Game Time: Harvard vs. Union

Tonight at Messa Rink Harvard (4-4-4 overall) faces #14 Union (9-5-5 overall). The ECAC matchup will be a preview to next Friday's Frozen Fenway matchup. Nonetheless, Union and Harvard are tied with 8 points a piece in the ECAC. Harvard holds a 3-3-2 record in ECAC play, while Union is 3-2-2. Cornell, at 6-1-1 in conference play, leads with 13 points. It is at this point in the schedule when teams begin to even out in games played.

Tonight's Lines


Union

15 Matt Hatch - 19 Kelly Zajac (A) - 21 Wayne Simpson
9 Daniel Carr - 27 Jeremy Welsh (A) -16 Kevin Sullivan
18 Max Novak - 12 Kyle Bodie-7 Josh Jooris
23 Cole Ikkala - 10 Mark Bennett -11 Sam Coatta

28 Shawn Stuart -22 Mat Bodie
20 Greg Coburn -14 Shayne Gostisbehere
2 Nolan Julseth-White (C) - Ryan Forgaard

1 Troy Grosenick
30 Colin Stevens
31 Dillon Pieri

Harvard

21 Marshall Everson - 19 Alex Killorn (A) - 16 Alex Fallstrom
63 Colin Blackwell - 26 Luke Greiner - 22 David Valek
13 Tommy O'Regan - 10 Eric Kroshus - 11 Daniel Moriarty (A)
17 Rence Coassin - 12 Colin Moore - 27 Petr Placek

5 Dan Ford - 9 Danny Biega
8 Patrick McNally - 6 Ryan Grimshaw (C)
15 John Caldwell - 44 Max Everson

34 Steve Michalek
30 Raphael Girard

Players To Watch


Wayne Simpson, Union:
Aside from his nifty interview for Union Hockey, Wayne Simpson looks to log a lot of icetime tonight. Coach Bennett returns to the Hatch-Zajac-Simpson line. Hatch plays the role of the speedster, Zajac the playmaker, Simpson the sniper. Simpson is fifth on the team with 13 points. The Boxborough, MA native (Boxborough is only about 20 miles from Cambridge) looks to defeat his hometown team, so to speak.

Steve Michalek, Harvard
The highly touted freshman came into the season with high expectations. He hasn't quite lived up to expectations yet, posting a .886 save percentage and 3.54 goals against average in eleven games. Union will look to test him early and often, while the Harvard defense, anchored by Danny Biega, will need to play "big" in front of their netminder.

Loose Change

• Expect Section Q at Messa Rink -- the "U Crew" -- to have some fun with assistant captain Daniel Moriarty's name, especially if they saw the newest iteration of Sherlock Holmes.
• As an Islanders fan, I can't help but think of this when I hear David Valek's name. Just swap out an "o" for that "a"...
• Harvard has eight players who are betrothed to NHL teams: 
• Alex Killorn (Tampa Bay, '07)
• Alex Fallstrom (Boston, '09)
• Colin Blackwell (San Jose, '11)
• Petr Placek (Philadelphia, '11)
• Danny Biega (Carolina, '10)
• Patrick McNally (Vancouver, '10)
• Max Everson (Toronto, '11)
• Steve Michalek (Minnesota, '11)
• Congratulations to the Sweedish World Juniors team, which beat Russia in the world championships. 
• Finally, the Dutchwomen lost 9-1 today against Cornell at Messa Rink. 

Follow Along

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Last, But Not Least
Troy Grosenick wins tonight's coveted Tweet of the Day award.