The UMass Minuteman hockey team dropped its season opener to No. 12 Michigan State Friday afternoon, 3-1 at the Icebreaker Tournament at Agganis Arena. The Spartans received goals from three different players, while Brian Keane scored the lone Minuteman goal with 7:06 left to play in the third period. UMass (0-1-0) will take on No. 4 North Dakota in a Saturday matinee at 4:30 PM. The Minutemen were awarded six power plays throughout the course of the game, but they unable to capitalize on their man advantages. Michigan State (1-0-0) was 1-for-2 on the power play. Dan Meyers got the start in goal for UMass, making 13 saves. UMass outshot the Spartans 37-16, including a 13-0 advantage in the third period.
UMass opened up the first period with lots of physicality, and carried it throughout the period. When James Marcou took a boarding penalty 1:03 into the frame, Michigan State had several chances to take an early lead, but Meyers was up to the task, denying the Spartans with a huge save on the doorstep. One second after Marcou's penalty expired, Michigan State took a 1-0 lead when Andrew Rowe banged home a loose puck in the crease. Meyers saved the original shot from Daultan Leveille, but the rebound squirted out and onto Rowe's stick.
After the goal, UMass seemed to carry the play for the remainder of the period, generating multiple scoring opportunities on Lerg. The Minutemen were awarded three power plays during the opening stanza, but they were not able to take advantage of them. Massachusetts nearly tied the score when Marcou attempted to thread a pass across the ice to Chris Davis, but a Michigan State defenseman got his stick in the passing lane and broke up the play. UMass' best chance of the period came when Marcou toe-dragged around a Michigan State defender, but his shot was deflected above the net. UMass finished the period outshooting the Spartans 13-7.
Michigan State netted two goals during the second period, giving the Spartans a 3-0 lead heading into the locker room. The Spartans scored their first goal of the period 51 seconds into the frame when Jeff Petry dropped a pass to Leveille at the point. Leveille shot the puck from the blue line, and it was deflected by Andrew Conboy past Meyers for the score.
Following the goal Massachusetts created some chances of their own, but Lerg was up to the task. The Spartans nearly extended their lead to three when Conboy took a one timer from the point, but Meyers went post to post to deny the scoring chance.
UMass' best chance of the period came when Justin Braun took a one timer from the blue line that was saved by Lerg. The rebound popped out to Alex Berry on the doorstep, but the puck hopped over his stick. Michigan State closed out the period when Matt Schepke banged home a rebound in front of the net to extend the Spartan lead to three.
Massachusetts prevented the Spartans from taking any shots on goal during the third period by applying pressure to the Michigan St. defense and created lots of chances. Marcou created several chances throughout the final frame, but Lerg made numerous saves to keep the shutout intact. The Minutemen finally got on the board with seven minutes to play in the frame when Keane netted his first goal of the year. Keane skated around a defender and flung a backhand towards the net. The puck hit Lerg and Keane was knocked into the net, but the puck had already trickled in.

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Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. Five former athletes will be enshrined into the University at Albany Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, October 24 at the 25th annual HOF Dinner and Induction Ceremony. A reception for the Athletic Hall of Fame inductees begins at 5:30 p.m., with the dinner and ceremony to follow in SEFCU Arena on campus.

The induction ceremony is part of Homecoming and Family Weekend, which also includes Saturday's football game at University Field with Northeast Conference-rival Saint Francis, Pa. at 4:00 p.m. Men's soccer hosts Bryant and women's field hockey entertains Boston University earlier in the day. Both contests begin at 1:00 p.m. On Sunday, women's soccer is home against UMBC at 1:00 p.m., while women's volleyball meets UMBC at 2:00 p.m.

The new inductees and their sports: Tom Alexander '98, lacrosse; Andre Duncan '98, basketball; Afrim Nezaj '82, soccer; Kelly Paolino Cirilla, basketball '99; and Liz Peck '97, field hockey.

With this year's class, there are 119 former athletes, coaches and administrators who have been inducted into the University at Albany's Athletic Hall of Fame.



Tom Alexander (1995-99) -- Alexander was the top defenseman in the UAlbany lacrosse program's Division II era. He was named to the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-America squad in three consecutive seasons.

A native of Altamont, N.Y., Alexander was selected to the USILA All-America second team as a sophomore. He earned Capital District College Lacrosse League All-Star recognition. Alexander led the Great Danes to the 1997 ECAC Division II championship final and was part of a defensive unit that allowed 9.31 goals per game.

Alexander, a 6-foot-2 and 220-pound athlete, was chosen to the USILA All-America first team as a junior and was voted second-team All-American as a senior. He also made two more appearances on the CDCLL all-star team. Alexander started 42 of 50 career games and accounted for 176 ground balls. In 1998, UAlbany finished with an 8-4 record and the defense was nationally ranked, allowing 7.83 goals per game.

Before his athletic career even began, Alexander was a great citizen of the University when he played a significant role in apprehending an assailant who held a UAlbany Greek history class hostage at gunpoint on Dec. 14, 1994.

Alexander earned his B.A. in English with a minor in history and also received a M.A. in education from UAlbany. He taught English at the 11th and 12th grade levels at Colonie Central High School from 2000-06 and has just returned to the school after a two-year absence. In the interim period, he started Alexander's Home Beautification Systems, Inc., a landscaping and contracting company.

He and his wife, Dagny, have two children, a 10-year old son, Malachi, and a four-year old daughter, Maryn. Alexander is still involved in lacrosse as his son's youth team coach. He previously was head coach of the freshman lacrosse team at Colonie Central High from 2000-03.



Andre Duncan (1994-98) -- Duncan, the 1998 New England Collegiate Conference Player of the Year, became the fourth Great Dane in the men's basketball program's history to earn All-America honors. He continues to be the only UAlbany player to combine for 1,400 points, 650 rebounds and 150 blocked shots in a career.

In 1998, Duncan led the Great Danes to an ECAC Division II Tournament appearance and a 19-8 record. He averaged 19.3 points and 8.6 rebounds and was among the NECC's top 10 in five statistical categories as a senior. Duncan was chosen to the Daktronics NCAA Division II All-America third team. In addition, he was named All-Northeast Region, All-East (small college), ECAC-North first team and NABC All-District.

As a junior, Duncan was picked second-team All-NECC after averaging 14.3 points and 6.4 rebounds. He also combined for 6.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game as a freshman in leading the Great Danes to an 18-8 record and the NCAA Division III Tournament's second round. He completed his career ranked fifth in scoring with 1,453 points, ninth in rebounding (696) and first in blocked shots (184) among the school's all-time leaders.

A native of Monticello, N.Y., Duncan went on to play professionally in Germany for two seasons, before signing with Guimaraes, a second division team in Portugal. After two years in the corporate world, he returned to Germany, and along with former UAlbany standout Will Brand, led Weissenfels to a second-place finish in its division. He is currently teaching at The School at Columbia University, an elementary school with 500 students.

Duncan received his undergraduate degree in a dual major of sociology and Africana Studies from UAlbany and is presently pursuing a master's in physical education from Teachers College, Columbia University. He and his wife, Angela, and their sons Diari (5) and Adrian (3 months) reside in Queens, N.Y.



