The DII Profs took the show on the road again, but this time to Virginia for the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League (ACCHL) Showcase. The Profs were slated for three games, all three of which could be potential playoff match ups. But the Profs took care of business comfortably, defeating UNC Wilmington, Virginia Tech and NC State.

Players like Elliot Schon understand they all have roles to play, especially as a rookie, and he displayed that with his huge weekend showing. 

“It was great to have a good weekend and my fellow rooks on the rook line helped me out a lot,” Schon said. “I’m gonna try and keep bringing my level of play up. I wanna keep improving and be a guy everyone wants on the ice.”

Head Coach Dan DiMonte is the one allowing these rookies to get out there and prove themselves, putting them in when he’s looking for someone to step up. With the team having a hot streak going, he needs guys on the ice who can help keep it going.

“Plain and simple. You take dumb, stupid penalties and it is going to affect your playing time. We sat our leading scorer Ryan Scott on Sunday vs NCST because he took a stupid five minute major the night before,” Coach DiMonte said. “Guys are starting to realize what is at stake and if we can stay out of the box, we are going to be tough to beat. As of right now, 82% of the goals scored on us have been with a man down. Pretty staggering.”

It comes down to the penalties this team has been taking, but the message hasn’t changed to the guys in the locker room. 

“The message has been consistent from jump,” Coach DiMonte said. “Work hard, play for each other, play our game and stay out of the box. Family.”

This hasn’t been the first time Coach DiMonte has said this either. With the way this team is looking, he believes that the message is not only effective, but is being delivered to the exact group of guys he wants on a team.  

“This is by far the tightest knit group we’ve seen at Rowan in our years,” Coach DiMonte said. “We will not be adding anyone else to the roster. Everyone on the team has a role and there’s no need to bring anyone else into the fold. We have our team.”

The Profs went 3-0 this weekend with Schon, Mike Frattarolli, and both goalies, Kyle Rink and AJ Colella, emerging as the heroes of this weekend. Goals, saves, possessions and overall discipline were big for the Profs, and it came at timely moments that helped them sweep the showcase.

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