Army West Point Athletics
Live Blog From Atlantic Hockey Semi-Finals
March 15, 2008 | General
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Welcome everyone to the Blue Cross Arena here in Rochester and thanks for joining in for some Army hockey action on this Saturday afternoon. For all those faithful blog followers out there, I'm sad to say Bob will not be blogging today. The boss is down in Florida covering the Black Knights baseball team. This is Jon Holtz, an assistant in the Athletic Communications office, and if you have been reading along, you have heard all about me and Ryan Yanoshak this season. I'm no Bob, but I'll do my best to deliver a high quality performance for all the fans reading along.
The Black Knights are on the ice for warm-ups and the familiar warm-up CD featuring "Holy Diver" is blaring over the PA. It's nice that the BK's get to listen to their personalized warm-up. Ahhh the honors associated with being the top seed.
Please feel free to email me (jonathan.holtz@usma.edu) throughout the game with anything that might be on your mind, and you don't have to limit your questions to hockey. I'm very involved with the cross country and track and field programs here at the Academy, as well as the men's tennis team and the sprint football squad, so fire away. I'll do my best to provide an answer. I get very lonely when no one writes in so don’t be afraid to let me know you’re along for the ride. And always remember the first rule of my blogging philosophy ... You write in during the game and I give you a cheap plug in the blog. So fire up those keyboards folks!!!
We’ve taken a very aggressive approach to multi-media at West Point and we’re trying to bring this blogging fad to our fans. In addition to the hockey games, we’ve blogged several basketball games and even a couple of gymnastics events and one track and field competition.
Based on the feedback we’ve received during games and after them, it seems that our fans enjoy the new initiative. We’ll continue to provide the blogs whenever staffing permits. We've already planned blogs for baseball, softball and lacrosse later this spring so hop on board the blog train before it runs you over.For those of you joining us here at Blog Central for the first time, we try to keep these things light-hearted, informative, but most important fun. We hope you find them entertaining and a source for a different kind of look into the world of Army Athletics
It's about 3:45 now and we're just under 20:00 till faceoff. The Black Knights have disappeared back into the locker rooms as the staff here comes out to cut the ice.
Army will wear the new gold sweaters again, marking the fifth straight "home" game in the gold. The BK's have not lost in the alternate sweaters and look to continue that streak here tonight. Mercyhurst is in its road greens.
The pressbox is set up high above the arena here and I am joined by familiar faces as Ken McMillan of the Times Herald Record has made the trip from Middletown to Rochester to cover the game. On my right is our hockey man himself, Mr. Ryan Yanoshak, or Shak as I'll be calling him the rest of the way. To his right is Tony Morino is on the headset as he will be calling the game live on the radio.
Some pregame notes for everyone reading along ... Army enjoyed quite an evening here in Rochester on Thursday at the annual awards banquet. Junior goalie Josh Kassel was named the conference Player of the Year, as well as taking home the goaltender trophy and being named to the first team All-League. Zach McKelvie was honored as the Defenseman of the Year and was also on the first team. They were joined on the first team by Luke Flicek, Army's leading scorer.
Brian Riley took home his third-straight Coach of the Year honor and sophomore Owen Meyer was named to the second team. It was quite a night for the Army icers.
About 13 minutes left till faceoff.
It's nice to be back here in my old stomping grounds. I grew up in a small town about 20 minutes outside of Rochester and it has been nice to get back for a few days. I grew up coming to this building, back when it was just the War Memorial, watching the Amereks (Rochester Americans of the AHL) play. I remember coming here with my old man, watching the likes of Jody Gage display their skills. The arena is much nicer (and newer!) now and I really like what the staff here has done.
We're just under 10:00 till faceoff and the starting line-ups are in.
No surprises for the Black Knights: Meyer, Hollweg and Flicek up front with Podsiad and McKelvie on defense.
Josh Kassel will be in goal, as if you couldn't have guessed that.
For the Lakers, it looks like Matt Pierce, Brett Robinson and Steve Cameron up front with Jeff Terminesi and Kirk Medernach on defense.
Matt Lundin will be in goal for Mercyhurst.
Mercyhurst took both contests from Army during the regular season, winning 3-0 and 4-2 at Mercyhurst. Kassel did not play in either of those games. In the last 15 games, Josh has helped the BK's post a 13-1-1 record en route to winning the AHA regular season title.