Afrim Nezaj (1978-81) -- An NCAA Division III All-America and All-SUNY Athletic Conference selection, Nezaj is one of the top strikers in the men's soccer program's history.

Nezaj accounted for nine goals and two assists as a senior when he was named to the NCAA All-America squad and made his fourth consecutive All-SUNYAC East appearance. He recorded his second career hat trick in a victory over crosstown-rival Siena in the season opener on Sept. 14.

Nezaj also produced 20-plus points as a junior, when he had nine goals and four assists. He netted multiple goals against Plattsburgh and Vassar and the match's lone goal in a 1-0 triumph over Siena. Nezaj still ranks among the program's career scoring leaders with 25 goals and nine assists.

A native of Bronx, N.Y., Nezaj was drafted in the first round by Major Indoor Soccer League's Buffalo Stallions and played for four American Soccer League teams, including the Albany Capitals, for nearly a decade. He later went into coaching as a UAlbany assistant under Bill Schieffelin and became head coach at Fulton-Montgomery Community College in 1987. An USSF "A" Licensed Coach, Nezaj had two stints as an assistant coach at Siena College and served as a high school head coach at both Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk and Christian Brothers Academy. Nezaj, who has also coached on the professional level, currently serves as president of the Capital District Alleycats, a 22-team soccer club for boys and girls, ages 10 to 19.

Nezaj earned his undergraduate degree in sociology with a dual minor in psychology and criminal justice. He is the owner of Afrim Sports, a group that manages multi-sport facilities in Colonie and Latham. Nezaj and his wife, Patty, have five children, Martina (17), Isabella (8), Margot (6), Vivienne (2) and Emerson (8 months).



Kelly Paolino Cirilla (1995-99) -- A two-time All-New England Collegiate Conference guard, Paolino became the fourth player in the women's basketball program's history to score 1,000 career points.

Paolino led the Great Danes to the conference championship final against Massachusetts-Lowell as a sophomore. UAlbany finished with a 19-9 record, as she combined for 5.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game. She was named to the NECC all-tournament team after scoring at an 11.7 clip in postseason play.

In the 1998-99 campaign, Paolino averaged 14.0 points, 3.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 3.0 steals as a senior. She netted a career-best 28 points against Binghamton. A two-time captain, she finished her career ranked fourth in scoring with 1,020 points, fourth in assists (332), second in steals (271) and first in games played (109).

Paolino, who also was a member of the women's golf team, received the 1999 ECAC Merit Medal as UAlbany's top female senior student-athlete. She served as the chair of the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and worked as a volunteer at Veteran's Hospital.

A native of Schenectady, N.Y. and a Schalmont High School graduate, Paolino received her B.A. in psychology with a minor in education. She earned her Juris Doctor from Albany Law School in 2002 and runs a general practice out of her home that specializes in real estate. Paolino and her husband, Dennis Cirilla, a former UAlbany baseball player, have three children, Ashley (5), Dennis III (3) and Gianna (18 months). Cirilla, a graduate of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, is an anesthesiologist at Albany Medical Center.



Liz Peck (1995-98) -- Peck was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-America Team on three occasions at the NCAA Division II level. She made 67 consecutive starts in the midfield during the late 1990s.

A four-time UAlbany captain, Peck led the program to a combined 50 victories and the 1997 ECAC Division II championship during her career. She helped that '97 squad put together a school-record 17-2 campaign when she tallied four goals and two assists. Peck, who totaled eight goals and 11 assists as a collegian, garnered first-team All-America honors as a junior and senior. In 1996, Peck was voted second-team All-American after leading the Great Danes to a 14-3 record and a No. 3-ranking in the North Region.

In the classroom, Peck was picked to the 1998 CoSIDA Academic All-America Fall-Winter At-Large national first team and made the national second team the following year. Peck was named to the NFHCA national academic team three times. She received her B.S. in biology with a minor in education and then went on to earn a graduate degree in molecular biology. Peck received the 1998 ECAC Merit Medal as the school's top senior female student-athlete.

Following graduation, Peck would work at UAlbany as a volunteer assistant field hockey coach and as a member of the athletic grounds crew, including duties with New York Giants training camp. She has been employed by Price Chopper for the last eight years at various stores in the Capital Region. In April 2008, Peck was elevated to grocery manager at the Malta location where she administrates scheduling, stock orders and store presentation.

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This is footypodand were getting there slowly, still lots to do before we get back to where we were before our old hosts vanished off the face of the earth taking the old site with them.
Were syndicating content from all over the place, if you recognise this as your stuff, well be happy to remove it or link to you over there on the right.
Were currently working through our list of forums to syndicate content from. Basically this means footypod will be a place you can check in and see what your rivals are saying about your team, quickly and easily without having to trawl around the web. If you are a forum owner, dont worry we will always link back to the original thread which means you will probably get new members. If you have a forum you would like to be included, leave a comment somewhere and we will pick up on it.
This is going to take a while, so keep checking back as we have lots of clubs to get through. They will appear in the Main Menu to the right as and when we add them.
When we have finished with the forums, we will move on to the podcasts.
All the stuff you will need for now is in the main menu on the right.

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Set your VCR/TIVO/Etc: Tonight on CBS College Sports TV, the UMD Bulldogs are playing Southwest Minnesota State! While its not near the scale of being on ABC, NBA, CBS, or even Fox or ESPN, this really is a big thing that UMD is on a national TV broadcast. Of course being that this is a Division II game, the viewership will be lower. I guess theres a chance people will watch it just because its football. Still, kind of a big deal for UMD. Hey maybe this will help the Bulldogs get the next Brett Hull, who plays football and would play Division II football.Air Force is facing Houston this week. The game has been moved do to Hurricane Ike making its way. So the game will instead be played at SMU in Dallas. Hurricane Ike is supposed to hit Houston, but I just have to wonder if Dallas a ton less likely? What do I know about hurricanes though. Mapquest lists the distance between Houston and Dallas as being 240 miles approximately, so I guess thats a good distance apart.Air Force has never played Houston before. Air Force comes into the game 2-0 and Houston is 1-1. The Cougars lost last week to Oklahoma State. They gave up 56 points, but did score 37 points. They really pushed down SMU the first game, 55-3 was the score.Air Force meanwhile had no problems in week one with the subdivisions Southern Utah. Last week their offense took some time to get going against Wyoming, but their defense did hold the Cowboys to just 3 points. Part of that would be that Wyoming cant seem to hold on to the ball.The new University of Minnesota (Twin-Cities) football stadium will reportedly have the second largest video screen in college football and the fifth largest in the nation for all sports. Meaning its bigger than almost all professional sports teams. I just wonder if theres a link between men wanting to have ridiculously big TV screens and that other male preoccupation with size. Too bad teams dont have the size increasing preoccupation with seat size (and quality while Im at it) that they do with the TV screens.

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Fireworks finale needed from Pehkonen
Shes the 08-09 nucleus by all counts

Visually comparable and sequentially identical to Paul Kariya in the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, Mari Pehkonen scripted a character-emitting bounce back in a China-based Womens World Championship game last spring.

