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.
Showing posts with label playoffs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label playoffs. Show all posts
Friday, March 16, 2007
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.
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.
Good News for Mass Attack
Hockey
Jeremy Rice
20 minutes until game time...
Defensemen Martin Nolet and Topher Bevis are back in uniform tonight for the playoff game against Maine. Both have missed a lot of time in the closing weeks of the regular season.
Forward Zech Klann has still not returned, but with the return of two defenders, Center Mark Matheson should be able to focus on scoring up front and less on shifting between two positions.
Starting lines for the Minutemen:
Center- Brett Watson
Forwards- P.J. Fenton, Alex Berry
Defenseman- Martin Nolet, Mike Kostka
Jeremy Rice
20 minutes until game time...
Defensemen Martin Nolet and Topher Bevis are back in uniform tonight for the playoff game against Maine. Both have missed a lot of time in the closing weeks of the regular season.
Forward Zech Klann has still not returned, but with the return of two defenders, Center Mark Matheson should be able to focus on scoring up front and less on shifting between two positions.
Starting lines for the Minutemen:
Center- Brett Watson
Forwards- P.J. Fenton, Alex Berry
Defenseman- Martin Nolet, Mike Kostka
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