It was fitting that on Saves For a Cure night saves were what this game was all about. Brockport tied #16 ranked Neumann in a match-up that saw both teams put more than 30 shots on goal. The goaltenders -- Brockport’s Oliver Wren and Neumann’s Ross MacKinnon -- were at the top of their game.
But, it was Mr. Wren whose play was nothing short of spectacular, he far outplaying MacKinnon, the one-time DIII world champion. For the second weekend in a row, he had a strong performance against a powerhouse. Oliver saw 43 shots and stopped 41 of them. Many were of them were exciting, highlighting his athletic style of play, one where he stays deep in the box and uses his quick reflexes to turn away shots. That played well against Neumann’s reactionary (rather than orchestrated) style of offense. He certainly deserved the First Star.
The Third Star was granted to Adam Shoff, who assisted on Brockport’s first goal, which was a Patrick Hayden low-flying slapshot from the blue line that flew past MacKinnon like a rocket. It was eerily similar to Patrick’s first goal of the season weeks ago. Adam then netted a goal of his own in the second, with only 12 seconds left in the period. He put the puck top shelf which seems to be his favorite way to score goals. He’s good at finding that small soft spot over goalie’s blocker-side shoulders. He was assisted by Ray Tremblay, who continues to show why he was so missed while injured.
This was a great game, one that –like some of the recent games - shows promise for next season. The Golden Eagles controlled the puck just as well as Neumann and they put some quality shots on goal, just as they did last night. MacKinnon was up to the task of stopping them. The defense (even though allowing 43 shots) played well given they were 3 men down.
With the playoffs out of the picture, the team can use the rest of the season to fine tune the recent successes and get the great freshman class further acclimated to the NCAA. They’re looking good enough to play spoiler over the next few weeks, either bouncing an opponent out of the SUNYAC picture or from a coveted home playoff spot.
If you liked the jerseys you saw last night – and like supporting a great cause – please bid on the game worn jerseys today, the last day for the auction. The auction site can be found here:
http://www.gobrockport.com/sports/2011/1/24/MHOCKEY_0124110742.aspx?path=mhockey
Along those lines, please stop by the Saves For a Cure benefit dinner today. Refer to my earlier blog posts for information.
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Boxscore: http://www.collegehockeystats.net/1011/boxes/mbrcneu1.j29
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The report from the Athletic Department...
Junior Adam Shoff (Port Dover, ONT) scored one goal and assisted on another as The College at Brockport Hockey team skated to a 2-2 tie with Neumann University Saturday night at the Tuttle North Arena in Brockport.
Shoff and the Golden Eagles (3-15-2) wore special Saves for a Cure jerseys that were later auctioned off to benefit the charity started by former Brockport goalie Todd Sheridan (Edison, NJ). It was the third annual Saves for a Cure game at Brockport.
With less than 15 seconds left in the second period, Shoff won a faceoff in Neumann (10-6-4) territory and Ray Tremblay (Peachland, BC) shuffled a pass to Justin Noble (Georgetown, ONT) who deflected the puck back to Shoff for a one-timer into the top corner of the net to give Brockport a 2-1 lead.
Neumann scored 4:37 into the third period to tie the game at 2-2 and neither team was able to capitalize on a scoring opportunity throughout the remainder of the third period and through the five-minute overtime period and the two teams settled for the tie.
In overtime, Neumann's Jordan Zalba took a centering pass and skated free down the middle of the Brockport zone firing a shot toward the top corner of the goal but junior Oliver Wren (Oakville, ONT) made a glove save.
Less than a minute later junior James Cody (Schwenksville, PA) won control of the puck in the Neumann zone and sent a quick pass back to the blue line where fellow junior Gregg Amato (Ocean Gate, NJ) moved three strides in and fired a shot toward the goal that deflected off the shoulder of the Knight goalie and over the crossbar.
Brockport was outshot 15-5 in the first period as Wren made 15 of his 41 saves on the night. The teams were nearly even in shots for the final two periods and overtime.
Brockport opened the scoring 5:27 into the game as freshman defenseman Patrick Hayden (Springfield, PA) scored his second goal of the season with Shoff and Amato each picking up assists on the play.