The Finnish Friar, taking leave from campus to pitch in for her national team for the third time in the 2007-08 academic year, had clunked with Swedish defender Emma Eliasson early in the April 6 round robin game, rendering her helmetless and halfway helpless.

Yet when the stern Scandinavian rivals inched a 2-2 deadlock into overtime and the Swedes went on the PK, the same Pehkonen was raring to pounce. And just 58 seconds into the power play and precisely three minutes into the bonus round, she leveled home a slapper from the high slot to hallmark Finlands 3-2 victory.

A touch more than a week later, Pehkonen was back in Providence with a mint bronze medal and a team-leading scoring log of 3-3-6 in five tournament games to her credit.

Thats the type of inflexible, productive doggedness the PC women will need out of Pehkonen in her senior year. In her three preceding US collegiate campaigns, Pehkonen has not quite been the load-the-net-at-will breed that Patty Kazmaier Award voters ogle. But she wrapped up her rink-hopping junior campaign leaving residual promise as a team contributor.

Between her return from the European Air Canada Cup in early January and the conclusion of the college season, Pehkonen partnered with burgeoning puckslingers Alyse Ruff and Jean ONeill and vacuumed 7-7-14 totals in the last 14 games; this coming after a harrowingly numb six points in her first 17 outings. Her associates, both sophomores as of next weeks start of classes and practices, charged up 10 (ONeill) and nine (Ruff) points respectively in that span.

For the better part of their 2007-08 venture, the Friars wrestled with their identity like Flipper in a fishnet, having no consistently radiant scorers to speak of. Keeping the PRO Line intact, therefore, is a palpable strategy to start 2008-09 with concrete conviction.

By the same token, Providence ought to have a second nature understanding of why their import forward deserves the nickname Postcards Pehkonen. Her birth certificate says she will by a mere ice shaving- not be eligible for another U22 European Air Canada tournament. But she will assuredly be summoned away from her core agenda this November for a third consecutive taste of the Four Nations Cup.

It would only take one lengthy absence on Pehkonens part to render the PRO Line completely and utterly broken up. Therefore, everyone has to be ready to act like they want a contenders label and learn to make any offensive trinity work.

But from that perspective, Pehkonen could be the Friars MVP in her absence.

Heres how: breaking off to help Team Finland for the Four Nations Cup would, at best, have Pehkonen unavailable for a November 1 day trip to Boston University and a two-night stay at Robert Morris the following weekend. By then, she will have already logged eight collegiate games on the year and PC should have a relatively steady sense of its direction.

If their record amounts to a report card of a high B or better, the other Friars should be mature enough to step up and fill the temporary void. Whats more, though, the test will intensify for both Pehkonen and her Skating Sorority associates upon her return.

Pehkonens personal experiment would revolve around making the statement. That is, she ought to defy any jet lag-induced deceleration as soon as she comes back, even if it means taking one more night off after she returns. If she has to take to the sidelines on a Friday night in order to come out roundly braced on Saturday the same way she took a protracted breather after her collision with Eliasson in China, so be it.

For her teammates, the wager would be to keep their enhanced mindset in stone rather than recede to original form and wait for their pin-up to do all the tricks as before. Again, Pehkonen has yet to cook up a lengthy point-per-game flare, despite her clutch stats from most every international tournament she has partaken in.

Although, a point per game was precisely what she averaged in the stretch drive of last season. No time like the present for her and the gritty Friars to build on that flare.

Stashing up a good first step
In a nod to the current edition of The Hockey News (press date: September 2), wherein NHL team correspondents evaluate their teams off-season activity and discuss the most important parts of their 2008-09 schedule, the Free Press offers the same look at PCs programs.

Womens: Starting off with a hefty four-game home slate, so soon after the traditional Canadian club exhibition, and all against interleague mid-to-heavyweights, is a welcome circumstantial bequest, but it will be the Friars job to make use of it.

Like PC, Ohio State on tap for a two-game set the first weekend of October- finished at precisely .500 (17-17-3) overall last year, but pulled a definitive sweep when the teams collided in Columbus. The following Friday, St. Lawrence is due to visit. The Saints rated 6th in the final USCHO poll and mortified the Friars, 8-0, around the same time last year. Looking further ahead, there sit more familiar tangles with established NCAA contenders. Mercyhurst comes to campus November 21 and the Friars venture to Dartmouth January 13.

Deliberation over this issue is only detrimental: the fact is, ever since the Friars last raised a Hockey East championship trophy and womens hockey assumed the automatic bid policy both 2005 occurrences- PC has posted insufficient nonconference records. And since an automatic bid is anything but a lock these days, Providence simply has to woo the NCAA pollsters without fail and without delay.

Mens: Between the first and fifteenth of November, the Friars have a continual string of five home games lined up four Hockey East games sandwiching an interleague visit from defending national runner-up Notre Dame. By the time they wrap up a two-game hosting to the University of Maine (Nov. 14-15), they will have burned off ten games, seven of them home games and seven of them Hockey East contests. The immediate future from that point bears bus rides to six of seven games before the holidays.

Before they roll into that more tumultuous portion of the journey never mind the Hockey East stretch drive in January after a month off from action- it is in the Friars best interest to stash away as many overall Ws and conference points as they can. It wont cement their posture as a reckonable contender by any means, but it will be the equivalent of studying early and often rather than needing to tactlessly cram for term finals.

Rheault secures professional Reign
Graduated PC scoring leader Jon Rheault, lacking legal citizenship in any pro hockey organizations since his release from the Philadelphia Flyers system three months ago, finally found solid ice with the ECHLs Ontario (Calif.) Reign, as was announced Thursday. The Reign, who will serve as the new Double A affiliate of the neighboring Los Angeles Kings, is just settling into SoCal as the reincarnation of the Texas Wildcatters and will drop their first puck on October 18 against the Bakersfield Condors. Additionally, Rheault will absorb the tutelage of Karl Taylor who relocates from the Kings former ECHL abode in Reading, Penn., where Tyler Sims stopped by for a sliver of action last spring.

Coyle of support
The first of many benefits for Jamie Coyle, a Cumberland resident and member of the RI Selects U14 girls team who suffered a stroke three weeks ago during a game against Team Vermont, are underway as of this weekend. A series of tournaments ranging everywhere from U12 to adult levels have been conducted at the Smithfield Ice Rink and the Rhode Island Sports Center in North Smithfield. Following right up on that, a Rock n Skate event i.e. DJ dance party on ice- will be held at Mt. St. Charles Adelard Arena from 6-10 PM on Saturday, September 6 for $5 per person. Coyle has been treated at Worcester and Boston hospitals and by all counts according to her funds website (fightfor7.com, a nod to Coyles jersey digit) is recuperating at a favorable rate.

