HARMARVILLE, Pa – The Duquesne Dukes (6-4-1, 5-1 CHMA) defeated the Pitt Panthers (2-6-0, 0-2-0 CHMA) 2-1 on Saturday in the first of two iterations of the “City Game on Ice” this season. The Dukes secured their fifth win in six conference games this season and improved to 6-4-1 overall as the Panthers lost their fifth in a row.
Duquesne opened the scoring just over halfway into the first period on a power play goal by Sean Lloyd as he took a centering pass in front of the net from Manny Mancha and Daniel Bigley to put the puck past Panther goaltender Matt Snader. Less than a minute later, Pitt tied the game at one as Shawn Phillips took a pass from Alexander Crilley on a Panther power play – one of five such opportunities Pitt would get.
Duquesne sophomore Stephen D’Elia scored on a cross-ice pass from Lloyd just under halfway into the second period and goaltender Wade Conlan saved 42 out of 43 shots to preserve the 2-1 victory.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: The Duquesne defense. The Panthers put up 43 shots on goal against freshman Duquesne goaltender Wade Conlan, who stood tall and made several key saves to keep Duquesne in the game. It was his defense in front, however, that allowed him to thrive. Conlan rarely, if ever, faced a second chance or rebound attempt from the Panthers. After each save, if Conlan did not freeze the puck, it was immediately picked up by his defensemen. Additionally, late in the first period, the Dukes began putting heavy pressure on the Panthers in Pitt’s defensive zone. The strong forecheck of the Dukes did not allow the Pitt skaters to take the puck behind their own net without being harassed by red sweaters.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Duquesne’s penalty minutes. Duquesne found themselves in the penalty box five times during the course of the game; twice during the first period and three times during the second. In the second period in particular, the Dukes were outshot 17-3. Had Conlan not bailed them out on each of those 17 shots he faced, the score could have easily been lopsided in Pitt’s favor. Duquesne cannot, and should not, rely on their goaltender nor their penalty kill to the extent that they had Saturday night.
MAJOR FOCUS: Duquesne takes city game on ice, round 1
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Weekend scores from around the CHMA:
Friday:
Duquesne 6, Mercyhurst 2
Pitt 2, IUP 5
John Carroll 3, Slippery Rock 5
Robert Morris 2, Oswego 3
West Virginia 0, Kent State 5
Saturday:
Duquesne 2, Pitt 1
Slippery Rock 7, Mercyhurst 1
Robert Morris 5, Oswego 2
West Virginia 3, Kent State 1
IUP 5, John Carroll 4
CHMA STANDINGS
| Team | W | L | OTL | Points | Games Played (Out of 14) |
| Indiana (PA) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 6 |
| Duquesne | 5 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 6 |
| Slippery Rock | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Robert Morris (PA) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| West Virginia | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Mercyhurst | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Pittsburgh | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| John Carroll | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Check out the ACHA schedule here for upcoming ACHA games.
