Eye of The Tigers

In the pros: Cullen leads IceHogs’ comeback; Connelly gets assist

jpaisley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:05:55 +0000

From oursportscentral.com …

Rockford, Ill.- The Texas Stars led by two after 40 minutes, but the Rockford IceHogs mounted a serious comeback campaign only to fall in overtime. The IceHogs’ Mark Cullen posted two of the team’s three goals as Rockford lost 4-3 in overtime at the Rockford MetroCentre.

After tying a season low for fewest shots in a period with two in the first frame, the Hogs posted 39 shots in the next two stanzas. Rockford has 87 shots on the weekend, picking up three points in the process.

“It’s a well-earned point, it would be nice to get out of here with two but we’ll work with that,” said defenseman Simon Danis-Pepin, who picked up his first professional goal. “It was good comeback in the third, but you have to give them credit. They played well.”

After a scoreless first period, Sergei Korostin was credited with the game’s first marker with helpers from Mathieu Beaudoin and Travis Morin at 1:48 in the second. The tally ended a 118:48 minute scoreless stretch for Joe Fallon dating back to three minutes into the second period on Wednesday when the netminder gave up a goal to Texas’ Luke Gazdic.

Then Andrew Hutchinson drove in his first goal of the season at 15:54 to double Texas’ score with helpers from Scott McCulloch and Raymond Sawada.

In the third period, the Hogs got some hope from a blast by Danis-Pepin just 48 seconds into the frame. Danny Bois and Mark Cullen are credited with the assists.

“It feels good to get my first goal and as a team I think we put out a solid effort,” Danis-Pepin said. “Unfortunately things didn’t go our way.”

Then Maxime Fortunus scored his second goal of the season to take the two-goal lead right back at 1:36 in the third. Beaudoin and Korostin were credited with the helpers.

But the Hogs caught a break, finding themselves on a 5-on-3 power play for 1:57 in the middle of the period and Cullen took advantage from the deep slot at 6:04 to make the score 3-2. Pete MacArthur and Jack Skille were credited with the assists.

Then Cullen found the back of the net again for his team-leading ninth goal of the season at 17:19 to tie the score at three. Nathan Davis and Brian Connelly were credited with the helpers.

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In the pros: Sterling records a goal

jpaisley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:45:11 +0000

Chicago Wolves’ forward Brett Sterling iced the 3-1 win Saturday over Peoria with an empty netter at the 19:00 mark.

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WCHA weekend wrapup

jpaisley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:40:04 +0000

From the WCHA …

It’s a Three-Way Tie for First Place in Men’s WCHA; Two Points Separate Top Five Teams; WCHA’S 2009-10 Non-Conference Mark Up to 19-10-1 (.650)