Quick Feeds: Merrimack skipper Mark Dennehy plugged the final void in his staff with Phil Roy, a 2000 Clarkson graduate, temporary minor league and European nomad, and former Division III coach at Hobart and Neumann. Roy essentially succeeds Albie OConnell, who last month shuffled over to Greg Cronins cabinet at NortheasternInquired about the University of Wisconsins incongruously early commitment from rising high school freshman Jordan Schmaltz, Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna, among many others, offered his theory to Tuesdays Madison Capital-Times: The landscape has changed. A lot of it has to do with decisions families make, and a lot of it has to do with major junior hockey going after kids a lot earlier and kids being forced to make decisions earlier.The NCAA settled on Fort Wayne, Ind. and St. Paul, Minn. as the western mens regional hosts for 2010 and Green Bay and St. Louis for 2011. As some have been apt to point out, this means an implicit end to the farce of granting regal programs undue home ice advantage in the postseasonA little less than a month till pre-season exhibitions.

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Series only truly turned in third period of Game 4
Its been over a year since the Ottawa Senators dreams of their first championship in over 80 years unravelled in shocking fashion, when they lost 6-2 to the Anaheim Ducks in the decisive Game 5 of the 2007 Stanley Cup final.
Back home, they wasted no time putting away the Senators, who finally cracked under pressure and simply self-destructed in all facets of the game. The goal by Chris Phillips on his own team, the whiffed penalty shot by Antoine Vermette, and weak goals let in by goaltender Ray Emery were notable low-lights.
The 2007 Ducks were a big, mean squad that physically punished the Senators at nearly every possible opportunity, and scored timely goals.
They also barely made it to the Stanley Cup final, and were lucky to get away with what they did physically but more on the bruising later.
Many would say Ottawa really lost the series early on after going into a 2-0 hole, and that Game 5 was simply the icing on the cake.
Not so. They were in it until the third period of Game 4, which led to the total write-off that was Game 5.
By the skin of their teeth
After Game 4 was in the books, the Ducks had won a record 12 one-goal games in their playoff run, equalling their own record from 2003, and Montreals 1993 run.
This meant that getting through all four rounds was done by the skin of their teeth. Nine of the 12 required victories to claim the West were by one goal, along with three in the Cup final (3-2 in Game 1, 1-0 in Game 2, 3-2 in Game 4).
Five of the Ducks nine one-goal games to beat the Western teams were in overtime, including three in Round 2 vs. Vancouver, and two in the Conference final vs. Detroit.
The Ducks caught a huge break when Red Wings defenceman Andreas Lilja whiffed on a breakout pass, allowing Teemu Selanne to score in overtime of Game 5. With only 47 seconds left in the third period, Ducks defenceman Scott Niedermayer had scored the Ducks only goal of the game with the man advantage, tying the contest.
Hardly a walk.
Granted, the Senators also won two overtime games in the Eastern Conference final vs. Buffalo, but also made quick work of the East in a 12-3 romp.

Ray Emery...for Conn Smythe?
Well, that could be a stretch now, but it was not outrageous at the time.
During the aforementioned 12-3 romp, Senators goaltender Ray Emery had three shutouts en route to the final, while his opponent in the final, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, had none.
It should be pointed out that Emery had the shutdown tandem of Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov playing in front of him, with the latter leading the league with 273 blocked shots in the regular season.
In the same breath, Emery made the stops when he needed to. In the second round, he outshone future hall-of-famer Martin Brodeur, who let in several soft goals.
Notably, the brash Emery shone in the third round against the Sabres. An athletic, aggressive netminder who was at his peak, one of Emerys best and most crucial saves came in overtime of Game 2 of the series, when he denied Thomas Vanek a wraparound attempt with a quick stretch of his right pad.
The would-be series-tying goal found Emerys pad, opening the door for Joe Corvo to score in the second overtime, putting the Sabres in a 2-0 series hole. Emery would go on to shut out the Sabres 1-0 in a razor-thin Game 3, before the Senators dropped Game 4 despite nearly digging themselves out of a 3-0 hole (they lost 4-3).
Fast-forward to Game 2 of the Cup showdown with the Ducks, which might have been Emerys best. As Giguere shone at the other end, thwarting the Senators glorious chances to take the lead on a 5-on-3 power play, Emery made big saves of his own on Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Rob Niedermayer.
Emery would let in the only goal of the game with just over four minutes left, a screened shot from Samuel Pahlsson on the wing that would hold up as the winner.
In front of him, his team held up well, considering the beating they took in Game 1 while managing to take two leads. Drawing on the positives, the Senators returned to hockey-mad Ottawa.

Bowman to Murray: Ducks flying in the face of the rulebook
Game 3 set the stage for what would be a clearly energized Senators team, considering how close they came in the first two under hostile circumstances.
Before Game 2, Senators coach Bryan Murray had to bite his tongue about the officiating in the series thus far. The most penalized team during the regular season for their aggressive, physical style, the Ducks seemed determined to win at all physical cost, which was evident in their ascent to the final.
They got their physical play from good dump-ins and not us holding anybody up. Their first man in got the hits, he told the Ottawa Sun. That was the main part. The other part is when people are standing around in front of the net trying to defend and theyre hammering away at our defencemen, as well as our goaltender. Those are two areas that concern me.
Murray said he spoke with former Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman, who at the time was a special assistant to general manager Ken Holland, about the Ducks tactics. Murray said that Bowman warned him about the illegal obstruction the Ducks employed to send the Wings packing.
I just talked to some of the Detroit people and they just told me this is the way it went (in the last series), Murray also told the Sun. I guess it should have been clear in my mind this is whats going to happen and well be allowed to do likewise.
Clearly, a thinly-veiled shot at the zebras.
As the series unfolded, it became clear that the checking line of Samuel Pahlsson and wingers Rob Niedermayer and Travis Moen knew their roles and were pushing the boundaries. As Murray alluded to, the Senators defenceand often Emery toogot pounded at every opportunity. In Game 4, a frustrated Emery tried to sell the latest run on him by Niedermayer, finally resulting in Ducks penalty.
The most obvious consequence of this for the Senators?
The Pahlsson-Moen-Niedermayer unit had last change in Anaheim, so the trio were able to effectively keep the powerful Ottawa line of Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, and Daniel Alfredsson in check, obstructively speaking or not.
Bruising defencemen Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemin, as Murray alluded to, were only too happy to obstruct Ottawa forwards from gaining the zone. Pronger, of course, only got suspended one game for elbowing Dean McAmmond in the head to try and prevent McAmmonds Game 3 winner, despite being a repeat offender (he sat out Game 6 of the Detroit series for cross-checking Tomas Holmstrom into the glass in Game 5).

Game 3: stealing back momentum
Despite the adversity, the Senators took matters into their own hands in Game 3. The Ducks took three leads in the game, but the Senators erased all of them and won 5-3 in their most determined effort yet, in front of a red-clad, raucous Scotiabank Place crowd of 20,500.
Chris Neil led a revengeful physical effort, notably tattooing Teemu Selanne into the glass for one of his five hits on the night (The Senators outhit the Ducks 32-26), and also potted the tying goal.
The Senators scored three straight goals to close out the game, which saw the Ducks take seven of 12 third-period penalties handed out.
More calls on the Ducks created more chances for the Senators, who jumped on the opportunity to shut down their bigger opponents on a suddenly even playing field. Despite the Dean McAmmond injury in the third, momentum was the Senators heading into Game 4, and one stat showed it all.
Shots on goal.
Ottawas momentum in Game 3 allowed the team to force the issue with the Ducks, who managed a paltry three shots on net in the final frame. This would continue into Game 4, as the Ducks managed just two shots in the opening period.

