Sacred Heart University celebrates first MCHC conference championship in program history:
    The road to a championship is never an easy one, the path is cluttered with obstacles to overcome, patch up and pave over. However, when the foundation holds strong and an organization is built upon dedication, determination, and resilience, champions are born. The Pioneers DIII ACHA hockey team saw their hard work come to fruition as they braved the Privateer infested waters of the MCHC conference finals, and delivered home some new hardware for the club sports trophy case defeating SUNY Maritime 5-2.
    The Pioneers knew what was on the line going into Sunday night's matchup against a formidable SUNY Maritime hockey team. After coming within inches of the MCHC trophy during their 2021-2022 season, nothing was stopping them from claiming what was rightfully theirs. Captain Kevin Harcourt and Michael Angeletti got the scoring started in the first separated by 1:36 to give the Pioneers a quick 2-0 lead. The Privateers would not sit back and capitalized on a defensive breakdown to bring the game to 2-1.
    In a controversial play, as the Maritime goalie threw his stick on what would have been a sure Pioneers goal, head coach Jordy Hagwell was tasked with a decision that could spell brilliance or disaster. The choice of a penalty shot, or a 2-minute 5v4 powerplay. Trusting in his senior forward, Logan Gallagher, Hagwell decided to take the penalty shot. With ease Gallagher slipped the puck between the goalies legs to give the Pioneers a 3-1 late in the first. At intermission we were able to speak with coach Hagwell on his decision to take the shot, Hagwell stated "I spoke to my coaching staff and the idea was that a third goal would swing momentum in our direction. Before the decision was made, I looked on the ice and saw #17 standing out there, in my gut, I knew he would capitalize. Playoff Gally is a different animal."
    Following the goal from Gallagher, Jack Reid decided that a 2 goal lead wasn't enough and buried a feed from junior assistant captain Stanley Duwal to make it a 4-1 game. However, the Privateers would not sit back and tallied a late goal to bring the game to 4-2 at the conclusion of the first. The second period saw a stalemate as neither the Pioneers or the Privateers could find the back of the net. The stalemate could be largely attributed to the discipline from the SHU defensive core led by assistant captain Richard Myers. RM – "We knew what we had to do to finish the game, we decided that playing smarter and more defensive was the way to do it. We changed our game from the usual get it and go to a gritter type of dump, chase and grind down low".
    The third period was no different as the Pioneers defense held the Privateers scoreless. Again, in reliable fashion, Captain Kevin Harcourt decided to put the game out of reach, potting his second of the night and securing the game with a final score 5-2.
    As the final buzzer sounded with players spilling over the boards and throwing their gear into the air, the job was done, the Pioneers were champions for the first time since their formation in 2012. Through all the emotion and chaos of the celebration, Captain Kevin Harcourt had this to say: "There is no better feeling than this. There are really no words to describe it. We have worked day in and day out to reach the top of the mountain. WE will never forget this feeling. Our hard work has finally paid off."
    The Pioneers are not quite done yet. The team will continue to work and prepare as they await to find out if they punch their ticket to the ACHA National Tournament in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