MADISON, Wis. – Host teams Alaska Anchorage and Denver, along with visiting teams Minnesota Duluth and Wisconsin, all posted victories in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action on Saturday (Nov. 21) night while Colorado College completed a non-conference sweep of Robert Morris.
    The Seawolves came through with a 4-1 win over visiting Minnesota State, Mankato, Denver edged North Dakota, 3-2, Minnesota Duluth won 3-2 at Minnesota, and Wisconsin forged a 4-1 victory at St. Cloud State. Both the Pioneers and Bulldogs were able to gain four points over the weekend and heading into Thanksgiving week the league race has tightened significantly.
    Through games of Nov. 22, there is a three-way tie for first place in the WCHA standings and just two points and one victory separate the current top five teams. Sharing the top spot this week with 13 points apiece are Colorado College (9-2-1, 6-1-1 WCHA), pre-season favorite Denver (8-3-1, 6-1-1 WCHA) and defending WCHA Final Five champion Minnesota Duluth (9-4-1, 6-3-1 WCHA), although both the Tigers and Pioneers have played two fewer league games. Defending MacNaughton Cup champion North Dakota (7-4-1, 5-4-1 WCHA) and Wisconsin (7-4-1, 5-4-1 WCHA) are deadlocked in fourth with 11 points each, St. Cloud State (5-5-2, 4-3-1 WCHA) is sixth with nine points, Minnesota (4-7-1, 3-6-1 WCHA) is seventh with seven points, Alaska Anchorage (5-9-0, 3-7-0 WCHA) is up to eighth with six points, Minnesota State (4-7-1, 2-7-1 WCHA) is ninth with five points and Michigan Tech (3-7-0, 2-6-0 WCHA), idle this weekend, is 10th with four points.
    Looking ahead to the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend of Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28 – there are four WCHA series scheduled as Colorado College hosts Alaska Anchorage, Denver welcomes St. Cloud State, and Minnesota State entertains Michigan Tech. In non-conference action, North Dakota will play host to College Hockey America-member Bemidji State along with Miami and Ohio State of the CCHA to the Subway Holiday Classic in Grand Forks, while Minnesota and Wisconsin will take turns facing CCHA-members Michigan and Michigan State on the road in the College Hockey Showcase.
    At Sullivan Arena in Anchorage on Saturday (Nov. 21) night, Alaska Anchorage left winger Tommy Grant (2g, 1a) and right winger Kevin Clark (1g, 1a) led the way with multiple-point games as the Seawolves captured a 4-1 WCHA win over Minnesota State, Mankato and gained a split of their weekend series before 3,232. Grant’s goal at 1:25 of the second period proved to be the game-winner while in nets, Bryce Christianson had 21 saves. For the Mavericks, center Zach Harrison notched a second period power-play goal while Kevin Murdock had 21 saves in goal.
    At Magness Arena in the Mile High City on Saturday, a sellout crowd of 6,030 saw host Denver complete a sweep of North Dakota with a 3-2 victory as the Pioneers came back from a 2-0 second period deficit. Leading the way for DU offensively were linemates Joe Colborne (2g, 1a) and Kyle Ostrow (1g, 1a), with Ostrow’s power-play goal at 8:33 of period two holding up as the winner, while in goal Marc Cheverie had 24 stops and did not surrender an even-strength goal. For the Sioux, forwards Danny Kristo and Chris VandeVelde notched first period power-play goals to give their team a 2-0 advantage while in goal, Brad Eidsness had 29 stops.
    At Mariucci Arena on Nov. 21, visiting Minnesota Duluth overcame a two-goal deficit for the second straight night to fashion a 3-2 win over host Minnesota and gain a series sweep before a sellout crowd of 10,078. For UMD, defenseman Mike Montgomery scored the game-winner at 17:58 of the third period while defenseman Dylan Olsen added two assists and Brady Hjelle had 36 saves in nets. For the Golden Gophers, winger Mike Hoeffel and defenseman Kevin Wehrs both scored in the first period to give UM a 2-0 lead while Alex Kangas had 30 saves.
    At the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud on Saturday night, visiting Wisconsin gained a split of their series with the SCSU Huskies with a 4-1 victory before a sellout of 6,081 as left winger John Mitchell scored the game-winner at 14:51 of the second period and the Badgers outshot their hosts, 33-19. Also for UW, defenseman Brendan Smith (1g, 1a) and center Aaron Bendickson (2a) had multiple-point games while in goal Scott Gudmandson had 18 saves. For SCSU, left winger David Eddy scored in the first period and goaltender Dan Dunn turned aside 29 shots.
    And at the World Arena in Colorado Springs on Saturday evening, the CC Tigers completed a non-conference sweep of Robert Morris with a 4-1 verdict. Colorado College was led by left winger Bill Sweatt (2g, 1a) and right winger Andrew Hamburg (1g, 2a), with Sweatt notching the winner at 13:58 of the opening period.