Game 4: the tide begins to turn
After nearly escaping the first period unscathed, despite being outshot 13-2, the Ducks allowed Daniel Alfredsson to score in heartbreaking fashion off of a slick feed from Mike Fisher, with 0.3 seconds remaining.
Normally, a team would be deflated after such a goal. After missing a glorious opportunity to take an insurmountable 3-0 lead in the series two nights before, the Ducks effectively allowed the Senators back in the series; up 1-0 after one period, at home, and only down 2-1 in the best-of-seven.
This moment was truly a turning point for either team, and therefore the series overall. Either the Senators hold on and make it a best-of-three, or the Ducks find it within themselves to claw back and put the hammer on any comeback attempt.
The Ducks proved themselves mentally stronger, and refused to let either the Senators or the officiating, which finally improved in Game 3, rattle their psyche or change their bruising battle plan. Rob Niedermayer led a hit parade and a rejuvenated defensive effort in the second period that was stronger than ever.
The Senators psyche would hold up, but not much longer. Outshot 13-4 in the second frame, the suddenly vulnerable team allowed two more goals from Andy McDonald, who ended up with five in the series.
McDonald didnt even score until midway through the period, after Ottawa killed off two straight penalties. He outwaited Emery and defenceman Andrej Meszaros, swirling around both to roof it in an open cage.
Exactly one minute later, he caught Chris Neil not hustling back on the backcheck, and took a Rob Niedermayer pass right in on Emery and tucked one under the pads that Emery should have had. Fearless defender Anton Volchenkov slapped his stick in disgust on the play.
Say it aint so, blared Weezer through the loudspeakers.
The slide was evident on the other end when the Ducks defensive pressure only allowed Dany Heatley (three), and one other Senators player (Alfredsson, with a 48-foot wrister) to hit the net. Heatley would score to tie things up heading into the third off of a cross-ice Spezza feed, but it was the beginning of the end.
The frustration got the better of Alfredsson, as the Conn Smythe Trophy favourite and Ottawas beloved hockey hero shot the puck at fellow captain Scott Niedermayer in the dying moments of the second frame.
It was obvious, uncalled for, and unfair. Even fellow Swedish national teammate Samuel Pahlsson was sure to physically make his displeasure clear to Alfredsson, and undoubtedly the incident and the melee that ensued gave the all the Ducks a chip on their shoulders heading to the dressing rooms.
We took it as an act of desperation to try and get his club going, commented Ryan Getzlaf afterwards in a jubilant Ducks dressing room.
It definitely hit a chord with our hockey club, added Ducks coach Randy Carlyle, talking about his captains leadership following the incident. The thing that surprised me the most about it all was that Scott Niedermayer took it upon himself to tell the team to just turn the page on it.
A sad moment for the classy Alfredsson, it was the harbinger of the death march for his team; if the Ducks could get inside the leaders head, they were on the right path.

Nail in the coffin: Dustin Penner, 4:07
Cue the inspirational speeches and clichés; the season was officially on the line for the Senators. At home, with 2-2 on the scoreboard, and facing a rejuvenated Ducks squad that didnt need anymore inspiration before their captain was rattled, it was time to lay it on the line.
Dustin Penner, who hadnt scored since Round 2, had other ideas.
In a play with haunting similarity to the third-period winning goal in 2003s heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference final, a few Senators were caught with their pants down.
In that game, Wade Redden was caught defending two Devils after defensive partner Karel Rachunek was caught up ice and did not make a quick decision on which Devil to defend. Devils winger Grant Marshall got the puck through Reddens legs to Jeff Friesen, who had an easy shot. In the blink of an eye, the Senators season was done.
Fast forward to 2007. Chris Neil and Chris Kelly got caught up ice forechecking, which led to both Penner and Teemu Selanne rushing freely towards the Ottawa blue line. This time, it was Reddens split-second decision that was costly; instead of standing up Selanne physically at the line, he turned to chase Penner and both got in cleanly and despite a momentary bungling of the puck, the mistake allowed Selanne to find a charging Penner, who had a wide-open cage.
After turning on his heels, Redden was a full two strides behind Penner. Sadly, the play exemplified the criticism Redden had taken all year for his dropoff in play after a stellar, 50-point 2005-06 campaign that earned him a two-year, $13 million extension.
The series was effectively over after the goal, if the Senators could not respond.
Emery, for his part, made up for the second McDonald goal with an unbelievable glove stop on Beauchemin late in the second, and stoned Corey Perry on a breakaway after Penners goal. Ironically, it was Penner that hauled down Joe Corvo in obvious fashion (no penalty was called) on the play and seemed to injure him, allowing Perry to move in alone.
It would not be enough help from Emery, as the Ducks closed the door on the mentally tired Senators after the Penner marker, allowing only three shots. The best chance came in the closing moments off of Andrej Meszaros stick.

The tide turns, and finally comes in
The pressure of the Alfredsson-Niedermayer incident, the two McDonald goals, and the Penner goal, plus travelling back to play at the raucous Honda Center down 3-1 would be too much.
After coming so close to getting back in the series, the Senators finally sunk, and sunk fast after the late Game 4 meltdown. No need to analyze the forgettable Game 5 if youre an Ottawa fan; one replay of the Chris Phillips own-goal on Ray Emery will cement that notion.
Bryan Murray was even forced to double-shift Phillips and Volchenkov, as the Ducks relentless pressure was getting to the defensive pairing of Joe Corvo and Tom Preissing.
So the Ducks would celebrate their first Stanley Cup, albeit with somewhat of an asterisk.
Yes, they scored timely goals. Yes, they were mentally and physically tough. Yes, they had solid coaching and goaltending, and were very deep.
The asterisk?
Despite being the most penalized team in the league, theres the whole matter of still getting away with all the illegal obstruction, crease-crashing, and body contact as well as catching the breaks to win those one-goal games
But as the saying goes, youve got to be lucky to be good, and good to be lucky.
Thats hockey, after all. Oftentimes, its reduced to a game of bounces.
The Ducks took it all, but the Senators were in it until the end, despite circumstances beyond their control.
Not that the Prince of Wales trophy is any huge consolation.

TALE OF THE TAPE: 2007 STANLEY CUP FINAL, GAMES 1-4

GOALS:
Ottawa 9
Anaheim 7
LEADS:
Anaheim 7
Ottawa 4
SHOTS:
Anaheim 106
Ottawa 88
PENALTY MINUTES:
Anaheim 58
Ottawa 42

SENS ARMY CENTRAL MESSAGE BOARD: http://forums.ottawasenators.

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Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albanys Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Roberto Vives announced on Wednesday, August 27 that a record 48 student-athletes will be joining the UAlbany mens and womens programs for the 2008-09 academic year. The class includes 11 student-athletes from Capital Region high schools and nine transfers.

