HOCKEY: #17 Navy at #19 URI

[Puck Frovidence]

I was told by staff during the first intermission last Friday that attendance was already at 750, and noticed many groups lining up for entrance well into the second period! This week's tilt will likely draw a smaller crowd, especially since it's the second of three URI Hockey games this season scheduled at the same time as Basketball. Still, like last week I highly recommend coming down to catch the third period after the game at the Ryan Center (before you head to the Mews) as this will be another exciting weekend at the Boss! You can also listen to the game on WRIU2 (since WRIU is carrying the basketball).

After cruising through the cupcakes early in the non-conference and ESCHL season, the Rams ran into their first real challenge last week when they faced the (now) #3 Delaware Blue Hens at the Boss. URI took an early lead Friday, going up 2-0 in the second period, but the Blue Hens rallied to tie the game 3-3 and then scored twice in the third period (both on the heels of URI penalties) to win the game 5-3.

Saturday UDel dominated early, up 4-1 by the middle of the third period. The Rams made a valiant comeback effort for the next 30 minutes, even outscoring UDel 2-1 in the third period. However, the Hens held their leads and Rhody ran out of time, losing 6-4.

This weekend is a whole new series, and marks another good opportunity as the Boss plays host to arguably the toughest team in URI's non-conference schedule this season, #17 Navy. The Midshipmen have been on a bit of a tear this season, thanks in no small part to senior forward Thomas Krysil, who was recently picked for the US Hockey Team at this year's Winter University Games. The Leominster, MA native is currently 4th in the nation in goals, and 2nd in scoring (he finished last year ranked 1st in both categories, notching an impressive 88 points in 36 games). Scoring down the rest of the roster has been good for Navy as well, earning them a 10-3-2 record on the season thus far. Still, similar to URI they haven't faced a very grueling schedule, and have struggled against the few ranked teams they've played; they were swept by Delaware in a home-home series and took a split with the (mystifyingly) 21st ranked Rutgers, who are 5-8-1.

On the Rams side, you can probably count on sophomore forward and current team scoring leader Daniel Grogan to make some noise offensively this weekend - he notched 2 points a game in last week's series with Delaware. Coach Joe Augustine seems to be continuing with a two-goalie system so far, playing both junior Andrew Sherman and Caleb Neal last weekend. Despite the recent losses the two remain formidable, and with nearly identical save pct (Sherman .903 and Neal .900 against ACHA D1 teams) both will probably be looking to distinguish themselves this weekend and edge closer to the top spot.

A home sweep could do wonders for Rhody confidence after last week and would start the climb to safer altitudes in the rankings for tournament considerations down the road.

[hrstrat57]

Good win, missed it went to hoops.....

Nice writeup btw, that took a lot of time, appreciate it.

Good luck this afternoon, again jammed up with family stuff...can't get over there.

[hrstrat57]

Looks like I missed even more excitement.



http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/de ... y&p=scores

http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/de ... p=boxscore

In another exciting game at the Brad Boss Arena, #20 URI (11-4-1) lost to #17 Navy by the score of 4-3 after 5 rounds of a shootout when overtime was not enough to decide the game. It was the first one goal loss for the Rams (7-1) of the season. URI trailed 2-1 after two periods and came back from two separate two goal deficits to tie the game with 7:10 left in the game. Navy carried the play in... OT but goalie Andrew Sherman (5-1-1) extend the game into a shootout. Dillon Balsamo scored on his attempt sandwiched between two Navy misses. Looking to seal the win, Nick Zellmer hit the post and AJ Chua was denied on their attempt. Navy scored on their last chance of the 3rd round. Matt Pederson and Navy were both denied in 4th round. Navy scored first in the 5th round and Brain Gara was denied by Navy goalie Adam Mills giving the Rams their first SO loss of the season.

Scoring
Period 2 – Navy -- Krysil (shg) – 7:52
Period 2 – Navy – Day (O’Hear) – 10:09
Period 2 – URI – Chua (ppg 5) (Buehrer, Ginand) – 12:46
Period 3 – Navy – O’Hear – 8:27
Period 3 – URI – Gara (3) (Sherman, McDonald) – 10:08
Period 3 – URI – Pederson (2) (Buehrer, Cabana) – 12:50

Goalies – Navy: Mills (28 shots), URI: Sherman (28 shots)

[Puck Frovidence]

Tough to lose in a shoot out, they've been pretty flawless in OT this year. Glad to pick up the split though. Navy's one of those teams that's been highly touted, mostly on the strength of Krysil who is a terrific scorer. Personally I think the Midshipmen may be slightly overrated based on their weak schedule so far, but they're likely the toughest OOC competition we'll see this year, and taking two points off them on Friday is big for URI. Even an optimist would have pegged this as a building year with 13 freshman on the roster, but the Rams have played surprisingly well as we move into the more difficult part of the schedule. To say Augustine knows what he's doing is an understatement, and I'm starting to think that front-loading the season with weaker opponents may have been a good way to build team confidence and bring the younger players up to speed.