by Ryan Fay
After last night's 5-1 win over St. Lawrence, head coach Rick Bennett said Troy Grosenick's status for tonight was "very questionable."
The junior was banged up and relieved by Colin Stevens in the third period, but Grosenick will be between the pipes for tonight's regular season finale against Clarkson.
Following a six game absence with a lower-body injury, defenseman Shawn Stuart returns to the lineup. He replaces Charlie Vasaturo, who was injured in the opening period last night.
Sebastien Gingras will be paired with Mat Bodie after being teamed with Ryan Forgaard last night. Stuart is with Forgaard tonight.
Full line chart here.
Showing posts with label pregame. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pregame. Show all posts
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
Union lines vs St. Lawrence (3/1/13)
by Ryan Fay
After a one game benching, Wayne Simpson returns to the lineup tonight against St Lawrence. Forward Daniel Ciampini and defenseman Sebastien Gingras also rejoin the lineup.
Scratched are forwards Mark Bennett and Nick Cruice along with blueliner Tim Boyle. It was a turnover by Boyle which led to Cornell's first goal in last Saturday's 4-2 loss.
Defenseman Shawn Stuart remains out. It marks his sixth consecutive game missed.
Troy Grosenick starts in goal.
After a one game benching, Wayne Simpson returns to the lineup tonight against St Lawrence. Forward Daniel Ciampini and defenseman Sebastien Gingras also rejoin the lineup.
Scratched are forwards Mark Bennett and Nick Cruice along with blueliner Tim Boyle. It was a turnover by Boyle which led to Cornell's first goal in last Saturday's 4-2 loss.
Defenseman Shawn Stuart remains out. It marks his sixth consecutive game missed.
Troy Grosenick starts in goal.
 |
| (Union Athletics) |
Friday, February 22, 2013
Union lines at Colgate (2/22/13)
by Ryan Fay
Opting to stick with what worked last weekend in wins over Yale and Brown, Rick Bennett will be trotting out the same lines for tonight's game at Colgate.
Opting to stick with what worked last weekend in wins over Yale and Brown, Rick Bennett will be trotting out the same lines for tonight's game at Colgate.
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| (Union Athletics) |
Thursday, February 14, 2013
#9/10 Yale at Union pregame notes
by Ryan Fay
Union hosts #9/10 Yale tomorrow night at 7 pm at Messa Rink.
Yale (13-7-6, 9-6-1 ECAC) is looking to solidify its hold on second place while sixth-place Union (13-10-5, 6-6-4) is looking to get back in the top four with eyes on a first round bye.
In advance of the game, parties from both sides weighed in on a few story lines that could impact the game.
SCORING STRUGGLES
Union enters the game struggling on offense. The Dutchmen have scored more than three goals in a game just once since the calendar flipped to 2013 (four vs last place Harvard on Jan. 22). In that span, the Dutchmen are 4-6-1.
"Sometimes we just sit back too much," senior Wayne Simpson said when describing the offensive woes. "We're playing in our zone too much and it's hard to create chances doing that."
At least the forward had solutions.
"We have to keep it simple so we can get pucks deep," he said. "Forcing turnovers from our forecheck is important as is getting pucks to the net. We've done it at times and we've seen how it works. But we have to do it more often."
Yale can sympathize with an offensive slump. The Bulldogs have lost three of its past four games and failed to score more than two goals in any of the three losses. The Bulldogs were shutout 1-0 on Tuesday despite firing 44 shots at Brown's Anthony Borelli.
"We have to score more goals," Yale head coach Keith Allain said via a phone interview. "We scored two goals in the previous game we lost and we scored zero goals on Tuesday. You can't win hockey games at any level when you're averaging one goal a game. We have to get our lines going and produce more offense."
GETTING KILLED BY THE KILL
Union has spent most of the season as one of the toughest penalty killing teams in the country.
But the unit has become leaky of late, operating at a 6-for-13 clip in the past three games. St. Lawrence scored three power play goals against Union last Saturday, the most Union had given up in nearly a calendar year.
"It's just a matter of getting some bounces," said junior defenseman Mat Bodie. "A couple bounces against St. Lawrence last Saturday were generous for them.
"Other than that, it's a matter of bearing down. We've been letting a couple shots get through from the point. We haven't been tying up sticks in front. It's the little things that add up. We've been successful in the past and I'm sure we can get back on track."
Union's penalty kill went 8-for-8 during a 3-3 draw at Yale on Dec. 8th.
LAGANIERE ONE TO WATCH
When Union skated to that tie at Yale in early December, no Bulldog stood out more than senior Antoine Laganiere.
"He's very big, skates and controls the puck extremely well, and Union simply didn't have an answer for him," Union play by play man Matt DuBrey told me in a December interview.
The 6-foot-4 forward picked up an assist in the tie against Union and his 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) are tied with Andrew Miller for second most on the club.
"He's a young man who came in here with a little bit of offensive skill," Allain said of Laganiere. "It's gratifying to see a guy who has gotten better each and every year. He has gotten stronger, faster, and more confident. When he came here, he was 6-foot-4, 170-something pounds. Now he's 6-foot-4, 220-something pounds. He has added elements to his offensive game. He's a testament to what a kid can accomplish with dedication and hard work."
SAINT NICK
When starting lineups are announced, Yale's goaltender probably won't be Jeff Malcolm.
Allain said on Wednesday that there's "no" timetable for Malcolm's return. The senior, who has a 2.48 goals against average and a .918 save percentage, has not played since suffering an injury early in a 4-2 win against Princeton on Feb. 1.
Nick Maricic, another senior, has picked up the slack between the pipes.
"I think Nick has played well," Allain said. "I thought he played well when he came in relief against Princeton. I thought he struggled a bit against Quinnipiac. But he was solid on Tuesday against Brown."
ETC
With 79 career points, Bodie is one away from setting the program record for points by a defenseman.... the junior is tied with Lane Caffaro.... if you can't make it to the game, it will be aired live on Time Warner Cable Sports... the program is holding a "bookraiser" by Project: Cameron's Story at both games this weekend... for more information, click here.
Union hosts #9/10 Yale tomorrow night at 7 pm at Messa Rink.
