Quarterfinal Chaos: Friday Night Delivers OT Thrillers and Statement Wins

by ECHC Communications

February 21, 2025 – Shelton, CT
The 2025 ECHC Conference Playoffs opened with an electric Friday night of Quarterfinal matchups, as our Black and Silver Divisions took the ice with semifinal berths on the line. From an overtime heart-breaker to high-scoring showcases, the intensity was playoff-perfect.

⚪ SILVER DIVISION

🏆 Stony Brook Survives in OT Thriller Against Stevens Institute
In one of the night’s most thrilling finishes, (3) Stony Brook University outlasted (6) Stevens Institute of Technology with a 5-4 overtime victory. Michael Rocco sealed the win for the Seawolves at the 5:00 mark of OT, assisted by Steven Richardson and John Braccia.

Stony Brook built momentum through the second period, but Stevens rallied late, scoring three goals in the third to tie the game. Despite being outshot 38-24, the Seawolves made their chances count and now advance to face (2) Fairfield University (DIII) in the semifinals.

🏆 New Haven Holds Off Hofstra in High-Octane Battle
The (4) University of New Haven put together a complete effort to knock off (5) Hofstra University, 6-4, and secure a semifinal matchup with top-seeded Rutgers University. The Chargers exploded for four first-period goals and added two more in the third to withstand a relentless Hofstra push, which included 50 shots on goal.

Michael Madera and Peter Richetelli each had multi-point nights for New Haven, helping deliver a key postseason win for the home crowd.

⚫ BLACK DIVISION

🏆 Ramapo Pulls Away from Fordham in 6-3 Victory
In the lone Black Division Quarterfinal, (4) Ramapo College of New Jersey advanced past (5) Fordham University with a 6-3 win. The Roadrunners took control in the second period behind goals from Daniel Kulbanskiy and Tyler Kulbanskiy, and added two more in the third to seal the game.

Despite a strong start from Fordham’s Mark Saradjian and a solid 27-shot effort, Ramapo’s finishing touch made the difference. They now head into the semifinals for a showdown with top-seeded Farmingdale State College (DII).

🔜 What’s Next?

Saturday promises even more fireworks as semifinal matchups are now set:

  • Silver Division (DIII)

    • (1) Rutgers University vs. (4) University of New Haven

    • (2) Fairfield University (DIII) vs. (3) Stony Brook University

  • Black Division (DII)

    • (1) Farmingdale State College (DII) vs. (4) Ramapo College of New Jersey

    • (2) Columbia University vs. (3) Sacred Heart University (DI)

  • Purple Division (DI)
    Semifinals begin with:

    • (1) Farmingdale State College (DI) vs. (4) Quinnipiac University

    • (2) Fairfield University (DI) vs. (3) University of Delaware

With championship dreams on the line, Saturday’s slate is one you won’t want to miss.

Photo Credit: Amelia Cordova I @cordovaclicks (Instagram) I AAU College Hockey