Leading the mens signees is transfer Alie Beauvais (Hempstead, N.Y./Hempstead), who joins the Great Danes from Lincoln University in Missouri. Beauvais was a three-time New York State Champion. Nasim Siddeeq (New Hampton, N.Y./Goshen Central) comes to the UAlbany program after two seasons at Robert Morris University. Siddeeq broke the Northeast Conference championship record in the triple jump last season with a leap of 51-feet, 0.75-inches. Siddeeq, who was a two-time All-East selection in the triple jump, will also compete in the long jump. Deshaun Sutton (Westbury, N.Y./Westbury), who comes to UAlbany from SUNY Old Westbury, will add depth to the field events, after posting personal bests of 47-feet, 1-inch in the triple jump and 6-feet, 3-inches in the high jump.

Feyisara Adaramola (Bronx, N.Y./Trevor Day) joins the womens squad after two seasons at the University of Central Florida, while Celine Cauderlier (Entzheim, France/Lycee Louis Pasteur) comes to UAlbany from University Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg, France. Adaramola will join the Great Dane sprinting corps after earning All-USA Conference honors. Cauderlier is a former national high school pole vault champion in France, posting a personal best of 12-feet, 7.75-inches.

Tierra Chavis (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin), a transfer from St. Francis (N.Y.) College, brings additional strength to the sprints. Chavis was a two-time national high school champion in the 4x400-meter and sprint medley relays. Roxanne Wegman (Delmar, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) spent the last two seasons at Army. Wegman was a high school All-American as a member of mile relay and is former Empire State Games champion in the 10,000-meter run.

Leading an outstanding crop of freshmen for the UAlbany men is Nicholas Santos (Albany, N.Y/Colonie Central) and Jonathan Juleus (Succasunna, N.J./Pope John XXIII Regional). Santos is a two-time high school All-American and a four-time All-State Federation honoree who will compete in the 800-meter run. Juleus was a two-time New Jersey State champion in the 1,600-meter run. Ethan Clary (Schuylerville, N.Y./Schuylerville) will compete for the Great Danes distance squad. Clary placed fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2008 New York State Federation Championships.

The mid-distance and distance running corps increases its strength with Ryan Florkiewics and Greg Miniger, a pair of high school All-Americans from Warwick Valley High School. Florkiewics will compete in the 800-meter, 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter events, while Miniger was a four-time All-American as a member of the distance relay squads. R.J. Sniffen, Chris Manico and Devon Sedgwick of Shaker High School were members of the 4x800-meter and distance medley relay teams for the Blue Bison.

Jared Nilsson (East Moriches, N.Y./Westhampton Beach) will add to an already strong hurdle group, while Kadeem Howell (Great Neck, N.Y./Manhasset) joins the jump squad. Howell was a high school All-American with a personal best of 47-feet, 6.5-inches in the triple jump. Stephen Hassard (Setauket, N.Y./Ward Melville) and Cory Thomas (Painted Post, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post) join a solid throws group. Hassard is an all-state discus thrower with a personal best of 156-feet, 8-inches, while Thomas will compete in the discus and shot put events.

On the womens side, New York State standouts Emily Fung (Greenwich, N.Y./Greenwich Central) and Ada Lauterbach (East Berne, N.Y./Berne-Knox-Westerlo) will add to the distance program. Fung is in a select group as one of the few women runners from New York who have earned all-state honors in cross country for six consecutive years. Fung also claimed the 3,000-meter state title and was part of the National High School record-setting 4x1,500-meter relay team. Lauterbach was an all-state performer in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Alexandria Carlson (Suffern, N.Y./Suffern) and Laura Varble (Henrietta, N.Y./Rush Henrietta) join the UAlbany mid-distance squad. Carlson earned All-America recognition as a member of Suffern High Schools distance medley relay team, and also earned all-state honors as a member of the 4x800-meter relay. Varble brings an 800-meter time of 2:18 and was chosen all-state as the 600-meter leg of the intersectional relay.

The Great Danes add five standouts to the sprinting corps. Tenica Roberts and Rashida Charles are both high school All-Americans from Bay Shore (N.Y.) High School. Roberts, who earned All-America honors as a member of the distance medley relay, will compete in the 400-meter as well as the triple jump, while Charles will join the 100-meter and 200-meter competitors. Both were All-America members of Bay Shores sprint medley relay.

Nyree Richardson (Elmont, N.Y./Elmont Memorial) was an all-state selection in the 4x100-meter relay. Elia Francis is a two-time all-state honoree out of Ursuline High School in Mount Vernon, N.Y., while Jennifer Adams (Batavia, N.Y./Batavia) will add depth to the sprinting and jumping squads after earning all-state honors in the long jump.

Catie Coxon (Delanson, N.Y./Duanesburg) leads a group of five student-athletes that will be competing in the field events. Coxon is a two-time all-state discus thrower. Tiffany Bennett (Marlboro, N.Y./Marlboro) is an all-state high jumper, while Ashleigh Whitfield (Freeport, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) will also compete in the high jump. Rebecca Power (Bellrose Village, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) will compete in both the pole vault and the javelin, while Emily Mino (Oradell, N.J./River Dell) is a two-time New Jersey state champion in the pole vault.

This is definitely the best recruiting class we have had here at UAlbany, we have added strength as well as depth, said Vives, who guided the program to 12 mens and womens America East Conference championships. We are looking forward to seeing this recruiting class in action. This class is definitely going to contribute to our fine tradition of winning conference championships and our move toward becoming a national level program.

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Dayton Bombers hockey jerseys. Soon enough, somebody offered the Senator a personalized jersey with his name on it, which he took as a cue to pose for a picture.

According to a spokesperson for the Bombers, one of their fans was able to get tickets to the event for Bombers owner Costa Papista along with three players -- Dan Riedel, Joe Van Culin and team captain Greg Labenski -- and three other staff people. Before heading out to today's event, Papista did something that he always does when a celebrity comes through Dayton -- he has a personalized jersey made in preparation for a possible presentation. This time, he also brought a second blank jersey in case he had a chance to present the jersey to the candidate.

When I reached Papista in Dayton a few minutes ago the first thing he said to me was, "I can't believe a hockey mom could actually be on the way to the White House." Coming down off an obvious emotional high, Papista said that both McCain and Palin were "pretty excited," to get the jerseys. He was also quick to add that he suspected that the McCain campaign "must have known about Sarah having a hockey connection," which was what led them to be positioned so prominently on stage.

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My previous post about the history of Mellon Arena was also published on Bleacher Report as an article.

One of the comments I received on the article was from Robert Pfaffmann. It suggested that rather settling for the destruction of Mellon Arena once the Penguins' new home is completed, why not "reuse" the arena.

Robert suggest turning the Mellon Arena into an area that includes shopping, restaraunts, and other public-use, revenue-generating spots.

Robert has even went as far as drawing up multiple concept sheets about the possible new design of the Igloo. You can check all of them out here.

My response to Robert was that while this seems like an excellent idea to the average Joe, it would likely be much more difficult to convince the Pittsburgh politicians that the current Mellon Arena area would be better served as a public entertainment area than a parking lot for the new arena.