This Week in the WCHA

Results of Friday, November 20: Minnesota State 8 at Alaska Anchorage 2 (WCHA); Minnesota Duluth 4 at Minnesota 3 ot (WCHA); Wisconsin 1 at St. Cloud State 4 (WCHA); North Dakota 0 @ Denver 1 (WCHA); Robert Morris 3 at Colorado College 4 (nc).
Results of Saturday, November 21: Minnesota State 1 at Alaska Anchorage 4 (WCHA); Minnesota Duluth 3 at Minnesota 2 (WCHA); Wisconsin 4 at St. Cloud State 1 (WCHA); North Dakota 2 at Denver 3 (WCHA); Robert Morris 1 at Colorado College 4 (nc).

Next Week in the WCHA

Games for Friday, Nov. 27
Alaska Anchorage at Colorado College (WCHA), 7:37 pm MT
St. Cloud State at Denver (WCHA), 7:37 pm MT
Michigan Tech at Minnesota State (WCHA), 7:37 pm CT
Wisconsin at Michigan State (nc), 7:05 pm ET
Minnesota at Michigan (nc), 7:35 pm ET
Ohio State at North Dakota (nc), 7:37 pm CT (Subway Holiday Classic)
Games for Saturday, November 28
Alaska Anchorage at Colorado College (WCHA), 7:05 pm MT
St. Cloud State at Denver (WCHA), 7:07 pm MT
Michigan Tech at Minnesota State (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT
Minnesota at Michigan State (nc), 7:05 pm ET
Wisconsin at Michigan (nc), 7:35 pm ET
Miami at North Dakota (nc), 7:37 pm CT (Subway Holiday Classic)

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Saturday’s WCHA roundup

jpaisley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:36:52 +0000

Taken from school websites ….

No. 3 Denver 3, No. 2 North Dakota 2

DENVER – Sophomore Joe Colborne (Calgary, Alberta) tallied two goals and an assist as No. 3 Denver completed the sweep of No. 2 North Dakota with a 3-2 win tonight in front of a sellout crowd of 6,030 at Magness Arena.

A late reversal of a Fighting Sioux goal by Brad Malone with under a minute to play allowed the Pioneers to escape. The goal was reviewed and waved off.

The victory brings Denver to 8-3-1 overall and 6-1-1 in the WCHA. North Dakota drops to 7-4-1, 5-4-1 WCHA.

“Coming back from a 2-0 deficit against a team like North Dakota is pretty good. They took advantage of our miscues in the first period,” DU head coach George Gwozdecky said. “But, having Patrick Wiercioch back on power play keyed our comeback tonight.”

North Dakota held a 2-0 lead after the first period on a pair of power play goals from Danny Kristo (5-on-3) and Chris VandeVelde.

The Pioneers owned the second period, as Colborne netted his first goal of the night on the power play just 1:09 into the second stanza.

DU then tied the game at 2-2 when Colborne redirected a shot by Patrick Wiercioch (Maple Ridge, British Columbia) from just inside the blue line at 5:22.

Junior Kyle Ostrow(Calgary, Alberta) scored the eventual game-winner three minutes later. Colborne and Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach, Calif.) picked up assists on the play.

DU went 3-for-11 on the power play, while UND was 2-for-7. Denver outshot North Dakota 32-26.

Marc Cheverie(Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia) remained unbeaten at 6-0 with 24 saves. Brad Eidsness had 29 saves for North Dakota.

The Pioneers host St. Cloud State on Nov. 27-28.

Notes:DU is tied for first in the WCHA with Colorado College and Minnesota Duluth. North Dakota’s 5-on-3 power play goal marked the first goal allowed by Cheverie on the penalty kill this season. North Dakota had a goal waved off with 43.9 seconds remaining in the game. Denver killed off 6-on-4 and 6-on-3 UND advantages in the final 1:30 of the game.

