Game of the Week: UNYCHL Division 1: Binghamton @ Niagara 

Binghamton controlled Niagara with a 4-1 win this past Friday. The top team in the conference played to make a statement early in the first period, with Matthew Usinski(18) scoring on a power play to get the Bearcats on the board first. 

The Purple Eagles didn’t relent, however, evening things back up with a goal from Alex Nisevich(7) in the second period. Binghamton got the momentum back when Justin Franks(13) fired one between the pipes for the game-winning goal 18 seconds into the third period.

Jax Todorovic(5) and Sam Nesbitt(10) scored empty netters in the game’s closing seconds to add to the final score. Binghamton Peter Skidmore backstopped the Bearcats to victory, stopping 39 of 40 Niagara shots.

Binghamton continued to have a dominant weekend with a 5-2 victory over St. Bonaventure University but failed to end things on a high note with a shocking 5-0 loss to Buffalo. 

– Preston McAlhany , UNYCHL Beat Reporter

ACCHL Division 2: James Madison @ West Virginia

The West Virginia Mountaineers achieved their first victories in 2025, defeating the James Madison University Dukes 4-2 and 5-1 at the Morgantown Municipal Ice Arena.  This victories not only marked a triumphant moment for the Mountaineers but also set the stage  for a promising future in collegiate hockey. 

The game kicked off with an electrifying start, as Chace Shepard wasted no time in finding the  back of the net just 49 seconds into the first period. Shepard’s goal, assisted by Nicholas  Mohardt, sent the home crowd into a frenzy and set the tone for what would be a memorable  night for West Virginia hockey. 

As the game progressed, the Mountaineers showcased their determination and skill, building on  their early lead. During each period, they demonstrated both offensive prowess and defensive  resilience, ultimately finishing the game with a commanding score of 5-1. The victory not only  provided a much-needed boost to the team’s morale but also solidified their place in the  competitive landscape of Division 2 hockey. 

West Virginia improves to 7-4-0 on the year, and 3-0 in 2025. James Madison has lost four of their last five, and are 5-8-0 on the season. 

– Jyesha Nance, ACCHL Beat Reporter

DII Interleague: Buffalo State(UNYCHL) @ Bishop’s(NEIHC)

The Buffalo State Bengals faced off against the Bishop’s University Gaiters this past weekend, looking to continue their four-game win streak. The Gaiters had other plans as they swept the series with two big wins for the #1 ranked Division 2 team.

Bishop’s took control early in game one, with a goal from Leighton Geraghty(3) in the first minute. Buffalo State answered at the start of the second as their leading goal scorer, Anthony Morin, found the back of the net. Unfortunately for the Bengals, it didn’t take long for Bishop University to separate themselves, scoring five unanswered goals on their way to the 9-2 win.

Bishop’s carried the momentum into Sunday’s matchup as they put up nine goals once again. Buffalo State opened the scoring with Michael Blackley(13) netting his first goal of the season. Both teams traded blows heading into the first intermission, deadlocked at two. In the second period, Bishop’s took control, scoring four goals, including the game-winner by Nino Deichmann,(97) en route to a 9-3 victory. 

Buffalo State will look to rebound as the face-off against division rival SUNY – Erie is on the road with playoff positioning on the line. Bishop University will face Division 1 Quinnipiac, looking to build on their four-game win streak. 

– Gavin Coker, NEIHC Beat Reporter

ECHC Division 1: Farmingdale State @ Fairfield

Opposite ends of the Division 1 Empire standings met over the weekend when first place Farmingdale State traveled to Connecticut to take on the Fairfield Stags. 

The Rams showed their first-place chops early in the game, racing to a 5-1 lead before the game was 21 minutes old. Thomas Konikowski(17) capped off a four goal 1st period with his team-leading 21st goal of the season. 

The Stags put a scare into Farmingdale State with three unanswered goals in the second period to cut the lead to one, but that’s the closest Fairfield would get. The Rams scored three of the next four goals to cruise to a 8-5 win.

Farmingdale State’s Tim Duffy(47) lead all scorers with four points, scoring a goal and collecting three assists. 

– Danny Baum, AAU Head Editor 

CHS Division 1: South Carolina @ Georgia

The Georgia Ice Dawgs defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks twice last weekend, 2-0 and 5-1. With the wins, Georgia improved to 15-1-2 this season and clinched a spot in the College Hockey South Division 1 playoffs.

Friday night’s result was decided in the first period, as Georgia’s Evan Moore netted the game-winner at 12:16 with help from Josh Mesaros and Alex Laracy. Following Moore’s tally, neither team scored in the latter half of the first, the entirety of the second or the first 19 minutes of the third period. Evan Parente found the back of South Carolina’s empty net with 40 seconds left in the contest to secure Georgia’s win to open the weekend. 

Ryan Testino blocked all 34 shots from the reigning National Champions to secure his second shutout of the season.

The following day, South Carolina’s Brendan Flaherty opened the scoring early in the first, but the Ice Dawgs quickly responded with three goals of their own — from James Hedquist, Laracy and Declan Conway — to close the period. Mesaros collected the only goal of the middle frame just 57 seconds in to extend Georgia’s lead to 4-1, and Robert Witwer sealed the deal for the Ice Dawgs at 7:17 of the final period to ensure his team’s sweep.

Looking ahead, Georgia will take on the Farmingdale State Rams in a three-game series next weekend, and South Carolina will host the Alabama Frozen Tide (ACHA M1) for two games. 

– Kelly Kaelblein, CHS Beat Reporter