Coming off of their second loss of the season against the West Virginia Mountaineers last Saturday, the ACHA Division I men’s hockey team returned home for their first match of the season against John Carroll University.

The team was able to capture its eighth victory of the season with a 2-1 overtime win against the Blue Streaks.

“I thought last weekend you just got to shrug it off. We played well last weekend, but we come to this game and it’s a big game,” said senior forward Camden Zappi. “We needed to win this weekend for the points and standings. We had to be optimistic.”

The team took to home ice with team captains for the first time this season.

Zappi is wearing the “C” for the Colonials this season, with senior Taylor Jarvis and juniors Eric Barger and Wes Heinle serving as assistant captains. Saturday night proved to be a big night for the newly named captain.

Although the team had a slow start to the first period and were unable to capitalize on a power play opportunity, they were able to get a late goal from Heinle at the 18:48 mark. The tally gave the team a 1-0 lead over JCU heading into the second period.

Parker Phillips scored the tying goal for John Carroll 5:36 into the second period, just 33 seconds into a penalty to Eddie Blanciak. Phillips’ goal was the only goal scored for the remainder of the second and third periods, which forced the team into a five minute overtime period.

Just 1:21 into the overtime period, Zappi put an end to the game.

“I thought our chances were pretty good, we had pretty good speed, and again there is more open ice when its only 4-on-4 and you’re playing against a tired team,” said head coach Mike Joseph about the team’s overtime performance. “It serves to your advantage and it did tonight. Good scoring chances in the overtime and Cam found it.”

The team will be at home for two games next weekend, the first against the University of Pittsburgh on Friday and the second against Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday night.  Both games will be held at the Island Sport Center. Puck drop is set for 9:35 Friday night against Pitt and 9:50 against IUP Saturday night.