University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Closes Out 2008 At Dartmouth Ledyard National Bank Classic
December 26, 2008 | Hockey
Dec. 26, 2008
UMass (8-6-1) vs. Bemidji State (7-7-0)
Dartmouth Ledyard Invitational
Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 • 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Thompson Arena (4,500] • Hanover, N.H.
Radio: 100.9 FM WRNX/UMassAthletics.com
Live Stats & Video: www.DartmouthSports.com
Massachusetts (8-6-1) vs.
Army (4-9-1) / Dartmouth (6-4-0)
Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 • 4:00 P.M./7:00 P.M. (ET)
Thompson Arena (4,500] • Hanover, N.H.
Radio: 100.9 FM WRNX/UMassAthletics.com
Live Stats & Video: www.DartmouthSports.com
HELPFUL LINKS:
UMass Closes Out 2008 At Dartmouth Ledyard National Bank Classic
• Coming off a two-week break, UMass heads to Dartmouth for the Ledyard National Bank Classic on Sunday, Dec. 28 and Monday, Dec. 29. The Minutemen will face Bemidji State on Sunday at 4 PM before taking on either host Dartmouth or Army on Monday (4/7 PM). Bemidji State currently sits atop the College Hockey America conference standings, while Dartmouth is tied for third in the ECAC and Army is eighth in the Atlantic Hockey Conference. UMass has won two straight games and is coming off a five-game home stand before heading out on the road for the first time in over a month.
• Sunday afternoon will be the first ever meeting between UMass and Bemidji State. Army holds a 22-19-1 advantage in the all-time series against UMass with the two teams last meeting in 2005 (2-1 UMass win). The Minutemen have won the last three meetings and seven of the last eight against the Black Knights. Dartmouth is 14-3-1 all-time against UMass. The last meeting between the two teams was in 2003 and the Minutemen are 2-0-1 in the last three meetings against the Big Green.
• Last season, UMass won its first ever mid-season tournament taking the Tampa Lightning College Hockey Classic. UMass defeated No. 6 Notre Dame and No. 4 Colorado College to take the tournament championship. The wins propelled UMass to its highest ever national ranking (No. 5).
BroadCast Information
• UMass hockey will once again be broadcast live on 100.9 FM WRNX with Donnie Moorhouse calling the play-by-play and Brock Hines calling the color commentary. The pregame show will begin 30 minutes prior to the opening face-off. The game will also be streamed live over the internet through www.UMassAthletics.com.
• Streaming video can be accessed through www.DartmouthSports.com which is a for-fee service and best viewed on a high-speed broadband internet connection.
• Additionally, live stats will also be available through www.DartmouthSports.com along with a live in-game blog on www.UMassAthletics.com.
Stocking Stuffer Ticket Special
• UMass is pleased to once again offer the popular Stocking Stuffer Ticket Special where fans can buy four tickets for just $30 to the Jan. 4 Cornell game or the Jan. 9 New Hampshire. This package makes a great present for any UMass fan.
CAHOON BECOMES ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACH IN UMASS HISTORY
• Head coach Don "Toot" Cahoon became the all-time winning head coach in UMass history on Dec. 12, 2008 with a 4-0 win over American International. He now has 121 career wins which surpassed UMass Hall of Famer Jack Canniff who had 120 wins in his career from 1967-79. He earned his 300th overall win as a head coach on Dec. 5, 2008 in a 5-1 win over Connecticut.
• Under Cahoon's tenure, UMass made its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance (2007) and played for the Hockey East Championship title in 2003.
Fans Set New Attendance Record
• With an average of 4,794 fans per home game, UMass ranks 13th nationally in attendance and fourth in Hockey East, just behind Boston College, New Hampshire, and Boston University.
• UMass averaged a program-best 5,017 fans at home games in 2007-08 which was an all-time best for the program. Against UMass Lowell (10/19/07), UMass set a new record for opening game attendance as 5,862 fans came through the turnstiles. Attendance has increased in each of the last four seasons.
• A Mullins Center record 8,389 fans turned out to see UMass defeat Boston College on Nov. 22 - a mark that also ranks as the ninth-best UMass hockey attendance for all venues. UMass had 7,212 fans pack the Mullins Center for the Boston University game (11/14).