Yale (13-7-6, 9-6-1 ECAC) is looking to solidify its hold on second place while sixth-place Union (13-10-5, 6-6-4) is looking to get back in the top four with eyes on a first round bye.
In advance of the game, parties from both sides weighed in on a few story lines that could impact the game.
SCORING STRUGGLES
Union enters the game struggling on offense. The Dutchmen have scored more than three goals in a game just once since the calendar flipped to 2013 (four vs last place Harvard on Jan. 22). In that span, the Dutchmen are 4-6-1.
"Sometimes we just sit back too much," senior Wayne Simpson said when describing the offensive woes. "We're playing in our zone too much and it's hard to create chances doing that."
At least the forward had solutions.
 |
| Allain (Yale) |
Yale can sympathize with an offensive slump. The Bulldogs have lost three of its past four games and failed to score more than two goals in any of the three losses. The Bulldogs were shutout 1-0 on Tuesday despite firing 44 shots at Brown's Anthony Borelli.
"We have to score more goals," Yale head coach Keith Allain said via a phone interview. "We scored two goals in the previous game we lost and we scored zero goals on Tuesday. You can't win hockey games at any level when you're averaging one goal a game. We have to get our lines going and produce more offense."
GETTING KILLED BY THE KILL
Union has spent most of the season as one of the toughest penalty killing teams in the country.
But the unit has become leaky of late, operating at a 6-for-13 clip in the past three games. St. Lawrence scored three power play goals against Union last Saturday, the most Union had given up in nearly a calendar year.
"It's just a matter of getting some bounces," said junior defenseman Mat Bodie. "A couple bounces against St. Lawrence last Saturday were generous for them.
"Other than that, it's a matter of bearing down. We've been letting a couple shots get through from the point. We haven't been tying up sticks in front. It's the little things that add up. We've been successful in the past and I'm sure we can get back on track."
Union's penalty kill went 8-for-8 during a 3-3 draw at Yale on Dec. 8th.
LAGANIERE ONE TO WATCH
When Union skated to that tie at Yale in early December, no Bulldog stood out more than senior Antoine Laganiere.
"He's very big, skates and controls the puck extremely well, and Union simply didn't have an answer for him," Union play by play man Matt DuBrey told me in a December interview.
The 6-foot-4 forward picked up an assist in the tie against Union and his 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) are tied with Andrew Miller for second most on the club.
"He's a young man who came in here with a little bit of offensive skill," Allain said of Laganiere. "It's gratifying to see a guy who has gotten better each and every year. He has gotten stronger, faster, and more confident. When he came here, he was 6-foot-4, 170-something pounds. Now he's 6-foot-4, 220-something pounds. He has added elements to his offensive game. He's a testament to what a kid can accomplish with dedication and hard work."
SAINT NICK
When starting lineups are announced, Yale's goaltender probably won't be Jeff Malcolm.
Allain said on Wednesday that there's "no" timetable for Malcolm's return. The senior, who has a 2.48 goals against average and a .918 save percentage, has not played since suffering an injury early in a 4-2 win against Princeton on Feb. 1.
Nick Maricic, another senior, has picked up the slack between the pipes.
"I think Nick has played well," Allain said. "I thought he played well when he came in relief against Princeton. I thought he struggled a bit against Quinnipiac. But he was solid on Tuesday against Brown."
ETC
With 79 career points, Bodie is one away from setting the program record for points by a defenseman.... the junior is tied with Lane Caffaro.... if you can't make it to the game, it will be aired live on Time Warner Cable Sports... the program is holding a "bookraiser" by Project: Cameron's Story at both games this weekend... for more information, click here.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Q&A with Brown associate head coach Mark White
by Ryan Fay
Fresh off a 1-0 shutout of #9/10 Yale, surging Brown (9-9-5, 5-6-5) comes in for a pivotal stretch run game Saturday night at Messa Rink. The Bears enter the weekend just one point behind Union (13-10-5, 6-6-4) in the league standings and both teams are fighting for a first-round bye.
In advance of the game, I chatted with Brown associate head coach Mark White. He discussed what he saw from Yale last night, breakout players like Matt Lorito and Anthony Borelli, his impressions of Union, and more.
UNION HOCKEY NEWS (UHN): Yale comes here on Friday. What were your impressions of them last night?
MARK WHITE (MW): They transition really well. They're going to be poised for a playoff run. It's a typical Yale team. They have a couple elite level players and they're a fast team. Yale has a defense that can move the puck. There were some questions about their goaltending with Jeff Malcolm out but I thought Nick Maricic (31 saves) looked pretty solid.
UHN: What can you say about the way Anthony Borelli has been playing in goal for you? His numbers (1.42 goals against average, .951 save percentage) rank him as one of the best in the country since he took over for Marco DeFilippo in early December.
MW: Anthony has taken the opportunity he was given and ran with it. He's been fantastic and very competitive in net for us. You look for a senior or two every year to step up and he's been that guy for us. You're usually only as good as your senior class. We've had a couple guys step up and he's been one of them. We had Mike Clemente getting the bulk of the starts the past couple years, but Anthony has proven he can play at a very high level.
UHN: Matt Lorito is breaking out in his sophomore season. His 14 goals leads the team and rank second among ECAC players. What's spurring his improvement?
MW: Matt missed the first seven or eight games with a wrist injury last year. To miss those games as a freshman made it tough to get off to a good start. He's a dynamic skater, has a knack for scoring, and he uses his speed to get into scoring situations. He played with senior Jack McClellan (15 goals) last year and that may have taken the load off him a bit. This year he's taken it more on himself to do some of that scoring. We're not a team that scores a lot, but he's doing the bulk of our scoring.
UHN: Your club is 3-0-1 over the past four games. What's clicking?
MW: Our goaltending is very strong. We play a strong defensive game and we don't give up a lot of "grade A" chances and second chances off rebounds. Beyond that, there's a belief in the locker room that we can win hockey games any way, any how. We're blocking a lot of shots and doing the little things that lead to wins. Guys are playing with a lot of grit right now. It's a small little stretch of wins, but we need to keep that going. It's crazy how tight the standings are.
