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University of Massachusets Athletics
Inside the Glass With Troy Power
February 25, 2015 | Hockey
This past week we played two tough Hockey East games against the Providence Friars. As I mentioned in my previous blog, it was Senior Night at the Mullins on Saturday, Feb. 21. Overall I thought we had a great weekend as a team and used these two games to move forward as a group.
On Friday night we went into a small, hostile rink that is tough to play in and if your team is not ready when the puck is dropped, you can be in for a long night. However, we came out and were ready to play. We knew it was going to be a fast paced game that required quick plays and work ethic. Providence is a team that is built around grit and hard work and you have to be able to match their intensity to come out on top. We took the early lead on a goal by Shane Walsh before Providence answered shortly after to make it 1-1. Later in the first, senior Zack LaRue added his fifth of the season and we headed into the locker room with a 2-1 lead. The score remained the same until Providence tied it up with only eight seconds remaining in the game. Unfortunately they carried the momentum into overtime and capitalized on a turnover to win the game and complete the comeback. Heading into Saturday, we needed to put Friday's loss behind us. With Senior Night on everyone's mind, it helped us refocus and come to the rink motivated to send us old guys out with a bang.
Coming into Senior Night was different than any other game I've played at the Mullins. Different emotions run through your body and mind as you realize that your preparing for your last game in a place you've called home for so long. The night started out with a very nice ceremony that included every senior being honored shortly before puck drop. It is a special moment shared by family members who made the journey from everyone's home cities. Driving to the rink that night I wasn't sure how many fans would be able to make it due to the unfortunate weather conditions and heavy snow that rained down on Amherst. As game time neared, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of students and fans that came out to enjoy one last night at the Mullins center this year. It definitely gives you an extra boost of energy and was special to play in front of a great crowd in my last game.
Similar to Friday night, we had a one goal leading late in the game. However, with just under five minutes left, Providence added an equalizer. For the second night in a row, we were headed into overtime. About halfway through the five minutes of extra time, Providence scored a goal in which our goalie was bumped into just before the puck reached the net front. After reviewing the play, the referees called the goal off and a breath of fresh air swept through the Mullins Center. With a second chance to claim the victory, this time we capitalized. Frank Vatrano added his team leading 17th goal of the season to lift us to a huge overtime victory. The bench was quickly cleared and bodies of teammates jumped in excitement onto Frank and our goaltender Steve Mastalerz.
It was a very emotional night that couldn't have ended in a more exciting fashion. After the game the team lined up at the blueline and watched a tribute video that included highlights of the senior class as well as nice comments about each one of those who were set to graduate. It was a night that I will never forget.
In a weird way, it almost felt like the end of the season. It was a night in which we were thanked for our contributions to the program and for everything this season. I think for us seniors it was great to have felt this way because we know the end is eventually coming and really puts things in perspective. I know I never want to have that feeling again until we play in the Frozen Four April 9-11 in Boston at the TD Garden. Before that happens, we have a lot of work to do. The regular season ends this weekend and we only have one game remaining against the UConn Huskies on Friday night at 7 pm. Hope to see you all there! Go UMass!
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