UMass In The National Polls
• UMass earned its first national ranking of the year at No. 19 in the USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Top 20 poll on Nov. 3 after starting the season 4-1-1. The Minutemen have received votes in either the USCHO.com or the USA Today/USA Hockey Top 15 Poll in each week of the season. In the Dec. 15 polls, UMass is receiving votes (6th team listed), but have fallen out of the USA today poll.
• To begin the 2008-09 season, UMass entered both the USA Today/USA Hockey Top 15 and the USCHO.com/CSTV preseason polls as a team receiving votes.
• At No. 5 in the Dec. 31, 2007 and Jan. 7, 2008 USCHO.com/CSTV.com Top-20 poll, UMass gained its highest ever national ranking in program history. The previous top national ranking was No. 7 back in December 2003.
vs. Ranked Teams
• In 2008-09, UMass is 3-3-1 against ranked teams. Of those, UMass has faced five teams ranked in the nation's top-5 posting a 3-1-1 record.
• Last season, UMass was 7-10-1 against ranked opponents including a 5-0-1 stretch against ranked teams through the holiday break. It was UMass best record ever against ranked teams.
• All-time, UMass is 43-168-18 against ranked opponents including a 4-7-2 record at neutral sites and a 5-19-4 record against non-conference teams.
• UMass posted its second ever win over a No. 1-ranked team on Friday, Nov. 14 in the 5-1 win over Boston University. The first came in 1994-95 with a 4-2 win over No. 1 Maine on Jan. 28. In the modern era, UMass is 2-12-1 against team's ranked No. 1.
Team Overview
• UMass returns a strong corps of players in 2008-09 led by seven seniors including co-captain Cory Quirk. The Minutemen also have defenseman John Wessbecker back in the line-up after he missed the second half of last season due to injury. Defensively, the Minutemen will have to find replacements for Mike Kostka and David Leaderer who were two of the most dependable blueliners in all of Hockey East last season. One area of the ice that is looking strong for UMass is between the pipes with sophomore Paul Dainton and junior Dan Meyers both returning.
• UMass returns seven of its top 10 scorers from last season with sophomore James Marcou (8-24-32) and Cory Quirk (11-18-29) leading the way. Justin Braun is the top scoring defenseman returning after scoring 20 point (4-16) last season.
• Bolstering UMass' depth is six newcomers (4 forwards, 2 defensemen). Coach Cahoon is very high on this class stating that each will make an impact on the ice this season.
Story Lines
• UMass snapped an 0-for-15 power play skid with an extra-man goal in the third period against AIC (12/12).
• The Minutemen have three short-handed goals in as many games.
• The UMass penalty kill has gone 21-for-22 over the last six games (11/21-12/12).
• In games won this year, UMass is averaging 5.1 goals per game, is 8-for-35 on the power play, and allowing 1.5 goals per game, while in games lost, UMass is averaging 1.2 goals per game, is 2-for-27 on the power play, and is allowing 2.8 goals per game.
• UMass has scored 15 goals in the first period and 12 goals in the second period of games won, while just scoring two in each of those periods of games lost.
• UMass is 3-1-1 against teams ranked in the nation's top-5 this season. Included in those wins are victories over a team ranked No. 1 nationally and the defending national champions.
• Seven of UMass' 11 games this season have been against ranked teams. Of those seven, Vermont is the lowest ranked opponent at 13th nationally.
• The 26 goals scored in the first seven games are the most since the 1995-96 season when UMass netted 33 goals in the first seven games ... The 26 goals are the most in the first seven games of any season of head coach Don Cahoon since scoring 24 in 2003-04 - the same season UMass appeared in the Hockey East Championship game.
• The trio of Alex Berry-Cory Quirk-James Marcou has accounted for 52 of UMass' 131 total points - 39.7 percent of UMass' point total.
• As a team, UMass is outscoring opponents 131-to-81 overall - 3.3 goals per game to 2.0 gpg.
