University of Massachusets Athletics
LIVE GAME BLOG: Men's Hockey vs. Vermont
November 25, 2008 | Hockey
Nov. 25, 2008
Hello one and all and welcome to the UMass hockey game blog. From high atop the Mullins Center in the press box, John Sinnett here to bring you the excitement of our game tonight between UMass and Vermont. Both teams enter tonight ranked among the top-20 in the nation, but more importantly, tied for third-place in the Hockey East standings. If you can't make it to the Mullins Center tonight, make sure you check out our LIVE STATS, LISTEN LIVE ON 100.9 FM WRNX, OR WATCH ON CN8-TV.
7:31 PM: We are just getting under way here as introductions are being made. Tonight's starters for UMass are T.J. Syner (left wing), Cory Quirk (center), Chris Davis (right wing), Topher Bevis (left defense), John Wessbecker (right defense) and Dan Meyers in cage. For Vermont, the starters are Colin Vock, Dean Strong, Corey Carlson, Drew Mackenzie, Kevan Miller, and Rob Madore in goal.
7:48 PM: A lot of action, but no scoring or penalties to report so far. Both teams have two shots and both goalies have two saves. No clean chances. Timeout for television - a little odd considering we haven't had a television game since Nov. 1 at Providence. The timeouts interrupt the flow of the game a bit, but also allow for a bit of strategy during the course of the game.
7:52 PM: Dan Meyers just makes an incredible left-to-right save on a one-timer from the top of the left faceoff circle to deny Vermont.
8:06 PM: UMass scores! Chris Davis is credited with his fifth goal of the year as the Minutemen snap an 0-for-19 power play slump. At the end of the first period, UMass leads 1-0.
8:23 PM: Here are some first period stats as we start the second period. UMass held a 10-to-6 advantage in shots and was 1-for-1 on the power play. Dan Meyers made six saves. Rob Madore made nine saves for Vermont.
8:25 PM: At the 18:47 mark of the second period, Vermont is called for an interference goal giving the Minutemen their second power play of the night.
8:33 PM: Justin Braun rifled home his second goal of the season to make it 2-0 UMass just 2 seconds before the power play expired. This is the fourth time UMass has tallied two power play goals in a game and the Minutemen were undefeated in those previous three games.
8:38 PM: UMass kills off a Danny Hobbs penalty and is able to clear it out of danger after a long defensive shift. 8:30 left in the second period.
8:44 PM: Vermont pulls within one as Dean Strong rings up his first of the season. He leads Vermont with nine assists this season centering the top line.
9:10 PM: Underway here in the final period and UMass holding on to a 2-1 lead. A couple of big things on the line for the Minutemen, namely moving into a tie with Boston College for second place in the league standings. For coach Don "Toot" Cahoon, a win tonight would be his 300th career win and tie him with Hall Of Fame Coach Jack Canniff.
9:24 PM: UMass kills off another penalty holding the Catamounts 0-for-2 for tonight with just over 9 minutes remaining in the game - Minutemen still hold a 2-1 advantage.
9:26 PM: As we go to a media timeout, John Wessbecker heads to the penalty box for cross checking with 8:15 remaining in the third period.
9:29 PM: UMass kills off the penalty and we are back a full strength.
9:47 PM: Viktor Stalberg scores with 56 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. He is the reigning Hockey East Performer of the Week and ranks second on Vermont with 12 points (6g,6a).
9:48 PM: 1 minute left in OT.
9:50 PM: Peter Lenes hits the game-winner on a backdoor one-timer off a nice pass from Drew MacKenzie with 23 seconds left in OT. Our final score is 3-2 Vermont in overtime; be sure to join us on Friday at 7 PM as the Minutemen host St. Lawrence here in the Mullins Center. Thanks for reading, watching and listening - have a good night!