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2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat?

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Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat?

Not much chatter on here about last night??? Thought the game was very uneven & sloppy at times, to be expected for first game of the season and both teams having several players out or got injured. In the end, the result was probably deserved both ways.

Obviously very concerned about Stevens and hope is nothing serious that will keep him out for any length of time. The Big Greek did pretty good under the circumstances and another year or 2 with Tapp & he will be a very good goalie, but right now he has quite a bit to learn.

Carr & Ghost looked really good last night and were best players on the ice IMO. Can't believe Carr didn't convert the 2 Grade A's in OT, but BG's goalie made huge saves. Bodie, Hatch & Sullivan also were very good, so should have good upperclass leadership.

Very impressed with Henry on the backend, he looks like he has a bunch of upside.. terrific skater and puckhandler. Taylor is very solid too. Thought Vasaturo had a bit of a tough game and may need some time to get back into rhythm from the injury. Overall am more optmistic about the d-corps than I was before the game, though will need some time.

Big problem last night was not having a center who could win a faceoff. With Novak & Roy out it left a big void, and the frosh really didn't do well at the dot. The PK in a word was horrible, but am confident the coaches will correct that in time. Pontarelli had a nice game & has great puck handling skills, but needs to work on his overall game. Nice goal by "the big guy" too. Overall some positives and some reasons for concern. Hopefully can get a W tonight and get some confidence going. Wins now are important if want to stay in PWR contention.
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat?

I'll echo what ADK said, he pretty much hit the nail on the head. I was impressed with all of the freshmen, especially Pontarelli and Lichtenwald. I thought Henry looked a little nervous with the puck early on but he settled down as the game went along. Sakellaropoulos is rough around the edges, but you can't fault him for any of the BG goals. Vasaturo had a really rough night in his first game back, especially on BGSU's third goal where he looked lost all shift and topped it off by sweeping the puck into his own net.

The game went as expected for a first game of the year, Union didn't look crisp at all at times and BGSU capitalized on our rough second period. With some adjustments, especially facing BGSU's forecheck, Union should take the win tonight. Hopefully whoever in net doesn't get bulldozed like Stevens did last night. I still can't believe #12 for BGSU didn't get tossed for that one.
 
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Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat?

I thought Williamson's hit on Stevens was a big time cheap shot and probably intentional. He at least made no significant effort to avoid the collision. The fact that he came back to score after taking our goaltender out of the game was hugely inequitable. In fact I thought there were a lot of cheap shots out there by the visitors including several high forearms and elbows and a nasty blow to Carr's head which was in fact penalized.

There was an actual game played and so far as that is concerned I came away somewhat disappointed with the result but generally encouraged by what I saw, particularly with the 7 freshmen who were on the ice. Lictphtenblad though huge may actually be more of a finesse player and a skilled one at that. Pontarelli looks like he is going to be an exciting player to watch. I would admonish those who are on the ice with him to keep their eyes open and sticks on the ice because he is going to be making some amazing passes when he isn't scoring himself. And what can you say about the Ghost that hasn't already been said? An amazing talent who on occasion may try to do too much himself, but when you have a fast horse in the barn you have to let him run.

Sully was around the puck a lot and looked like he has picked up some speed. Wilkins needs to show me more. Daniel Carr is an animal and I think that if he stays healthy could have a record setting type season. I thought the overall team speed was excellent and that with time this could be a very good if young group. I feel terribly for Colin Stevens whose spotlight moment was tarnished. Let's hope he isn't seriously hurt but that was a nasty high speed collision.

On a different note, congrats to Bealer on SHU's big upset win over No 1 Mass Lowell.
 
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Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat?

I just talked with one of the assist Union coaches, he said Stevens injury is not serious and will hopefully be back next weekend
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat?

Sounds like BGU is a bunch of goons. At least the Dutchmen took it to them, with the newbies making significant contributions. Don't recall a team ever incurring twelve penalties.
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat?

That was an entertaining game tonight. The Flyers scouts sitting next to me seemed to be enjoying it too. I think they saw a Ghost. I have a feeling we had better enjoy Shayne while he's still here because I don't think he'll be around next season especially with Philly as bad as they seem to be. Pontarelli seems as gifted as I had hoped and could be a special player. Taylor also looks like he may be exceptionally talented. Still you have to expect freshmen to do dumb things and be inconsistent so the upperclassmen need to lead the way.

The damper on the weekend is the rash of early injuries. Novak missed both games as did Roy who I assume is injured. Lichtenwald, Wilkins and Stevens going down is very worrisome especially Stevens with basically only a freshman though a talented one, to fill the void. I remember the season where Milan played every game and holding my breath that as the only alternative, he stayed healthy and he was not a freshman that season. The lack of comment from the coaching staff on the nature and extent of the injuries has me anxious.
 
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Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat?

Late addition Pontarelli having early impact and more notes from Saturday's 5-2 win over BGSU:

http://bit.ly/161ByEG

Lichtenwald was spotted with crutches as he took in the game from the bleachers.
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat?

This is not science as its way too early in the season and most of the games are non conference and some leagues are tilted one way but if my numbers are correct thus far:
ECAC 10-3
NCHC 8-3
Big 10 7-2
HE 10-10
WCHA 6-11
Atlantic 3-15

It will be interesting as the year unwinds and more conference play begins to see how each league does against another. Its way too early to tell. For the ECAC, clearly last year was no fluke. The ECAC is picking up where we left off. Last year 5 of the old WCHA teams made the playoffs and only 3 ECAC made it.

Last year Union led the nation (NCAA DI) in Power Play Goals

#1. UNION 44-179 24.58
#13. YALE
#14. St. Lawrence
#15. RPI

and was 7th in the nation (NCAA DI) in Penalty Kills.

#1. Quinnipiac 164 of 180 91.1
#5. Dart
#7. UNION 138 of 160 86.2

Quinnipiac lead the Nation in Defense last year and as shown above was first in killing penalties. I think the two go hand in hand.

#1. Quinnipiac 1.67
#6. UNION 2.12
#10. Brown
#12. RPI
#24. Yale
 
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