• UMass' win over No. 1 Boston University was the second win of the season over a top-5 nationally ranked program. It was also the program's second all-time win over a team ranked No. 1 nationally since defeating Maine 4-2 on Jan. 28, 2005.
Milestones, Firsts, Who's Hot
• Head coach Don "Toot" Cahoon became the all-time winningest coach in UMass history with the 4-0 win over AIC - he now has 121 career wins at UMass and earned his 300th win overall as a head coach after the victory over UConn.
• James Marcou now has 51 career points in 51 career games including seven points in the last five straight games.
• With 90 career points Cory Quirk needs just 10 more to reach 100 points for his career - he also leads UMass with a +27 career rating ... Quirk has also scored seven points in the last four games ... He scored his first career short-handed goal against St. Lawrence - it was also the first man-down goal for UMass this year.
• UMass is now 31-13-7 in Chris Davis' career when he scores at least a point in a game after he netted a goal against AIC (12/12).
• Matt Gedman saw his first career action playing the final 4:21 in goal vs. AIC making one save to preserve the shutout win - Gedman is also a member of the UMass baseball team.
• Alex Berry scored his third career short handed goal, the game-winner, in his 100th career game at UMass
• After John Wessbecker and Topher Bevis finished with a combined plus-2 after the AIC game, UMass improves to 44-7-3 over the last four years when the duo finishes a game with a plus.
• Paul Dainton made his 1,000th career save against St. Lawrence ... He made a career-high 39 saves in the win over Boston College (11/22).
• Brett Watson and Scott Crowder had their first assists of the year in the loss at Merrimack.
• Marc Concannon tallied his first goal of the season at Providence (11/1) becoming the 17th player to record a point this season.
• Paul Dainton started his first game of the season at Providence (11/1) allowing one goal and making 24 saves for his second win of the season.
• Danny Hobbs, Doug Kublin and Casey Wellman each scored their first collegiate goals at RPI; Matt Irwin had his first collegiate goal against Boston University (11/14).
• Wellman had a career-high four assists in the first win over Providence (10/31).
• Dan Meyer posted his first career shutout at RPI and made a career-high 40 saves against North Dakota.
• John Wessbecker and Chase Langeraap returned to the UMass lineup against RPI after missing the first two games of the season and much of the second half of last season due to injury.
Marcou Earns League, National Praise After Performance Vs. Providence
• Sophomore wing James Marcou, the team's leading scorer from last season as a freshman, had a tremendous weekend in the home-and-home series against Providence with three goals and five assists.
• He was named the CCM/RBK Player of the Week, the UMass/Dinn Bros. Co-Athlete of the Week, the Hockey East Player of the Month Runner-Up, the New England Hockey Journal Player of the Week and the INCH National Player of the Week Runner-Up.
• He currently is fourth in Hockey East in points (7-12-19), tied for eighth in goals (7), and fourth in assists (12). Nationally, he is 17th in points and ranks among the top-30 in assists.
UMass Announces TV Schedule; Time Changes
• Five games will be televised this season which forced time changes for three games from the original schedule. UMass will be televised on COX Sports, CN8, NESN and ESPNU this season.
• The game previously schedule for 7 PM on Feb. 28 at Boston University has been moved to an 8 PM opening face-off as the game will now be carried by Comcast Sports Net.
• The Minutemen will make a national appearance on Sunday, Feb. 1 at Maine (4 PM) on ESPNU - game originally slated for 2 PM. The Feb. 27 game against Boston University (7:30 PM) at the Mullins Center will be televised by NESN as part of NESN's Friday Night Ice package. That game was also originally slated for a 7 PM start.
UP NEXT: #10 CORNELL
• The Minutemen will return home from the Dartmouth Ledyard Classic to host No. 10 Cornell on Sunday, Jan. 4 to ring in the New Year. The game time, which was previously not set, is now slated for a 5 PM opening face-off. The Big Red are currently tied for first in the ECAC with Princeton and finished the first half of the season with a 7-1-2 overall record and a 6-0-2 mark in the ECAC.
• Cornell is 4-2-1 all-time vs. UMass. The two teams played to a dramatic 0-0 overtime tie at Lynah Rink last season. This will be only the second time Cornell has visited Amherst after taking a 2-1 win on Dec. 22, 1995.
