College Hockey Update:  Last Friday’s (March 25th) First Round Recap

NOTE:  In the previous posting, I announced that we had 32 participants in this year’s pool. We actually have 33, as I overlooked an entry that was received on Weds., 3/23 at 6:39pm with a very misleading subject line!  All numbers cited in the last posting have been updated to reflect 33 entries/participants, and all number cited below reflect 33 entries/participants.

GALLANT AND WESTERN MICHIGAN SQUEEZE BY NORTHEASTERN

In opening round action of the NCAA Northeast Region in Worcester, MA., last Friday, March 25th, Western Michigan had most of the momentum in the first, out-shooting Northeastern 11-5. Importantly the one made with six minutes left in the period, when Western intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and two passes later found Cole Gallant, made a big difference.  Gallant sent a high shot into the net to give Western Michigan the 1-0 lead, the score going into the break.  In the second, Northeastern rebounded as the two skated to a scoreless stalemate; Western Michigan had a slight advantage in shots, 11-10.  As you might imagine the third was a madhouse.  Northeastern had the momentum late, culminating in a shot, and quick own-rebound shot that tied it at one apiece with three minutes left, forcing OT.  Northeastern held a slim 15-13 shots advantage in the frame.  OT was short as Western’s Luke Grainger intercepted a clearing attempt by the Northeastern goalie (who played a great, great game) and skated behind the net with a wrap-around attempt.  Initially called a no-goal, a video review reversed that, and only 93 seconds into OT Western Michigan earned their first ever NCAA Tournament win.  Northern Michigan advanced to play Minnesota on Sunday, March 27th, for a berth in the Frozen Four.  This outcome was not an upset in our pool, as only five participants picked Northeastern to win, compared to twenty-eight who picked Western Michigan.

MICHIGAN DISPATCHES AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

In opening round action in the NCAA Midwest Region in Allentown, PA. last Friday, March 25th, Michigan sprang out to an early lead on goals by Garrett Van Wyhe four minutes into the period and by Ethan Edwards (assist by Brendan Brisson) just forty-nine seconds later.  AIC managed a goal with seven minutes left in the period, and it was 2-1, Michigan, going into the first break. Michigan outshot AIC 15-7 in the first.  In the second the momentum was more even, with AIC holding a slight shots advantage, 13-11.  But on the scoreboard it was a replica of the first, and then some, as Michigan scored two unanswered goals by Brendan Brisson, a minute into the period, and by Matty Beniers (assist by Brendan Brisson) just two minutes later. AIC scored a goal six minutes into the period, to make it 4-2, Michigan, and to make viewers wonder if AIC could really make a game of it.  But Dylan Duke responded half a minute later to make it 5-2, the score going into the second break.  In the third AIC had the momentum, outshooting Michigan 12-5, but couldn’t convert until an AIC power play opportunity delivered a goal, making the score, and the final score, 5-3, Michigan.  Michigan advanced to play Quinnipiac on Sunday, March 27th.  This outcome was not an upset in our pool, as only two participants picked AIC, compared to thirty-one who picked Michigan.

MINNESOTA IS THE SURVIVOR OF BATTLE WITH MASSACHUSETTS

In opening round action of the Northeastern Region in Worcester, MA., UMass-Amherst sprang out to a late-first-period lead on a goal at the fourteen minute point, and then a power play goal a minute later, for the 2-0 lead over Minnesota.  Ryan Johnson responded for Minnesota (assist by Matthew Knies) with two minutes left to make it 2-1 going into the break.  All this off of only six shots by Massachusetts and five by Minnesota!  Only a minute into the third UMass made it 3-1, and a quicker-paced second period (Minnesota shot ten, compared to nine by UMass) saw Tristan Broz score a Minnesota goal with only three minutes left to make it 3-2 going into the second break.  The third returned to a more defensive pace (Minnesota outshot Massachusetts only five to four), and Matthew Knies capitalized on a power play opportunity with seven minutes left to tie it at three apiece, and eventually send the game to OT.  The pace picked up in overtime (four shots apiece in only nine minutes) culminating in a Ben Meyers goal that gave Minnesota the 4-3 win.  Minnesota advanced to play Western Michigan on Sunday, March 27th. The results of this game were not an upset in our pool, as only nine participants picked Massachusetts to win, compared to twenty-four who picked Minnesota.

LOMBARDI AND QUINNIPIAC EDGE ST. CLOUD STATE

In opening round action in the NCAA Midwestern Region in Allentown, PA. last Friday, March 25th, Quinnipiac jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead on goals by Brendan Less at the five minute point, and by TJ Friedmann with only three minutes left in the period.  Shots on goal were pretty even with Quinnipiac shooting seven, and St. Cloud State shooting six.  St. Cloud State sprang to life in the second, scoring two goals at the one minute and seven minute points, and taking charge of the momentum, outshooting Quinnipiac seventeen to four.  Was this the same St. Cloud State team that seemed to languish a bit at the end of the season, losing three out of four games (all against Minnesota-Duluth) to end the regular season?  Was this their wake up call?  With the score tied at two apiece, Michael Lombardi scored at the midpoint of the frame to give Quinnipiac the 3-2 lead.  But Kyler Kupka scored for St. Cloud State with seven minutes left in the period to tie it at three apiece, and Quinnipiac held on to go into the break with the score knotted.  In the third St. Cloud State continued with the pressure and the momentum, but Quinnipiac, despite being badly outshot again (11-5 in the third), was opportunistic and Ethan De Jong scored nearly right off the face-off to make it 4-3, Quinnipiac. Then a Jaden Lee goal nine minutes into the period put Quinnipiac up 5-3.  St. Cloud State was not done and they scored an even-strength goal with a minute left in the game, but it was not enough as it ended 5-4 Quinnipiac.  What a game!  Quinnipiac advanced to play Michigan on Sunday, March 27th.  The results of this game were an upset in our pool, as only eleven participants picked Quinnipiac to win, compared to twenty-two who picked St. Cloud State.

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

Speaking of which . . . . Boston University announced early last week that they were releasing coach Albie O’Connell after his four years as the Head Coach there.

— Tom