Hockey
Jon Pelland
Chris Capraro became the the fourth UMass hockey player to turn pro in the past few weeks. He signed on with the Trenton Titans, who play in the East Coast Hockey League. Capraro has already seen time with the Titans, scoring a goal and two assists in three games.
Capraro joins Matt Anderson, Mark Matheson and Jon Quick as the Minutemen to join the ranks of professional hockey.
Showing posts with label hockey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hockey. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
NCAA Quarterfinal Pre-game
Hockey
Joe Meloni
Despite a lack of offensive rhythm or production yesterday, UMass coach Don Cahoon kept the lineup exactly as it was in the Minutemen's opening round win over Clarkson.
Line 1: Chris Capraro (LW) – Cory Quirk (C) – Matt Burto (RW)
Line 2: P.J. Fenton – Brett Watson – Alex Berry
Line 3: Kevin Jarman – Jordan Virtue – Will Ortiz
Line 4: Scott Crowder – Matt Anderson – Chris Davis
Defense 1: Mark Matheson (Left) – Mike Kostka (Right)
Defense 2: David Leaderer – Justin Braun
Defense 3: Topher Bevis – John Wessbecker
Maine’s lines remain unchanged from yesterday’s 4-1 defeat of St. Cloud State. Sophomore goaltender Ben Bishop is between the pipes for the second consecutive game after missing four games with a groin injury.
The Black Bears sent three net minders out for warm-ups, this is most likely in case Bishop aggravates that groin injury.
The 6-foot-7 net minder wasn’t tested much by St. Cloud yesterday. While he made 32 saves, many of them were poor shots taken by a desperate Husky team.
Check back between periods for game notes and updates.
Joe Meloni
Despite a lack of offensive rhythm or production yesterday, UMass coach Don Cahoon kept the lineup exactly as it was in the Minutemen's opening round win over Clarkson.
Line 1: Chris Capraro (LW) – Cory Quirk (C) – Matt Burto (RW)
Line 2: P.J. Fenton – Brett Watson – Alex Berry
Line 3: Kevin Jarman – Jordan Virtue – Will Ortiz
Line 4: Scott Crowder – Matt Anderson – Chris Davis
Defense 1: Mark Matheson (Left) – Mike Kostka (Right)
Defense 2: David Leaderer – Justin Braun
Defense 3: Topher Bevis – John Wessbecker
Maine’s lines remain unchanged from yesterday’s 4-1 defeat of St. Cloud State. Sophomore goaltender Ben Bishop is between the pipes for the second consecutive game after missing four games with a groin injury.
The Black Bears sent three net minders out for warm-ups, this is most likely in case Bishop aggravates that groin injury.
The 6-foot-7 net minder wasn’t tested much by St. Cloud yesterday. While he made 32 saves, many of them were poor shots taken by a desperate Husky team.
Check back between periods for game notes and updates.
Friday, March 16, 2007
More Good News
Hockey
Jon Pelland
Other teams continue to help out UMass. Word out of St. Paul, Minn., is that Wisconsin just lost to Minnesota, 4-2, in the WCHA playoffs. The Badgers were right at the tail end of the top 16 in the PairWise.
Now UMass needs Quinnipiac to lose tomorrow to bolster its position for the NCAAs.
Jon Pelland
Other teams continue to help out UMass. Word out of St. Paul, Minn., is that Wisconsin just lost to Minnesota, 4-2, in the WCHA playoffs. The Badgers were right at the tail end of the top 16 in the PairWise.
Now UMass needs Quinnipiac to lose tomorrow to bolster its position for the NCAAs.
Still Going
Hockey
Jon Pelland
UMass 2
UNH 2
End of 1st Overtime
That was an exciting period. Both teams had plenty of chances to score. Jon Quick stoned Josh Ciocco on a UNH 2-on-1 and then Will Ortiz came right back with a breakaway try that Kevin Regan blocked with his chest.
Neither team has won an overtime game yet this season. UMass is 0-0-5, while UNH is 0-1-2 in extra-time games.
Something has to give, this is looking more like the Minutemen's marathon with Maine from 2004.
Jon Pelland
UMass 2
UNH 2
End of 1st Overtime
That was an exciting period. Both teams had plenty of chances to score. Jon Quick stoned Josh Ciocco on a UNH 2-on-1 and then Will Ortiz came right back with a breakaway try that Kevin Regan blocked with his chest.
Neither team has won an overtime game yet this season. UMass is 0-0-5, while UNH is 0-1-2 in extra-time games.
Something has to give, this is looking more like the Minutemen's marathon with Maine from 2004.
Not Quite Done
Hockey
Jon Pelland
UMass 2
UNH 2
End of Regulation
UMass loves playing at the Garden so much that it just doesn't want the game to end. There wasn't much action to speak of in the game's third period. I have just three things written down in my notes.
