LEWISTON — Chris Moran felt the pressure before the puck even dropped this season, getting his team’s only nod for the final all-College Hockey America preseason team.
But it didn’t faze him too much, as the Niagara University senior was also named to the lame duck league’s final postseason team, learning Wednesday of the honor.
Those who choose the teams didn’t waver much from their preseason selections — goalie Dan Bakala of Bemidji State was the only change on Wednesday’s list, as he edged out Alabama-Huntsville preseason pick Cameron Talbot for the first-team nod.
For Moran, the regular season brought eight goals and 39 points, and left the former Cardinal O’Hara High School product as Niagara’s all-time leader in assists.
Moran admitted on Wednesday that the preseason selection put the spotlight on him, but added that he tried to keep the season simple, playing shift by shift.
“Obviously, it put the pressure on me,” he said. “But I just try to go out and give 110 percent. That’s all you can do.”
Others named to the CHA’s first team included Matt Read and Brad Hunt from Bemidji State, and the Robert Morris duo of Nathan Longpre and Denny Urban.
Niagara had a pair of selections on the second team as seniors Ryan Olidis and Tyler Gotto were named to the squad. Olidis, who had a combined 21 points in three previous season on Monteagle Ridge, finished with a team-high 13 goals and 30 points. Gotto had nine goals from his spot on the blueline and added 14 assists for 23 points.
Meanwhile, Moran was the point leader for CHA games, amassing seven goals and 17 points in 18 games. That nosed out Bemidji’s Read, who was second with 23 points, including a league-high 12 CHA goals.
Those old CHA rivals will do business one least time on Friday in the second CHA semifinal, with the winner earning a berth in Saturday’s final game. Friday’s other semifinal pits Robert Morris and Alabama-Huntsville in a 3 p.m. matinee at Dwyer Arena.
Moran said the award helped to soften what was a difficult season, one in which the Purple Eagles were picked to finish second in the league, but wound up with 19 losses. It’s the most losses the team’s had since 2004-05.
“It does (make it a little better),” he said. “There were games where I could’ve been better. I just try to go out there every night and make something happen during the regular season.”
“But that’s all on the backburner now.”
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
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MEN’S HOCKEY: Moran named to final all-CHA team
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