HOCKEY - Purple Out Friday: URI vs #6 Delaware

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Puck Frovidence
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HOCKEY - Purple Out Friday: URI vs #6 Delaware

Unread post by Puck Frovidence »

Probably a tough sell for most people here to see the puck drop on this one, but I highly recommend coming to at least check out the third period after MBB on Friday before you go to the Mews. Proceeds will benefit the Matty Fund (http://mattyfund.org/event/uri-hockey-p ... atty-fund/), an organization that helps children and families with epilepsy. URI College of Business has been working with the organization and the URI Hockey team on the event this semester, selling T-Shirts and working with local businesses to raise funds. Two bucks gets you in, should be a good time.

As for the game itself, should be a tough contest for the Rams. URI started the season white hot, going 8-0 in the first month before splitting their last home series with then #25 West Chester (Rams were 15th in the poll at that time), to give them 9-1 record. Last week they shout out conference opponent Scranton 5-0 in Pennsylvania, before losing in an exhibition match at NCAA D3 team Southern New Hampshire, 8-1. They're currently #20 in the new ACHA computer poll, but they should be higher, since the poll is counting the exhibition loss against the team (this has happened to a number of other teams, the general consensus appears to be that the ACHA is still working out the bugs). ACHATalk's Power Rankings this week lists them as 16th (coaches polled by region).

Delaware came out strong this season, with a worse overall record than URI but a much tougher schedule. The swept a series with upstarts Stony Brook, who went 4-0 against the Rams last season, knocking us out of both the ESCHL tournament and the national tournament two weeks later (oh, the humanity). They dropped a pair to #1 ASU before taking down #10 Arizona, and have pretty much dominated all other comers (with the exception of RMU). Currently they sit at 4th in the computer, and 5th in the power rankings.

We're likely to see their top goalie Friday; Patrick Rochefort is 3-1 this season, with 2.27 goals against average and a .930 save percentage. Caleb Neal will probably be between the pipes for Rhode Island. The 5'10" freshman is off to an impressive 6-1 start this season, with 2.11 GAA and a .920 save percentage. The Rams are considerably younger than Delaware this year (as they are with most teams), with 13 freshman compared to UDel's 3. It's not surprising then that the Blue Hens have the edge offensively, with their top 3 scorers racking up an impressive 54 points combined (senior forward Mark Zeszut is 5th in the nation in goals & scoring), although URI may have slightly better scoring depth further down the roster.

Last year URI went 3-1 against Delaware, with one OT win in extra minutes. Despite the Blue Hens offensive advantage, if their defense plays aggressively, they stay out of the penalty box and Neal continues his performance in net I like Rhody's chances on Friday.

Thoughts?
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gorhody89
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Re: HOCKEY - Purple Out Friday: URI vs #6 Delaware

Unread post by gorhody89 »

I've been to a few URI hockey games, very entertaining....will stop by after the basketball game
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Re: HOCKEY - Purple Out Friday: URI vs #6 Delaware

Unread post by Puck Frovidence »

Awesome gorhody89, couldn't agree more! Unfortunately some squandered opportunities tonight hurt the team.

URI took the lead tonight, scoring early in the second to lead 1-0. They scored again late in the period, but UDel answered back less than 20 seconds later to make it 2-1 going into the second intermission. The third period was disastrous for URI, as they gave up four goals to Delaware and scored only once, leading to a 5-3 win for the Blue Hens.

This team has got to stay out of the penalty box - although none of UDel's goals were scored on their PP, two came within 15 seconds of a penalty ending, and constantly taking minors clearly hurt URI's momentum in P3. This is bush-league behavior from the Rhody squad, and though they're tremendously talented, their youth shows with undisciplined play like this. Taking unnecessary penalties have been an issue this season - although they're 10-2, several of those games were much tighter than they needed to be.

Let's hope things get tighter for game two tomorrow at 4PM. If you can't make it to the Boss for G2, you can listen online at WRIU's online station, RIU2. (http://wriu.org/riu2)
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hrstrat57
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Re: HOCKEY - Purple Out Friday: URI vs #6 Delaware

Unread post by hrstrat57 »

Puck Frovidence wrote:Probably a tough sell for most people here to see the puck drop on this one, but I highly recommend coming to at least check out the third period after MBB on Friday before you go to the Mews. Proceeds will benefit the Matty Fund (http://mattyfund.org/event/uri-hockey-p ... atty-fund/), an organization that helps children and families with epilepsy. URI College of Business has been working with the organization and the URI Hockey team on the event this semester, selling T-Shirts and working with local businesses to raise funds. Two bucks gets you in, should be a good time.

As for the game itself, should be a tough contest for the Rams. URI started the season white hot, going 8-0 in the first month before splitting their last home series with then #25 West Chester (Rams were 15th in the poll at that time), to give them 9-1 record. Last week they shout out conference opponent Scranton 5-0 in Pennsylvania, before losing in an exhibition match at NCAA D3 team Southern New Hampshire, 8-1. They're currently #20 in the new ACHA computer poll, but they should be higher, since the poll is counting the exhibition loss against the team (this has happened to a number of other teams, the general consensus appears to be that the ACHA is still working out the bugs). ACHATalk's Power Rankings this week lists them as 16th (coaches polled by region).

Delaware came out strong this season, with a worse overall record than URI but a much tougher schedule. The swept a series with upstarts Stony Brook, who went 4-0 against the Rams last season, knocking us out of both the ESCHL tournament and the national tournament two weeks later (oh, the humanity). They dropped a pair to #1 ASU before taking down #10 Arizona, and have pretty much dominated all other comers (with the exception of RMU). Currently they sit at 4th in the computer, and 5th in the power rankings.

We're likely to see their top goalie Friday; Patrick Rochefort is 3-1 this season, with 2.27 goals against average and a .930 save percentage. Caleb Neal will probably be between the pipes for Rhode Island. The 5'10" freshman is off to an impressive 6-1 start this season, with 2.11 GAA and a .920 save percentage. The Rams are considerably younger than Delaware this year (as they are with most teams), with 13 freshman compared to UDel's 3. It's not surprising then that the Blue Hens have the edge offensively, with their top 3 scorers racking up an impressive 54 points combined (senior forward Mark Zeszut is 5th in the nation in goals & scoring), although URI may have slightly better scoring depth further down the roster.

Last year URI went 3-1 against Delaware, with one OT win in extra minutes. Despite the Blue Hens offensive advantage, if their defense plays aggressively, they stay out of the penalty box and Neal continues his performance in net I like Rhody's chances on Friday.

Thoughts?
Good post, just could not get there last night.
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We're gonna run the picket fence at "em.....now boys don't get caught watchin' the paint dry!
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