UD Hockey opened the 2011-2012 season with a 4-0 decision against Rutgers University at ProTecHockey Pond in Somerset, NJ on Friday, September 30th and Saturday, October 1st with a 3-2 shootout win against Rutgers at Fred Rust Ice Arena in Newark, DE.

UD opened up the scoring early into the first period with a goal by Jason Michaud, assisted by Chris Volonnino and Ryan McDonald. UD quickly scored two more goals by Michael Piet and Nick LePore to close the first frame at 3-0 in favor of the Blue Hens. The second period was a back and forth affair with goaltender SJ Broadt challenged on the defensive end, but Christian Tasker helped the Hens to a 4-0 lead with an unassisted goal on the breakaway out of the neutral zone coming with less than one minute remaining before 2nd intermission. In the third period, Rutgers stepped up their offensive threat with pressure on the power play, but UD's self-proclaimed penalty kill "UNIT" was up to the challenge killing off the advantage and bringing home Delaware an opening night win.

Saturday's contest brought Delaware home to open their season in Fred Rust Ice Arena in front of an excited crowd. Rutgers opened up the scoring in the first to lead 1-0 into the first intermisison. In the second period, the Hens began their offensive chances, but shots off the post and bad rebounds and deflections left the score at 1-0 after two frames. The third period saw Rutgers score on the power play off the faceoff to lead 2-0 early in the third, but Delaware's new energy and never die attitude brought a goal with four minutes remaining to cut Rutger's lead in half to 2-1 with a goal by Connor Moore. Coach M.F. Schurman called timeout with 1:30 remaining to draw up the game-tying play off the stick of forward Mark Zeszut to lead Delaware and Rutgers to a 2-2 overtime and shootout. After 3 rounds of goalless shootout saves by SJ Broadt, forward Christian Tasker sealed the 3-2 win with a shootout goal for the win.

Delaware (2-0) heads next weekend to the ACHA DI National Showcase in Springfield, IL to play University of Illinois, Arizona State University, and Ohio University. All games can be seen on FASTHockey.