Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins
My first time at Thompson Rink, despite most of a lifetime living in New Hampshire. Nice arena, seats about 4500, was built in 1975, 10 years after Snively was built at my alma mater, UNH. Thompson Rink was only about half full tonight, which was surprising, as a few years ago I tried to get tickets for a holiday tournament there only to find that it was sold out. I will be back for the Ledyard tournament at the end of December for the UMass - Bemidji and UNH - Dartmouth games; bought my tickets in advance this time.
I thought that Bentley played well tonight against a much bigger team. Bentley killed off 48 seconds of 5-3 and then scored late in the first to head into the locker room tied 1-1, despite being outshot 15-5 (on game clock; 21-7 in box score).
The Falcons made some excellent adjustments in the second, using their speed to get ahead and stay up 2-1 until Dartmouth tied on an incredible laser shot from a rebound below the right circle that Komm had no chance to stop. Bentley outshot the Big Green in the second and headed into the final intermission tied 2-2. Although there were not a lot of shots in the second, many were high quality on both sides, with both goalies making several fine saves.
Dartmouth took control in the third, scored on a wrap-around that I had not seen done before against Komm, and then was content to sit back and clog the middle after going up 4-2 with a PPG about 8 minutes in. The game seemed similar to the two Michigan games that I attended in Ann Arbor last year. Likewise, I thought that the final 5-2 score was not a very good indication how well the Falcons played overall. Bentley took the last of their six penalties late in the third, eliminating a chance to pull Komm for an extra attacker, and the Big Green scored their second PPG with about a minute remaining.
Second game in a row without a PPG, after picking up four against Mercyhurst the previous weekend, which drops Bentley to under 30% for the first time this season, but still #2 in Div 1.
Huge series coming up against the other Falcons at the JAR this coming weekend. Air Force took all four points in close games on New Years Eve Eve and New Years Eve the last time they visited the JAR two years ago. I predict that the outcome will be the reverse this year, as Bentley picked up three of four points last January in Colorado Springs. After runaway Niagara, the AHA is looking to be a free for all to see who will grab the next three places for home ice again this season.
