Utica College: The gang's all here.

[MELIN27]

Did I see this correctly? UNE was NOT taken to double OT in Utica? WTF? Was it because they got to cut their teeth on lousy conference bottom feeders who don't deserve to be in the NCAA playoffs?

Must be.

 

[sshablak]

I went to the game, UNE's goaltender absolutely stole the game. They scored a shorty and made it hold up until the open netter. Such is hockey, "A hot goalie can take you a long way". I was frustrated watching the game, it was tough.
Good luck to UNE, a cinderella story.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

I went to the game, UNE's goaltender absolutely stole the game. They scored a shorty and made it hold up until the open netter. Such is hockey, "A hot goalie can take you a long way". I was frustrated watching the game, it was tough.
Good luck to UNE, a cinderella story.

Girard certainly played well, but let’s not discredit the UNE defense that did an excellent job disrupting Utica’s zone entry at the blue line, especially in the third period. While they had 20 shots on goal, I didn’t see a whole lot of Grade A’s in that period and I credit UNE’s defensive game plan for that.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Girard certainly played well, but let’s not discredit the UNE defense that did an excellent job disrupting Utica’s zone entry at the blue line, especially in the third period. While they had 20 shots on goal, I didn’t see a whole lot of Grade A’s in that period and I credit UNE’s defensive game plan for that.

Also, UNE was very methodical and conservative coming out of their zone and entry into Utica's zone. UNE relied on short, crisp, accurate passes to move the puck up the ice. They did not take any chances with long cross ice passes or "TD tosses," thus minimizing a mistake which could result in a quick odd man rush counterattack.

Like Prez says, to just hone in on the goaltending play of UNE, misses eveything else they did. This was an extremely well coached team which had a plan to lesson the better talent on Utica, and they executed that plan perfectly.

They will also be very well prepared against Geneseo. Friday's game will be very interesting.

 

[sshablak]

Without that goalie they lose ! It all starts with the goaltending.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Without that goalie they lose ! It all starts with the goaltending.

And without a good defensive scheme, they lose.

Without a good breakout plan, they lose.

Do you have any idea how TEAM sports works?

This is when Remy would set all you straight.

 

[llama]

Without that goalie they lose ! It all starts with the goaltending.

We’ve all seen it before…where a ‘tender is the best player on the ice and wins the game for his team. I don’t think that’s what happened here.

UNE’s goalie was outstanding - no question about it. But…as others pointed out the defensive core for UNE played very well. They had near-perfect gap control shift after shift…which helped limit Utica’s speed and transition game. Further, UNE managed the puck extremely well. Very few, if any, blue line turnovers (defensive or offensive) in the third.

I don’t think Utica got beat by a single guy…this was an extremely well played game by UNE. They cashed in on one of the few chances they got and then played strong team defense to make it stand up.

Just my POV…

 

[llama]

And without a good defensive scheme, they lose.

Without a good breakout plan, they lose.

Do you have any idea how TEAM sports works?

This is when Remy would set all you straight.

+1
…I think this was a team win…not just the tender

 

[sshablak]

Without that goalie they lose !!

 

[altazo]

Without that goalie they lose !!

They had that goalie.

 

[Sir Nubs]

Has anyone seen Fishman? Is he OK?

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Without that goalie they lose !!

It’s this kind of thinking why the Utica Perennials disappoint every year.

 

[sshablak]

UNE goalie stole the game. I was there !

 

[IceKnights20]

UNE goalie stole the game. I was there !

Has Utica ever lost a game that wasn’t “stolen”? Every time Utica loses or is in a close game the only thing you see on this board is that the goalie stole the game. UNE’s goalie played great but that’s not the only reason they won that game. And I’d bet if you asked the coaches and players they’d say the same thing.

 

[altazo]

UNE goalie stole the game. I was there !

Dude, you’re embarrassing yourself.

I can only imagine the excuses if the tournament seeds held and #2 Utica had to play #7 Hobart rather than #8 UNE.

 

[bakdraft21]

Boy I did not expect The U to go downwind and a shut-out.....Yes a hot goalie can take you far, but it is a team effort....best of luck next yr ,join The Lakers on the bench and watch the rest of the Final 4 unfold....

 

[sshablak]

Rofl !!

 

[JSicedog]

Dude, you’re embarrassing yourself.

I can only imagine the excuses if the tournament seeds held and #2 Utica had to play #7 Hobart rather than #8 UNE.

The shots were 38-17 and 31-9 in the final 2 frames. It was very much stolen by the UNE goaltender.

 

[jerrynu26]

The shots were 38-17 and 31-9 in the final 2 frames. It was very much stolen by the UNE goaltender.

well, hmmm. The box score I see says the UNE goalie made 38 saves for the game.

 

[JSicedog]

well, hmmm. The box score I see says the UNE goalie made 38 saves for the game.

…..That is precisely my point