By Will Gilson, Currier Times Staff///

March 16, 2025 UPDATE: Hamilton beat UNE on March 15th 4-2, setting up an Elite Eight match-up with Curry at the Canton Ice House, on Saturday March 22nd at 3:00 p.m. Stay with The Currier Times online and on Twitter (X) @curriertimes, for ongoing updates.

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The mood was electric at the Canton Ice House on March 8th as the Curry Men’s Ice Hockey Team beat Endicott 5-2, winning them the Conference of New England (CNE) Championship, their first since the 2010-2011 season. With the win, the team now moves on to the NCAA tournament as the number one seed.

Head Coach Peter Roundy was proud of the team’s performance on the ice.

“This is a group that loves competing with each other and for each other and they knew what they wanted heading into the year,” Roundy said. “We have a highly motivated group which makes coming to the rink every day a lot of fun.”

Coach Roundy said there was a certain level of confidence the team had going into the game.

“Beating Suffolk in the semifinal helped prove to ourselves that we could win at home in the playoffs,” Roundy said. “Also, we felt that our team game was in a great place, and we were ready and excited for the opportunity to win a championship on home ice.”

Team members celebrated, but quickly shifted gears towards the tournament. Junior Forward, Business Administration major Manny Cabral, said that the team is now focused on becoming national champions.

“We took the time to celebrate as a team that night but at the same time, we’ve already flipped the page and are focused on what’s next,” Cabral said. “Our ultimate goal is to be national champions, and this was just one step in that process.”

As the number one seed, Curry will be hosting either Hamilton College or fellow CNE rival UNE in the Elite Eight following their first round bye. Coach Roundy says the first round bye is crucial to the team’s recovery.

“This time of year, everyone is dealing with some nagging injury issue so to be able to get some additional rest is huge,” Roundy said. “We will get back to practice Wednesday as a team and focus on keeping it light and getting our legs back.”

Team members are excited going into the tournament. Junior Defenseman Nicolas Lariviere, a double Criminal Justice and Psychology major, is proud of being the number one seed.

“We’ve been working harder than any other year prior and now we have the experience that comes with it,” Lariviere said. “Being #1 proves that and we’re confident in our abilities.”

The run this season comes after a heartbreaking Elite Eight loss during the 2023-2024 season following a four overtime game against Hobart, who would go on to win the national championship. However, Coach Roundy is optimistic this time will be different.

“Taking Hobart to the brink and being so close to a Frozen Four showed us that we weren’t far away,” Roundy said. “I know our team is ready to take the next step and break through, we just need to continue to focus on the process because doing so all year has led us to this point.”

Be sure to cheer on the men’s ice hockey team at the Canton Ice House on Saturday March 22nd. Puck drop is at 3:00 pm.