Union Blows Two Goal Lead And Ties Quinnipiac

The Dutchmen just didn't have their 'A' game tonight. I don't know why, but they just weren't able to click tonight. Coach Leaman tried mixing up the lines in the third period to try and get a spark, but nothing happened.

I really wasn't a fan of the refereeing tonight. The Bobcats received six power-plays while Union only had two. Union scored on their first chance, and had their second opportunity with 1:45 left in overtime but were unable to score. I just thought the calls were a little unbalanced, but hey I'm a Union fan. In the post-game press conference I could sense that Coach Leaman also wasn't too happy with the refs.

The Union penalty killing was great tonight. I also want to point out that Kyle Bodie's goal was an absolute snipe.

Luckily, the Dutchmen got some help from Colgate who tied Yale in New Haven. It was the only game Yale has played this season that went into overtime, and is the only time the Bulldogs haven't won at Ingalls this season. So, Union still controls their own destiny. If they win tonight against Princeton they will win the Cleary Cup.

The game will be one of the biggest in the history of the program, and the most important of the season so far.

For more on the game vs. Quinnipiac check out:
USCHO
Union Athletics
Ken Schott's Blog
Times Union
Quinnipiac Athletics

Other scores in the ECAC from last night:
Colgate 1 - Yale 1
Princeton 4 - RPI 3
Cornell 2 - Brown 3 (OT)
Clarkson 1 - Harvard 3
St. Lawrence 2 - Dartmouth 4

Tonight's Lineups vs. Dartmouth

#16 Kevin Sullivan

Union
Carr - Welsh - Jooris
Presizniuk - Zajac - Hatch
Buote - Pallos - K. Bodie
Sullivan - J. Simpson - W. Simpson

Forgaard- Julseth-White
Coburn - Stuart
M. Bodie - Matheson

Notes: Kyle Bodie is back in the lineup after being replaced by Luke Cain last Saturday. I assume Cain was inserted into the lineup against Cornell because of his size. Cain is the feature story of this week's game program.

#24 Evan Stephens

Dartmouth
Estoclet - Fleming - Reber
N. Walsh - Jones - Robinson
D. Walsh - Owsiak - Reeds
Smith - Goodship - Lee

Stephens - Stejskal
Keenan - Goggin
Gaudet - Boldt

Mello
O'Neill
Morris


Players to Watch: Estoclet (8g-8a-16pts), Fleming (8g-12a-20pts), Reber (4g-12a-16pts), Stephens (2g-6a-8pts). Estoclet, Fleming, and Reber are all on the same line. Matt Lindbald leads all Big Green freshman with six goals and eight assists, but is not in the lineup tonight.

Here is a great comparison of the Dutchmen and Big Green courtesy of College Hockey News.

Union Travels to Two Tough Buildings This Weekend

Prior to the beginning of the season I thought that the trip to Colgate and Cornell would be one of the most difficult one's of the year. I thought both of these teams would be competing for an ECAC championship (and so did the Coaches and Media). But, both the Raiders and Big Red have struggled to begin the ECAC season as both are in the bottom half of the standings with Colgate being in dead last. While I am more confident about Union's chances this weekend there are still reasons to worry. I do think Union will pick up two wins this weekend, but I would not be shocked if they lost one or both of these games for these two reasons:

Starr Rink

1. The Starr Curse: The Dutchmen have played 22 games at Colgate's Starr rink and they've only picked up ONE WIN going 1-20-1. The last time Union won a game at Colgate was in 1998 when Trevor Koening was in net (Check out Ken Schott's article about the win here). No player on Union's current roster has ever won a game at Starr. There is really no rhyme or reason to this trend, but the Dutchmen will have to find a way to break the curse... and this would be the perfect time to do so considering the Raiders have only won one game in their past 16 (1-14-1), including a seven game losing streak (three loses in OT).

