University of Massachusets Athletics
Hockey Now Ranked No. 20 In The Nation
November 13, 2006 | Hockey
Nov. 13, 2006
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts hockey team (5-1-1/4-1-0 Hockey East) is ranked No. 20 in the USCHO.com/CSTV national poll after Friday's 2-1 win over Northeastern. UMass sits alone atop the Hockey East standings with eight points and has gotten off to its best start since the 2003-04 season. The Minutemen play four of the next eight games at home at the William D. Mullins Memorial Center, including this Saturday's nonconference game against UConn.
`QUICK'LY BECOMING ONE OF THE LEAGUE'S BEST Jon Quick (So., G, Hamden, Conn./Avon Old Farms) backstopped UMass to its fifth win of the season, fourth in conference play, with a 19-save effort against Northeastern to keep the Minutemen atop the Hockey East standings. Quick also notched an assist vs. the Huskies, the first for a UMass goalie since Nov. 26, 2002 (Gabe Winer vs. Vermont). Quick's six consecutive starts is a career high, while his save percentage and GAA rank in the top five nationally. Among league netminders, his save percentage and GAA rank first (first and second overall, respectively, in league-only contests). He has allowed two or fewer goals in five of six contests.
MATHESON CENTERED AT FORWARD Mark Matheson (Sr., F/D, Calgary, Alb./Calgary Royals) has split time at defense and forward during his collegiate career, and is reaping the offensive benefits in his final season as a centerman. Both of his goals this season have come in UMass wins, and he had a hand in both tallies in the victory over Northeastern. Matheson tied it all up at one on Friday before assisting on the gamewinner.
DEFYING THE SOPHOMORE SLUMP Look no further than UMass' sophomore class to get a feeling for the team's success. Cory Quirk leads all Minutemen in scoring with seven points, Chris Davis ranks No. 3 with five and netminder Jon Quick has earned the starting spot, backstopping the Minutemen to their best start since 2003-04. Classmate Scott Crowder registered his first assist of the season vs. NU.
HOME COOKIN' The Mass Attack has enjoyed much success at the Mullins Center this season and? are proud owners of a 3-0-1 record. A season-high 6,350 fans saw the Minutemen beat Northeastern 2-1 last Friday.
SPREADING THE WEALTH Of 24 skaters that have dressed this season, a total of 16 have tallied points. Cory Quirk (So., F, Brockton, Mass./Waterloo Blackhawks) leads the pack with seven points, while the senior and sophomore classes are responsible for 29 of 50 team points (58%). The freshmen come in with 11 class points (22%) and the juniors have 10 apiece (20%).
For ticket information, go to umassathletics.com or call the UMass Ticket Office at 1-866-UMASS TIX.
