University of Massachusets Athletics
LIVE GAME BLOG: UMass Hockey vs. Army
December 29, 2008 | Hockey
Dec. 29, 2008
Hello everyone and thanks for joining us today for the live blog from Thompson Arena on the Dartmouth College campus as UMass and Army meet tonight in the consolation game of the Ledyard National Bank Classic. John Sinnett and Matt Houde of the Media Relations Department here to bring you updates as the game progresses. Hopefully, the Minutemen can take a win away from tonight to end 2008 on a positive note!
Today was pretty much exactly the same as yesterday in terms of the team's preparation. An early rise and breakfast followed by a brief skate around at the rink to get the team ready for the afternoon. Another lunch of pasta, chicken, salad, and soup came after that and then a little down time before coming back to the rink to get ready for the game. Several of the guys who aren't playing tonight went down to the gym on campus to get a workout and play a little basketball to get in an additional workout.
This should be a good game tonight. UMass is definitely looking to get back into the win column and took a lot away from the game last night. Army showed its mettle by battling back from an early deficit to force overtime against Dartmouth before falling on an amazing shorthanded goal two minutes into the OT.
Matt and I would like to give a shout-out to Mark Brumbaugh in the Army Sports Information Office. Mark was a student at UMass and worked in the media relations office with us before moving on to the real world.
As far as the line-ups are concerned, of major note this afternoon will be the absence of Alex Berry from the game. He was assessed a game disqualification last night and has to sit out tonight. James Marcou will slide over to the left wing, while Chris Davis will move up to the top scoring line. Of other note for UMass, Will Ortiz will be back in the lineup as will Brian Keane. Doug Kublin will also suit up for his 12 game of the season at left defense paired with Matt Irwin. Martin Nolet and Justin Braun, two of UMass three NHL Draft Picks on defense, will be paired back together after three games on separate lines.
That's it for now, back in a bit with the starting lineups and other notes. Don't forget that the pregame show with Brock Hines and Donnie Moorhouse will begin at 3:30 PM today on 100.9 FM WRNX - you can also listen online with the Listen Live link above.
3:53 PM: Here are your starting line-ups tonight for UMass: James Marcou (left wing), Cory Quirk (center), Chris Davis (right wing), Martin Nolet (left defense), Justin Braun (right defense), and Dan Meyers in goal. For Meyers, this is his first start since Vermont on Nov. 25. The starting lineup for Army is Owen Meyer (left wing), Eric Sefchick (center), Cody Omilusik (right wing), Zach McKelvie (left defense), Mark Tilch (right defense) and Josh Kassel in goal.
Just about to get underway here at the rink, but Meyers is having some sort of equipment issue and skated from his crease over to UMass equipment manager Josh Penn to get his mask fixed. Penn gets Meyers ready and we are underway in Hanover.
4:10 PM: Nearly eight minutes into the game and Casey Wellman puts UMass up 1-0 over Army. Wellman took a face-off in the right circle of the UMass offensive zone which Matt Irwin controlled. Irwin wristed a shot that was saved, but Wellman was there to flip up the rebound for the goal. It's Wellman's fourth goal of the season and 13th point which leads all UMass rookies.
4:18 PM: If you are trying to get live stats or the video for today's game, it looks like the Dartmouth athletics web site might be down. Right now there is just over 4 minutes left in the first period, there have been no penalties, and UMass is outshooting Army 7-to-4. The score is still 1-0 UMass.
4:21 PM: With 3 minutes left in the first period, UMass takes the first penalty of the game as Martin Nolet is whistled for tripping. The penalty kill is looking pretty good and has generated two shorthanded shots. The Minutemen kill off the penalty and are back to even strength.
4:25 PM: The buzzer sounds and UMass holds on to a 1-0 lead to end the first period. The Minutemen outshoot the Black Knights 12-to-6 for the period. Back in a bit for the second period.
4:41 PM: The second period is just about to start and the Dartmouth web site is back up for the live stats and streaming video.
4:42 PM: 33 seconds into the second period and Army is whistled for its first penalty of the game Zach MeKelvie is called for boarding. After an 0-for-3 night on the power play, let's see if UMass can get another goal with the extra man advantage.
4:45 PM: Army kills off the penalty but nearly came away with a short-handed goal that bounced off the right post and cross bar on a two-on-one rush just seconds before the power play expired.
4:53 PM: With 12 minutes left in the second period, Will Ortiz scores his second goal of the season on a give-and-go with Casey Wellman in the slot. The pair forced Kassel out of position and Ortiz buried the puck into the top left corner for a 2-0 UMass lead. It was Ortiz's 16th career goal, while Wellman has two points on the night.
5:00 PM: 7:34 left in the second period and Chris Davis is whistled for slashing giving Army its second power play of the game.
5:02 PM: UMass kills off the penalty and is back to even strength. UMass had another quality chance at a short-handed bid, but couldn't put the puck away. The guys are playing with a lot of energy tonight and it is showing on both ends of the ice.
5:07 PM: James Marcou makes it 3-0 UMass with his 8th goal of the season. Chris Davis and Cory Quirk were credited with assists. For Marcou, it is his 53rd career point in 53 career games. This season UMass is 9-1-0 when scoring three or more goals in a game.
Meyers just made an outstanding save on the other end of the ice. He block an initial Army shot from the right circle with his left leg pad and then slide across the crease to block the rebound with his right leg.
5:12 PM: End of the second period and UMass is still up 3-0 going into the second intermission. UMass has a 22-to-11 shot advantage and is 28-of-40 at the face-off dots. Both teams took one penalty in the second period, but neither team could convert on the power play. Meyers has saved all 11 shots, while Kassel has 19 saves.
5:30 PM: Will Ortiz nets his second goal of the night to put UMass up 4-0. Casey Wellman earned his second assist of the night and third point as he controlled a loose puck in the defensive end before feeding it ahead to a streaking Ortiz. Ortiz got behind the defense then skated in towards the right side of the goal stuffing the puck past Kassel. 14 minutes left in the game.
5:38 PM: Chase Langeraap is whistled for tripping and Army is on the power play for the third time in the game. So far the UMass defense has allowed just 13 shots in the game - the season low for an opponent is 16 in the season-opener against Michigan State.
5:42 PM: 4x4 hockey for the next 30 seconds right now as Army takes a tripping penalty. UMass will have a 1:30 power play after that expires.
Hi Farrah!
5:44 PM: Army breaks up the shutout with a short-handed goal. Cody Omilusik gets the goal. Army is then called for another tripping penalty just as they get back to even strength. There is now 7:32 left in the game.
5:56 PM: UMass holds on for the 4-1 win over Army. Ortiz with two goals tonight and Wellman with a goal and two assists. Dan Meyers gets the win making 15 saves and allowing just one goal in his first action since Nov. 25. Thanks for joining us and be sure to check out UMassAthletics.com later for a recap, box score and a release later tonight about which Minutemen earn a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Thanks for checking us out tonight and we will see you next Sunday at the Mullins Center when Cornell visits Amherst.
