Spring Break
Men's hockey goes for second consecutive win at Mercyhurst
Chris Brodeur
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: News
It's been what coach Bruce Marshall calls "a series of events" that have plagued his hockey team to this point in the season. Collective struggles have amounted to a dismal start for the Huskies, and if they are to turn it around down the stretch, Marshall knows it's going to take a combined effort from staff and players alike.
"We've all been part of it, and we all have to be part of it going in the other direction," said Marshall. "We're not where we wanted to be, but we've had some talks and we've done some team-building stuff."
In its last outing on Jan. 14 in front of the home crowd at the Freitas Ice Forum, UConn (5-16-1, 4-9-1 Atlantic Hockey) scored a thrilling overtime victory over Bentley thanks to some seasonal firsts - something Marshall hopes can lead to more changes going forward.
The game was sent to an extra period when the successful execution of pulling the goalie in exchange for an extra skater resulted in a game-tying goal by freshman Marcello Ranallo with just 35 seconds remaining in the third period. The game ended when another freshman, Matt Miller, struck for his first goal of the season with the Huskies short handed in the opening minutes of overtime - also the first time that's happened on the 2008-2009 campaign.
The Huskies will put their newfound momentum to the test in Erie, Pa., on Friday as they begin game set with conference foe Mercyhurst (9-12-2, 7-6-2 Atlantic Hockey), another team riding high from its latest showing - a 7-0 stomping of Sacred Heart on Jan. 17 on their home rink.
"They're an explosive team," Marshall said. "They put seven up on Sacred Heart. We have to play a tight checking game and deny the run and gun. They like to get creative. If we can shut down their creative things and wear the 'D' down and generate a lot of shots, hopefully we can be in the ballgame."
The Lakers have a prolific scoring option in sophomore forward Steve Cameron, who leads the team in goals with 15 and is second on the club in assists with 16. Sophomore forward Scott Pitt owns Mercyhurst's second-highest point tally with 27.
"We've all been part of it, and we all have to be part of it going in the other direction," said Marshall. "We're not where we wanted to be, but we've had some talks and we've done some team-building stuff."
In its last outing on Jan. 14 in front of the home crowd at the Freitas Ice Forum, UConn (5-16-1, 4-9-1 Atlantic Hockey) scored a thrilling overtime victory over Bentley thanks to some seasonal firsts - something Marshall hopes can lead to more changes going forward.
The game was sent to an extra period when the successful execution of pulling the goalie in exchange for an extra skater resulted in a game-tying goal by freshman Marcello Ranallo with just 35 seconds remaining in the third period. The game ended when another freshman, Matt Miller, struck for his first goal of the season with the Huskies short handed in the opening minutes of overtime - also the first time that's happened on the 2008-2009 campaign.
The Huskies will put their newfound momentum to the test in Erie, Pa., on Friday as they begin game set with conference foe Mercyhurst (9-12-2, 7-6-2 Atlantic Hockey), another team riding high from its latest showing - a 7-0 stomping of Sacred Heart on Jan. 17 on their home rink.
"They're an explosive team," Marshall said. "They put seven up on Sacred Heart. We have to play a tight checking game and deny the run and gun. They like to get creative. If we can shut down their creative things and wear the 'D' down and generate a lot of shots, hopefully we can be in the ballgame."
The Lakers have a prolific scoring option in sophomore forward Steve Cameron, who leads the team in goals with 15 and is second on the club in assists with 16. Sophomore forward Scott Pitt owns Mercyhurst's second-highest point tally with 27.
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