UHN: Brown is riding a three game unbeaten streak against Union (2-0-1). Most other league teams haven't been as successful against them lately. Why do your guys match up so well against them?
MW: We've gotten good goaltending against them be it this year or last year. Union is usually ranked pretty high when we play them and the guys get up to play a nationally ranked opponent. Union has proven that they're an elite level program the past couple years. It's no different than any other ranked team that we play. We want to play everyone hard.
UHN: What were your impressions of Union when your guys skated to a 3-3 tie with them in December?
MW: They're a good team. Union has what you need in the special teams department. That's something that hurt us earlier in the year, but we have corrected that a bit. 33% of the game is played on special teams and Union excels in that area. They're not a team that beats themselves a whole lot. They have an identity, they stick with that identity, and they're disciplined in how they play.
UHN: Other than special teams, what are a couple other keys to the game from your end?
MW: We need to find a way to get traffic and pucks to the net. We pride ourselves on eliminating as many odd man rushes as possible and that tends to eliminate a lot of "grade A" chances for our opponent. If we work through the middle of the ice, we'll have a good chance to compete.
Fresh off a 1-0 shutout of #9/10 Yale, surging Brown (9-9-5, 5-6-5) comes in for a pivotal stretch run game Saturday night at Messa Rink. The Bears enter the weekend just one point behind Union (13-10-5, 6-6-4) in the league standings and both teams are fighting for a first-round bye.
In advance of the game, I chatted with Brown associate head coach Mark White. He discussed what he saw from Yale last night, breakout players like Matt Lorito and Anthony Borelli, his impressions of Union, and more.
UNION HOCKEY NEWS (UHN): Yale comes here on Friday. What were your impressions of them last night?
MARK WHITE (MW): They transition really well. They're going to be poised for a playoff run. It's a typical Yale team. They have a couple elite level players and they're a fast team. Yale has a defense that can move the puck. There were some questions about their goaltending with Jeff Malcolm out but I thought Nick Maricic (31 saves) looked pretty solid.
UHN: What can you say about the way Anthony Borelli has been playing in goal for you? His numbers (1.42 goals against average, .951 save percentage) rank him as one of the best in the country since he took over for Marco DeFilippo in early December.
 |
| Borelli (Brown) |
MW: Anthony has taken the opportunity he was given and ran with it. He's been fantastic and very competitive in net for us. You look for a senior or two every year to step up and he's been that guy for us. You're usually only as good as your senior class. We've had a couple guys step up and he's been one of them. We had Mike Clemente getting the bulk of the starts the past couple years, but Anthony has proven he can play at a very high level.
UHN: Matt Lorito is breaking out in his sophomore season. His 14 goals leads the team and rank second among ECAC players. What's spurring his improvement?
MW: Matt missed the first seven or eight games with a wrist injury last year. To miss those games as a freshman made it tough to get off to a good start. He's a dynamic skater, has a knack for scoring, and he uses his speed to get into scoring situations. He played with senior Jack McClellan (15 goals) last year and that may have taken the load off him a bit. This year he's taken it more on himself to do some of that scoring. We're not a team that scores a lot, but he's doing the bulk of our scoring.
UHN: Your club is 3-0-1 over the past four games. What's clicking?
MW: Our goaltending is very strong. We play a strong defensive game and we don't give up a lot of "grade A" chances and second chances off rebounds. Beyond that, there's a belief in the locker room that we can win hockey games any way, any how. We're blocking a lot of shots and doing the little things that lead to wins. Guys are playing with a lot of grit right now. It's a small little stretch of wins, but we need to keep that going. It's crazy how tight the standings are.
UHN: Brown is riding a three game unbeaten streak against Union (2-0-1). Most other league teams haven't been as successful against them lately. Why do your guys match up so well against them?
MW: We've gotten good goaltending against them be it this year or last year. Union is usually ranked pretty high when we play them and the guys get up to play a nationally ranked opponent. Union has proven that they're an elite level program the past couple years. It's no different than any other ranked team that we play. We want to play everyone hard.
UHN: What were your impressions of Union when your guys skated to a 3-3 tie with them in December?
MW: They're a good team. Union has what you need in the special teams department. That's something that hurt us earlier in the year, but we have corrected that a bit. 33% of the game is played on special teams and Union excels in that area. They're not a team that beats themselves a whole lot. They have an identity, they stick with that identity, and they're disciplined in how they play.
UHN: Other than special teams, what are a couple other keys to the game from your end?
MW: We need to find a way to get traffic and pucks to the net. We pride ourselves on eliminating as many odd man rushes as possible and that tends to eliminate a lot of "grade A" chances for our opponent. If we work through the middle of the ice, we'll have a good chance to compete.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Q&A with Clarkson hockey broadcaster Bob Ahlfeld
by Ryan Fay
With Union set for a trip to Clarkson on Friday, I chatted with Bob Ahlfeld, the voice of Golden Knights hockey.
Ahlfeld talks about Clarkson's recent turnaround as well as key players like Joe Zarbo, Pat Megannety, and T.J Moor. The play-by-play man also discusses Friday's game and how the top four in the ECAC may end up.
UNION HOCKEY NEWS (UHN): After a 5 game losing streak, Clarkson is 2-1-2 in their past 5. What's clicking lately that wasn't earlier?
BOB AHLFELD (BA): I realize it sounds simple but getting pucks to the net, and then finishing when they’re there has made a big difference. For example, in losses to Niagara and Mercyhurst, Clarkson got 40+ shots in each game but only scored one goal combined. It began in a 5-1 win at Harvard on January 25th when they got 20 shots in the first period on the Crimson. Not all of them were "grade A" chances but that mindset has helped. There is a bit more of a hunger around the goal and some of the goals have come from gritty areas.
UHN: Joe Zarbo is busting out in his second year - his 12 goals are tied for third in the league. What's behind his improvement?
