Re: NCAA National Semifinal: Adrian vs. Oswego
Preview from the Pal Times...
Lakers to meet Adrian in NCAA hockey semifinal game on Friday
By MIKE LEBOEUF
mleboeuf@palltimes.com
Published:
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 10:59 AM EDT
OSWEGO — After last year’s heartbreaking 4-3 loss to St. Norbert in the NCAA Division III semifinals, the Oswego State Lakers find themselves back at the Final Four this weekend.
The Lakers (23-4-0) will face Adrian (24-3-1) at 4:30 p.m. ET Friday in a semifinal game at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, Minn. The winner will play in Saturday’s 8 p.m. title game against either St. Norbert (23-4-1) or defending national champion Norwich (22-5-3).
“They’ve worked extremely hard, their spirits are good, and we’re excited about going,” Oswego State coach Ed Gosek said. “We’re getting a second chance.”
Many players on the Laker roster were part of last year’s team that battled St. Norbert in a thrilling semifinal game. Jon Whitelaw’s goal with 2:32 left tied the game at 3-3, but St. Norbert’s Cody Keefer scored unassisted with 39 seconds left in the third period to end the Lakers’ championship hopes.
“Having been there last year, you learn from it,” Gosek said. “We didn’t play to our ability level. They will have a different attitude toward it. Now, they’ve got it more in perspective.”
The challenge figures to be just as difficult this time around. Adrian has won 13 consecutive games, and is unbeaten in its last 17. The Bulldogs’ last loss was to Manhattanville on Dec. 31. The Bulldogs overcame an early 2-0 deficit to defeat Elmira 5-3 in the NCAA quarterfinals.
Adrian is a veteran team with 17 seniors. The Bulldogs were also ousted by St. Norbert in last year’s NCAA Tournament, falling 4-3 to the Green Knights in the first round.
Like Oswego State’s quarterfinal opponent Bowdoin, the Bulldogs have skilled forwards and excel on the power play, converting at 29.7 percent (44-for-148).
“The speed part of it will be similar. They’re a quick, fast team,” Gosek said of the Bulldogs. “Adrian has more players with the ability to finish. If you give them room and time, they’re going to bury it.”
Seniors Shawn Skelly (19 goals, 26 assists) and Eric Miller (18-26) lead Adrian in scoring. They are followed by sophomore Zach Graham (14-21), senior Brad Houston (14-21), and senior Mike Dahlinger (12-23).
Senior goalie Brad Fogal is 24-3-1 with a 2.13 goals-against average. Senior all-conference defensemen Quinn Waller and Jeremy Klaver help keep opponents from getting too many chances at Fogal.
“We know they’re an aggressive team. They’re going to finish every check, every hit,” Gosek said. “We have to not only match that intensity, but try to bring more of it.”
The Lakers defeated Adrian 5-2 during the 2009-10 season at Campus Center Ice Arena. It was a close game throughout, with two empty-net goals making the final margin greater.
“Last year’s game could have gone either way,” Gosek said.
Since its 7-5 victory over Bowdoin in the NCAA quarterfinals, Oswego State has focused on shoring up its defense and goaltending in preparation for the Final Four.
Although junior goaltender Paul Beckwith has been outstanding this season with a 19-2 record and a 1.93 goals-against average, he struggled against Bowdoin. He also didn’t get enough help from the Laker defense, which made some mistakes which led to Bowdoin goals.
Eliminating turnovers and tying up men in front of the net are two areas Oswego State is working to improve.
“We want to take away their time and space and make life difficult for their forwards,” Gosek said.
The Lakers figure to pose problems for Adrian as well. Oswego State has depth both on its forward lines and at defense. Junior Ian Boots (14-25) is the leading scorer, followed by senior Justin Fox (10-22), sophomore Luke Moodie (14-15), sophomore Whitelaw (12-16), sophomore Paul Rodrigues (13-12), and junior Andrew Mather (6-19).
Senior captain Kevin Huinink and senior Stephen Mallaro anchor the blue line corps.
The Lakers will be hungry to take their run further than last year’s team, but Gosek said Adrian also has some intangibles in its favor.
“They’ve got 17 seniors. It’s their first time there (at the Final Four), and they’ll want to give it their best,” Gosek said. “Both teams have skilled forwards, good goaltending, and solid defense.”
Top-ranked St. Norbert and Norwich will stage their own battle in Friday’s 8 p.m. semifinal game. Gosek said nearly all of his team’s attention has been on Adrian, but added that the Lakers will be prepared for their next opponent should they advance to Saturday’s championship game.
“Norwich is a little more offensive minded. St. Norbert plays a patient, defensive type of game. It should be a great game,” Gosek said. “When you get to this point, any one of the four teams left could win it.”
Gosek said it’s gratifying to get back to the Final Four.
“It’s a long, grueling season, and it’s rewarding for our players, our staff, and our program,” he said. “We’ve pushed the guys hard, and they’ve responded. We’re looking forward to this opportunity. We’re going to lay it on the line and have no regrets.”
. I'm all for a good run by Adrian unless Norwich should encounter them in the final. We'll be there
Hmmm...probably makes me cocky...
I can live with that...