Lynah Rink

2. Lynah Rink's atmosphere: Maybe a reason why Union has had so much trouble at Colgate is because they are looking ahead to playing at Cornell the next night, which is a pretty daunting task. Cornell's Lynah rink is the toughest building to play in the ECAC and one of the toughest in the country. The Big Red fans always pack the place and are extremely loud. They have some of the best fans in the country as they have a great pep band and entertaining chants. If you come out without alive without a loss at Cornell, you've done a good job. Cornell might be down as of this moment, but they are extremely dangerous. They just beat Quinnipiac and Princeton on the road.

Here are some players to look out for this weekend:

Colgate:
Austin Smith (forward): leads team with 12 assists and 17 points. He was named All-ECAC this preseason.
Francois Brisebois (forward): second on the team with 16 points.
Brian Day (forward): leads the team in goals (8), power-play goals (4), and penalty minutes (28). I picked him as All-ECAC this preseason and predicted that he would have a huge year.

Cornell:
Nick D'Agostino (defense): leads the team with six goals, tied for second with five assists, and is second with 11 points... AS A DEFENSEMAN! This actually comes as no surprise to me since I picked him to my Preseason All-ECAC team.
Greg Miller (forward): leads team with 10 assists and 12 points.
Joe & Mike Devin (forward & defense): the two senior brothers are big powerful players. Joe is tied for second on the team with five goals and is thrid with 10 points, wile Mike leads the team with 24 penalty minutes. Their younger sister Molly-Kate is a sophomore on Union's Women's Hockey team.

Union:
Kyle Bodie (forward): played very well last weekend as he picked up four points and was named the ECAC Player of the Week. Let's see if he can follow it up with another good performance and solidify his spot in the lineup.
Andrew Buote (forward): was a healty scratch for the first time in a long time last Saturday against Clarkson. Leaman says he's "challenging the seniors," so let's see how he responds.
Adam Presizniuk (forward): he finally broke the all-time points record last weekend, which was probably nice to just get out of the way. This weekend is his third weekend back since returning from his thumb injury. Now with the record out of the way and his thumb feeling better let's see if Prezie goes on a tear.

For more on the games check out:
Union Athletics.com
Go Colgate Raiders.com
The Unofficial Colgate Hockey Blog
Ken Schott's Blog --> He has tonight's starting lineups
Cornell Big Red.com

Also, Union Assistant SID Jeff Weinstein will be live chatting tonight from Starr Rink. To access the Live Chat click here.

Union Destroys Clarkson 8-1

Kyle Bodie scored twice

Once again, the Golden Knights come into Messa Rink and lose. The last time Clarkson came to Schenectady and won was January 2001. Last year the Dutchmen skated all over them and won 11-2. Obviously, things weren't different this time around.

Kyle Bodie had a big game with two goals, and Kevin Sullivan scored his first career goal. Also, Mike Ingoldsby picked up his first career point. Keith Kinkaid played another good game as well. It was great to see the team have a big offensive outburst in an ECAC game.

Senior forwards Andrew Buote and Stephane Boileau were out of the lineup last night (the second night in a row for Boileau). Coach Leaman hasn't been too happy with the seniors lately, saying that he is "challenging" them.

After a very good first period Clarkson goaltender Paul Karpowich fell apart once again at Messa Rink. He was the starting goaltender in Union's 11-2 shellacking last year, and was pulled once again this time around in the third period. Maybe Karpowich will refuse to start at Union next season (haha).

The only thing Clarkson had going for them was their pep band/cheering section. They were loud and supportive throughout the entire game. Union fans and the administration should start taking notes on how a pep band/student section work.

Also, I hear some Union students have been kicked out of the rink for doing "classic Union chants" by the campus police officers. I never hear any profanities chanted, so I don't know what this is all about.

For more on the game go to:
Union Athletics.com
USCHO
Ken Schott's Blog

Learn How To Speak French With Professor Boileau (10/26/10)

This week Professor Boileau teaches us about certain penalties in hockey. He specifically teaches us how to say slashing, cross-checking and hitting from behind in French. He also tells us how to say the numbers two (minor penalty), five (major penalty) and ten (game misconduct) in his native language.

