amplifying the importance of connection and on-ice chemistry between the Rams. Following the second period, the Rams continued to hold their lead of 2–0 but were outshot by IUP 15–10.
The third period was full of action, much more so than the previous periods. Goldschmidt continued to dazzle with save after save as IUP’s play style became rougher and more defensive. The Golden Rams scored two more goals in the first half of the period, another by freshman Aydin Thierolf (#28), and one by grad student forward and team captain, Jake Vitullo (#11), on the power play. Tensions between the teams came to a head after WCU junior defenseman, Robbie Moses (#74), took a hard hit into the boards and was slow to get up.
The play was stopped for over 10 minutes as three separate brawls began, resulting in a multitude of 10-minute misconducts and penalties toward both teams that ended in a total of six 10-minute misconducts, and four penalties. Tensions were certainly heightened for the remainder of the game, with rough play and the continued talk between teams resulting in one more scrum, which had both teams taking one more roughing penalty just over a minute after the play resumed.
WCU scored once more in the third period, a power play goal by sophomore forward, Zach Crain (#22). The period ended with a final score of 5–0, displaying the dominance of the Rams over the Crimson Hawks. Starting goalie Patrick Goldschmidt posted his first shutout of the season with a total of 44 saves across three periods.
The Golden Rams’ season opener was nothing short of amazing, displaying the passion and grit of the D1 hockey team. One thing is for certain: this team is exciting and fun to watch. The Rams hope to repeat their previous success and return to the ECHA championships, as well as head to the national championships as well.
The Rams’ next home game will be played on Nov. 8, 8:30 p.m., at Ice Line, hosting Towson University. Admission is free for WCU students who show their school ID.
Spencer Kerrigan is a sophomore media and culture major with a journalism minor.