The IceCat’s first weekend back from winter break was met with 2 home league games on Friday and Saturday night.

On Friday night, Villanova faced the United States Naval Academy. Villanova started strong with the first two goals of the game, scored by Brett Mackell and Joey Duffy. Navy scored the last goal of the period with just five minutes left in the first.

About a minute and a half into the second, Brett Mackell scored again for Villanova. Navy also scored another goal about halfway through the period, still trailing 3-2 to Villanova at the end of the second.

Navy began the scoring in the third period about 8 minutes in, tying up the game 3-3 on a shorthanded goal from Matthew Stamler. Villanova responded with a goal just 30 seconds later, scored by Joe Reissfelder. A few minutes after, defenseman Brett Mackell scored a fifth goal for Villanova, earning himself his first college hat trick of his career! Villanova scored again with just 4 minutes left in the game, thanks to team's leading scorer Timothy Arena. With only 3 minutes left, Navy scored a goal, which was the last one of the game.

Villanova defeated Navy 6-4. Ajay Fernandez was in net for Villanova. Shots on goal were 35 for Villanova and 45 for Navy.

On Saturday, Villanova hosted West Chester. There was no scoring in the first period. During the second period, Villanova scored the first goal 4 minutes in, thanks to Tim Matthews. West Chester scored the next 2 goals. Before the end of the period, Villanova tied it up with a goal by Timothy Arena.

The score was tied 2-2 going into the last period of play. During the third period, West Chester scored about 5 minutes in. Villanova’s goalie, Ajay Fernandez, was injured just after the goal was scored. John Persichilli took net for the IceCats to finish up the game. With just 3 minutes left in game play, West Chester scored the last goal of the game. Persichilli stopped 17 out of 18 shots after coming in cold.

The IceCats fell to West Chester 4-2. Shots on goal were 29 for Villanova and 53 for West Chester.

Next weekend, the boys will be road tripping up to New York for a weekend full of games. On Friday night, Villanova will play Cornell University at 7:45 p.m. at The Rink in Lansing. Saturday’s game will be against Rochester Institute of Technology at 1 p.m. at Scottsville Ice Arena. On Sunday, they will play SUNY Cortland at 10:30 a.m. at Alumni Area. Go IceCats!!

By Amanda Trusky