Hockey / LIONS WINS 1ST REGIONAL GAME, LOSES TO LIBERTY IN ROUND 2

LIONS WINS 1ST REGIONAL GAME, LOSES TO LIBERTY IN ROUND 2

Date:  Source: The College of New Jersey Lions

On Thursday, February 28th the Lions departed from TCNJ's campus determined to erase the disappointment from the last two years at Regionals, specifically two years ago when they lost 6-2 to Rowan in their first ever appearance at Regionals. Friday morning the team arrived at LaHaye Ice Center at Liberty University focused on knocking off the Profs and their play early on showed it. The Lions controlled the play in the first period and senior captain Will Dimock would break the ice when we he finished off a pass from Marc Tietjen on the power play four minutes into the first. Rowan would tie it at one ten minutes later on a tipped point shot but TCNJ would answer shortly after as Jameson Dugan would put home a snap shot from the high slot, they would take the lead into the second period. The second period was much of the same and the Lions would get the only goal of the period as Dimock would feed Marc Tietjen on an odd-man rush and he would put a shot through the Rowan goalie's legs for the two goal lead. The third period would be a different story as TCNJ would have penalty trouble early on and although they killed them off it gave Rowan all the momentum, they would make it a one goal five minutes in and the Lions would be on their heels for the remainder of the period. Goalie Michael Lojewski would keep the Profs at bay but they would ultimately tie the game with two and a half minutes left in regulation. Rowan would take two penalties with under ninety seconds left in the 3rd and the Lions would eventually make them pay as Will Dimock would put home a bouncing puck with two seconds left to win the game. The win would be the teams, and Colonial League's first ever win at the SE Regional tournament. They would advance on to play Liberty on their home ice Saturday morning at 8:30am. 

TCNJ came to the rink looking to make some more noise as they faced off with the heavily favored Liberty Flames. The Flames would assert themselves early on as they jumped out to an early two goal lead just two minutes into the first period. The Lions would show the heard they've played with all year and would adjust to the size and speed of Liberty and would keep them at bay for the remainder of the period. The Lions came out in the second looking to show they belonged and they did just that, with solid defense and great goaltending from Lojewski TCNJ would keep the Flames off the board and they would crawl within one as Matt Kimak would send a point shot to the net and with Matt Lojewski creating havoc they would get some puck luck on a rebound, the Lions applied some more pressure but the second period would end with the Flames up 2-1. Liberty would get one early in the third and with TCNJ running on fumes they would put the game out of reach with three goals in five minutes just past the halfway mark of the third, Liberty would win 6-1 ending the Lions incredible season. Goalie Michael Lojewski was outstanding as he stopped 51 shots.