BA: Joe has really been moving his feet very well of late and has a great set of hands. Playing with his brother, Matt, has been a comfortable situation for him and Adam Pawlick adds some upper class leadership. While it is impressive how he’s put the puck away, one defining play for Joe was setting up James Howden for the game tying goal last Friday against Colgate. I’m sure most of the building, and certainly Colgate, expected him to shoot from the high slot and he waited long enough to get the puck to Howden for what turned out to be a huge point. He has the ability to create, even from a broken play, that few guys have. Plus, many of his goals have come at key times, whether it be to stop the momentum of the opponent or to add to Clarkson’s pressure. His play has made teams take notice and that will hopefully open things up for others.
UHN: Pat Megannety is tied for second on the team with 16 points despite being a freshman. What have you seen out of him this year?
BA: Pat has been a pleasant surprise on the points side of things. Very telling to me was the confidence the coaching staff showed in him by moving him to center (he had played wing all season long) this past weekend against Colgate and Cornell. He did not look out of place, and he, Simon Bessette and new addition T.J Moor had a lot of energy against the Raiders and Big Red. Some guys in junior come from teams that aren’t as system oriented as college teams, but that wasn’t the case with Pat. He’s made the transition to the college game fairly routine and doesn’t seem fazed at all by the speed or physical nature of college hockey.
UHN: Moor is the current ECAC player of the week after picking up three goals and an assist over the weekend. Overall, he has 7 points (3 g, 4 a) in 9 games this season. He didn't join the team until January, but what have you seen from him?
BA: T.J came in after working on his grades in the fall semester. The way he has moved seemingly seamlessly into the line-up makes you forget that he was not on the ice in the fall at all. He has made an immediate impact and even in the games when he’s not scored he’s created some chances for the team. He has made some very smart decisions with the puck in all three zones and is gaining confidence in every shift.
UHN: Clarkson is the most penalized team in the ECAC and their PK ranks near the bottom of the league. Union's PP is one of the best in the country. How much of a concern is that going into the game?
BA: Each of those can be a bit misleading. If you look at the top 10 in PIMs, there are some very good teams in there. Quinnipiac and North Dakota are just a shade behind Clarkson in penalty minutes. Denver and Duluth are ahead and those are all top 15 teams. Now with Quinnipiac they are at a 90 percent penalty kill and that stat is even more impressive when you see the number of penalties they take.
I also believe there are certain penalties that can embolden a team depending on how they are taken. For example, aggressive penalties that make the opponents not as comfortable with the puck or a penalty that blunts a great scoring chance by the other team. Those kind are easier to kill in my opinion than ones that take you away from scoring chances or happen because of inattention to detail.
As far as Friday’s game, I believe that Clarkson’s ability or inability to stop Union’s power play will be huge. Good teams like Union make you draw penalties. Withstanding the pressure of penalties and using the momentum of a great penalty kill will make a big impact for Clarkson.
UHN: How do you see the game unfolding?
BA: I’m forever wrong about how games will unfold. In fact, I think the last one I was right about was the Boston College vs. Yale NCAA game that I joked was going to be first team to 10 goals (and BC won 9-7). And in my mind I thought a good start against Cornell and getting a lead on Saturday was key and the Big Red scored 58 seconds in. Look how that one turned out -- Clarkson won, 6-3.
I believe Union to be one of the strongest teams in the country and it will take a strong effort by Clarkson to overcome them. One thing going for Clarkson is that there are so many new players who don’t have a history of frustration against the Dutchmen. I have to believe the team and staff are excited to see how the teams match up.
UHN: How do you see the ECAC top four unfolding after Quinnipiac?
BA: Two things are sure, first and last. Quinnipiac has first and Harvard will most likely be the 12th seed. The rest is such a jumble that after Friday’s games we could figure on three teams to be solidly in for a bye, then if those same teams lose on Saturday they could be facing a home game in the first round.
Having not seen Union or RPI yet in person, I’d have to figure that both will be pushing for home ice and a bye (especially with the way RPI is coming on). St. Lawrence has gotten hot, and Dartmouth is dangerous especially at home. One figures with 16 points left, whichever teams are able to get 10 or more of them will be in a good position. Given their experience from last year, you would think Union to be in the top four when it’s all said and done, along with Yale since they are three points clear of third. After that, man, that last spot could come down to the 7th tiebreaker.
With Union set for a trip to Clarkson on Friday, I chatted with Bob Ahlfeld, the voice of Golden Knights hockey.
Ahlfeld talks about Clarkson's recent turnaround as well as key players like Joe Zarbo, Pat Megannety, and T.J Moor. The play-by-play man also discusses Friday's game and how the top four in the ECAC may end up.
UNION HOCKEY NEWS (UHN): After a 5 game losing streak, Clarkson is 2-1-2 in their past 5. What's clicking lately that wasn't earlier?
BOB AHLFELD (BA): I realize it sounds simple but getting pucks to the net, and then finishing when they’re there has made a big difference. For example, in losses to Niagara and Mercyhurst, Clarkson got 40+ shots in each game but only scored one goal combined. It began in a 5-1 win at Harvard on January 25th when they got 20 shots in the first period on the Crimson. Not all of them were "grade A" chances but that mindset has helped. There is a bit more of a hunger around the goal and some of the goals have come from gritty areas.
UHN: Joe Zarbo is busting out in his second year - his 12 goals are tied for third in the league. What's behind his improvement?
BA: Joe has really been moving his feet very well of late and has a great set of hands. Playing with his brother, Matt, has been a comfortable situation for him and Adam Pawlick adds some upper class leadership. While it is impressive how he’s put the puck away, one defining play for Joe was setting up James Howden for the game tying goal last Friday against Colgate. I’m sure most of the building, and certainly Colgate, expected him to shoot from the high slot and he waited long enough to get the puck to Howden for what turned out to be a huge point. He has the ability to create, even from a broken play, that few guys have. Plus, many of his goals have come at key times, whether it be to stop the momentum of the opponent or to add to Clarkson’s pressure. His play has made teams take notice and that will hopefully open things up for others.
UHN: Pat Megannety is tied for second on the team with 16 points despite being a freshman. What have you seen out of him this year?
 |
| Ahlfeld (Clarkson) |
UHN: Moor is the current ECAC player of the week after picking up three goals and an assist over the weekend. Overall, he has 7 points (3 g, 4 a) in 9 games this season. He didn't join the team until January, but what have you seen from him?
