ECAC Quarterfinals/Game 1 (First to 3 point series)
 
#7 Princeton (16-11-4) 0-2-2_4
#2 Brown (14-11-3)     2-1-0_3
 
First Period
0455 B Trach 10 (Jardine, Prescott)
1357 B Noble 2 (Bradford)
 
Second Period
0058 P Kelley 21 (Kopeck, Smith)
0118 B Prescott 3 (C. Humber, Jardine)
1441 P Early 11 (Kopeck, Miller)
 
Third Period
0351 P Kopeck 11 (Kelley, Early)
1213 P Kelley 22 (Kopeck, Smith)
 
PP_ P: 0/1; B: 0/1
Shots_ P: 8-7-11_26; B: 5-11-4_20
Saves_ P: Konte, 17; B: Parsons, 22
A_ 1157
 
Princeton rookie forward Casson Masters was a surprise insertion
on defense for the Tigers - with mixed results. He was on the ice
for the first two Brown goals, both defensive zone coverage breakdowns.
Trach put his own rebound past Konte in a goalmouth scramble and Noble
walked out of the left wing corner to draw Konte out of the net before
firing 5-hole. Masters and the Tigers recovered, though, with an inspired
final 40 minutes.
 
Kelley put Princeton on the board with a 40-foot slapshot that Parsons
mishandled. Prescott answered on a nice setup by Jardine, but Kopeck
sprung Early on a 2-on-2 for a redirection to get Prineton back within
a goal before the second intermission.
 
Kopeck, Early and Kelley combined on a pretty passing play through center
ice ending in Kopeck's shot from the weak side wing - Kelley closed the
scoring by converting the rebound of a Jason Smith drive from the left
point. Masters was on the ice for both of Kelley's goals.
 
Bob Gaudet expressed disappointment that Brown couldn't open things up
a bit (as reflected by the shot totals). Princeton's neutral zone play
was extremely effective, particularly after the first period. Brown
had some troubles defending to the outside - the Tigers created much
offense from the wings, coming through neutral ice with speed.
 
Don Cahoon was naturally pleased with Princeton's first-ever ECAC
quarterfinals win (and school-record 16th), but emphasized the
importance of producing an equal effort tomorrow (or later tonight, as
we move past midnight). You can bet that the Bears will look for
a solution to the Early/Kopeck/Kelley line, while the Tigers will
hope to continue the good work that held Trach/Mulhern at bay after
the first few minutes of the game. Should be fun.
 
Geoff Howell
The Trenton Times
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