Saturday, March 29, 2008

Game Over

The game ends 5-1 (UND adds an empty-net goal by Chay Genoway, and Princeton scores with 32 seconds left on a wrist shot from MacIntyre). For the Tigers it was a well-played game, but a few penalties really hurt them. Discipline was one of this team's strong suits all year, today it just got to them. Great game by Lamoureux (he may be playing his way to the Hobey Baker award) as well as the UND top line of Duncan-Oshie-Miller, which had a hand in all five goals.

It was a great season for the Tigers - perhaps the best in school history - and the players have a lot to be proud of. It saw Princeton's first ever outright ECAC title, the most wins, most conference wins and best finish. The team also garnered a number of postseason honors - including ECAC Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Student-Athlete of the Year and Team Sportsmanship award, as well as a Hobey Baker finalist and two All-American candidates.

Congrats to the players and their families, and thanks for spending the afternoon with me. A more comprehensive recap will appear on the Daily Princetonian website, www.dailyprincetonian.com a little later in the evening.

Read More...

Period 3 - 5:12

Princeton pulls Kalemba for the man advantage, and almost immediately, UND ices the game. The empty-net goal, scored by Ryan Duncan, gives the Sioux a 4-0 lead. The goal is Duncan's third of the night.

Read More...

Period 3 - 6:06

Offsetting penalties at 13:54

Princeton: # 17 Kevin Kaiser - 2:00 for slashing
UND: # 4 Chay Genoway - 2:00 for hitting after the whistle

Read More...

Period 3 - 6:43

The third goal seems to have taken some wind out of the Tigers' sails. They are still playing well - better than UND you could argue - but the extra fire is not there. A three-goal lead at this stage of the game against a team like North Dakota is virtually insurmountable.

Read More...

Period 3 - 11:47

GOAL NORTH DAKOTA

On a play very similar to the second goal, the puck was passed around from point to point until a cross-ice pass from Jake Martens found Ryan Duncan all alone in front of the net. Kalemba covered low and the buried the puck in the top of the net.

Read More...

Period 3 - 13:37

Penalty on Princeton.

#16 Brett Wilson - 2:00 for interference

Not a smart penalty to take. Both UND goals have come from the man advantage, and the Tigers do not have two minutes to burn at this stage in the game.

Read More...

Period 3 - 14:30

The Tigers have been excellent in the early parts of this period as well, but Lamoureux has been just as good. The Tigers are outshooting the Sioux 31-13 but cannot solve the man wearing a white Number 1 between the pipes.

Read More...

Period 3 - 18:11

Good power play for the Tigers. Sophomore defenseman Jody Pederson hits the post on a shot from the point and Magnowki gets a good look in front. The penalty is over.

Read More...

Period 2 - Notes

The second period was perfect for the Tigers in every way, except for on the scoreboard. They dominated the Sioux on offense and on defense but were unable to beat Lamoureux.

In short, Princeton needs to come out in the third period and do exactly what it did in the second. It got possession in the attacking third and got bodies in front of the net, and the defensemen have gotten involved up front. The Tigers have also grown more creative as the game has progressed, which will prove vital if they plan on beating Lamoureux.

The UND power play has been its saving grace so far this afternoon - though the second goal was technically not a power-play goal, it was scored a second after Moore left the box - and looking ahead, the Tigers will need to stay out of the box.

Princeton is currently on its first power play of the game, and this is an excellent chance to claw back into the game. Look for the Tigers to keep pressing, and if they can keep up this sustained pressure, they find the net in the third.

Read More...

Period 2 - Ends

The Tigers muster up a good chance to end the period but are unable to find the net. After two, the score is 2-0 North Dakota.

Read More...

Period 2 - 0:34

That goal is a bitter pill to swallow for the Tigers. They were dominating the period, and the penalty, a bad call, broke up the rhythm.

Still, the Tigers press on. A good chance for MacIntyre is stopped in front of the net, and after Magnowski is pulled down in front, the Tigers head to their first power play of the game.

#4 Taylor Chorney - 2:00 for checking from behind @ 19:25

The Tigers will get the bulk of this power play in the third period.