BA: T.J came in after working on his grades in the fall semester. The way he has moved seemingly seamlessly into the line-up makes you forget that he was not on the ice in the fall at all. He has made an immediate impact and even in the games when he’s not scored he’s created some chances for the team. He has made some very smart decisions with the puck in all three zones and is gaining confidence in every shift.
UHN: Clarkson is the most penalized team in the ECAC and their PK ranks near the bottom of the league. Union's PP is one of the best in the country. How much of a concern is that going into the game?
BA: Each of those can be a bit misleading. If you look at the top 10 in PIMs, there are some very good teams in there. Quinnipiac and North Dakota are just a shade behind Clarkson in penalty minutes. Denver and Duluth are ahead and those are all top 15 teams. Now with Quinnipiac they are at a 90 percent penalty kill and that stat is even more impressive when you see the number of penalties they take.
I also believe there are certain penalties that can embolden a team depending on how they are taken. For example, aggressive penalties that make the opponents not as comfortable with the puck or a penalty that blunts a great scoring chance by the other team. Those kind are easier to kill in my opinion than ones that take you away from scoring chances or happen because of inattention to detail.
As far as Friday’s game, I believe that Clarkson’s ability or inability to stop Union’s power play will be huge. Good teams like Union make you draw penalties. Withstanding the pressure of penalties and using the momentum of a great penalty kill will make a big impact for Clarkson.
UHN: How do you see the game unfolding?
BA: I’m forever wrong about how games will unfold. In fact, I think the last one I was right about was the Boston College vs. Yale NCAA game that I joked was going to be first team to 10 goals (and BC won 9-7). And in my mind I thought a good start against Cornell and getting a lead on Saturday was key and the Big Red scored 58 seconds in. Look how that one turned out -- Clarkson won, 6-3.
I believe Union to be one of the strongest teams in the country and it will take a strong effort by Clarkson to overcome them. One thing going for Clarkson is that there are so many new players who don’t have a history of frustration against the Dutchmen. I have to believe the team and staff are excited to see how the teams match up.
UHN: How do you see the ECAC top four unfolding after Quinnipiac?
BA: Two things are sure, first and last. Quinnipiac has first and Harvard will most likely be the 12th seed. The rest is such a jumble that after Friday’s games we could figure on three teams to be solidly in for a bye, then if those same teams lose on Saturday they could be facing a home game in the first round.
Having not seen Union or RPI yet in person, I’d have to figure that both will be pushing for home ice and a bye (especially with the way RPI is coming on). St. Lawrence has gotten hot, and Dartmouth is dangerous especially at home. One figures with 16 points left, whichever teams are able to get 10 or more of them will be in a good position. Given their experience from last year, you would think Union to be in the top four when it’s all said and done, along with Yale since they are three points clear of third. After that, man, that last spot could come down to the 7th tiebreaker.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Stuart returns tonight vs Dartmouth
by Ryan Fay
Defenseman Shawn Stuart is returning to the lineup of the 18th-ranked Dutchmen. Tonight's faceoff against #16 Dartmouth is set for 7:40 pm.
The senior had missed four games with an upper-body injury sustained earlier this month at Quinnipiac. Stuart is replacing freshman Sebastien Gingras on the blueline. Charlie Vasaturo is also back on defense, at the expense of Tim Boyle. Up front, Sam Coatta rejoins the lineup at Nick Cruice's expense.
Tonight's game is nationally televised on the NBC Sports Network.
Defenseman Shawn Stuart is returning to the lineup of the 18th-ranked Dutchmen. Tonight's faceoff against #16 Dartmouth is set for 7:40 pm.
The senior had missed four games with an upper-body injury sustained earlier this month at Quinnipiac. Stuart is replacing freshman Sebastien Gingras on the blueline. Charlie Vasaturo is also back on defense, at the expense of Tim Boyle. Up front, Sam Coatta rejoins the lineup at Nick Cruice's expense.
Tonight's game is nationally televised on the NBC Sports Network.
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| Union line chart vs Dartmouth (Union Athletics) |
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Q&A with Dartmouth associate head coach Dave Peters
by Ryan Fay
#18 Union (6-4-3, 13-8-4) returns to action tomorrow night at 7:30 pm when #16 Dartmouth (7-5-1, 11-7-2) comes to Messa Rink for a nationally televised game on the NBC Sports Network.
The two teams enter tomorrow's game tied for third place in the ECAC with 15 points apiece. Union will be looking for their fourth in a row and both teams are aiming to solidify a spot in the top four with eyes on a first round bye in the league playoffs.
To get the other side of the story, I interviewed Dave Peters, the associate men's hockey head coach at Dartmouth. A college hockey veteran with over two decades of coaching experience, he's currently in his 14th season on the Big Green staff.
Peters offers thoughts on the game, what he saw from Union in November, and some of his players who could be factors.
UNION HOCKEY NEWS (UHN): If someone is seeing Dartmouth for the first time tomorrow, what type of team will they see?
DAVE PETERS (DP): We're a big team, we play hard, and try to keep the game simple. We try to get pucks deep, we try to get pucks to the net, and we try to get our forecheck going. We try to play really good tough defense and try to keep the puck out of our zone. We like to transition and get pucks behind the opposition's defense and work it low.
UHN: What were your impressions of Union when you beat them, 3-2, at your place on November 10th?
DP: We were very impressed with their team and have been the past few years. Union has a lot of talent, they're very well coached, and they have an excellent powerplay. Their whole defensive core is good, but the thing that impresses me the most is they have three defensemen who remind me of the "big three" on the Montreal Canadiens from way back (Larry Robinson, Guy LaPointe, Serge Savard). To have a defenseman on the ice at probably all times that can get you out of a jam, move the puck, control the play, and add to the offense is what sets Union apart.
Even though they lost Jeremy Welsh and Kelly Zajac, who were really good players, Union has a good group of forwards. Wayne Simpson, Kyle Bodie, and Daniel Carr have put up great numbers this year. They have a Hobey Baker caliber goaltender in Troy Grosenick. It's talent and depth at all positions and that's what is really impressive.