Matt Burto had a decent look at Regan. And Brett Watson crashed the net with 44 seconds remaining to one-time a shot that was saved by the goalie. The crowd overreacted a little to that one. Although it was an OK opportunity, it was still a straight shot directly in front of Regan.
Up in the press box we're wondering what happens to the second game if this one turns into another marathon like the Minutemen's last trip to the Garden - then FleetCenter. That will need some further investigation.
Jon Pelland
UMass 2
UNH 2
End of Regulation
UMass loves playing at the Garden so much that it just doesn't want the game to end. There wasn't much action to speak of in the game's third period. I have just three things written down in my notes.
Matt Burto had a decent look at Regan. And Brett Watson crashed the net with 44 seconds remaining to one-time a shot that was saved by the goalie. The crowd overreacted a little to that one. Although it was an OK opportunity, it was still a straight shot directly in front of Regan.
Up in the press box we're wondering what happens to the second game if this one turns into another marathon like the Minutemen's last trip to the Garden - then FleetCenter. That will need some further investigation.
Dream Job
Hockey
Jon Pelland
Don't get me wrong, the Mullins Center is definitely one of the top venues in Hockey East. But nothing can compare with the TD Banknorth Garden. I'd love to be covering games here every night.
From way up on Level 9 you can see everything that happens on the ice. It's not like the home rink where you lose the puck along the near boards.
The crowd was a little disappointing to begin the game, but I'll chalk that up to the early start and the weather. The place is filling up more and more as the game goes on. And I must hand it to the UMass fans, they came out tonight in full force. They've been out-cheering the UNH faithful all game long.
Jon Pelland
Don't get me wrong, the Mullins Center is definitely one of the top venues in Hockey East. But nothing can compare with the TD Banknorth Garden. I'd love to be covering games here every night.
From way up on Level 9 you can see everything that happens on the ice. It's not like the home rink where you lose the puck along the near boards.
The crowd was a little disappointing to begin the game, but I'll chalk that up to the early start and the weather. The place is filling up more and more as the game goes on. And I must hand it to the UMass fans, they came out tonight in full force. They've been out-cheering the UNH faithful all game long.
Two down, one to go
Hockey
Jon Pelland
UMass 2
UNH 2
2nd Intermission
I have to hand it to the Minutemen for sticking with the Wildcats through two periods. It really looked as if their nerves were holding them back in the early stages of the first period. For a skating team, UMass couldn't get out of its own way.
With a little help from Brad Flaishans' skate - Alex Berry's shot ricochetted off it and went directly in - tying the score at one apiece and eventually took the lead. From Level 9 (Press Area) UMass' second goal look very pretty. Chris Capraro has such an uncanny sense of space on the ice. He took a pass in the low slot from Cory Quirk - who got the puck behind the net - and got Kevin Regan to lunge with a deke. Capraro then simply flicked the puck in.
Despite failing to convert, UMass had a really good power-play in the second. The first unit really pressured Regan with four goals. They also failed to allow UNH to clear the puck as it was in the attacking zone for much of the two minutes.
As always Jon Quick is playing great in net.
Jon Pelland
UMass 2
UNH 2
2nd Intermission
I have to hand it to the Minutemen for sticking with the Wildcats through two periods. It really looked as if their nerves were holding them back in the early stages of the first period. For a skating team, UMass couldn't get out of its own way.
With a little help from Brad Flaishans' skate - Alex Berry's shot ricochetted off it and went directly in - tying the score at one apiece and eventually took the lead. From Level 9 (Press Area) UMass' second goal look very pretty. Chris Capraro has such an uncanny sense of space on the ice. He took a pass in the low slot from Cory Quirk - who got the puck behind the net - and got Kevin Regan to lunge with a deke. Capraro then simply flicked the puck in.
Despite failing to convert, UMass had a really good power-play in the second. The first unit really pressured Regan with four goals. They also failed to allow UNH to clear the puck as it was in the attacking zone for much of the two minutes.
As always Jon Quick is playing great in net.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Minutemen moving on
Hockey
Jon Pelland
For the first time since its run to the championship game in 2004, UMass is returning to the TD Banknorth Garden and the Hockey East semifinals. A 5-2 victory tonight gave the Minutemen a two-game sweep of Maine. Here's coach Don Cahoon's opening statement at the postgame press conference.
"I thought it was a really gutsy performance by our club and for all the players in the locker room to be able to contain themselves in the moment. It's so easy for this thing to run away, especially when you have to play teams consecutive nights like we did [with Maine]. To just keep it in the present, our guys did an unbelievable job of just keeping it very much in the present to the point where we were just trying to win one period at a time. That's been going on for a few weeks now. I give them high marks for buying into that concept and for really putting in good practice."
UMass will face New Hampshire on Friday night given BU's overtime win over Vermont tonight to take that series, 2-1.
Jon Pelland
For the first time since its run to the championship game in 2004, UMass is returning to the TD Banknorth Garden and the Hockey East semifinals. A 5-2 victory tonight gave the Minutemen a two-game sweep of Maine. Here's coach Don Cahoon's opening statement at the postgame press conference.