Read More...

Period 2 - 3:32

Great shorthanded chance for Magnowski. The sophomore forward was open in front of the next and tried to make Lamoureux commit, but Lamoureux was patient, showing why he's a Hobey Baker finalist. Later in the kill, Fedun skates in with a solid chance, but Lamoureux is up to the challenge once again.

GOAL NORTH DAKOTA

As the penalty expires, Ryan Duncan receives a nice cross-ice pass from TJ Oshie, and after Kalemba goes down, lifts the puck over the Tiger goaltender.

Read More...

Period 2 - 5:45

Two more good looks for Princeton. MacIntyre and Wilson this time. Lamoureux has been solid, however, and has not looked rattled all afternoon.

Penalty on Moore, 2:00 for holding at 14:15

Terrible call. Moore and Sioux forward were entangled, and the penalty was called when he broke free.

Read More...

Period 2 - 7:37

More pressure from Princeton. The Lohry-Pridham-Stankievech line has been great, and MacIntyre is playing a very solid game. Reeling, the Sioux have picked up the hitting, but the Tigers are hitting back. Good looks from Moore and Lohry are stopped by Lamoureux.

Read More...

Period 2 - 12:49

Great chance for Fedun in the slot. That shot may have hit MacIntyre on the way in. Thats exactly what the Tigers need. Defensemen pinching and bodies to screen Lamoureux.

A great through pass gives Duncan a breakaway, but Kalemba is up to the challenge. Good save. UND caught Princeton napping right there.

Read More...

Period 2 - 15:01

Great shift from Lohry, Pridham and Stankievech. The Tigers are playing their best hockey of the afternoon right now. UND seems to have come out flat and Princeton is taking advantage. Kushniruk and Wilson both get one-on-ones and both elect to try 15 foot slap shots. The Tigers need possession and Lamoureux is too good for that. Princeton needs to either slow its fast breaks when they enter the zone, or try for something more productive than shots through a wide-open lane.

Read More...

Period 2 - 17:45

On the game, the Tigers are outshooting the Sioux, 10-6, but that stat is misleading. Aside from a few exceptions, the UND chances have been much better.

A good start for UND, but a loose puck is cleared out of the crease by Godlewski. The Tigers come the other way with two good shots from the point, one from Moore and the other from Fedun.

Read More...

Period 1 - Notes

The Tigers have proven that they can play with the nation's best. Now it is time to prove that they can score on the nation's best as well. The Tigers opened the game sluggishly but found their stride a few minutes in and kept it for most of the period. The Sioux goal, scored on the power play, shows exactly how dangerous they can be. Up a man, UND refused to rush a shot, and after a slew of maybe a dozen passes, it found a man with an open look. The Tigers did kill a penalty about a minute after the goal, but certainly do not want to tempt fate, so discipline is a must the rest of the way.

The Tigers also need to find a way to shut down the UND top line of TJ Oshie, Ryan Duncan and Brad Miller. Princeton has played well against all the other lines, but this group - which consists of A Hobey Baker winner and a 2008 finalist - has put the Tigers on their heels. Kalemba has been excellent against them, but Tiger blueliners need to start shutting this line down.

On offense, the Tigers need to keep the puck deep. Much like the game against Colgate last weekend, Princeton is having trouble establishing possession in the attacking third. Princeton needs to get the puck deep, allowing its defenders to join the play on offense. The Tigers are at their best when Moore, Godlewski, Fedun and Pederson get involved at the top of the circles. Against a fast talented team like UND, that is difficult to do, but Princeton's blueliners need to start getting involved. Lamoureux is good enough that, as Tiger head coach Guy Gadowsky says, "if he can see it, he will stop it." The Tigers need to get in his face and deflect some puck on the way to the net.

Overall, a good period for the Tigers. They have earned the respect of the Sioux, and have proven that they can apply some pressure up front. Now it's time to capitalize on that pressure. If the Tigers can get the puck deep and bodies in front, this game is well within reach.

Read More...