UHN: Your leading scorer, Tyler Sikura, was good as a freshman last year (25 pts, 33 games) but looks to be even better this year (25 pts, 20 games). What makes him dangerous?
DP: He's a player you can play in all situations. He's killing penalties, he's on the powerplay, and he plays a regular shift. He's a very good offensive player and has an excellent hockey sense. Sometimes you have a playmaker who isn't a goal scorer, but he can also score. He has a tremendous release on his shot and his skating and strength have both improved over last year. That's given him a little more confidence.
UHN: How important is it to have a healthy Dustin Walsh (7 g, 6 a) back in the lineup?
Walsh, a senior, was a sixth round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2009 and has battled injuries throughout his Dartmouth career. He recently missed three games, but he returned last weekend and had two goals an assist.
DP: It's really important for us because he's such a talented player. What it does is give us another forward who can score goals and make plays. It takes pressure off Sikura, Matt Lindblad (9 g, 14 a), and Eric Robinson (team-leading 10 goals), who have led our team all year. To add Walsh to that group is another player who can help us offensively.
UHN: After losing a couple senior goaltenders last year (James Melo, Jody O'Neill), junior Cab Morris has stepped up and has a 1.99 goals against average and a .922 save percentage in 12 games. What can you say about his play?
DP: Morris has been very good and consistent. He has given us a chance to win almost every night out and has a tremendous work ethic. He's very prepared on and off the ice and he practices hard.
UHN: Freshman Charles Grant has also seen a healthy amount of time in goal (8 games) and has quickly posted solid numbers (2.61 GAA, .908 save %). How much of a luxury is it when you have two goaltenders you feel comfortable starting?
DP: It's been good. With Melo and O'Neill playing so much throughout their careers, goaltending was a bit of an unknown for us going into the year. Grant has also done a very good job and has given us a chance to win when he has played. We feel like we have confidence in both goaltenders. We have a third goaltender, James Kruger, who hasn't had an opportunity to play. But we're high on him and feel like he's right there as well.
UHN: Are all your guys healthy going into the game?
DP: We lost Brandon McNally (6 g, 5 a) in the Brown game (January 18th). He's not going to be available for us this weekend.
UHN: How would you say your club has been playing leading up to tomorrow's game?
DP: We've been a little inconsistent. But we like our team and feel we've been playing solid hockey.
UHN: Your squad is the least penalized team in the ECAC, so how important is that considering Union's powerplay is best in the country?
DP: It's really important. You have to stay out of the box, play with discipline, and limit the powerplay opportunities. We've done a good job of that this year and hope to continue that.
UHN: What are a couple other keys to the game from your end?
DP: We have to play with confidence. We're playing in an opposing building, so we have to keep the game simple, play our system, and be good defensively. We have to get pucks behind their defense and play the game in their end. We need to get pucks and traffic to the net. That's what we call playing the right way, and if we do that, we should have a chance.
Can't make it to the game? Find your local NBC Sports Network channel.
#18 Union (6-4-3, 13-8-4) returns to action tomorrow night at 7:30 pm when #16 Dartmouth (7-5-1, 11-7-2) comes to Messa Rink for a nationally televised game on the NBC Sports Network.
The two teams enter tomorrow's game tied for third place in the ECAC with 15 points apiece. Union will be looking for their fourth in a row and both teams are aiming to solidify a spot in the top four with eyes on a first round bye in the league playoffs.
To get the other side of the story, I interviewed Dave Peters, the associate men's hockey head coach at Dartmouth. A college hockey veteran with over two decades of coaching experience, he's currently in his 14th season on the Big Green staff.
Peters offers thoughts on the game, what he saw from Union in November, and some of his players who could be factors.
UNION HOCKEY NEWS (UHN): If someone is seeing Dartmouth for the first time tomorrow, what type of team will they see?
DAVE PETERS (DP): We're a big team, we play hard, and try to keep the game simple. We try to get pucks deep, we try to get pucks to the net, and we try to get our forecheck going. We try to play really good tough defense and try to keep the puck out of our zone. We like to transition and get pucks behind the opposition's defense and work it low.
UHN: What were your impressions of Union when you beat them, 3-2, at your place on November 10th?
DP: We were very impressed with their team and have been the past few years. Union has a lot of talent, they're very well coached, and they have an excellent powerplay. Their whole defensive core is good, but the thing that impresses me the most is they have three defensemen who remind me of the "big three" on the Montreal Canadiens from way back (Larry Robinson, Guy LaPointe, Serge Savard). To have a defenseman on the ice at probably all times that can get you out of a jam, move the puck, control the play, and add to the offense is what sets Union apart.
Even though they lost Jeremy Welsh and Kelly Zajac, who were really good players, Union has a good group of forwards. Wayne Simpson, Kyle Bodie, and Daniel Carr have put up great numbers this year. They have a Hobey Baker caliber goaltender in Troy Grosenick. It's talent and depth at all positions and that's what is really impressive.
UHN: Your leading scorer, Tyler Sikura, was good as a freshman last year (25 pts, 33 games) but looks to be even better this year (25 pts, 20 games). What makes him dangerous?
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| Sikura (Dartmouth) |
UHN: How important is it to have a healthy Dustin Walsh (7 g, 6 a) back in the lineup?
Walsh, a senior, was a sixth round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2009 and has battled injuries throughout his Dartmouth career. He recently missed three games, but he returned last weekend and had two goals an assist.
DP: It's really important for us because he's such a talented player. What it does is give us another forward who can score goals and make plays. It takes pressure off Sikura, Matt Lindblad (9 g, 14 a), and Eric Robinson (team-leading 10 goals), who have led our team all year. To add Walsh to that group is another player who can help us offensively.
UHN: After losing a couple senior goaltenders last year (James Melo, Jody O'Neill), junior Cab Morris has stepped up and has a 1.99 goals against average and a .922 save percentage in 12 games. What can you say about his play?
DP: Morris has been very good and consistent. He has given us a chance to win almost every night out and has a tremendous work ethic. He's very prepared on and off the ice and he practices hard.
UHN: Freshman Charles Grant has also seen a healthy amount of time in goal (8 games) and has quickly posted solid numbers (2.61 GAA, .908 save %). How much of a luxury is it when you have two goaltenders you feel comfortable starting?