NOTE: Kyle Bodie was not harmed during the filming of this segment.

Videos from Media Day

It took me a while, but I finally figured out how to upload these videos from Media Day. Enjoy! If you can't see the videos you can see them on You Tube.

Oh, and be sure to register for the upcoming games this weekend on Facebook.

Head Coach Nate Leaman



Freshman Forward Matt Hatch



Senior captain Brock Matheson



Freshman Mat Bodie and sophomore Kyle Bodie



Leaman talks about the upcoming matchup with Sacred Heart

Union lives to see tomorrow

Thanks to two goals by Adam Presizniuk and 27 saves by Corey Milan, the Dutchmen topped Quinnipiac 3-1. Luke Cain scored Union's second goal which was the eventual game-winner.

It was a very solid game all across the board. Union was able to get some good offensive pressure and played good team defense. Also, Milan made the stops he needed to make while the Union defense didn't allow many great scoring opportunities.

Due to last night's epic affair John Simpson, Kyle Bodie, and Stephane Boileau were not dressed in favor of Justin Pallos (who assisted on the game-winning goal), Brian Yanovitch, and Jason Shaffer. Yanovitch looked especially good tonight. I wonder if Leaman will stick with this winning formula tomorrow.

I got to watch the game from Section Q for the first time in a long, long time. It was a lot of fun and the students were very loud and in to it.

Tomorrow night is win or go home, so it should be a very emotional and exciting game. This is the last game at Messa Rink for the seniors so expect them to step up in a big way. Also, if the Dutchmen win they will head to the ECAC Final Four for the first time in program history. This year is the last time the final four will be held in Albany.

For more on the game check out Union Athletics.com, USCHO.com, Times Union.com (Mark McGuire), Ken Schott's Blog, and Troy Record.com.

Also, Cornell topped Harvard and St. Lawrence beat Colgate to clinch a berth to the ECAC Final Four, while Yale bounced back and scored six goals against Brown to force Game 3 tomorrow.

The Starr Curse Lives On

After last night's 5-2 loss at Colgate the
Dutchmen are now 1-17-1 at Colgate. Surprisingly this year's seniors have not won a game at Starr Rink, which is the least intimidating rink in the ECAC. The crowd is always dead and no one even goes to the games. Maybe the problem is going from Lynah to Starr and how different the environments are. Either way losing two games in a row is not how you want to head into the playoffs, but the Dutchmen have a bye which will give them some time to think everything over and get their heads on straight.

Once again, congratulations to Mario Valery-Trabucco on his program record 21st goal of the season. Mario is the MVP of the team this year and is one of the top forwards in the ECAC (along with Chase Polacek, Brock Little and Sean Backman just to name a few). He is a legitimate Hobey Baker and All-American candidate. Also, Mario's linemate Jason Walters is one point away from tying the program's career point record (114, Jordan Webb).

This weekend does bring up some concern for the playoffs. First and most importantly is goaltending. Keith Kinkaid has not stepped up when he has really needed to. He, nor Corey Milan, have stolen a game for the Dutchmen even though they have had some very good games. Goaltending is the most important factor for any playoff teams as hot goaltending will prevail above everything in the playoffs. This also brings up another concern which is the amount of breakaways allowed by the Union defense. It seems like almost every game the opposition gets at least one breakaway opportunity. Also, even though there is no official statistic, it seems like Kinkaid has trouble with breakaways. Finally, it is a bit worrisome that 'Super' Mario scored two of Union's three goals this weekend (the other goal coming from Kyle Bodie). Union played two Top 4 ECAC teams this past weekend and were only able to score three goals. Offense is the strength of this team and will have to continue to be if they want to be successful in the playoffs.

We now have two weeks for Union Hockey to return, and I'm sure it will feel longer than that. Hopefully this extra time will give the Dutchmen some time to relax and tie up some loose ends. If all the top seeds win their first round playoff games Union will face RPI in the quarterfinals, which will be a very energized and exciting series. I'm not excited about this potential matchup because it is very difficult to beat a team five times in one season, especially a rival. Also, all of the regualr season games this season have been extremely tight and could have gone either way.