Period 1 - Ends

And the period comes to an end. The Tigers get a few nice opportunities to close the period, but Lamoureux is too good for these shots. 1-0 UND after one. A good start for the Tigers - the Sioux goal comes on the power play - and there is a lot here to build on heading into period number two.

Read More...

Period 1 - 2:10

Another good start on the penalty kill for Princeton. A few missed opportunities to clear, but the Tigers escape unscathed.

Read More...

Period 1 - 5:23

Penalty on the Tigers once again. After the UND powerplay nets the first goal, the Tigers give them another chance.

#4 Taylor Fedun - 2:00 for hooking @ 14:37

This is a critical kill for Princeton

Read More...

Injury Alert

Injured player on the ice. It is freshman forward Mike Kramer, who was blindsided along the near boards. Not a dirty hit, but Kramer never saw it coming. He is up now, and skates to the bench with the help of his teammates. He seems to have injured his right arm.

Read More...

Period 1 - 6:21

GOAL NORTH DAKOTA

A good kill by the Tigers until Andrew Kozekscores from Kalemba's left side. UND passed the puck around to get a open look, ands Kozek beats Kalemba over the right shoulder.

Read More...

Period 1 - 7:49

Penalty on Princeton.

#14 Mark Magnowski - 2:00 for Tripping @ 12:11

Unintentional and inadvertent, but it had to be called. This will test the Tigers penalty kill.

Read More...

Period 1 - 8:42

The Sioux are picking up the intensity now. Shots on goal are tied, but both teams have had a few deflections in front.

Princeton had its best possession of the afternoon - the Wilson, Jubinville, Kramer line - and the game seems to be evening out. A good shift by MacIntyre follows.

TJ Oshie said yesterday that "We don't know anything about Princeton...All we can really worry about at this point is ourselves and having out best game of the season," but the Sioux seem to be feeling the Tigers out right now. Princeton seemed a step slower in the first few minutes, but they seemed to have found a new gear in the last five.

Read More...

Period 1 - 11:51

Action at both ends now. The game is starting to speed up, with some open ice hits from both sides. Pridham has a breakaway cut off by Lamoureux and solid Princeton defense denies UND a chance coming the other way.

Read More...

Period 1 - 15:09

First real sustained attack by the Sioux. Kalemab comes up with some nice saves, and the Tigers blueliners do a great job of clearing the doorstep. That was Oshie and Duncan for UND.

Read More...

Period 1 - 16:18

The Tigers get their first real chance of the night when a shot from senior forward Erik Pridham is deflected wide by senior forward Landis Stankievech. Good start for Princeton.

Read More...

Period 1 - 18:24

And we're underway. The Tigers control the draw. This is an Olympic-sized rink, bigger than any the Tigers have played on all season. It will be interesting to see how they adjust.

Good work by the Tigers early. They do not seem intimidated. Good first shifts from Fedun and Wilson, but the Sioux are undoubtedly controlling play.

Read More...

Starting Line-Ups

Princeton:

Zane Kalemba - Goalie - Sophomore
Brad Schroeder - Defenseman - Sophomore
Matt Godlewski - Defenseman - Freshman
Kyle Hagel - Forward - Senior
Brandan Kushniruk - Forward - Senior
Kevin Kaiser - Forward - Sophomore

North Dakota:

JP Lamoureux - Goalie - Senior
Taylor Chorney - Junior
Robbie Bina - Defenseman - Senior
Ryan Duncan - Forward - Junior
TJ Oshie - Forward - Junior
Brad Miller - Forward - Junior

Read More...

Strategy

The Tigers' success this afternoon hinges first and foremost on the play of Kalemba. If Kalemba plays at the level he showed last weekend, this could be a very long day for the Sioux. On defense, the Tigers need to establish themselves early, both as a stingy defense, but also a group of blueliners ready and willing to match the UND physicality and intensity.

On offense the Tigers need to get into a rhythm and trust the Princeton style of play. The Tigers were successful all season when they dumped the puck deep, got forwards low and bodies in front of the net. If Princeton can get some sustained possession in the offensive third, then they can find a way to beat JP Lamoureux.

Three Keys to the Game

1) Come out strong - Not many people give the Tigers a chance in this game, but if they show in the dfirst 10 minutes that they are here to play, it will do a lot for their confidence.