DP: It's been good. With Melo and O'Neill playing so much throughout their careers, goaltending was a bit of an unknown for us going into the year. Grant has also done a very good job and has given us a chance to win when he has played. We feel like we have confidence in both goaltenders. We have a third goaltender, James Kruger, who hasn't had an opportunity to play. But we're high on him and feel like he's right there as well.
UHN: Are all your guys healthy going into the game?
DP: We lost Brandon McNally (6 g, 5 a) in the Brown game (January 18th). He's not going to be available for us this weekend.
UHN: How would you say your club has been playing leading up to tomorrow's game?
DP: We've been a little inconsistent. But we like our team and feel we've been playing solid hockey.
UHN: Your squad is the least penalized team in the ECAC, so how important is that considering Union's powerplay is best in the country?
DP: It's really important. You have to stay out of the box, play with discipline, and limit the powerplay opportunities. We've done a good job of that this year and hope to continue that.
UHN: What are a couple other keys to the game from your end?
DP: We have to play with confidence. We're playing in an opposing building, so we have to keep the game simple, play our system, and be good defensively. We have to get pucks behind their defense and play the game in their end. We need to get pucks and traffic to the net. That's what we call playing the right way, and if we do that, we should have a chance.
Can't make it to the game? Find your local NBC Sports Network channel.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Q&A with RPI men's hockey head coach Seth Appert
by Ryan Fay
Union and RPI are set to renew their heated rivalry with Saturday's 7:30 pm "Mayor's Cup" game at the Times Union Center.
It will be the third meeting between the schools this season and the first since Union's 7-3 win on November 3rd. Union has a seven game winning streak against their Route 7 rivals, but RPI still has the all-time series lead in Division I play at 29-26-9. RPI last beat Union, 4-3 in overtime, on November 13th 2010.
On Tuesday afternoon, I conducted a phone interview with RPI men's hockey head coach Seth Appert. The coach dissects the recent improvement of his team, Union's success against RPI, a few of his players who could loom large in Saturday's game, and more.
UNION HOCKEY NEWS (UHN): If someone hasn't seen your team play yet this season, what style of team will they see on Saturday?
SETH APPERT (SA): What we try to be is a hard, fast, disciplined team. We've been turning into a very good defensive team. I think we're doing that not by being passive and sitting back, but by being aggressive, forechecking well, and being physical. We're at our best when we're playing fast, hard, and physical -- taking time and space away from our opponents when we don't have the puck so we can get it back.
UHN: Your team has won or tied five of its past six league games, including handing Quinnipiac its only non-win in league play this year (a 1-1 tie on Jan. 11). You also split a non-league series at now #16 St. Cloud State in late December. What's fueling the improvement?
SA: We're playing pretty good hockey these past two months in league and out of league. Even in the games we have lost, we've played very well either for large portions or all of the game. Day in and day out, and game in and game out, we've been real committed to playing the right way and doing little things that give us a chance to win hockey games.
UHN: After the first game with Union earlier this season, you thought your team showed a lack of maturity. Has more maturity been another factor in the recent improvement?
SA: We're growing up slowly. We still show some moments of immaturity as evidenced by being a little sloppy in the first period against Princeton but we had a dominant 40 minutes after that. Our captain, C.J Lee, is doing a fantastic job of getting the guys on the same page. Lee and I are in sync in terms of how we see things and what we value. That consistency is starting to take hold a little bit. We were immature in that Union series and we continued that immaturity the next weekend at Harvard and Dartmouth, but since then, we've been a real good hockey team. We've done a lot of things the right way. We're not perfect, and we still have things to improve upon, but we are slowly turning into a very physical, disciplined, tough hockey team.
UHN: Union has been successful against a lot of teams in the past few years, including yours. What's made them especially dangerous in the games against your team?
SA: They've kept their composure better. We've taken some ill-advised penalties against them and they have an absolutely lethal power play. They have very good combined special teams (power play and penalty kill) and they receive very good goaltending. You combine those things together and they've found their way to quite a bit of success against us these past few seasons.
UHN: Union has had its share of struggles in the past couple months. Is it fair to say you could be getting them at the right time?
SA: I'm more concerned with our team. It looks like Union played pretty well last weekend, having a lead on Cornell late in the game and beating a pretty good Colgate team the next night. Union has a very good team and I still believe they're a top 15 team in the country. Every team goes through ups and downs at some point of the season. In terms of getting them at the right time, the schedule is what it is, and all you worry about is the next day of practice and the next game in front of you.
UHN: What can you say about your freshman goaltender, Jason Kasdorf? A sixth round pick of Winnipeg in the 2011 NHL draft, he's played in nine games and has a 4-1-2 record.
SA: He's given us a good swagger and a good belief in ourselves. We have three very good goalies, but he's been able to separate a bit, and the numbers bear that out. His winning percentage (.714) and save percentage (.943) are higher [than our other goaltenders]. All goalies at this level have very good athleticism and ability to make big saves. What he's done a good job of in his freshman year is limiting the number of soft rebounds and soft goals. Bad rebounds lead to goals and goals deflate a team. He's done a good job at making big saves when necessary and taking care of the little details that add up to big things.
UHN: Milos Bubela, a native of Slovakia, is tied for second on your team in goals (seven) despite being a freshman. What has stood out about him?
SA: We were pretty excited about him with his international background (he played in the World Junior Championships last year). It's been a big transition -- he's coming to college hockey, he's coming to college, he's learning another language, and a different style of play compared to what experienced in Europe. What Bubela has done a good job of is quickly buying into the more physical play of North American hockey. He's had a willingness to compete for loose pucks, to be physical, to finish checks, and to win battles. When you do those things, you have the puck more. When Bubela has the puck, like most good offensive players, he's very dangerous and can do a lot of great things. Where some offensive players struggle is that they don't work hard enough to get the puck. Bubela has done a good job in the past few months of understanding that and getting the puck more through his efforts. Because of that, he's been rewarded with more offensive opportunities.