Hard To Beat When Scoring 3's
• UMass is 8-1-0 this season when lighting the lamp three times or more in a game and 0-5-1 when they score fewer than three goals. When UMass scored three or more goals last season, the Mass Attack was nearly undefeated with a 14-3-2 record. When the Minutemen failed to do so, their record was 0-13-4.
• UMass has scored six goals-or-more on two occassions - at RPI (10/21, 6-0) and against Providence (10/31 - 9-4). The nine goals scored against the Friars is the most in Hockey East this season.
Four-or-More Is Best
• Over the last 54 games where UMass scores four-or-more goals, the Minutemen are an amazing 51-2-1. Before the home loss against Vermont (1/25), the Mass Attack had not lost a game when scoring four-or-more goals since March 14, 2003 against New Hampshire in the Hockey East Semifinals (5-4).
• UMass scored a season-high five goals on seven occasions last year: in the wins over Merrimack (11/3; 3/7), Boston University (11/9; 3/1), against Union (11/25), Colorado College (12/29), and Maine (2/2). UMass scored four-or-more goals in 11 games.
Mullins Magic
• UMass is 5-3-0 this season at home having played six of its first seven games on the road.
• The Minutemen lost just three games at home last season going 8-3-4 (.667) at the Mullins Center. The loss to New Hampshire on Jan. 11 broke a 13-game home unbeaten streak which dated back to the 2006-07 season.
• Over the last 51 games at the Mullins Center, UMass is 31-13-7 (.676) including a 14-3-4 mark in 2006-07.
• All-time, UMass is 118-110-26 in the Mullins Center including a 68-95-20 record among Hockey East foes. Under Don Cahoon, UMass sports a 74-56-14 record at home.
LARGEST SHUTOUT WIN IN 12 YEARS
• UMass' 6-0 win over RPI was its largest shutout win since defeating Army 8-0 on Nov. 22, 1996 - nearly 12 years ago. The six goals were the most scored by the Minutemen since beating UMass Lowell 6-3 on Jan. 26, 2007.
Most Goals Scored IN 12 YEARS
• UMass' 9-4 win over Providence was its largest goal scoring night since defeating Air Force 10-2 on Nov. 30, 1996. The nine goals were the most ever scored by UMass against a Hockey East opponent.
Happy 25th Anniversary
• 2008-09 marks the 25th anniversary of Hockey East - regarded as the top collegiate hockey conference in America. To commemorate the anniversary, Hockey East will be debuting a DVD in time for Christmas and will announce several anniversary teams and special moments during the season. Fans can vote on these at www.HockeyEastOnline.com.
Rookie Class Making Impact
• Paced by freshman Casey Wellman, the UMass rookie class has already made a significant impact on the team, especially in the scoring column. Wellman has three goals, including the game-winner over Boston College in overtime, and is tied for fourth on the team with nine assists and 12 points.
• As a class, UMass' rookies have 22 points so far.
It's A Plus When Bevis And Wessbecker Are On The Ice
• Linemates Topher Bevis and John Wessbecker are a combined +24 this season on the ice. Bevis has a plus-10 so far this season, while Wessbecker is a plus-14 - the best on the team.
• When the duo have finished games with a plus during the course of their careers, UMass is 43-7-3.
Good Things Happen When This Foursome Scores
• Alex Berry, Chris Davis, James Marcou, and Cory Quirk are four of UMass' top scoring threats this year, and historically, as they go offensively, so do the Minutemen.
• This year, UMass is 4-0-0 when James Marcou scores a goal in a game and 8-2-0 when he tallies at least one point.
• UMass is 16-4-1 when Berry finishes with a goal, 23-6-4 when Quirk lights the lamp and 31-13-7 when Davis scores at least a point.
Hockey's A Family Legacy
• For three Minutemen, hockey is truly a family tradition. Scott Crowder, Shawn Saunders and Brett Watson all grew up around NHL rinks as their fathers played professionally. Crowder's father, Bruce, played for the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins, while Saunder's father, Bernie, played for the Quebec Nordiques. Watson's father Jim and his uncle Joe both played 10 years for the Philadelphia Flyers as part of the franchise's only two Stanley Cup Championship teams.
