Princeton wins it 3-0. A hard-fought battle on both ends, and though Princeton did not always look like the better team, they were better when it mattered (the 3rd period). Star of the game, without question, goes to Kalemba, who made saves 26, and a few highlight reel stops that were as timely as they were difficult. Princeton also got big games from Lohry and Wilson.
Congrats to all the players, their families, and I hope you will join me back here at 7pm tomorrow for the ECAC Finals.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Game Over
Period 3 - 2:04
Penalty over, good kill for the Tigers. Not much time left, Dekanich has to be leaving soon.
Period 3 - 4:16
Penalty on Princeton.
#21 Mike Moore - 2:00 for interference - 15:34
Big moment here for Princeton. A goal on this power play would let Colgate back into the game. The Tigers have outplayed the Raiders thus far in the third, and a kill here would all but ice the game.
Period 3 - 5:00
Good defensive effort by Princeton, clearing pucks and backchecking.
Another BIG save from Kalemba turns into a GOAL FOR PRINCETON.
Kevin Lohry, the Tigers best player today, gets a nice pass from Shattenkirk and Stankievech . Lohry got a breakaway and buried the puck inside the left post on a backhand.
Period 3 - 6:59
Princeton seems to have newfound energy following the goal and Colgate looks to be reeling for the first time all afternoon. Arhontas, the smallest player on the Princeton squad - listed at 5'7", 145 - has come up huge once again.
Period 3 - 11:56
GOAL PRINCETON
Mr. Hot Hand, freshman Matt Arhontas picks up the loose puck in the offensive third, and beat Dekanich low. Defensive lapse by Colgate, but the Tigers were there to jump on it.
That is his fourth goal in as many playoff games this year.
Period 3 - 13:28
The game is opening up right now, with good chances arising for both teams. Colgate seems to have decided, as a team, to start firing from farther away. They have had a number of shot in this period sail wide from the top of the circles. If they were waiting until great scoring opportunities to shoot earlier in the game, they no longer care about getting in close.
Period 3 - 16:02
HUGE save from Kalemba. A 2-on-1 for Colgate, and the cross ice pass found winger Ethan Cox. But Kalemba, sliding to his right, was able to cover enough ground to deflect it wide. That is a game-changing save right there.
Period 2 - Notes
A little better period for the Tigers. Still no traffic in front of the net, however, which is going to continue to be a problem unless Princeton can gain some sustained offensive production. The Tigers' best chace of the night came on a power play shot from defenseman Kevin Crane when Brett Wilson was screening Dekanich in front. Kevin Kasier had an open shot in the middle of the second peroid that was gloved by Dekanich as if it were nothing. The Tigers need to screen his lanes to put one past him.
The Tigers also seem to be having the most success when their defensemen get involved in the offensive play. This means that the team's two-way defenders, wuch as Moore, Godlewski and Fedun, are going to need to find a way to get involved in the offensive third.
Overall, however, a good period for the Tigers. Shots were 7-6 in the period, and the majority of play was in the Colgate defensive third.
Three Keys to the Third:
1) Getting bodies between Dekanich and the puck.
2) Getting defensemen involved in the offense.
3) Avoiding stupid penalties - The refs have shown so far that they will call even the small stuff - and this game looks as though one goal will decide it - so staying out of the box will be crucial.
Period 2 - Ends
Uneventful second period. The Tigers got some offense in the final two minutes - a nice opportunity for Jubinville set up by MacIntyre - and the two teams head to the dressing room scoreless.
Period 2 - 2:44
Princeton finally tests Dekanich, who makes a nice glove save on an uncontested shot from sophomore forward Kevin Kaiser.
Period 2 - 5:22
The Princeton Men's Lacrosse team just took their seats in the Princeton section. Not much happening on the ice, both teams seem to have settled in.
Period 2 - 8:51
Nice block and clear by freshman defenseman Matt Godlewski and another good block by freshman defenseman Taylor Fedun. The Tigers defense looked good, disciplined on the kill. Now hopefully they can build on this.
Period 2 - 11:03
Penalty on Princeton.
#21 Mike Moore - 2:00 for hitting from behind - 8:57
Iffy call, but it will test the Tigers defensively and maybe help get some momentum following a kill.
Period 2 - 13:02
Tigers get a few good shots on the power play - and give up a good chance as well - but still seem a little lost in the offensive third. Their best opportunity of the game came on a shot from the point by defenseman Kevin Crane, with Wilson screening in front. The Tigers need to get more possession and action in front of the net.
Period 2 - 15:58
Period 2 - 16:23
Princeton powerplay ends. Right out of the box, McIntyre possesses the puck and sets up Ethan Cox for a wide-open shot, but Kalemba robs him with a glove save. Colgate still getting the better of play.
Period 2 - 19:42
Colgate forward Daivd McIntyre called for cross checking
#26 David McIntyre 2:00 for cross checking - 0:18
This means that the Tigers will have a powerplay for 40 seconds in about a minute.
Period 1 - Notes
A tough first period for the Tigers. Princeton started the game well, but around the 15:00 mark, Colgate took over completely. The period's five best socring opportunities belonged to the Raiders including an open net for their star Tyler Burton, who could only muster a dribbler into the outstretched glove of Tigers goalie Zane Kalemba. Kalemba made 13 saves in the period, including a beautifully positioned save on the doorstep and a nice pad save on a breakaway.
