Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League Official Site

There are not many must-win ACC hockey games in which a team battling for the playoffs goes down 3-0 against the team in first place, scores seven unanswered goals, and wins 7-4.  This was a special game.

On Saturday evening, the Georgetown Hoyas took the ice with their season on the line.  With significant lineup changes due to new additions and students abroad, the revamped Hoyas were prepared for the biggest game of the season.  The options were simple: lose and be eliminated from playoff contention, or beat GW.   After 60 minutes of Hoya Hockey, the result unequivocally was the latter, as the Hoyas upset GW, which had been and continues to be in first place in the Capitol Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference Hockey League.

In front of a raucous crowd filled with fans from both sides of the District, the Hoyas and Colonials played even hockey on both ends for the first 19 minutes and 59 seconds.  Each team had a handful of scoring opportunities but could not convert.  With 15 seconds left in the first period, an errant change by the Hoyas allowed GW to carry the puck through the neutral zone, maneuver through defenders, and put the puck in the back of the net with .4 seconds remaining in the first frame.   

After the intermission, the Hoyas returned flatfooted.  The Colonials got to the slot uncontested in the first couple minutes, burying a pair of prime scoring opportunities.  By the 18-minute mark of the 2nd period, the Hoyas were down 3-0. 

After a goalie change, the Hoyas did not just respond - they were energized with adrenaline and purpose.   On the ensuing shift, junior Nick Gallo received a pass from junior Jack Cavanaugh below the goal line, finding the cutting Junior Joe Cooley in the slot, burying a goal and cutting the deficit to two.  Soon after, Jack posted two goals of his own, giving Georgetown its first lead of the night. In the span of seven minutes, the Hoyas turned a 3-0 deficit into a 4-3 lead going into the second intermission. 

The Hoyas came out for the third period hungry for more winning the game 7-4. 

Congratulations to Jack, and the entire Hoya team for an exciting and tremendous win in front of a large crowd.

In control of their own destiny and looking to ride their late season momentum, the Hoyas head to Philly on Saturday where they will meet St. Joe's (in what will be a must win situation for both teams) and solidify their playoff spot.