[log in to unmask] (Jim Teresco) wrote:
 
>As everyone is tired of hearing by now (at least Union fans), RPI
>completed their sweep of the Dutchmen with a 3-1 win Saturday night.
>It was another nice effort by Union which came up short due in no
>small part to RPI's Joel Laing.
 
Let me be one to sing the praises of Union College.  These guys are
one talented bunch of players, and as much of a team as I have ever
seen, especially in the word team.
 
Their forecheck is incredible, and there is some great talent on this
team.  As Stan Moore pointed out after the game, his 13 seniors could
have played things their own way, but instead chose to learn and
execute his game plan.  And to what execution that was.
 
Where does Union go now?  I think Moore will recruit some great
individuals to be on the next four years.
 
Look at the players they have returning.  Brent Ozarowski and Mark
Szucs are two of the most talented forwards in the ECAC.  Ryan
Campbell is a solid forward, who will nly continue to blossom.  Then
there is Charlie Moxham who is one huge banger.
 
On defense, Mark Will is ready to take over where his brother left
off, and Jeff Sproat should have warranted some attention as a key
rookie.
 
And don't forget, Koenig and SHtrom in goal should be the most
formidable duo in the ECAC next year.
 
>After the game, the few RPI fans who weren't running for the exits
>gave their team one last cheer on home ice as they saluted the crowd
>as the announcement was made that they would be heading to Lake
>Placid.  And with no seniors, we'll see this same group again next
>season.
 
And I chastised the RPI fans.  That is just pathetic that you leave
the arena with five minutes to go.  I still can't explain it.  I have
seen it go from bad to worse in 12 years.
 
And yes, we will see the same group next year, and as the preseason
No. 1 team in the ECAC.
 
>As for the Union team, they gathered in front of their bench after the
>handshake then went quietly off the ice.  Andrew Will lingered a bit
>and gave hugs to the coaching staff right before stepping off.
>According to the papers this morning, Will still had his uniform on 20
>minutes later and wanted to wear it back to Schenectady.  It was a
>tough way to end the careers of the 13 seniors, really playing well
>(well enough to win on a lot of nights) in both playoff games but
>coming up short.
 
And the guys in the locker room where a little upbeat, but there was a
lot of emotion in there.  If there was only one more year for these
guys.....
 
>The Dutchmen finished with a record of 18-13-3, their best since
>1990-91, their last Division III season.  It's very disappointing now
>but looking back, it was a great season.
 
It really makes me wonder one thing.  What would this team have been
like with that 14th senior?  You know who I am talking about - Troy
Stevens.
 
Here was a totally gifted offensive forward that left in the middle of
his sophomore year.  He was the one sniper that Union was missing.
With him in the lineup this year, the Dutchmen might have been even
further up in the standings, and maybe even headed to Lake Placid or
the NCAA's.
 
Does anyone know where he is now?
 
 
Jayson Moy
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