Ryan Manitowich’s goal with eight minutes remaining in the third period proved to be the game winner as Iona held off a late Fairfield rally for a 4-3 victory as the Gaels swept the home-and-home series.
Iona coach Frank Bretti emphasizes how important this weekend was.
“[We had] to take care of business and get four points because every game in the league has playoff and seeding implications,” Bretti said. “Our guys rose to the occasion this week through a tough week of practices and going on the road with 15 skaters. Then at home with Alumni Night, and all the little distractions, you just might think you can come in here and win a game easily in the MAAC — but those days are over.”
The Gaels held a 4-1 lead late into the third period before Fairfield struck for two goals in less than two minutes. Rae Metz cut the lead to 4-2 when he sped down the right side and beat Nathan Lutz wide before he cut to the net to beat Scott Galenza at 17:56.
Following a Fairfield timeout, coach Jim Hunt pulled goaltender Andrew Martin for an extra attacker with 1:18 left in the game. A pair of coincidental minors gave Fairfield a five-on-four advantage with Martin on the bench. The Stags pulled to within a goal at 19:49 when Tim Desmarais’ shot from the point beat a screened Galenza.
Fairfield had one final shot at tying the game with four seconds left in the game and a faceoff to the left of Galenza. Iona’s Brent Williams controlled the draw to seal the victory.
While the Gaels did claim the victory, they seem to be falling into a habit up giving up late goals, one which might come back to bite them later in the season.
“It seems like we always have to pull it out by one goal. We have to work on that and we have to play a full 60 minutes. Coach was saying this week that we can’t play, 20, 40 or 59 minutes. We have to play 60 and that showed tonight because we almost lost it in the final minute,” Lutz said.
Hunt was left in a very familiar position as he watched his team battle only to lose by one goal. “This is our ninth one-goal loss of the year [and] they’re getting hard to deal with. Any time you play a team of this caliber you’re going to be in a one-goal game. Unfortunately, we find ourselves on the short end of that one-goal game a little too often.”
While it might seem that Galenza and Lutz had a tough time of it, nothing could be further from the truth. For the second straight night, Lutz put on an offensive display as he scored another two goals and Galenza turned aside 37 of 40 shots.
Galenza summed up the difference in Iona’s play this weekend as compared to last weekend. “I think we are getting shots on net and we were working hard down in the corners and winning the board battles — just overall hard work. We are taking a little more pride in our zone.”
For the second straight night, Iona drew first blood as Ryan Carter was sent in on a mini-breakaway and beat Martin with a shot to the five-hole at 8:39 of the first period.
The Gaels made it 2-0 three seconds after their first power play opportunity ended as Lutz one-timed a shot from the left point that beat Martin high to the glove side.
Down two goals after 20 minutes, Hunt stayed positive and focused in on correcting his team’s mistakes. “We broke down the period in terms of what we were weak on and looked at some holes we might be able to take advantage on their forecheck.”
Hunt’s adjustments worked as the Stags cut the lead in half at the 13:34 mark as Galenza stopped Hunter Greeley’s shot from the right circle only to see Cody Wojdyla convert on the rebound from below the left circle.
Iona nearly regained their two-goal lead with one-minute left in the period as Carter broke in on another breakaway. Carter tried to deke Martin into opening his pads. But the freshman stood tall and denied Carter to keep his team within range.
Hunt was pleased with his young goaltender following the game. “I think Andrew has great top-end potential. He comes in here as a natural freshman. He didn’t play any junior hockey and he comes out of a non-traditional [hockey] area in Dallas, Texas. I think he did a great job and he’s going to be a great goaltender.”
The Gaels had another chance to take a 3-1 lead on the power play early in the third period but referee Bob Ritchie ruled that an Iona player had directed the puck into the net with his skate. In the end, all that call did was delay the inevitable as Lutz struck again on yet another one-timer from the point that beat a screened Martin to the glove side at 4:20.
Bretti sees a similarity between the 2001 and 2002 versions of his senior tri-captain. “His play is similar to last year in certain respects. I don’t think Nathan had a lot of goals in the first half of last year and then he really turned it on in the second half. He’s a big part of our offense and defense with the amount of minutes he plays.”
Iona scored the eventual game-winning goal at 11:52 when Trevor Aubie intercepted a clearing attempt at the right point. He shuttled a pass to Manitowich at the mid-boards. Manitowich cut to the net and used Carter as a decoy as beat Martin to make it 4-3.
Bretti was quick to credit Fairfield on their ability to keep the Gaels from blowing the game open. “Fairfield was pretty good at playing close to the body tonight. As the game went on, we didn’t have as many opportunities as we thought we’d have.”
Hunt had positive news regarding the status of goaltender Michael Wolfe, who was hurt midway through Friday night’s game. “Mike’s fine. His MRI was negative. He’ll probably have to sit out a couple of days of practice. We expect him back by Wednesday or Thursday.”
Iona (11-11-2, 10-6-2 MAAC) returns to action on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. when they host Connecticut. Fairfield (4-18-2, 2-14-2 MAAC) visits Bentley on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.