Facing Off With Quirk
• Cory Quirk established himself last season as one of UMass' top face-off specialists. This season, he is 202-128 (.612) in 15 games. Against RPI, he was 13-for-19 in the face-off dot and in both games against Providence (10/31, 11/1) he was 11-for-17.
• In 36 games in 2007-08, he had a 556-364 (.604) face-off record which was the best on the team. He won over 300 more face-offs than any other player on the team.
Quirk A Top Scoring Threat
• Over the final 25 games of 2007-08, Cory Quirk picked up his scoring to move into second place on the team with 10 goals and 15 assists.
• With five goals and 12 assists in 2008-09, Quirk ranks 15th all-time at UMass in career points (90), ranks 13th in goals (37) and ranks 16th in assists (53).
• Quirk needs just 10 more points to become the seventh player in program history to eclipse the 100-point barrier at UMass.
Marcou Having A Super Sophomore Season
• In 2008-09, James Marcou leads the Minutemen with seven goals, 12 assists, and one game-winning goal. He posted five points (2g, 3a) against Providence (10/31) before finishing the weekend with another goal and two assists at Providence (11/1) the next night.
• Following his performance against Providence (10/31, 11/1) he was named the INCH National Player of the Week Runner-Up, the Hockey East Player of the Week, the New England Hockey Journal Player of the Week, and the Hockey East Player of the Month Runner-Up.
• Marcou was one of the top offensive rookies in Hockey East last season after leading the Minutemen with 8 goals and 24 assists for 32 points. In 36 games, he had 11 multi-point nights.
• Marcou earned Hockey East All-Rookie Team honors and was a member of the Hockey East All-Academic Team. Additionally, he was one of 15 semifinalists for the 56th annual Walter Brown Award.
• Marcou also netted UMass' only hat trick of the season last year with three goals against Vermont (1/25/08).
Braun One of Hockey East's Top Defensemen
• Junior defenseman Justin Braun is not only one of the best defensemen for the Minutemen, but he is one of the best in the entire league. Last season, he finished sixth on the team in points with four goals and 16 assists.
• Braun plays on the top power play and penalty kill lines and is one of the team leaders in minutes played.
• The 2007 member of the Hockey East All-Rookie Team was the 201st pick overall last season in the NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins who traded his rights to the San Jose Sharks.
The Puck Stops Here
• Paul Dainton missed the first four games of the season due to injury, but saw his first action in the second period of the game against Providence (10/31) where he made 17 saves and did not allow a goal. He made his first start of the season and picked up his second win the next night at Providence (11/1).
• In the win over Boston College (11/22), Dainton made a career-high 39 saves. He has made 30-or-more saves in four-career games versus the Eagles.
• Dainton recorded his 1,000th career save on Nov. 28 against St. Lawrence.
• All-time, Dainton has already cracked several of UMass' goalie charts. He ranks first in goals against average (2.36), second in save percentage (.916), and ranks 8th in saves (1,051). The man above him in terms of save percentage is none other than former All-American Jon Quick.
• In 2008-09 Dainton is already have a better season than his rookie campaign. He has a 1.63 goals against average compared to 2.56 as a freshman and a .935 save percentage compared to a .911 save percentage in 2007-08.
• A relative unknown heading into the 2007-08 season, Dainton was pressed into action early last season after an injury sidelined Dan Meyers. Dainton quickly impressed the coaching staff and became the team's starting goalie last year. He finished his first season in Amherst with nods to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and the Hockey East All-Academic Team.
• Dainton's story is a unique one as he actually came to UMass without ever having visited the campus. With the summertime departure of Quick, the coaching staff had heard of and seen Dainton play and spoke to him about joining the team looking for a solid goalie.
Meyers Mans The Pipes
• With Dainton suffering an injury in preseason practice, Dan Meyers took over between the pipes and started five of the first seven games this season. Meyers was nothing short of outstanding making 120 saves, posting a 2.25 goals against average, and recording a .923 save percentage.