No. 15 Wisconsin 4, St. Cloud 1

The St. Cloud State University men’s hockey team (5-5-2, 4-3-1 WCHA) lost a tough 4-1 game against #15 Wisconsin (7-4-1, 5-4-1 WCHA) at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn. on Saturday, Nov. 21. The loss broke a two-game winning streak for the Huskies, who will resume their 2009-10 season on Nov. 27-28 with a pair of games at the University of Denver.

The Badgers skated to a 1-0 lead in the first period with a power play goal by Brendan Smith at 5:11. He was assisted on the play by Justin Schultz and Derek Stepan.

SCSU scored its lone goal of the match at 6:30 of the first period, when freshman David Eddy (Woodbury) found the back of the net on two great set-up passes from senior Garrett Raboin (Detroit Lakes) and senior forward Ryan Lasch (Lake Forest, Calif.). This was Eddy’s first goal as a college player, while it marked Raboin’s 51st career assist and Lasch’s 143rd career point. Lasch now owns a four-game point streak for the Huskies.

In the second period, Wisconsin posted the game winner at 14:51 when John Mitchell scored with assists from Aaron Bendickson and Smith. In the final period of play, UW pushed its lead to 3-1 with a goal by Jordy Murray. Derek Lee and Cody Goloubef had assists on the play. Patrick Johnson made it 4-1 with his goal at 11:39 with helpers from Bendickson and Ryan McDonagh.

No. 20 Minnesota-Duluth 3, Minnesota 2

Friday night’s thrilling overtime victory brought the University of Minnesota Duluth halfway to earning a road sweep over its bitter Western Collegiate Hockey Association rivals from the University of Minnesota. Saturday night saw the Bulldogs finish the job, as UMD netted another back-breaking goal late in the game en route to a 3-2 victory at Mariucci Arena.

The No. 20 Bulldogs looked sluggish early on as they spotted the Gophers a 2-0 lead in the opening period. UMD closed the gap to 2-1 at 6:27 of the second period on a power play goal by sophomore center Jack Connolly. Connolly, the nation’s leading scorer with 21 points, now has 10 goals on the year, matching last season’s total.

Trailing 2-1 after two, the Bulldogs knotted the score on an unassisted goal by junior left wing Kyle Schmidt. Following a Gopher turnover, Schmidt carried the puck up the ice and launched a slapshot past Minnesota’s Alex Kangas. Mike Montgomery scored the game-winner for the Bulldogs with 2:02 remaining in regulation.

UMD went 1-for-5 on the power play Saturday night while allowing the Gophers to convert on one of their three chances. The Bulldogs lead the nation with 24 power play goals and have scored at least one goal with the man advantage in 12 of 14 games this season.

Sophomore goaltender Brady Hjellemade 36 saves - including 16 in the first period - as he improved to 6-2-1. Kangas had 30 stops for Minnesota.

Facing a barrage of shots is nothing new to Hjelle, who made a career-high 41 saves in a victory over St. Cloud State University on Oct. 23. The International Falls, Minn., native also holds a Minnesota State High School League record for saves in a regulation game with 74.

“I was used to [facing a lot of shots] growing up and in high school. It’s actually pretty fun when that happens. I love seeing a lot of shots,” said Hjelle, who turned aside each of the final 20 shots put on goal by Minnesota.

Michigan Tech, idle

Alaska-Anchorage 4, Minnesota State-Mankato 1

Minnesota State fell to Alaska Anchorage, 4-1, in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game played at UAA’s Sullivan Arena Saturday night.

Jade Portwood scored at 1:44 of the first period to give the Seawolves the only goal of the opening frame.

It became a 2-0 UAA lead at 1:25 of the second period on a goal from Tommy Grant and a Kevin Clark power play tally at 4:34 made it a 3-0 Seawolve advantage. Zach Harrison’s power play marker at 6:13 cut the lead to two. Tommy Grant’s empty net goal at 19:21 of the final stanza completed the scoring.

UAA outshot the Mavericks by a 25-22 margin in the game and both teams were one-of-six in power play chances.

