Alumni Report: A pair of firsts

Every week, Voice of the Lumberjacks Matt Gajtka provides an update on the exploits of former Jacks now playing in the NCAA.

Alexx Privitera, Boston University – BU (8-5-1, 6-4-1 Hockey East) jumped back into the rankings at No. 13 with a two-game split against in-city rival Boston College, currently ranked No. 3. Privitera suited up for Friday’s 5-3 road win and ended up with his first collegiate point, springing teammate Yasin Cisse for a breakaway goal (highlight below at 0:45 mark). The Terriers battle New Hampshire (Thursday) and Maine (Saturday) this week.

Casey Thrush, University of New Hampshire – The Wildcats (6-8-2, 4-6-1 Hockey East) fell to UMass-Lowell twice in a home-and-home Hockey East series, but Thrush was UNH’s No. 1 star Saturday, as he put together a two-point night (G, A) despite the 5-3 loss. He still has the team’s best plus-minus rating at plus-8 and has accumulated nine points total. Next up, the ‘Cats face Boston University in a Thursday tilt.

Matt Berry, Michigan State University – The Spartans (10-5-1, 6-4-0 CCHA) continued their hot play with a weekend sweep of Bowling Green in East Lansing. Berry scored his fourth goal (third in his last four) and added an assist in Friday’s 5-1 win; the 5-foot-10 native of Canton, Mich., is now MSU’s leading freshman scorer with nine points. The Spartans, 8-1-1 in their last 10, now gear up for an anticipated home-and-home with Michigan.

Isaac Kohls, Niagara University – Kohls added an assist over the weekend as the Purple Eagles (4-5-5, 3-2-4 Atlantic Hockey) made progress in conference with a win and a tie at Bentley. The Minnesotan accrued 39 points for last year’s Lumberjacks and is tied for fourth on the Niagara scoring list with a 3-4-7 line through 14 games.

Chris Lochner, Niagara University – A 25-point scorer for last winter’s Jacks, Lochner picked up his first NCAA point, an assist, in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Bentley. The Purple Eagles travel to western Pennsylvania this week for matches with Robert Morris and Mercyhurst.

Jaycob Megna, University of Nebraska-Omaha – It was a unique weekend for the Mavericks (8-7-3, 6-3-3 WCHA), who matched up with independent Alabama-Huntsville for a pair in Nashville. The Chargers improbably earned their first win last Friday, but the Mavs roared back with a 6-2 triumph Saturday in which Megna picked up his first NCAA assist, giving him two points in 16 games on the blueline. UNO heads to Grand Forks, N.D., next for two against the Fighting Sioux.

Ryan Misiak, Mercyhurst University – The Lakers (7-7-2, 6-1-2 Atlantic Hockey) extended their conference lead with a 1-0-1 weekend in West Point, N.Y., against Army. Misiak, the freshman Michigander who led the Jacks in points last season, got credit for an assist to give him a 1-5-6 line in 16 games. Mercyhurst takes on Canisius and Niagara Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Charlie Taft, Colorado College – The eighth-ranked Tigers (8-4-0, 6-4-0 WCHA) squeezed out an emotional 4-3 overtime win over Denver at home Friday to halt a two-game slide. Taft has skated in three games and has two points, both assists, in limited action. CC entertains Alaska-Anchorage twice this weekend.

John Parker, University of Maine – Last year’s Jacks captain competed in one of two contests last weekend against regional rival Vermont. The Black Bears (6-6-2, 5-5-1 Hockey East) will try to win their fourth game in a row this Saturday, as they welcome Boston U. to Alfond Arena in Orono, Maine.

Brendan Woods, University of Wisconsin – The Virginia-born forward has three goals and three assists on the season in 14 games played. The Badgers (7-8-1, 4-7-1 WCHA) had the weekend off after a two-game sweep of Mercyhurst and will return to Kohl Center ice for a twinbill against defending national champ Minnesota-Duluth Friday and Saturday.

Mike Conderman, University of Massachusetts-Lowell – Conderman did not dress for either game as the River Hawks ran their winning streak to four with a pair of victories over New Hampshire. The forward from Rochester, N.Y., has been limited to just one regular season game because of a lingering injury.

Micki Mihailovich, University of Massachusetts-Lowell – Mihailovich is still unable to play due to injury. The River Hawks (9-4-1, 6-3-0 Hockey East) finish their pre-holiday break schedule with meetings with Boston College and Northeastern.