For more on last night's game check out Ken Schott's Blog, Union Athletics.com, Daily Gazette.com, and USCHO.com.

Dutchmen clinch first round bye

Last night in the press box I was told that in order for the Dutchmen to clinch a first round bye in the playoffs they would have to win tonight against Quinnipiac. Well, I just found out this morning that that was wrong and Union has already clinched a first round bye in the ECAC playoffs. So, my article on USCHO.com is incorrect. Just don't pay attention to the fourth to last paragraph haha. For more detailed information about how the Dutchmen clinched the bye check out the Extra Frame Blog.

It was nice to see Kinkaid bounce back with a solid performance after last weekend's debacle. Kyle Bodie scored once again for his third time in three weekends. He could be a secret weapon heading into the playoffs. Also, congratulations to 'Super' Mario Valery-Trabucco for breaking the program's Division I single season point record.

I can't seem to figure out Princeton goaltender Zane Kalemba. Last season he was the best goalie in the ECAC and an all-American, and this year his stats are pretty awful. He seems a little slow in the net and unfocused. I'm not sure why he's had such a let down this year; only he knows.

For more on last night's game check out Union Athletics.com, Daily Gazette.com, Times Union.com, and Ken Schott's Blog.

Union stages epic comeback against Dartmouth

Going down four goals on the road 7:20 into a game is not the way you want to start out, but scoring five unanswered goals... that's character, and last night's game proves that this team has a ton of character. This is the type of game that the Dutchmen will look back on in the playoffs, and say that they can do anything. Granted they were playing an 11th placed team, but a four goal deficit at any level of hockey, no matter who you are playing, is a difficult one to make up.

The really great thing about last night's victory is how the freshmen skaters stepped up when their team needed them. Each Jeremy Welsh, Shawn Stuart, and Kyle Bodie scored a goal, and Wayne Simpson had two assists. It's also important that Union's big players showed up when they need them. The Mario-Wally-Prez line connected for a huge power-play goal in the second period, and Prez and Mike Schreiber picked up assists in the third period. You also can't forget Andrew Buote, who picked up two assists on the night. He is one of the hardest working players on the ice for the Dutchmen every game. And last, but definitely not least, Luke Cain scored the game-tying goal late in the third as he tipped a shot past the Dartmouth goaltender. He has scored a goal in five of Union's last six weekends. Cain is another hard-working player, and it was nice to see him make a huge impact in his return to Thomspon Arena after his horrific injury two years ago. The offense has been clicking lately as they have scored 20 goals in the past three games.

Keith Kinkaid had a very rough night last night, but luckily Corey Milan was able to come in and hold down the fort. Maybe Keith is suffering from some fatigue, so don't be surprised to see Milan in the net tonight against Harvard.

The Dutchmen need to take advantage of the Cornell- Yale matchup tonight as one of these teams has to lose, or they can tie so neither team could pick up two points. There is a very good chance that after tonight there will no longer be a three way tie for first place.

For more on last night's game check out Union Athletics.com, Dartmouth Sports.com, Daily Gazette.com, Times Union.com, and Ken Schott's Blog.

Notes in Union Hockey (2/8/10)

Union in the National Polls:

• The Dutchmen have moved up from #20 to #16 in the USCHO. com National Rankings.


• They are also tied with Yale for #17 in the PairWise Rankings.


• Union remains in the same spot (two spots out of the Top 15) in the USA Today/ USA Hockey Magazine Poll.


• In the Inside College Hockey Power Rankings the Dutchmen move up to #13.

Dutchmen honored by ECAC:

• Senior forward Mario Valery-Trabucco was named ECAC Player of the Week. Mario picked up four goals and three assists on the weekend on his way to breaking the 100 point mark.


• Freshman Kyle Bodie was named the ECAC Rookie of the Week. Bodie tallied a goal and three assists in Friday's blowout of Clarkson. Coming into the game Bodie only had four points on the season.