We're announcing starters and getting ready for the anthem now.
I'll try to keep updates as informative as I can, so I'll be posting the time remaining in the period and the score prior to all posts. Army will be listed first in the score.
20:00 (0-0): Here we go ... Hollweg at center ice for the faceoff. The video screen is on so hopefully we'll be seeing some replays throughout the game.
Army wins the opening faceoff.
Podsiad takes a shot and just misses the cage just 10 seconds in.
19:03 (0-0): Mercyhurst charged with an offsides call. Faceoff won by the Lakers.
Stole by Fearing who skates the length of the ice and crossed to Omilusik in front of the cage and Cody fires one off the keeper.
Ammon follows with a head on shot saved by the keeper and Sefchik hammers the rebound back at Lundin.
Lundin is taking a barrage of shots and turning them all away so far.
16:36 (0-0): Army leads 3-0 in shots after the first 3:30. A hand pass called on the Lakers stops play right after Chris Blair leveled one of the Lakers right at center ice.
Faceoff won by Army and Meyer passes off the endboards to Hollweg who fires it in and another save by Lundin.
I understand what Bob was saying about not being able to watch the game while you're blogging. This is a lot to take in.
13:30 (0-0): Army penalty as Chris Blair is called with a check from behind. 2:00 for Blair at 6:30
Lakers on the PP and Army clears it out at first but brings it back in.
12:31 (0-1): Mercyhurst power play goal. Pierce deflects a shot from Fennell right in front of the net and it sneaks by Kassel into the right corner of the net.
Army trails 0-1 after 8:00 play.
Blair and Rowe just teamed up to take down one of the Lakers' defenders at center ice.
MH takes gets an open look and Kassel saves one off his chest.
10:20 (0-1): Cottreau fires another shot and Kassel makes a kick save before Mercyhurst is called for offsides.
Army controls in the MH zone and the Army top line is firing left and right at Lundin. Three shots and three saves as the first line stays on the ice for just over 2:00 minutes.
7:00 (0-1): Puck back in the Army zone now and Kassel makes another save and kicks it forward as Army advances into the MH zone.
MH steals the puck and fires it out of the zone.
Pierson's shot is blocked and Sefchik recovers and fires on goal but Lundin stops another.
5:37 (1-1): ARMY SCORES!!!! Ryan throws it on goal and Lundin makes the save but Aaron Anderson slides in on his knees and pokes the puck in for the equalizer! Anderson fom Ryan and Ammon at 14:23
4:58 (1-1): Matching minors on Meyer and Medernach.
4:36 (1-2): Mercyhurst scores again as Gurtler sneaks one by Kassel. After a hard slap shot from the right side Gurtler poked the rebound in to put the Lakers up.
4:19 (1-2): Army will go on the PP now as Fennell is hit with a minor. Four on three for Army for a little over a minute.
2:30 (1-2): McKelvie charged with goaltender interference. A tough call as it looked like McKelvie was being held by Lundin and retaliated with a push off. MH will go on the PP for a little under 2:00.
One shot goes wide before Army clears it out of the zone.
Meyer steals the puck and skates into the MH zone. He takes a backhander that is saved by Lundin.
00:39 (1-2): MH hit with an offsides. 10 seconds left on the PP for the Lakers.
00:06 (1-2): Army will go on the PP as Omilusik is held by Philips.
With one second on the clock Mercyhurst is called for another penalty. Eddy is hit with obstruction at 20:00 oficially.
The Black Knights will open the second period with a five on three for just under 2:00.
Intermission : Army -1, Mercyhurst -2.
I'm going to step out for a second and see if I can return with some stats.
Just had a pleasant e-mail check-in from June Jones. June has been a faithful follower all season and has even sent us cookies. She tells me her son made the trip and is in the crowd cheering on the BK's tonight. She sends her best from Mass.
Just got some stats ... it looks like Lundin has 10 saves for MH with Kassel registering five saves.
Army outshot MH 11-7 in the first period. Three Army penalties and four penalties on MH, counting the one as time expired.
About three minutes until the teams hit the ice again. Army will open the period with a five on three advantage for 1:54.
Keep the e-mails coming in. Remember, an email equals a free plug!