"I thought it was a really gutsy performance by our club and for all the players in the locker room to be able to contain themselves in the moment. It's so easy for this thing to run away, especially when you have to play teams consecutive nights like we did [with Maine]. To just keep it in the present, our guys did an unbelievable job of just keeping it very much in the present to the point where we were just trying to win one period at a time. That's been going on for a few weeks now. I give them high marks for buying into that concept and for really putting in good practice."
UMass will face New Hampshire on Friday night given BU's overtime win over Vermont tonight to take that series, 2-1.
Where are the paying customers?
Hockey
Jon Pelland
It boggles my mind that UMass can't sell out the Mullins Center for a hockey playoff game. Tonight the Minutemen have a chance to clinch a spot in Boston next weekend, and the place isn't full. But don't blame it on the students because they are here in full force. Taunts during introductions were the loudest I've ever heard it here.
But for some reason the paying locals didn't deem this game important enough to show up for. While 7,119 was a high number last night, tonight should have been higher - it's debatable if that is the case.
Last Saturday the attendance was upwards of 8,000.
Jon Pelland
It boggles my mind that UMass can't sell out the Mullins Center for a hockey playoff game. Tonight the Minutemen have a chance to clinch a spot in Boston next weekend, and the place isn't full. But don't blame it on the students because they are here in full force. Taunts during introductions were the loudest I've ever heard it here.
But for some reason the paying locals didn't deem this game important enough to show up for. While 7,119 was a high number last night, tonight should have been higher - it's debatable if that is the case.
Last Saturday the attendance was upwards of 8,000.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Final go-round
Hockey
Jon Pelland
This weekend is it for Matt Anderson in Amherst. Should the Minutemen make it past the Black Bears, the fifth-year senior will have to close out his career elsewhere. It's been a long five years to say the least. Talking to Anderson after practice on Tuesday, you could tell how much these past few years have changed him.
He had a tough time reflecting on his senior year, and understandably so. Individually it hasn't gone exactly according to plan. Anderson paused for a long time contemplating how to describe this season:
Anderson is one of the better people involved in sports, through it all he's still managed to remain an outstanding student. He deserves better than what 's already been dealt, but he definitely has to close out a tulmultuous career on a high note this weekend and beyond.
Jon Pelland
This weekend is it for Matt Anderson in Amherst. Should the Minutemen make it past the Black Bears, the fifth-year senior will have to close out his career elsewhere. It's been a long five years to say the least. Talking to Anderson after practice on Tuesday, you could tell how much these past few years have changed him.
He had a tough time reflecting on his senior year, and understandably so. Individually it hasn't gone exactly according to plan. Anderson paused for a long time contemplating how to describe this season:
It’s been a great ride, I’ve learned a lot. There’s a lot more hockey to be
played and I’m really excited with what lies ahead. I think what’s in the past,
is in the past and you really can’t dwell on it or look back on it right now.
Anderson is one of the better people involved in sports, through it all he's still managed to remain an outstanding student. He deserves better than what 's already been dealt, but he definitely has to close out a tulmultuous career on a high note this weekend and beyond.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Mass Attack injury update
Hockey
Jon Pelland
It's no secret that the UMass hockey team has seen a rash of injuries at the most inopportune time of the season. But there is some relief in sight for the Minutemen. Three of their four injured players practiced on Tuesday.
The one notable exception yesterday was goaltender Jon Quick. After being injured against Northeastern on Feb. 23, he sat out that Sunday in Boston. Quick returned to lead UMass past Maine and was named the Hockey East player of the week this week. UMass coach Don Cahoon did not elaborate on Quick's condition or whether he'll play in the quaterfinals this weekend.
Defensemen Martin Nolet and Topher Bevis were back wearing the defense's usual black practice sweater. Zech Klann was the only skater in yellow, which leads me to assume it meant he was barred from contact. Nolet and Bevis practicing has to be a welcomed sign for a team desperately in need of healthy defensemen.
Photo courtesy of UMass Media Relations.
Jon Pelland
It's no secret that the UMass hockey team has seen a rash of injuries at the most inopportune time of the season. But there is some relief in sight for the Minutemen. Three of their four injured players practiced on Tuesday.
The one notable exception yesterday was goaltender Jon Quick. After being injured against Northeastern on Feb. 23, he sat out that Sunday in Boston. Quick returned to lead UMass past Maine and was named the Hockey East player of the week this week. UMass coach Don Cahoon did not elaborate on Quick's condition or whether he'll play in the quaterfinals this weekend.
Defensemen Martin Nolet and Topher Bevis were back wearing the defense's usual black practice sweater. Zech Klann was the only skater in yellow, which leads me to assume it meant he was barred from contact. Nolet and Bevis practicing has to be a welcomed sign for a team desperately in need of healthy defensemen.
Photo courtesy of UMass Media Relations.
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