Neumann answered at the 18:13 mark of the second period before Shoff game Brockport a 2-1 lead late in the period.
But, it was Mr. Wren whose play was nothing short of spectacular, he far outplaying MacKinnon, the one-time DIII world champion. For the second weekend in a row, he had a strong performance against a powerhouse. Oliver saw 43 shots and stopped 41 of them. Many were of them were exciting, highlighting his athletic style of play, one where he stays deep in the box and uses his quick reflexes to turn away shots. That played well against Neumann’s reactionary (rather than orchestrated) style of offense. He certainly deserved the First Star.
The Third Star was granted to Adam Shoff, who assisted on Brockport’s first goal, which was a Patrick Hayden low-flying slapshot from the blue line that flew past MacKinnon like a rocket. It was eerily similar to Patrick’s first goal of the season weeks ago. Adam then netted a goal of his own in the second, with only 12 seconds left in the period. He put the puck top shelf which seems to be his favorite way to score goals. He’s good at finding that small soft spot over goalie’s blocker-side shoulders. He was assisted by Ray Tremblay, who continues to show why he was so missed while injured.
This was a great game, one that –like some of the recent games - shows promise for next season. The Golden Eagles controlled the puck just as well as Neumann and they put some quality shots on goal, just as they did last night. MacKinnon was up to the task of stopping them. The defense (even though allowing 43 shots) played well given they were 3 men down.
With the playoffs out of the picture, the team can use the rest of the season to fine tune the recent successes and get the great freshman class further acclimated to the NCAA. They’re looking good enough to play spoiler over the next few weeks, either bouncing an opponent out of the SUNYAC picture or from a coveted home playoff spot.
If you liked the jerseys you saw last night – and like supporting a great cause – please bid on the game worn jerseys today, the last day for the auction. The auction site can be found here:
http://www.gobrockport.com/sports/2011/1/24/MHOCKEY_0124110742.aspx?path=mhockey
Along those lines, please stop by the Saves For a Cure benefit dinner today. Refer to my earlier blog posts for information.
---------------------------------------
Boxscore: http://www.collegehockeystats.net/1011/boxes/mbrcneu1.j29
----------------------------------------
The report from the Athletic Department...
Junior Adam Shoff (Port Dover, ONT) scored one goal and assisted on another as The College at Brockport Hockey team skated to a 2-2 tie with Neumann University Saturday night at the Tuttle North Arena in Brockport.
Shoff and the Golden Eagles (3-15-2) wore special Saves for a Cure jerseys that were later auctioned off to benefit the charity started by former Brockport goalie Todd Sheridan (Edison, NJ). It was the third annual Saves for a Cure game at Brockport.
With less than 15 seconds left in the second period, Shoff won a faceoff in Neumann (10-6-4) territory and Ray Tremblay (Peachland, BC) shuffled a pass to Justin Noble (Georgetown, ONT) who deflected the puck back to Shoff for a one-timer into the top corner of the net to give Brockport a 2-1 lead.
Neumann scored 4:37 into the third period to tie the game at 2-2 and neither team was able to capitalize on a scoring opportunity throughout the remainder of the third period and through the five-minute overtime period and the two teams settled for the tie.
In overtime, Neumann's Jordan Zalba took a centering pass and skated free down the middle of the Brockport zone firing a shot toward the top corner of the goal but junior Oliver Wren (Oakville, ONT) made a glove save.
Less than a minute later junior James Cody (Schwenksville, PA) won control of the puck in the Neumann zone and sent a quick pass back to the blue line where fellow junior Gregg Amato (Ocean Gate, NJ) moved three strides in and fired a shot toward the goal that deflected off the shoulder of the Knight goalie and over the crossbar.
Brockport was outshot 15-5 in the first period as Wren made 15 of his 41 saves on the night. The teams were nearly even in shots for the final two periods and overtime.
Brockport opened the scoring 5:27 into the game as freshman defenseman Patrick Hayden (Springfield, PA) scored his second goal of the season with Shoff and Amato each picking up assists on the play.
Neumann answered at the 18:13 mark of the second period before Shoff game Brockport a 2-1 lead late in the period.