• You can read the press release from the ECAC here.

Three third period goals lifts Union over SLU

On Thursday night I said: "Things haven't been going well for our Dutchmen... The main cause of this problem has been the lack of scoring... meaning that their top scorers need to start scoring... Mario along with is linemates, Jason Walters and Adam Presizniuk, need to put the offense on their backs and carry it. They are one of the most dynamic and lethal lines in the ECAC and need to play like it every game."

Well, I doubt Mario, Wally, and Prez read this but maybe they heard what I said through the grapevine haha. These guys were the reason why the Dutchmen were able to put up 15 goals this weekend. Mario registered four goals and three assists, Wally put up a goal and four assists, and Prez had two goals and five assists on the weekend. So, if you do the math this line scored seven of Union's 15 goals this weekend and had a combined 12 assists. Also, the line had their hand in nine of the 15 goals this weekend. In the six previous games the Dutchmen put up only 12 goals. It was also nice to see leaders such as Mike Schreiber and Brock Matheson and freshman such as Kyle Bodie and Wayne Simpson help with the offense this weekend.

The defense also had a good weekend as they only let up four goals. Last night's game marked the third game in a row that they let up just two goals.

It was great to see the team come back in the third period, especially after the short-handed goal just a few seconds before the second period ended. The ability to come back in the third period is a sign of a great and gritty team, which will be huge in the playoffs.

This weekend was a great way to halt the winless skid and now the Dutchmen have to keep it rolling into next weekend when they hit the road to take on Dartmouth and Harvard, both of whom came into Messa Rink and beat the Dutchmen a few weeks ago. Also, the Dutchmen are now in a three way tie for first place in the ECAC with Cornell and Yale and are ahead of fourth place St. Lawrence by three points.

Also note that Mario is now tied for 11th in the nation in points (35), Union is fifth in the nation in goals per game (3.64), tied for 14th in goals against per game (2.50), and 10th in the nation in power-play percentage (20.6%). It will be interesting to see where they end up in the National Rankings on Monday. I personally feel that they will move up a few spots. My guess is to #18.

To read more about the game check out USCHO.com, Union Athletics.com, Daily Gazette.com, Times Union.com, and Ken Schott's Blog.

Dutchmen put up a record 11 goals against Clarkson

Wow, that was ridiculous. All of us in the press box were completely flustered within the first 10 minutes of the game with all the goals being scored. After a while we all expected that every shot on the Clarkson net went in. Clarkson is a miserable team considering the injuries, illnesses, and the sexual misconduct charges earlier this year. They were missing some defenseman, but hey 11 goals is 11 goals. If you're a Division I hockey team you should not be letting up 11 goals to any league opponent. That being said, Paul Karpowich is not a good goaltender. I remember thinking last season after the three times I saw him that he was not a good goaltender. He seems to be out of place way too much, which leaves big openings where players like Mario can snipe the net easily. I guarantee that will not be the case tonight as St. Lawrence goaltender Kain Tisi is 100 times better than Karpowich. Statistically, Tisi is one of the top netmidners in the ECAC. The matchup with the Saints will be a good and important game.

Congratulations to Super Mario on his 100th career point and second career hat trick, freshman Kyle Bodie on his four point night, and Rich Sillery on his first action this season. I've been hoping that Sillery would see some action this season, and it really made my night that he did. Oh, and a special shout out to #1 fan Will Friedman. It was fun celebrating the win with you last night... haha. Also, if you were wondering who the extra guy behind the bench was last night it was Jason Oshins (second from left), who is a "Coaches Level" donor to the Garnet Blades. For being a "Coaches Level" donor you get the chance to be on the bench for a home game. Oshins is a Board of Trustees member, and is the founder of the Upsilon Sigma chapter of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity at Union College.

You can read more about the game on USCHO.com, Daily Gazette.com, Times Union.com, Union Athletics.com, and Ken Schott's Blog.