Considering the massive fallout that has resulted in recent months about the construction of the new arena, across the street from Mellon Arena, suggesting that more work be done in the same area (the Hill District) could cause Jake Wheatley's panties to accumulate in much more of a bunch than they have been in since the arena construction was approved less than a year ago.

All that being said, I'm looking for some feedback from you, the readers, the fans. Check out Robert's concept sheets, and drop a line in the comments section at the end of this post regarding what your opinion of a "Civic Renewal" is, and how we, as citizens and fans, could go about further pursuing such a project.

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Edmonton Oilers Press Release Jul 3, 2008, 2:00 PM EDT Chorney Kevin Prendergast, the Edmonton Oilers Vice President of Hockey Operations, announced today that the team has signed defenceman Taylor Chorney to a three-year entry level contract.

Taylor brings a mature leadership quality to our organization, stated Prendergast. His past success in college and on the world stage will certainly be a benefit to him in the next step of his career.

Chorney, the Oilers second choice (36th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, completed his third season of collegiate hockey with the University of North Dakota in 2007-08. In 43 games with the Fighting Sioux, the 6, 196 pound native of Hastings, Minnesota finished sixth in team scoring with 24 points, netting three goals and 21 assists in 43 games.

A two-time Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) all-star, the 21-year-old defenceman was named to the conferences first all-star team and helped lead North Dakota to the NCAA Frozen Four tournament this season. Chorney was named to the American Hockey Coaches Association second team west All-American team in 2006-07 after scoring 8-23-31 with 48 penalty minutes in 39 games.

During his three seasons with the Fighting Sioux, Chorney scored 14-59-73 with 126 penalty minutes in 126 games.

Not only was he a standout talent with North Dakota, Chorney also was a key member with Team USA on the international stage. He played for the United States at the 2006 and 2007 IIHF World Junior Championships and captained the 2007 team to a bronze medal with a 2-1 victory over Sweden. Chorney was also chosen as captain of the United States Under-17 and Under-18 national teams.

Chorney, who skated at the Oilers Development Camp in June, will return to Edmonton in September for the teams training camp.

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I didn't do very well w/ my pre-draft picks. I guess I had faith that Patrick Wiercioch would go before Justin Schultz, but other than that I wasn't very right. I thought some NHL teams would take fliers on a few of our recruits in the 6th and 7th rounds, maybe even the 5th.

All in all, I'm kinda glad I wasn't home to watch the 2nd day of the draft. It was an exciting 2nd round no doubt, but after that, a long wait. I was surprised to see Patrick Johnson drafted initially, but after thinking about it, I guess its not anymore of a stretch than a handful of other recruits who weren't drafted. I don't think anyone would argue that Patrick was one of, if not the hardest worker on the team last year. Sure he benefited from playing w/ KT and Geoffrion (pts wise), but Patrick made a lot of his own stuff happen through hard work. I'll be interested to see who his linemates will be this season, but I know one thing he'll bring his best every night, and hopefully that included a beat down of Joe Finley at some point.

Jake Gardiner was no surprise. After reading more about him, he certainly sounds like a project w/ his recent conversion to the blue line. Sure sounds like he has the talent, now Coach Oz needs to start molding him into a NHL caliber player. I think its fair to say that next season will be a rollercoaster ride for young Jake. The WCHA will really test him. Hopefully Jake understands the time this development will take, and won't rush himself.

The 2nd Round was impressive for other blue line recruits too. Cody Goloubef is a great pickup for Columbus, hopefully they don't need his services for a few seasons. He is a favorite of 60's, but really grew on me too as the season went one, and I would like to see 2 more years of him in Madison. Wiercioch and Schultz should be interesting to watch in Juniors again this season. Derek Stepan definitely went higher than I expected (but I don't know much), and I keep getting the feeling that after him, Jordy Murray and Matt Thurber get a few WCHA games under their belts, we'll forget all about the void left by Kyle Turris' departure.

Nick Pryor joined Wiercioch and Schultz as 2009 recruits when he was drafted in the 7th round. He must have had an impressive 2008, because he wasn't even on Central Scouting's mid term rankings, and just made the final cut. Looking forward to seeing him play in the USHL next season. He deserved to be drafted after providing our humble blog with the great reports from Russia awhile back.

As for the guys not drafted, Matt Thurber, Tyler Barnes and Jordy Murray were surprises for me. Someone commented somewhere either on Buckyville or USCHO, that Barnes didn't have much ice time against other great talent to gauge his true abilities. That makes some sense I suppose, he should get a better measuring stick next year in the USHL. Jordy Murray and Matt Thurber on the other hand, both were on championship teams this year, and both played huge roles in their teams achieving that level of success. As Andy Baggot said in his blog, NHL teams will regret not taking Thurber, and I think the same will be true for Murray. I believe they are both eligible for the 2009 NHL Draft still, and after good showings in the WCHA, a lot of teams will wish they had spent a 6th or 7th rounder on one of these kids. Hopefully they go much higher next season.

I think similar can be said for Barnes, Brock Montpetit, Chase Drake and Aaron Crandall. They weren't drafted this season, but should all be eligible next season (feel free to leave a comment if I'm wrong). Good seasons in the USHL should help their stock rise. That list doesn't include Jefferson Dahl and Gavin Hartzog either. Prehaps their names will be in the mix next season at this time as well for the 2009 NHL Draft.

Though the 2009 NHL Draft is a long way away, I wouldn't be surprised to hear 5+ more Badger player's names called, most of them being 19 year olds. I'm sure there will be great 18 years from around the world anxious to be picked, but the coaching staff has put together a great group of players who after another season of development, will prime for selection.

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Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Lake Superior State senior defenseman Steven Oleksy totaled six points as the U.S. InLine National Team went 3-0 during pool play at the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation InLine World Championships.

With Tuesday's 7-6 victory over the Czech Republic, Team USA finished first in Group B and received a bye into the quarterfinal round.

Oleksy totaled a goal and three assists against the Czech Republic.

"This game was a lot different that our previous two," said Team USA head coach Darren Turcotte. "The Czechs were very skilled, with three NHL players. But we stuck together as a team and pulled it out."

Oleksy notched three of his team-leading four points in the first quarter as Team USA jumped to a 4-1 lead. He also assisted on Kyle Gouge's game-winning goal in the fourth quarter.

Oleksy picked up assists during Team USA's 9-3 victory over Germany and 6-5 win against Finland.

Former Laker Chris Peterson has one goal in the tournament.

The quarterfinal round begins Thursday.