• In his six outings so far, Meyers has set a new career-high for saves (40 vs. North Dakota) and earned his first career shutout (vs. RPI).
• Meyers was twice named the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week, the runner-up for the HEA Goalkeeper of the Month, and was a two-time New England Hockey Journal Player of the Week.
• Meyers was the original starting goalie heading in 2007-08 as the lone returner between the pipes, but suffered an injury following the St. Lawrence game. He backed-up All-American Jon Quick as a freshman in 2006-07.
• Having a strong beginning to the season will pay dividends for UMass down the stretch as Cahoon and the coaching staff know they have a pair of quality goaltenders to use on any given night without having to worry about working one too much.
Welcome Back John Wessbecker
• Defenseman John Wessbecker missed much of the second half of last season due to injury playing in just 14 games. The 2005 7th round draft pick of Tampa Bay is one of UMass' top returning blueliners along with Justin Braun and Martin Nolet.
• He made his return to the lineup at Rensselaer where he picked up an assist on the very first goal of the game. He also was critical in UMass' penalty kill which allowed just one shot and held the Engineers scoreless on three RPI power plays. Wessbecker also picked up a penalty and added some additional toughness to the UMass defense - when an RPI skater was crashing in towards Dan Meyers after a whistle, Wessbecker promptly impeded his momentum.
Bevis Honors Late mother With Fund To Fight Brain Cancer
• Topher Bevis lost his mother Patricia in 1998 when he was 12 to brain cancer. Since that tragic moment, Topher, his father and his two brothers have established The Patty Fund in conjuction with the Massachusetts General Hospital to help fund research for the study and treatment of the disease.
• The fund raised over $50,000 this past summer with its annual Golf Tournament.
• Bevis netted his first goal of the season against North Dakota (10/11) in Agganis Arena. His lone goal of the 2007-08 season was also scored in Agganis - then in the 5-3 win over Boston University (11/9).
Berry, Hobbs, Nolet Spend Summer Time In Prospect Camps
• Alex Berry, Danny Hobbs, Martin Nolet each spent part of their summers working out at prospect camps with their respective draft teams. Berry was a 5th round pick in the 2005 entry draft by Toronto, Hobbs was a 7th round pick in the 2007 draft by the New York Rangers, while Nolet was a 5th round pick in the 2006 draft by the L.A. Kings. Berry and Nolet were both featured in video packages by their respective teams on what the prospect camp was like.
• Berry had his best statistical season offensively in 2007-08 scoring 10 goals and adding 7 assists. He was red-hot to finish the year scoring seven goals in the last nine games.
• The work seems to have paid off as Berry has netted a career-high three assists twice this season - in the win over North Dakota (10/11) and in the win at Providence (11/1).
• Nolet is in his third year as one of UMass' top defensemen and as an integral member of the special team corps.
Quirk, Watson To Lead UMass
• Cory Quirk and Brett Watson will be the co-captains of the 2008-09 Mass Attack. Quirk is one of UMass' top scoring threats, while Watson is a dependable do-everything type of center.
Look For Dan Meyers' Movie Picks On UMassAthletics.com
• Known to the team as a movie fanatic, Dan Meyers has agreed to share his thoughts and movie critiques with fans with a blog on UMassAthletics.com. Meyers will pick out different movies and share his thoughts on them throughout the season.
• Meyers' movie collection is a big bonus for the team when travelling on long bus trips during the year.
Ortiz Gives Speaks At Chestnut School Middle School
• Junior forward Will Ortiz spoke to about 150 middle schoolers and faculty members at the Chestnut School in Springfield last week on the importance of continuing their education and making smart decisions in life. His speech also focused on some decisions he had to make in his life and how he has been able to overcome a tough environment to be able to fulfill his dreams.
Langeraap Adds Size, Scoring To Forward Line
• Along with John Wessbecker, Chase Langeraap made his return to the UMass lineup against RPI after missing the tailend portion of last season with an injury. He also missed the first two games of this season.
• Now back in the line-up, he has added considerable size and scoring power to the forward lines. At 6-2, 202 lbs., Langeraap is a load on the left wing. Against RPI, he had two assists, while at New Hampshire he scored UMass' lone goal.
