March 2004

Temple Owls Win Division III DVCHC Cup

St. Joseph's coach Finbarr O'Connor called it one of the top five games he was involved during his 33 years as the  Hawks coach in the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Conference.

The Temple Owls, on Feb 28, defeated the St. Joe squad, 6-5, in double overtime at the Lehigh Valley Ice Arena to win the DVCHC Cup, two games to none. The Owls won game one by a 6-3 margin.  Owls sophomore captain Shawn Lynch beat Hawks freshman goalie Evan Kostka just 35 seconds in the second OT to give the Owls the victory in game two, and the championship.

"This was a special game," said O'Connor. "It was so exciting and the quick scoring, then no scoring in the first overtime. There were so many scoring chances to win the game on both sides. It was quick action."

It was the Owls second consecutive championship and third in the history of the DVCHC. The Owls, coached by Mike Hufford ('03) and Alex Luboff ('03), finished second to St. Joseph's in the regular season.

In the opening game of the series, Temple overcame a 2-0 deficit to win 6-3.

St. Joe's had a 4-2 lead, scoring two power play goals, lead going into the third period. The Owls took advantage of a third period penalty to come within one goal near the end of the period.  With less than two minutes to play, Mitch LaFleur rifled a shot past the Hawks goaltender Kostka, a Bishop Eustice grad, to tie the game at 4-4.  However, St. Joe's answered with a goal by captain freshman Mike Maglio of their own with 1:05 left to go up 5-4. 

With the goaltender Matt Lennertz pulled for an extra skating forward, Temple pressured the Hawks hard and with just 35 seconds left, Jeff Pelus put the puck into the back of the net to force overtime. 

The first period of overtime (5-5 for 10:00) was intense.  Both teams had several scoring chances but no one was able to end the game.

Then, just 35 seconds into the second overtime period (4-4 for 10:00), Lynch beat the Hawks goaltender for the game winner and the 2004 DVCHC Cup. The Owls are coached by volunteers Mike Hufford (Class of '03) and Alex Luboff (Class of '03). The club is run by sport club representatives Shawn Lynch and senior, Craig Ungaro.

In Division II action, defending champion Penn State-Berks defeated Penn State-Delco in games two and three, 3-0 and 3-l, for its 2004 DVCHC Cup Championship. Berks’ arch rival PSU Delco won the opening game, 4-l, to put a scare into Berks, but the Lions roared back with two straight to capture the title for the second season in succession.