Notre Dame (5-12-1) 2 1 3 6 UMass (0-13-1) 1 1 1 3 SCORING Period 1 ND Matushak (Welch, McCarthy) 00:40 ND Hasselman (Morshead) 5:50 UMass Jacques (Cahill, Sheehan) 7:37 Period 2 UMass Campanale (Manganaro) pp 00:54 ND Lorenz (Morshead, Ling) pp 17:18 Period 3 ND Ling (Harberts) 5:35 UMass Bonneau (Perry, Hooper) pp 15:38 ND Morshead (Del Grande) 18:35 ND Lorenz (Nelsen) sh, en 19:36 POWER PLAYS ND 2-9 UMass 1-4 SAVES ND (Eisler) 11 - 6 - 10 = 27 (played 60:00) UMass (Kilduff) 8 -16 - 5 = 29 (played 59:30) Attendance: 4123 Terrific hockey it was not, but the teams were well-matched. The play was fairly even, and another bounce or trickle that went UMass' way could have reversed the score. Both goalies played fairly well on the initial shots, but gave juicy, sometimes costly, rebounds. Kilduff (UMass), in particular, was rather nonchalant with the puck, and it led to ND's second goal. Eisler (ND) was quite fortunate with scrambles in front, as the puck found a way THROUGH him, but somehow went wide, or rolled dangerously through the crease, just past the post. UMass' power play was better than ND's, once the Minutemen were set up in ND's end. However, it often took them 1:45 and a couple of off-sides to do this! In the end, it seemed that overall experience was the difference for the Irish. UMass is almost entirely a freshmen/sophomore team, and mistakes which young players make (defensive coverage in own zone, composure on power play, when to take the man and when to take the puck, not headmanning the puck, etc...) gave ND the chance to take advantage of some good opportunities. The two teams play today (Saturday) at 2:00. Perhaps UMass will get their first win, perhaps ND will get their fourth NCAA Division 1 win (others were over Ferris State, BC, and, of course, UMass). I got a hold of a free ticket for the game, but others paid $11 at the door just before game time! I think $11 is pretty steep for college hockey, not to mention for a team which hasn't won a game all year. Parking was free. Attendance was excellent, although 4000 people in the spacious Mullins Center feels like 500 people in a typical college rink. Perhaps when the students are around things get a bit rowdier. I hope so! -- Sean Keller Home:413-774-3620 Deerfield Academy School:413-772-0241 Deerfield, MA 01342 [log in to unmask]