BOARDMAN, Ohio - Youngstown State University's hockey team broke open a close game by scoring three goals in a span of 54 seconds in the second period, en route to an 8-0 win over John Carroll University Tuesday night at the Ice Zone.
Goaltender Matt Jacob made 20 saves for the Penguins first shutout of the season. Matt Feda recorded a hat trick and added two assists, while Mike Poljak contributed a goal and four assists. With the win, YSU improved to 15-10 on the season, as John Carroll fell to 2-18-1.
"It was a good win," YSU coach Rocky Russo. "Hopefully we can take this momentum into the weekend. We have a couple challenging games coming up in the next few days and we have to be ready."
Feda opened the scoring, just four seconds after a Penguins' power play expired. He took a pass from Poljak and beat goaltender Chris Ostrander at the 3:14 mark of the opening period. YSU led 1-0 after the first period, outshooting John Carroll 14-7.
The Penguins continued their pressure, when R.J. Miller made it 2-0 at 1:49 of the second period. Feda and Poljak assisted on Miller's fourth goal of the season.
Kevin Pawlos scored shorthanded at 12:52 for his ninth tally of the season, on passes from Feda and Poljak. The three remained on the ice for the ensuing shift and the rout was on.
Just 23 seconds later, skating four aside, the trio struck again with Feda getting his second goal and Poljak getting his fourth consecutive helper for a 4-0 YSU lead.
Brad Ceremuga completed the outburst 31 seconds later with his seventh goal on the campaign, with assists credited to Zak Kusek and Miller at 13:46, and the Penguins led 5-0 after two periods.
Feda completed his hat trick just 19 seconds into the third period on a Penguins' power play, giving him 20 goals on the season. Kusek and Justin Umbs assisted on the goal.
Poljak made it 7-0 when he scored, unassisted, with five minutes remaining. On the season, he has 33 goals and 33 assists in 25 games. Poljak's 66 points tie him for first in the American Collegiate Hockey Association for Division 1.
"Matt (Feda) had himself a heck of a night. And I can't say enough about Mike (Poljak)," Russo said. "He leads on and off the ice and is a large part of our success."
On a YSU power play, defenseman Mike Cardwell scored his first goal of the season, a mere 20 seconds after Poljak's score, to round out the scoring. Fellow blue liner Lee Hlavay received an assist.
The Penguins tightened defensively to preserve Jacob's shutout, holding John Carroll to five shots in the third period.
"We stepped it up defensively and used our systems properly. We made it easier for Matt (Jacob) in net," Russo said.
For the game, YSU out shot the Blue Streaks 44-20 with Ostrander making 36 saves in the loss. On the power play, the Penguins were 2 for 13, while John Carroll finished 0 for 11.
YSU returns to the ice this weekend to host a pair of games at the Ice Zone. They face Slippery Rock University (11-7-0) on Friday at 7:45 pm.
On Saturday, West Virginia University visits Boardman for a 7:30 pm start. The Mountaineers are 19-10-2 and ranked 15th in the recent ACHA national poll. Individual game tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students.