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According to the Apple Core Major Juniors official Web site, the following three players have committed to play at Plattsburgh State:

Forward Greg Fosso
Birthdate: 9/26/88
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 170 lbs
Shoots: Left
Playing Experience:
2006-2007 – NY Apple Core Junior A
Accomplishments:
2004 HNIB Major Showcase – New York All Star
2004 Beantown Classic – Leading Scorer/Point Leader
2004 NYSHS Champions – St. Marys High School
2005 NYSHS Champions – St. Marys High School
2006 NYSHS Champions – St. Marys High School
2005 John Cuniff Chowder Cup
2005 Beantown Spring Classic
2005 HNIB Major Showcase – NY
2006 HNIB Major Showcase – NY
2006 Prospects Tourney
2006 EJ Spring, 2006 EJ Summer
2007 HNIB Scholastic
2007 EJ All Star Game
Statistics:
Games Played: 44
Goals: 21
Assists: 22
Points: 43

Forward Pete Kaliscik
Birthdate: 8/13/88
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 200
Shoots: Right
Playing Experience:
2006-2007 – NY Apple Core Junior A
Accomplishments:
2002-2006 NYSHS Champions – St. Marys High School
2007 EJ All Star Participant
Statistics:
Games Played: 44
Goals: 15
Assists: 32
Points: 47

Defenseman Mike Kavanagh
Height: 6
Weight: 250 lbs
Birthdate: 2/9/88
Shoots: Left
Playing Experience:
2006-2007 Team: Brewster Bulldogs Jr B
Accomplishments:
2007 Defenseman of the Year – Empire League
2006 2007 Leading Defenseman in Scoring/Defenseman Scoring Records for most assists and points in a season
2-Time Jr B All Star
2005 Jr B National
2-Time HNIB Major Showcase
3-Time NYS HS Champion – St. Mary’s
Statistics:
Games Played: 39
Goals: 21
Assists: 51
Points: 72
MORE INFORMATION ON THESE PLAYERS TO COME!
Information taken from Apple Core Web site: http://www.applecorejunior.com/
According to the Brockville Braves Official Web site, the following player has committed to Plattsburgh State:

Center Kyle Taylor
Height: 5
Weight: 182 lbs
Birthdate: 7/18/87
Shoots: N/A
Playing Experience:
2006-2007 Team: Brockville Braves Jr A
Statistics:
Games Played: 59
Goals: 14
Assists: 41
Points: 55
MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PLAYER TO COME!
Information take from Brockville Braves Web site: http://www.brockvillebraves.

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With leading scorer still out, Tigers will their way past Tulsa(11) Tigers 72, Tulsa 59By Dan WolkenJanuary 25, 2007They have not looked quite like themselves; not completely. Without leading scorer Chris Douglas-Roberts in the lineup, the University of Memphis has had to grind and defend, outlast opponents instead of pull away, endure stretches when its offense seems slightly out of sorts. But there is nothing askew about the Tigers' Conference USA record, or their results. With Douglas-Roberts on the bench for a third straight game because of a sprained right ankle, the No. 11-ranked Tigers beat Tulsa 72-59 before a FedExForum crowd of 15,760. Though Douglas-Roberts warmed up and was in uniform Wednesday, Memphis ultimately didn't need him. Despite shooting just 39.7 percent from the field and getting outrebounded 46-41, Memphis led practically the whole way and carried a double-digit margin most of the second half. By winning their eighth consecutive game, the Tigers improved to 16-3 overall and 6-0 in Conference USA. Tulsa fell to 12-6 overall and 2-3 in the league. We made a lot of mistakes, senior guard Jeremy Hunt said. We missed a lot of shots, made a couple dumb plays we shouldnt have made, but thats part of basketball. Youre going to do things like that. As long as we come out with the win, Im satisfied. Still, the hole left by Douglas-Roberts' absence has seemed far bigger than his 6-6 frame, significantly greater than the 14.8 points per game he provides. And after a lethargic effort Saturday at East Carolina -- a game the Tigers won 61-44 -- Douglas-Roberts badly wanted to get back in the lineup. But once again, his sore ankle forced him to watch what the Tigers are like without him: A team that struggles with its offensive spacing, a team that can go long stretches without scoring and a team that struggles to close out opponents. To wit, the Tigers led Tulsa by 14 when sophomore Robert Dozier made two free throws with 7:33 left in the first half, but that margin shrank to 38-30 at halftime. When Memphis pushed the lead to 16 in the second half, Tulsa came right back. Despite making 21-of-62 field goals and committing 18 turnovers, Tulsa pulled to 58-47 with 7:50 to go. Only by the sheer will of sophomore guard Antonio Anderson were the Tigers able to halt Tulsa's momentum there, as he snatched a loose ball off his own missed jumper and fed freshman Doneal Mack for a driving slam. The Tigers couldn't exhale until Mack's 3-pointer with 4:45 left, which gave Memphis a 65-49 lead. Its definitely different (without Douglas-Roberts)," Anderson said. "Hes our main guy on offense, and without him, other guys have to make other plays. The Tigers made those plays mostly on the defensive end and on the glass. They outscored Tulsa 27-9 off turnovers and gave the Golden Hurricane problems inside, with junior forward Joey Dorsey scoring 13 points with 11 rebounds and Robert Dozier scoring 12 and grabbing nine boards. I thought we played with them

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The ocean, which isn't depicted in the photo, is on the right side and runs all the way down toward the bay on hole #7.The first hole (shown below) is a 448 yard, downhill par 4. I can't say I was a fan of this hole, as the tee shot required a 3-wood to ensure that I didn't hit the ball into a ravine that crosses the fairway.The third hole is a run-of-the-mill par 3 measuring 177 yards but the green was quite devilish, with a huge swale that ate my chip shot from behind the green on my way to a double bogey.The fourth is a 554 yard par five with a huge reservoir pond running down the length of the fairway on the right side. The sixth hole and its rumpled fairway finally piqued my interest.This dogleg right, 453 yard par 4 had out of bounds to the left and a bunker down the right side about 280 off the tee. There is a bit of a punchbowl effect here, as drives left or right can kick back into the fairway.Jones places a bunker in the middle of the fairway about 80 yards from the green and it offers a bit of deception to an otherwise straight-forward hole. I'm sure there are a lot of shots that end up short here.The seventh hole is just beautiful, a 205-yard par 3 with the ocean to the golfer's left and a ravine that runs all the way from the tee to the green. We got let through here by another couple so I rushed the following picture on the way back to my cart, likely the best look at the Pacific on the entire course.The eighth hole is a tough 460 yard par four back up the hill and offers a lovely vista of its own, with the towering mountains in the background (see below). Your other option is to go well right of the green to a lower fairway, a safer choice but one where the third shot is no bargain.I was about 230 yards out here and hit a great 3-wood onto the left side of the green...where I ended up three-whacking for par. This is one of the most stunning golf holes I've ever played from an aesthetic standpoint.The 11th hole is a 187 yard par three and it is followed by one of the scariest looking tee shots I've ever come across...This 390 yard par four plays substantially downhill and the fairway looks like a sliver of land from up top. Really cool hole though, with a heavily protected green site.The signature hole at The Prince is the 13th, a 418 yard par four. Again, upon playing the hole, I know that there is a little more room than it seems, especially left, as you can see from the photo I took when we left the valley a couple holes later.The 14th is a lovely par three back up the hill and over the ravine again (see below). The view from the 14th green back down into the jungle/valley is one of the nicest panaramics on the course (see below).The 'wow' factor continues on the par 5, 576 yard 15th hole. It plays downhill and doglegs to the left with another huge ravine bisecting the hole about 315 yards from the tee.I hit a big tee shot here and was left with about 260 yards for my second shot, which you can see below.

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