How about some real hockey talk. :-)
 
This is by no means comprehensive and I am doing it in a hurry.  But as one
who has seen a lot of PC and Lowell this season, here are some things to
look for from both teams.  I welcome added comments from other people.
 
PROVIDENCE
* Experienced defense - four seniors - led by Justin Gould (#4), Scott
Balboni (#5), Erik Sundquist (#7), and Jay Kenney (#10).  Junior Hal Gill
(#3) is one of the biggest players in the nation at 6'6" 222 and is an
imposing force in front of his net.  Friars do not get caught out of
position very often.
 
* Goalie Dan Dennis (#31), a junior, is having his best season ever and was
named All-Hockey East.  He is a decent-sized, standup goalie who can win a
game on his own, although I have seen him play badly this season too.
 
* Only Russ Guzior (#17) finished in the top 20 or so in HE scoring.  His
19 goals lead the team.  7 players are in double figures, all in the teens.
 
* Offense is led by first round pick Joe Hulbig (#11), 6'3" 214.  He uses
his size well and will go to the net, but he also has a good shot and will
sometimes play point on the power play.  "Only" 14-21--35, but has
10-10--20 in his last ten games.
 
* Other forwards to watch: crafty Stefan Brannare (#27), diminutive hustler
Mike Omicioli (#26, 5'5" 160 freshman, had 2-3--5 in the BU & Maine games),
banger Travis Dillabough (#19), senior Dennis Burke (#8), and junior David
Green (#11).  Friars do not score a lot of goals, but they make their
chances count and have the talent to score.
 
* Special teams: HE PP .195 (5th), PK .803 (3rd).
 
* Key is probably to get ahead early and shut down the opponent with tight
defense and good netminding.  If the game is boring, you know it is going
PC's way.  If they fall behind and have to play catchup, the increased pace
and opening up of the game could spell doom.  Special teams could decide
the game.
 
 
MASS LOWELL
* Experienced forward contingent - six seniors, five of whom each have 28
points or more.  Jeff Daw (#11) and Christian Sbrocca (#29) are pure
snipers, with Sbrocca also being a superb playmaker.  Brendan Concannon
(#8) has had a career year with 56 points.  Concannon and Sbrocca were both
top 5 in HE in scoring.  Jon Mahoney (#10) has gone to the net for many of
his 21 goals, and David Dartsch (#27) is a transfer from the defunct Kent
program and has 15 goals despite being on the third line.
 
* Depth in scoring.  Every player on the top three lines has scored 10
goals or more.  Neil Donovan (#21), Daw, Concannon, and Mahoney all have 20
or more.  But what makes Lowell dangerous is the players you don't pay
attention to, like Ryan Sandholm (#12, 11 goals), Marc Salsman (#16, 16
goals), and Shannon Basaraba (#19, 10 goals), who are just as likely to
sneak behind the defense and score while the opponent is paying attention
to one of the big names.
 
* Quality, experienced two-way defensemen in Ed Campbell (#2), Dave
Barozzino (#4), and Mike Nicholishen (#15).  However, lack of depth and
injuries could be a problem, as senior David Mayes is out for the year and
sophomore Chris Libett (#14) will likely play hurt.
 
* Goaltender Martin Fillion (#31) provides solid, confident goaltending
that at times has been up with the league's best.  Fillion handles the puck
well and can catch opponents napping on line changes.  Questionable whether
he can steal a game on his own as Dennis can.  Still, he has been much
improved this season and is a big reason why River Hawks are there.
 
* Special teams: HE PP .243 (3rd), PK .796 (4th).
 
* Key will be defensive play in the absence of Mayes and with an injured
Libett.  Forwards have done well coming back to help out, but they will
need to work even harder and this could hinder the run-and-gun style that
Lowell is at its best when using.  Falling behind is not necessarily a
problem, as Hawks have come from behind to win several times - their
offensive capabilities and senior leadership make this possible.  If
defense is there and Fillion stands up to the pressure of his biggest game
ever, offense will likely score more than enough goals to win.  Watch
special teams and penalty calls...if Hawks get a number of power plays
early, they have the ability to build a lead and make it stand up.
 
---                                                                   ---
Mike Machnik                   [log in to unmask]            *HMM* 11/13/93
>> Co-owner of the College Hockey Lists at University of Maine System  <<
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