UHN: Matt Neal, Ryan Haggerty, and Jacob Laliberte, have (at times) formed what's known as your "N-H-L" line. They all came to your program with big expectations, but now in year two, they're your top three scorers. What can you say about their development?
SA: They're all making steps in their sophomore year. They all have a lot of growth left to go - not only the rest of this season, but into the future. They've shown a good willingness to buy into the coaching and a desire to get better. A big jump from your freshman to sophomore year is how hard you train in the summer because now you know what it takes to be a Division I hockey player. All three had good summers in the weight room and showed a high level of commitment and discipline towards their offseason training. They have a little more maturity and understanding of their abilities.
UHN: How do you see the game going on Saturday night?
SA: As a coach, you never predict those things. All you do is prepare your team the way it needs to be prepared to give your young men a chance to go ahead and have success. We're really focused on having good practices and getting guys back into the swing of things academically with school starting up this week. We're just making sure we continue to take steps forward as a team like we have the past two months. We'll put the guys out there Saturday night and they'll dictate it from there.
Special thanks to Kevin Beattie and to Coach Appert.
Union and RPI are set to renew their heated rivalry with Saturday's 7:30 pm "Mayor's Cup" game at the Times Union Center.
It will be the third meeting between the schools this season and the first since Union's 7-3 win on November 3rd. Union has a seven game winning streak against their Route 7 rivals, but RPI still has the all-time series lead in Division I play at 29-26-9. RPI last beat Union, 4-3 in overtime, on November 13th 2010.
On Tuesday afternoon, I conducted a phone interview with RPI men's hockey head coach Seth Appert. The coach dissects the recent improvement of his team, Union's success against RPI, a few of his players who could loom large in Saturday's game, and more.
UNION HOCKEY NEWS (UHN): If someone hasn't seen your team play yet this season, what style of team will they see on Saturday?
SETH APPERT (SA): What we try to be is a hard, fast, disciplined team. We've been turning into a very good defensive team. I think we're doing that not by being passive and sitting back, but by being aggressive, forechecking well, and being physical. We're at our best when we're playing fast, hard, and physical -- taking time and space away from our opponents when we don't have the puck so we can get it back.
UHN: Your team has won or tied five of its past six league games, including handing Quinnipiac its only non-win in league play this year (a 1-1 tie on Jan. 11). You also split a non-league series at now #16 St. Cloud State in late December. What's fueling the improvement?
SA: We're playing pretty good hockey these past two months in league and out of league. Even in the games we have lost, we've played very well either for large portions or all of the game. Day in and day out, and game in and game out, we've been real committed to playing the right way and doing little things that give us a chance to win hockey games.
UHN: After the first game with Union earlier this season, you thought your team showed a lack of maturity. Has more maturity been another factor in the recent improvement?
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| Appert (RPI Athletics) |
UHN: Union has been successful against a lot of teams in the past few years, including yours. What's made them especially dangerous in the games against your team?
SA: They've kept their composure better. We've taken some ill-advised penalties against them and they have an absolutely lethal power play. They have very good combined special teams (power play and penalty kill) and they receive very good goaltending. You combine those things together and they've found their way to quite a bit of success against us these past few seasons.
UHN: Union has had its share of struggles in the past couple months. Is it fair to say you could be getting them at the right time?
SA: I'm more concerned with our team. It looks like Union played pretty well last weekend, having a lead on Cornell late in the game and beating a pretty good Colgate team the next night. Union has a very good team and I still believe they're a top 15 team in the country. Every team goes through ups and downs at some point of the season. In terms of getting them at the right time, the schedule is what it is, and all you worry about is the next day of practice and the next game in front of you.
UHN: What can you say about your freshman goaltender, Jason Kasdorf? A sixth round pick of Winnipeg in the 2011 NHL draft, he's played in nine games and has a 4-1-2 record.
SA: He's given us a good swagger and a good belief in ourselves. We have three very good goalies, but he's been able to separate a bit, and the numbers bear that out. His winning percentage (.714) and save percentage (.943) are higher [than our other goaltenders]. All goalies at this level have very good athleticism and ability to make big saves. What he's done a good job of in his freshman year is limiting the number of soft rebounds and soft goals. Bad rebounds lead to goals and goals deflate a team. He's done a good job at making big saves when necessary and taking care of the little details that add up to big things.
UHN: Milos Bubela, a native of Slovakia, is tied for second on your team in goals (seven) despite being a freshman. What has stood out about him?
SA: We were pretty excited about him with his international background (he played in the World Junior Championships last year). It's been a big transition -- he's coming to college hockey, he's coming to college, he's learning another language, and a different style of play compared to what experienced in Europe. What Bubela has done a good job of is quickly buying into the more physical play of North American hockey. He's had a willingness to compete for loose pucks, to be physical, to finish checks, and to win battles. When you do those things, you have the puck more. When Bubela has the puck, like most good offensive players, he's very dangerous and can do a lot of great things. Where some offensive players struggle is that they don't work hard enough to get the puck. Bubela has done a good job in the past few months of understanding that and getting the puck more through his efforts. Because of that, he's been rewarded with more offensive opportunities.
UHN: Matt Neal, Ryan Haggerty, and Jacob Laliberte, have (at times) formed what's known as your "N-H-L" line. They all came to your program with big expectations, but now in year two, they're your top three scorers. What can you say about their development?
SA: They're all making steps in their sophomore year. They all have a lot of growth left to go - not only the rest of this season, but into the future. They've shown a good willingness to buy into the coaching and a desire to get better. A big jump from your freshman to sophomore year is how hard you train in the summer because now you know what it takes to be a Division I hockey player. All three had good summers in the weight room and showed a high level of commitment and discipline towards their offseason training. They have a little more maturity and understanding of their abilities.
UHN: How do you see the game going on Saturday night?
SA: As a coach, you never predict those things. All you do is prepare your team the way it needs to be prepared to give your young men a chance to go ahead and have success. We're really focused on having good practices and getting guys back into the swing of things academically with school starting up this week. We're just making sure we continue to take steps forward as a team like we have the past two months. We'll put the guys out there Saturday night and they'll dictate it from there.
Special thanks to Kevin Beattie and to Coach Appert.
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