Friday, March 27, 2009

Third Period Recap... Headed to Overtime

Princeton - 4
UMD - 4

Bulldogs score two in final 40 seconds, including one with 0.8 seconds remaining to tie game.

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Second Period Recap

Princeton - 3
UMD - 2

Princeton played terrific hockey throughout most of the second period, adding goals from freshman defenseman Derrick Pallis and Wilson — on his second of the night — to take 3-1 lead. UMD answered back less than half a minute after Wilson's goal to close the gap to 3-2.

The Tigers came out strong in the second period and kept the pressure on Stalock and the Bulldog defense for almost all 20 minutes. Even after taking the lead, Princeton did not let up, even mounting a furious attack in the period's final minutes that almost resulted in a goal.

The game has been a remarkably clean one thus far, with just one penalty — a holding call on sophomore defenseman Taylor Fedun — in the second period and three for the game. Look for the physiciality and chippiness to pick up a bit as UMD looks to close the gap in the third period. If Princeton can avoid letting down like it did against Cornell a week agao tonight, the Tigers will be in good position to move on and face Miami (OH) tomorrow night.

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First Period Recap

Princeton - 1
UMD - 1

UMD picked up the first goal of the game off a rebound following a wraparound attempt at 8:17. Kalemba was unable to control Travis Oleksuk's shot and Andrew Carroll banged it home to give the Bulldogs the early lead.

Princeton answered back with its first goal also coming off a rebound during a power play at 14:56. Sophomore defenseman Matt Godlewski's shot bounced off Stalock and trickled into the crease, where Wilson slid it into the UMD net to tie the game.

Though UMD is currently outshooting the Tigers 13-9, the teams appear evenly matched in the early going, and the intesnity picked up as the period progressed. Both squads — Princeton in particular — need to create more opportunities from the time they spend in the offensive zone if they want to take control of the game.

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Keys to the Game for Princeton

1. Start fast. The Tigers are 17-3-1 this season when they score first. Often when Princeton falls behind early, the team struggles to get back into games. This will be especially crucial for tonight’s contest, as the Tigers are matched up against the nation’s hottest goaltender, Alex Stalock. If Princeton is able to get on the board early and keep the pressure up, however, the Tigers will have a good shot at pulling this one out.

2. Spread out the offensive production. Last weekend, the line of junior forwards Dan Bartlett and Cam MacIntyre and sophomore forward Sam Sabky provided all of Princeton’s scoring as Bartlett led the way with three goals. MacIntyre and Sabky each added on apiece. If Princeton is going to be successful tonight, the team will need contributions from all of its lines. If senior forwards Brett Wilson and Lee Jubinville are able to get going, the Tigers should be in good shape, at least on the offensive end.

3. Keep up the defensive intensity. While the Tigers have had a very strong defensive effort all season long, led by goalie Zane Kalemba, they failed to hold onto their a two-goal lead for the first time all season against Cornell a week ago tonight. If the offense is able to crack Stalock early, the defense needs to be able make that lead stand up.

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Princeton v. University of Minnesota Duluth

Puck about to drop between the Tigers (22-11-1 overall, 14-8-0 ECAC Hockey) and the Bulldogs (21-12-8 overall, 10-11-7 WCHA)...

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