2) Play Your Game- The Tigers need to not get sucked into the UND style of play. If they play Princeton Hockey - back check, get bodies in front, block shots - they can grind down the Sioux forwards and defensemen.

3) Establish Yourselves Physically - This will be a long day for the Tigers if the Sioux push them around from the start. Princeton has the size and intensity to match UND, they just need to show it.

Read More...

Preview: Princeton

If JP Lamoureux is the nation's best goaltender, it is difficult to find a place for Princeton sophomore netminder Zane Kalemba. Kalemba was incredible in the ECAC playoffs - his three shutouts set a single tournament record and tied the career record - record a 3:09:59 stretch in which he did not allow a goal. Kalemba was, to no one's surprise, voted to the ECAC All-Tournament team and received the award for Player of the Tournament.

Kalemba is not the only Tigers who has been hot of late. Senior defenseman Mike Moore has also been excellent, both in shutting down opponents and on the offensive side. His linemate, freshman Taylro Fedun, has also been excellent.

On offense, the Tigers have received contributions from absolutely everyone. It is impossible to mention the Tigers with the names Lee Jubinville and Brett Wilson, but in the playoffs especially, the younger players have found their stride. Jubinville (12 goals, 26 assists) led the ECAC in point this season, and was voted the ECAC's Player of the Year. His efforts also earned him a spot as a Hobey Baker finalist, and, along with Moore, was one of the Tigers' two All-American candidates. Wilson, a junior forward, led the team in goals this season with 15, including a huge power play goal in the ECAC finals against Harvard.

Aside from Wilson and Jubinville, the Tigers have received strong playoff efforts from freshman forwards Matt Arhontas and freshman Kevin Lohry. Arhontas has scored in five of the Tiger's last six games, and Lohry, with a unique blend of size and speed, has been one of the Tigers' hardest working skaters.

Other players to watch for the Tigers include sophomore defensemen Brad Schroeder and Jody Pederson, who at 6-3, have the bodies to match up physically with the Sioux. Also watch out for sophomore forward Cam MacIntyre, who although quiet last weekend, has been one of the team's best forwards all year.

Read More...

Preview: North Dakota

A win this afternoon, however, will not come easily. North Dakota (26-10-4) is one of the nation's best teams. In perhaps the toughest conference in the country, the WCHA, the fighting Sioux were dominant. They did not however, win the WCHA tounrament - they lost to No. 6 Denver in the semifinals then crushed No. 2 Colorado College in the finals. In fact, the Sioux are only 2-2 in their last two games, which has many of the North Dakota faithful very nervous.

Equipped with one of the best goaltenders in the country - senior Jean-Philippe Lamoureux is the only goaltender on the finalist list for the Hobey Baker award, given to the nation's top player - the Sioux have been successful with a stifling, physical defense. In fact, North Dakota is so physical that they have been accused numerous times this season of dirty play. In a February game against Minnesota, a lot was called into question about the UND program following a game-ending brawl in which a Sioux apparently blindsided a Gophers forward.

The UND offense has also proved potent this season. Led by junior forward Ryan Duncan (last year's Hobey Baker winner) and junior forward TJ Oshie (a Hobey Baker finalist this season), who are currently 1 and 2 in WCHA active career points, the Sioux have proved that they can also blow out opponents.

Other players to watch include junior defenseman Taylor Chorney and senior defenseman Robbie Bina, who make up the Sioux's most aggressive and effective defensive pairings.

Read More...

Welcome

Hi and welcome to Madison, Wisconsin's Kohl Center for this afternoon's NCAA Midwest Regional game between No. 3 North Dakota and No. 13 Princeton.

The Tigers are currently on a three game winning streak, dating back to their March 16th ECAC quarterfinal series finale with Yale. Last weekend, Princeton won the ECAC title - defeating Colgate in the semifinals and Harvard in the finals - to earn the program's second ever trip to the NCAA tournament.

Back in 1998, the Tigers lost to Michigan 2-1 in the NCAA's first round, and they look to improve on that finish this weekend.

Read More...