Now 4-7-1 on the year and 2-7-1 WCHA, the Mavericks continue conference play next weekend with Michigan Tech visiting Mankato Friday and Saturday.

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Emptying the Notebook from Saturday

jpaisley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:23:44 +0000

The space limitations of the print edition kept me from giving Tyler O’Brien the “ink” he deserved for his first career win Saturday night. Here’s more on his big night as part of Emptying the Notebook.

Big night for O’Brien

As big a night as it was for freshman Andrew Hamburg (first goal, first three points as a Tiger) it was even bigger for junior goalie Tyler O’Brien, who recorded his first career win.

O’Brien, the No. 3 last season, hadn’t played since a 4-3 loss to Northeastern in the second game of the season-opening series.

“He looked confident out there,” coach Scott Owens said. “He played very well fro a guy who hadn’t played since Oct. 10. That’s a big help for us to have him play like that.”

It was very satisfying for O’Brien.

“The last two years I’ve worked hard and Coach gave me a chance. It’s an unbelievable feeling to get the win,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien benefited from an improved defensive effort by the skaters in front of him.

“It was a complete 180 from last night,” O’Brien said. “The guys worked hard and played well in front of me, especially the D (defensive) corps.”

Five even-strength goals a good start

The three first-period goals were a strong start for the Tigers (9-2-1), which had relied on its power play to pull out close wins this season.

“We came out with really good jump,” Owens said.

The three 5-on-5 scores gave CC (9-2-1, 6-1-1) five on the weekend. Improving the even-strength points production has been an emphasis of late.

“It’s a good step,” Owens said. “We still have a few things to work on.”

Sweatt ups his game Saturday

Senior Bill Sweatt looked great out on the ice Saturday, skating well and attacking the net with vigor. His two goals and assist in the first period were a big reason CC took control in its fifth straight win.

“He looked hungrier,” Owens said. “When he plays like that, he’s a difference-maker.”

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Saturday’s boxscore

jpaisley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:00:42 +0000

Colorado College 4, Robert Morris 1

Robert Morris 0 1 0 – 1

Colorado College 3 1 0 – 4

First period – 1. Colorado College, Hamburg (Sweatt, Guentzel), :40; 2. Colorado College, Sweatt (Hamburg, Fredheim), 10:05; 3. Colorado College, Sweatt (Hamburg, Overman), 13:58. Penalties – RM, Urban (charging), 16:26.

Second period – 4. Colorado College, Testwuide (Hall, Guentzel), 6:04 (pp); 5. Robert Morris, Velasquez (Lewis), 14:14. Penalties – RM, Cramer (tripping), 5:27; CC, Boivin (interference), 7:15; CC, Fredheim (hooking), 10:46; RM, Urban (clipping), 15:11.

Third period – No scoring. Penalties – CC, Boivin (interference), 2:41; RM, South (holding the stick), 3:01; CC, DeBoer (hooking), 6:27; RM, Brooks (hooking), 13:27.

Power play – Robert Morris 0-4; Colorado College 1-5. Shots on goal – Robert Morris 9-8-3 – 20; Colorado College 14-13-13—40. Saves-minutes – Robert Morris, Levine 5-12-13-50:02, Ostergard 6-9:55; Colorado College, O’Brien 9-7-3—60:00. Attendance –4,881.

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CC cruises to 4-1 win

jpaisley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:14:21 +0000

Colorado College senior Bill Sweatt and freshman linemate Andrew Hamburg made sure there would be no dramatic finish.

The two forwards accounted for all three goals in the first period to spark the No. 7 Tigers past Robert Morris, 4-1, a day after CC needed a late power-play goal to pull out a nonconference win. Saturday’s victory secured a sweep in the first series between the schools.

Hamburg scored his first college goal only 40 seconds into the game before 4,881 fans at World Arena off a pass from Sweatt.

“Unreal,” Hamburg said. “It was a great play by Bill. Bang-bang; just instinct. I don’t think the goalie even saw it.”