• Last season, he played in 21 games posting three goals and two assists.
A Pair Of Draft Picks Anchor Blue Line
• Martin Nolet and Justin Braun have started each game this season as UMass' top defensive pair - their first season as line mates. Nolet was a 5th-round draft pick by Los Angeles in the 2006 draft (144th overall), while Braun was a 7th-round draft pick by San Jose in the 2007 draft (201st overall).
• Both players have been key on special teams as they are both on the top power play and penalty kill units. Each also has one assist for the season.
• For the last two seasons, Nolet started every game paired with captain Mike Kostka, while Braun was paired with David Leaderer.
The BQM Line Putting Up Sound Numbers
• The line of Alex Berry-Cory Quirk-James Marcou has been one of the most consistent lines groupings this season and have skated together in 12-of-15 games. The trio netted a combined 11 points over Providence (10/31), eight points at Providence (11/1) and seven points in the win over North Dakota. Just over 39 percent of UMass' points have been produced by this trio so far this season: 52-of-131.
David Leaderer Becomes UMass Iron Man
• Last season, defenseman David Leaderer set a new UMass program record for career games played on March 8 at Merrimack when he suited up for his 147th career game. He broke the school record which was previously held by Marvin Degon who played in 146 from 2002-06. Leaderer finished his career playing in 149 career games - every one of his UMass career.
Key Numbers From 2007-08
• UMass put up some good numbers in 2007-08 statistically and ranked among the top teams in Hockey East. With the amount of talent returning to each area of the ice, those numbers should continue to improve in 2008-09. Below are the categories and rank among Hockey East Teams.
Team Offense: 2.72 goals per game, 4th
Team Defense: 2.69 goals against per game, 4th
Power Play: 16.9 percent, T-4th
Penalty Kill: 82.4 percent, 9th
Canniff Enshrined In UMass Hall Of Fame
• Former all-time UMass hockey coaching great Jack Canniff was enshrined in the UMass Hall Of Fame on Oct. 3, 2008. Canniff served as the hockey coach from 1967-79, leading UMass to its only conference championship in program history, as the then-Redmen won the ECAC Division II title in 1972.
• A fixture on the bench, Canniff is UMass' all-time leader in career victories with 120. Canniff was named the ECAC Coach of the Year in 1972 as he led the squad to a 19-7-0 overall record. UMass captured the ECAC crown with an 8-1 win over Buffalo on March 11, 1972 in Amherst. Canniff ranks second all-time in career win percentage among all hockey coaches and second among all coaches in career playoff appearances.
• He developed three All-Americans, all from the 1972 team (P.J. Flaherty, Pat Keenan and Brian Sullivan). Canniff graduated from Boston College in 1954.
Minutemen In The Pros Update
• UMass has two alums who are currently on NHL rosters: Thomas Pock with the New York Islanders and Jon Quick with the L.A. Kings. Quick started the first part of the season with the Kings' AHL affiliate Manchester before being called up.
• All five seniors from the 2007-08 signed contracts to play in various profession hockey leagues including P.J. Fenton who is with the Worcester Sharks in the AHL and Mike Kostka who is with the Portland Pirates (AHL).
• Matt Anderson won the 2008 Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves last season. Mark Matheson and Stephen Werner have once again teamed up as members of the Milwaukee Admirals.
Streaming Video
• UMass will once again provide streaming video of all home games this season. This service works best with BroadBand or Cable Internet subscribers. Sign-up at UMassAthletics.com by clicking the UMass All-Access link.
Photo Galleries
• A perfect gift for any die-hard UMass hockey fan are photos from UMass home games which you can purchase online! Photos come in your choice of 4x6, 8x10, or 11x14 and can be ordered from the photo galleries at UMassAthletics.com.
Sign-up For the E-mail List
• If you want to get the lastest UMass hockey news straight to your e-mail account, then sign up for our online e-mail list. You will receive previews, game notes, boxscores, recaps and feature stories delivered right to you. To sign up, e-mail John Sinnett (jsinnett@admin.umass.edu) with the subject line "Sign Up For Hockey Newsletter".
