College Hockey Update:  Minnesota dominated yesterday’s late game in Manchester, NH, for the first thirty minutes, out-shooting Notre Dame fourteen to nine in the first period, scoring on a Connor Reilly goal only two minutes into the game, and scoring on a Vinni Lettieri goal only a minute into the second period, to establish a 2-0 lead over Notre Dame that seemed to reflect exactly what was happening on the ice.  With five minutes remaining in the second, an extremely astute observation of a Minnesota line change, and the wide open position of Andrew Ogelvie, by Notre Dame goalie Cal Peterson, combined with his deft passing ability, led him to make a long, long pass to Ogelvie right on the money right in front of the Minnesota zone blue line, which Ogelvie fired in for the first Notre Dame goal, cutting the lead to 2-1.  The goal energized Notre Dame and there was a new game on the ice; only a minute later, Anders Bjork scored to knot the game at two apiece.  The second period ended with Notre Dame slightly out-shooting Minnesota 13-11.  In the third Notre Dame kept up the pace and Anders Bjork scored again eight minutes into the period for the 3-2 Notre Dame win.  Notre Dame advanced to play UMass-Lowell today, Sunday, March 26th, at 12:30PM Pacific Time on ESPNU.

The outcome of this game is a huge upset in our pool as only seven participants out of forty-six picked Notre Dame to win, while thirty-nine picked Minnesota.

Likewise, Pennsylvania State Upsets Union College

Penn State and Union College traded goals yesterday for nearly a period and a half of exciting, two-way, competitive hockey play.  First period goals by Brendan Biro and Chase Berger eleven minutes into the period, and two minutes later, were answered by Union a minute after each score.  In the second a goal by Kris Myllari two minutes into the period put Penn State up 3-2, and Union answered six minutes later to make it 3-3.  Penn State goals by Chase Berger and Dylan Richard followed two minutes later, and then with six minutes left in the period to make it 5-3 Penn State, and seemingly set the stage for Union’s response.  But the third was more like a magic show, as Nate Sucese scored a minute into the period, followed by Denis Smirnov five minutes later, to make it 7-3, Penn State.  Then Nikita Pavlychev score eight minutes into the period, followed by Andrew Sturtz seven minutes later, and it was 9-3, Penn State.  Double digits were achieved with three minutes remaining when Nate Sucese scored his second goal of the game, and sealed the deal at 10-3, Penn State, which advanced the Nittany Lions to play Denver today at 3:00PM Pacific Time on ESPNU.

The results of this game are a very big upset in our pool as only 16 out of 46 participants picked Penn State to win while 30 picked Minnesota.

That’s all for now.  Stay tuned, and go Terriers!

— Tom