A decent crowd on hand as Army has a solid showing of fans on the near side of the Arena. MH has a scattering of fans on the far side but the majority of fans over there are RIT fans. The RIT fans were at last night's play in game and booed both teams all night. They have been here taunting both teams all day, from the opening introductions where they shouted "you suck" after all players introductions. They did however, add a sir to the Army players. I guess "you suck, sir" sounds a little more respectful than a just plain "you suck."
Just about time for the second period.
SECOND PERIOD
20:00 (1-2): Army wins the faceoff and opens the five on three.
Meyer gets a slapper in from the left point and Lundin maks a pad save. Hollweg rebounds and fires from the right circle and Lundin snags the puck out of the air.
Ross centers to Omilusik right in front and Lundin covers the puck.
18:21 (2-2): ARMY SCORES!!!! Hollweg chips home a rebound over Lundin's left shoulder. Two shots and two saves from Lundin but he couldnt get over to Hollweg as Bryce goes top shelf from Flicek and Omilusik.
We're notched at 2-2!
17:30 (2-2): Colvin lays out a MH forward at center ice and the RIT crowd roars after the hit.
16:42 (2-2): Joey Ammon hit with an interference call and MH will go back on the PP.
Just got a lacrosse update from Texas as the Black Knights lead Rutgers 8-5 late in the second period.
Just a minute left on the PP for Lakers and Kassel makes two saves before Army clears the puck.
The PP ends and Kassel makes three straight saves at point blank. Great work from Josh.
14:06 (2-2): Omilusik takes the puck the length of the ice and fires on Lundin who gloves and stops the clock.
Ross chases down the faceoff and fires it just wide of the cage. Another hand pass stops play seven minutes in.
Point blank shot by Cameron of MH and Kassel makes a stretching pad save.
12:12 (2-2): Colvin charged with interference and MH will go back on the PP.
11:22 (2-2): Cottreau fires a shot on goal and Kassel gloves it down. After the shot Cottreau and McKelvie are hit with matching minors. Meyer and Fennell get involved in the tiff and all four are headed to the box. The officials are scrambling on the ice and even the announcers up here in the box can't figure out the calls.
We've got three BK's in the box and two Lakers and it will be five on four for MH.
9:30 (2-2): WHAT A SAVE!!! Kassel rolls over from his back and Podsiad pokes his body into the crease to stop the puck as it looks like MH has a sure goal. Great work by the Army defense.
9:00 (2-2): Tripping call on Robinson and Army will go back on the PP.
Just got an e-mail from Patti Statler, a season ticket holder, who wanted to know about June's cookies. Unfortunately, June didn't know we were going to be here so she did not send cookies with her son. Also David Hahn of CSI Photography checking in. David shoots a lot for us and he says he wishes he was here.
Army can't convert on the PP and MH ices the puck.
6:40 (2-2): Army fires three shots from right in front of Lundin and he stops them all before the whistle blows to stop play.
The Army offense has really come to life here in the second, getting a lot of solid attacks on Lundin.
Three more Army shots and three more saves as the BK's really apply the pressure to Lundin. Another stoppage as the puck soars up into the stands.
4:10 (2-2): Lakers bring the puck into the Army zone and Kassel makes another point blank save.
3:19 (2-2): Ken Rowe gets called with boarding and the Lakers will have another PP chance.
Meyer steals the puck at center ice and charges towards Lundin for a one-on-one break and Meyer loses the puck right in front of the net. A heartbreaking moment for Meyer as he was all alone with Lundin.
2:14 (2-2): Meyer steals it again and sends it forward to Omilusik on the shorthand opportunity but Cody cant control the puck. Still no shots for MH on this PP.
1:17 (2-2): PP ends and no shots for MH. Great work by the penalty kill.
00:43 (2-2): Meyer winds up an hits the post! Among the scramble Gurtler is called for holding to send the BK's back on the PP.
00:02 (2-2): Coach Riley pulls Kassel for an extra attacker on the faceoff.
Faceoff won by Army and Meyer throws it on goal. It's saved but deflects to Hollweg who pokes it on goal and it hits the post! He pushes it in but the officials call it off saying the horn had sounded. It doesn't get much closer to a goal than that.
After two periods we're all notched at 2-2 here. I'll fetch some stats and be back.
