For Immediate Release
Contact Dave Geringer, Sports Information Director, (508) 990-9651  [log in to unmask]
Wednesday, February 8, 2006					 

UMASS DARTMOUTH BLANKS WENTWORTH, 6-0

NEW BEDFORD, MA– Junior forward Kyle McCullough (Danvers, MA/Boston Jr. Blackhawks) scored a goal and added two assists, junior forward Jeff Grant (Burlington, MA/Austin Prep) added a goal and an assist and freshman goaltender Jeff Green (Medway, MA/Valley Junior Warriors) made 22 saves and earned his second shutout of the season as the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s hockey team defeated visiting Wentworth Institute of Technology, 6-0,  in their ECAC Northeast Conference game at the Stephen Hetland Memorial Arena Wednesday evening.

McCullough scored from in front of the net, converting a pass from junior forward Jim Foley (Brockton, MA/Catholic Memorial HS) at 17:28 of the first period to make it 2-0. Freshman defenseman Francis Gunn (Winthrop, MA/Berkshire Academy) also assisted. The Corsairs had taken a 1-0 lead when senior forward Eric Frank (Waltham, MA/Traverse City Enforcers) scored at 10:31 of the first period. Junior forward Ray Kirby (Fairhaven, MA/York Stars/Salem State) and junior defenseman Paul Carr (Springfield, MA/Springfield Cathedral HS) assisted.

UMass Dartmouth scored three times in the second period. Junior forward Peter Lindner (Parlin, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) scored at 10:20, assisted by sophomore forward Paul Garabedian (Belmont, MA/Belmont HS) and senior defenseman D.J. Aucoin (Marlboro, MA/Waltham HS). Foley made it 4-0 less than a minute later, converting passes from Grant and McCullough and slipping the puck past Leopard goalie Ryan Van Schoick. Sophomore Jonathan Finn (Warwick, RI/Boston Harborwolves) scored at 15:02, prompting Van Schoick’s removal in favor of Alan Keeso. Freshman forward Chris Shore (West Haven, CT/Winchendon Academy) and sophomore defenseman Mike McNulty (Hingham, MA/Winchendon Academy) drew assists.

Grant scored the only goal of the third period. McCullough and senior defenseman Dave Cioch (Springfield, MA/New England Junior Coyotes) assisted on Grant’s shorthanded tally at 4:17.

“I thought we played very well defensively, holding Wentworth to 13 shots in the first two periods was a key,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach John Rolli. “Jeff Green did a good job, and it should give him confidence for the future. We did a good job protecting the front of the net.”

UMass Dartmouth out shot Wentworth, 32-22. Van Schoick made 19 saves, while Keeso added seven.

The Corsairs improved to 18-4-0 and 11-1 in the ECAC Northeast Conference with the victory, winning their 14th game in a row and 15th in their last 16 games. Wentworth fell to 11-11-0 and 7-5-0 in ECAC Northeast play. The Corsairs will return to action when they host Framingham State Saturday afternoon, when they will stage their annual salute to their graduating seniors..

UMASS DARTMOUTH HOCKEY

BOX SCORE

Wentworth					0	0	0-0
UMass Dartmouth       			2	3	1-6

 FIRST PERIOD

1, UMD – Eric Frank (Ray Kirby, Paul Carr) 10:31
2, UMD – Kyle McCullough (Jim Foley, Francis Gunn) 17:28

SECOND PERIOD

3, UMD –Peter Lindner (Paul Garabedian, D.J. Aucoin) 10:20
4, UMD – Jim Foley (Jeff Grant, Kyle McCullough) 11:10
5, UMD – Jonathan Finn (Chris Shore, Mike McNulty) 15:02

THIRD PERIOD

6, UMD – Jeff Grant (Kyle McCullough, Dave Cioch) 4:17

SHOTS: WIT- 22; UMD -32.
SAVES: WIT – Ryan Van Schoick, 19; Alan Keeso, 7, Total,26 ; UMD –Jeff Green, 22.
PENALTIES/MINUTES:  WIT – 8/27 ; UMD – 5/21.
POWER-PLAY GOALS/OPPORTUNITIES:  WIT- 0/4; UMD – 0/6.