As for the rest of the Tigers, they need to come out with some fire in the second period and get back to the hard-nosed Princeton style of play. The Tigers love to throw the puck at the net, and with traffic in front of the net, try to bang it in - Coach Gadowsky told me yesterday that the only way to score on Dekanich was to get traffic in front because "if he can he, he will stop it" - but thus far they are simply throwing it at the net without men in front. Dekanich has recorded five saves, but only one was on a legitimately tough shot. For the Tigers to be successful in the second period they need to establish some possession - of which they had none in the first frame - and get bodies in front of the net. If they can do that, and re-establish their physical presence, this game is very winnable.
So far the Tigers best player, aside from Kalemba, has been freshman forward Kevin Lohry. Lohry has played with the intensity that this game deserves, and has single-handedly created the Tigers' two best opportunities.
We're 2:56 from the start of the second period, so don't go too far.
Period 1 - Ends
Princeton forward Brett Wilson called for interference in the offensive zone. A bad penalty to take, for it not only kills the Princeton power play, but gives Colgate a short powerplay in the second.
#16 Brett Wilson 2:00 for Interference - 19:36
Period 1 ends with the score 0-0.
Period 1 - 1:24
The Raiders have taken over physically as well. MacIntyre was just brought to the ice on a big hit, but a nice move from Jubinville in the offensive zone results in a tripping call on Colgate.
#6 Wade Poplawki - 2:00 for tripping at 18:36
Period 1 - 3:36
Another good opportunity for Colgate, but solid positioning from Kalemba results in a save. With 10 saves so far, the Tigers goaltender is having a very good opening period.
Period 1 - 6:20
The Tigers line of junior Lee Jubinville (the Ivy League playr of the year), Brett Wilson and Mike Kramer has had a strong start to the game.
Beuatiful opportunity for Colgate. Puck gets passed Kalemba and rolls right to a Raider forward, who had the entire net in front of him. The Colgate player however, flubbed the shot, which rolled directly into the outstretched glove of Kalemba. Nice play by Kalemba, but certainly a should-be-goal for Colgate.
Period 1 - 7:46
McIntyre makes a nice play int he Princeton zone, but is unable to get off a clean shot. The Raiders are outplaying the Tigers now, especially the line of Day, McIntyre and Riley, who seem faster to every puck. Princeton's start was not sluggish, but the Tigers seem a little slower right now. Earlier in the season the Tigers had trouble playing 100% from the drop of the first puck, and that seems to be the case right now.
Period 1 - 11:05
Princeton getting some sustained pressure now. Shot from Godlewski blocked in front. The Tigers are also establishing themselves physically, which is critical to 'Princeton Hockey' - the Tigers' style of hard work, backchecking, blocking shots and physically grinding on opponents...
Great moves by Colgate's Day, but a save on the doorstep by Kalemba. That was this game's first great chance. The Tigers respond immediately, however, and a shot by freshman Kevin Lohry is sticked aside by Dekanich.
HUGE pad save by Kelmba on Burton, who was streaking in all alone. Zane made the first save, then held his position to save the rebound.
Period 1 - 15:31
Great shift by Schroeder, Brett Wilson and Mike Kramer. Tigers get a few opportunities, but are unable to finish. Big hit from Mike Moore.
Period 1 - 18:27
And we're under way!
Early action in both ends. Colgate records the first shot - sticked aside by Zane Kalemba. Fans are still finding their seats, but both teams look amped to be here.
Starting Line-Ups
Princeton:
Kevin Kaiser - C - Sophomore
Brandan Kushniruk- RW - Junior
Kyle Hagel - LW - Senior
Matt Godlewski - D - Freshman
Brad Schroeder - D - Sophomore
Zan Kalemba - G - Sophomore
Colgate:
Tom Riley - C - Junior
David McIntyre - LW - Sophomore
Brian Day - RW - Freshman
Jason Fredricks - D - Junior
Matt Torti- D - Senior
Mark Dekanich - G - Senior
ECAC Semifinals Princeton vs. Colgate
Hi and welcome the Times Union Center, for this afternoon's 3pm contest between the No. 15 Princeton Tigers and Colgate Raiders.
Last weekend, in Princeton's first-ever home playoff series, the Tigers knocked off Yale in three games (4-0, 3-4, 3-0) to seal their birth in this weekend's tournament. Princeton recieved stellar play from sophomore goalie Zane Kalemba - whose 2 shutouts were the only two playoff shutouts in Princeton history - as well as freshman forward Matt Arhontas and sophomore forward Cam MacIntyre, each of whom found the net three times against the Bulldogs.
This is the final season for five Princeton seniors - Erik Pridham, Mike Moore, Landis Stankievech, Kyle Hagel and Kieth Shattenkirk - all of whom are critical to the team's success. Stankievech, an ECAC student-athlete award finalist, is one of the best defensive forwards in the league, and Hagel adds a physical presence that Princeton relies on heavily. And it is impossible to speak of this year's team, without mentioning Moore. A memeber of the ECAC's 1st Team and an All-American Candidate, Moore entered this season as the team's only blueliner with more than a year of experience. The Tigers' leader on and off the ice, Moore has headlined one of the ECAC's best - and youngest - defenses, while leading all ECAC defenders in points.
Colgate enters today's game with a lot of momentum, having knocked off No. 7 Clarkson, the ECAC's best team, in three games last weekend. Colgate lost the first game 1-0, but bounced back with 4-3 and 3-2 (2OT) wins to advance to today's game. The Raiders are anchored by senior goaltender Mark Dekanich - who Princeton coach Guy Gadowsky called "the best goalie in the ECAC this season" - and a trio of strong fowards, Jesse Winchester, David McIntyre and Tyler Burton, who has the skill to change the game at any moment.
The Tigers and Raiders met twice during the regualr season, with Princeton winning 2-0 on the road, and 7-2 at home last month.
We are about 5 minutes from the drop of the first puck, so stick with me, I'll be bringing you all the action as it plays out.
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