By: Russ Eddins

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Florida Atlantic University and Vanderbilt University clinched playoff spots in week 14. Several other teams also drew closer to securing their spots in the postseason with key victories.

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Alabama-Huntsville vs Vanderbilt

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Despite COVID-19 sidelining head coach Max Mona, the Commodores took three out of four possible points from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Game one resulted in a 5-4 victory for Vanderbilt, while game two was a 3-2 overtime win for the Chargers. 

In game one, Julian Yang played a part in all five goals for the Commodores. He scored two goals and three assists.

Tom Bernstein and Ricky Hernandez stepped in for Mona over the weekend. The two have a combined 15 years of coaching experience with Vanderbilt hockey. 

Vanderbilt goalie Andrew Shearson stopped 49 of 54 UAH shots in game one and made 33 saves against 36 shots in game two.

“Shearson, in particular, continues to be a pivotal figure, consistently demonstrating leadership and skills that drive the team forward,” said Mona. 

Vanderbilt is two points ahead of the University of Tennessee D2 for the top spot in the North Division.

In game one, Kolton Watts, who is tied with Kaleb Watts for the team lead in goals, assists and points, scored a goal and two assists. On Sunday, he also scored the overtime goal to win game two for the Chargers. 

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Cameron Crawford played a pivotal role in game two for the Chargers. He stopped 32 of 34 shots on the way to their overtime win.

Tampa (D2) vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the University of Tampa split their series. The Eagles dominated the Spartans on home ice, winning game one 6-3. 

Ray Olson of ERAU led the Eagles with two goals and one assist. Three other Eagles recorded two points in the win.

The Spartans bounced back with a shutout win on home ice. Tampa goalie Sebastian Fontana stopped all 22 ERAU shots to secure his first shutout of the season.

The Eagles head coach, Bob Joyce, was unavailable during this series. Assistant coaches Bill Thompson and Anthony Galante stepped up in his absence. 

Despite the Eagle's win Friday night, they did not receive points for the win because they played Tampa at home earlier in the season. Both teams have nine points and are tied for the fourth Division 2 South playoff spot. 

Currently, Tampa holds the tiebreaker because it won both games that counted (5-4 in overtime in Daytona earlier in the year and 2-0 Saturday night).

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MTSU vs Georgia Tech

Neither team lit up the scoreboard over the weekend. Game one ended in a 1-1 tie, and game two resulted in a 2-1 win for Middle Tennessee State University. 

Georgia Institute of Technology led most of game one, but the Blue Raiders tied it in the third. 

The goaltending for both teams was stellar over the weekend. Ayden Kopec (MTSU) had a save percentage of .967, while Brendan Germano (Georgia Tech) had a .955.

Florida State vs Alabama (D3)

The University of Alabama held Florida State University scoreless in both games. The Tide won game one 1-0 and game two 2-0. 

The Seminoles outshot Alabama in both games, but Tyler Terranova stopped all 80 shots. 

Alabama defenseman Henry Mayer scored his first goal and point of the season in the second period of game one to win it for the Tide.

University of North Florida vs University of South Florida (D3)

The University of South Florida dominated this game. The final score was 8-3, with the Ice Bulls doubling the University of North Florida in shots (40 to 20). 

The first two periods were close. Going into the third, the Ice Bulls were ahead by two goals. 

The Osprey’s short bench played a factor in this game. The Bulls scored four goals in the third to pull away.

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Week 14 Player of the Week

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With his two wins and two shutouts against FSU, Tyler Terranova is the CHS Player of The Week. 

“He’s very committed to the team and has kept us in a lot of games this year,” said Alabama D3 Head Coach TJ Lancaster.