GMU was on the road this weekend traveling to play both WCU on Friday and Villanova on Saturday in Pennsylvania. Friday's game resulted in a final of 5-3 in favor of GMU. Saturday resulted in a 3-0 shutout win over Villanova, GMU once again sweeping the weekend. GMU is still playing without injured players Will Magrath and Kael Dillon from injuries in previous games.

GMU started strong with a goal early in the first period scored by Joe Petite unassisted. WCU answered back however and tied the game back at 1 a side. Petite netted his second goal of the night, and period, with a snipe to the back of the net with 2 minutes to spare in the first (assisted by Jasanis and Sharp). Shortly thereafter, Matt Price, from defensemen James Sharp, beat WCU’s goaltender yet again, netting another one. By the end of the first period the score was 3-1 GMU. Unfortunately, Aleksei Karpov was injured in the first period of play and left the game, which resulted in a five-minute major for WCU. GMU was forced to play the rest of the game another man down.

Only a minute into the second period, Joe Petite scored his third goal of the night for a hattrick! That goal was assisted by Tsakounis. At 13:55, defenseman Drew Tsakounis went on to score on the power play, shooting through a screen for GMU’s fifth goal of the night. WCU battled back however and scored again at 15:27. At the end of the second the score was 5-2 GMU with 24 SOG for GMU and 23 SOG for WCU.

The third period saw another goal from WCU and a handful of penalties from both teams. GMU’s penalty kill, and goaltender Lukas Heuberger were on top of it, holding on for the 5-3 victory. SOG were 41-28 in favor of WCU at the end of the game.

The first period against Villanova saw tight defense on both sides – neither team was able to score despite an opportunity from Ray Booth which caught the post.

In the second period, Matt Price capitalized on a power play to open up the scoring for GMU. Petite and Booth assisted on this goal with a quick passing play that led to a wide-open shot opportunity.

In the third period, Ray Booth added to Mason’s lead at 3:28 by picking up a loose puck in front.  Ray Booth later sealed the game by scoring on the empty net 18:58 in the third, bringing the score to its final of 3-0. Goaltender Tanner Rusnak got his first career shutout saving all 33 shots and notably gloving a puck on the goal line with only a minute to go in the game!

An exciting weekend for GMU hockey with another sweep, hattrick for Joe Petite, and a shut-out win! The team is back home this weekend playing WPU @ 8:00. Be sure to come watch for a front row seat to all the action.