Yale Wins Liberty Invitational in Newark

Yale University won the second annual Liberty Invitational at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Sunday, defeating UConn by a 2-1 count in the title game in a battle between the ECAC and Hockey East. Alex Lyon made 32 saves for the Bulldogs and was tabbed as the tournament's MVP, while Cody Learned tallied the game-winning goal late in the first period.

Yale and UConn had advanced to the title tilt after posting 2-2 ties with Princeton and Merrimack, respectively, on Halloween. The Bulldogs and Huskies then advanced by winning shootouts.

In the consolation game Sunday (shown above), Merrimack (dark blue) got goals from six different scorers en route to a 6-1 rout of host Princeton. Brett Seney, Brian Christie, Jace Hennig, Dan Kolomatis, Ben Bahe and Mathieu Tibbet had two points apiece for the Warriors, who improved to 5-1-1 on the year.

Brown Claims First Liberty Hockey Invitational

The inaugural Liberty Hockey Invitational in Newark, N.J. went to the Brown University Bears. The tournament, which was played on Oct. 25-26 at the Prudential Center, home of the NHL's New Jersey Devils, featured an all-ECAC field its first time out, including Brown, Dartmouth, host Princeton and defending NCAA champion Yale.

Brown bested Yale, 4-1, on Friday as Mark Naclerio notched two goals and an assist, while Princeton edged Dartmouth, 3-2 in overtime on Tucker Brockett's first career goal for the Tigers. On Saturday, Brown closed out matters by beating Dartmouth, 5-3, with Naclerio netting the game-winning goal and also setting up two other scores. Yale nipped Princeton, 3-2, as Nicholas Weberg scored twice, including the game-winner shorthanded  midway through regulation.

Naclerio and Brockett were both named to the All-Tournament Team, along with forward Stu Wilson (Yale), defensemen Brandon Pfeil (Brown) and Brett Patterson (Dartmouth), and goalie Sean Bonar (Princeton), according to goprincetontigers.com.

Despite published crowds of less than 2,000 per game, according to USCHO.com box scores, the Invitational is slated to return to Newark next fall.