Sweatt made it 2-0 when he took a pass from Hamburg near the Colonials’ blue line, skating in alone for a breakaway and the eventual game-winner with 9:55 left. He made it 3-0 less than four minutes later.

Hamburg now has three points after going pointless in his first three games. His performance Saturday followed a strong Friday outing when his line that night (Nick Dineen and Brian McMillin) were on the ice for both even-strength goals.

“He played well Friday so we bumped him up bit,” coach Scott Owens said. “He’s a big guy who skates well for his size and plays with enthusiasm.”

That enthusiasm was evident throughout the 9-2-1 Tigers lineup.

“We played a lot better as a team,” Sweatt said. “We kept on them and never let them back in the game.”

The nation’s second-best power play (32.3 percent after Friday) recorded a goal for the ninth game in a row when senior Mike Testwuide made it 4-0 with 13:56 left in the second.

CC goalie Tyler O’Brien made 19 saves for his first win as a Tiger. It was the fifth win in a row for CC (6-1-1 league), which is now tied with Minnesota-Duluth (9-4-1, 6-3-1) and Denver (8-3-1, 6-1-1) for first in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association after the Bulldogs and Pioneers both won 3-2.

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CC up 4-1 headed into third

jpaisley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:27:58 +0000

Colorado College senior captain Mike Testwuide completed a perfect tic-tac-toe passing sequence from Tim Hall and Gabe Guentzel for a power-play goal and a 4-1 lead headed into the third period.

Robert Morris took advantage of a Tigers turnover for a breakaway goal with 5:46 left in the second by J.C. Velasquez.

CC junior goalie Tyler O’Brien has 16 saves through two periods.

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Hamburg, Sweatt lead CC to 3-0 lead

jpaisley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:40:57 +0000

Colorado Collegesenior Bill Sweatt and freshman linemate Andrew Hamburg had memorable first periods, with the two forwards accounting for all three goals to stake the No. 7 Tigers to a 3-0 lead headed into the first intermission.

Hamburgscored his first goal as a Tiger only 20 seconds into Saturday’s game for a 1-0 lead off an assist from behind the net by Sweatt.

Sweatt made it 2-0 when he took a pass from Hamburg near the Robert Morris blue line, skating in alone for a breakaway. He beat goal Eric Levine high to the glove side for the first goal with 9:55 left.

That ended the night for the Colonials backup.

Sweatt made it 3-0 less than four minutes later (6:02) when he fired a wrist shot from the left point. Levine didn’t see the shot go through the traffic in front of the net as the puck went just inside the post. Hamburg got the first assist for his third point of the period and his first three points in his fourth game as a Tiger.

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In the pros: 2-point night for Patrosso

jpaisley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:37:10 +0000

From oursportscentral.com …

PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks scored three unanswered goals - one in each period - to stop the Quad City Mallards 3-1 on Friday at McMorran Arena. The Icehawks improve to 9-4-0-0 on the International Hockey League season and move into a second place tie with the Bloomington PrairieThunder, while the last place Mallards fall to 2-7-1-0.

Kris Vernarsky and Derek Patrosso each added a goal and an assist in the win and rookie Mickael Bedard chipped in a pair of assists to extend his personal point streak to five games.

Both teams lit the lamp in the first period. Quad City got on the board first as Justin White scored his first professional goal on the power play at 9:51. He was assisted by Juris Stals. The Icehawks tied the game just over three minutes later, with a goal by Patrosso. Vernarsky and Daniel Tetrault had the helpers. Both teams had 14 shots in the period.

Patrosso and Vernarsky teamed up again late in the second period to give the Icehawks a 2-1 lead. Vernarsky capitalized on a power play opportunity at 15:54 to break the tie and land the eventual game winner. Patrosso and Bedard were credited with the assists. The Icehawks outshot the Mallards 13-6 in the period.

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