Got some e-mails here. (Sorry I can't get to them while I'm typing. This is a tough gig!)
Landon Haan checked in. Landon is a 12-year who declairs himself as one of the biggest fans out there. He celebrated his 12th birthday last weekend watching the BK's defeat AIC. Thanks for following in Landon, and happy birthday.
Mark Aikman also checked in. Mark is following along and sends his best for all the fans out there that couldn't make the trek upstate. Mark made a note of how hard it must be to do this and try to respond to e-mail ... you're right on Mark. Thanks for the kind words!
Keep the e-mails coming!
I have to take the chance to say congrats to one of my best friends, Chris Cummings. Chris competed in the National Championships in track and field out in Minnesota today and I just got word he placed second in the mile by just one hundreth of a second. That's his second All-American honor indoor and his fourth overall. Congrats Chris!
We've got about six minutes left before the third and I'm still working on getting some stats.
Army outshot MH 19-14 in the second to take a 30-21 advantage on the game. Nine total penalties in the second with Army being charged with five of them.
The Black Knights will open the third on a power play for 1:13.
Well ... here we go ... this is it. 20:00 more minutes to determine who stays in Rochester for an extra night and who goes home.
THIRD PERIOD - 2-2
20:00 (2-2): A bit of a delay here to start the third as the officials inspect the ice.
They are finally happy with it and we're underway. Army on the PP.
19:35 (2-3): Shorthanded goal as Army loses the puck in its own zone and Risi pokes an easy goal home to put MH up 3-2.
The pressure is on now as Army trails 3-2 facing elimination.
16:38 (2-3): McKelvie shoots from the left point and Lundin gloves it out of the air to stop the clock. Hollweg wins the faceoff and Meyer wraps around the net and shoots but Lundin covers again.
15:37 (2-3): Kassel makes a great save face to face with a MH forward and covers the puck to stop play.
Fearing fires on goal and Lundin makes the save. The whistle blows to stop play as MH covers the puck.
14:19 (2-4): Graham cuts to the net and puts it passed Kassel on a centering pass from Gurtler. Just 14 minutes to play now and Army trails by two.
All four of MH's goals have been scored on the left side of the ice.
12:12 (2-4): Flicek hits a wrister right in front of the net but Lundin snags it out of the air.
9:40 (2-4): A three man break for Army but the BK's can't convert as Lundin makes another save.
Hollweg lines up Eddy for a big hit but Eddy ducks and sends Hollweg head first into the ice. The crowd roars but no penalty is called.
7:59 (2-4): Icing on the Lakers. A lot of stalemate hockey being played around the nuetral zone right now. Army needs to get something goin here.
6:40 (2-4): Sefchik skates the length of the ice but gets held up on the boards and MH is charged with another icing call.
6:04 (2-4): Army wins the faceoff and Rowe fires on goal but Lundin makes a pad save and the puck soars over the glass.
5:12 (2-4): The puck gets chipped over the glass again after Meyer shoots on goal and Lundin makes another save. Faceoff coming in the MH zone to Lundin's right.
3:25 (2-4): Icing call on Army and a faceoff is coming in the BK zone.
The winner of the play-in game has never advanced to the finals in the AHA tournament. Mercuhurst is 3:05 away from becoming the first as Army struggles to move the puck into the MH zone.
2:54 (2-4): Double minors against Hollweg and Phillips so we'll go four on four here now.
Kassel is out at 2:00 and Army will play with a man up.
One minute to play and Omilusik fires wide.
Flicek fires off the post with 11.7 seconds left and MH is called for icing.
Sefchik pokes one into Lundin's pad and time expires as MH pulls off the 4-2 upset.
FINAL SCORE: Mercyhurst - 4, Army - 2
Heartbreaking end to the season for Army as the BK's shake hands with MH at center ice.
MH becomes the first team in AHA history to win the the play-in game and advance to the Championship game. The Lakers will play tomorrow night against the winner of the RIT vs. Air Force contest.
Well, thanks for reading along today. I'm going to head down to the press conference and take care of some media with Shak.
It was a great run for the Black Knights, winning the first regular season conference title in school history, and a great run for Army's 11 seniors.
Thanks again for following along. We look forward to having you back in blog-land in the near future.
Go Army!
- Jon
