Where: Orr Rink Amherst, MA
When: 1:00 PM Saturday 2/23/13
Video/Audio: JeffCast Middlebury Radio
Offense: 3.29 G/GM (5th) Offense: 3.11 G/GM (4th)
Defense: 2.00 G/GM (1st) Defense: 2.11 G/GM (3rd)
Power Play: 19/89 -21.3% (4th) Power Play: 14/70 -20.0% (5th)
Penalty Kill: 76/85 - 89.4% (1st) Penalty Kill: 54/63 - 85.7% (3rd)
Overall (Conference Rank) Conference Games (conf. rank)
Offense: 3.42 G/GM (3rd) Offense: 3.89 G/GM (2nd)
Read more: http://www.uscho.com/2013/02/21/a-most-interesting-round-of-eight/#ixzz2LkE2zBpG
Offense: 3.42 G/GM (3rd) Offense: 3.89 G/GM (2nd)
Defense: 3.12 G/GM (6th) Defense: 2.94 G/GM (6th)
Power Play: 29/108 -26.9% (2nd) Power Play: 25/85 -29.4% (1st)
Penalty Kill: 80/99 - 80.8% (5th) Penalty Kill: 62/76 - 81.6% (4th)
The Lowdown
As with Trinity/Wesleyan, these two teams met in their last game of the regular season, with Amherst winning a back and forth game at home, 5-3, to take the tiebreaker over the Panthers (who also have 24 points). Here's what the NESCAC Official Site has to say about this one:
"One year after meeting in the conference finals for the third time, fourth seeded Amherst (15-6-3, 11-5-2 NESCAC) and fifth seeded Middlebury (12-10-2, 11-5-2 NESCAC) will square off in this year’s quarterfinals. The two teams finished with identical records in conference play, but Amherst swept the season series to earn home ice advantage. After defeating the Panthers 4-2 on December 8, they added a 5-3 win on Saturday. Amherst also handed Bowdoin a 6-3 setback on February 1. The Lord Jeffs earned their second conference crown with a 4-3 triumph over the Panthers in last year’s championship. Middlebury has gone 7-3-0 over the last month. In the 13 year history of the NESCAC Championship, the Panthers have posted an impressive 27-5 mark. They have advanced to the finals 12 times and own eight league titles."
Here's what Tim Costello (along with Conn College Coach Jim Ward) has to say:
No. 4 Amherst vs. No. 5 Middlebury
The Panthers were the big losers in the final juggling of the standings, having lost a home ice berth and now traveling to face Amherst, a team they lost to by a score of 5-3 in the final game of the regular season. The Lord Jeffs rallied from a 3-2 deficit midway through the third period to take the lead and seal the win with an empty-net goal.
The Panthers were the big losers in the final juggling of the standings, having lost a home ice berth and now traveling to face Amherst, a team they lost to by a score of 5-3 in the final game of the regular season. The Lord Jeffs rallied from a 3-2 deficit midway through the third period to take the lead and seal the win with an empty-net goal.
The final moves in position may have benefited the Lord Jeffs the most if recent history is any indicator of likely performance. Amherst has won the last five meetings between the two teams, including last year’s conference championship game. The defending champions have some big game players on their roster who certainly would like to earn their way back to a shot at another NESCAC title.
Four against five is always an interesting match-up, right coach?
“I really like Middlebury’s freshmen,” stated Ward. “Those kids can really play, but they don’t have any experience in this setting as compared with Amherst. Goaltending is just so critical at this time of the year, and Middlebury still seems to be looking for an answer coming into the playoffs. Amherst has been there before, and has enough of those players back that should rise to the occasion again.”
It should be no surprise that the playoffs are going to be tight regardless of the match-ups in this conference. Only four points separated first place from fifth place, and just two points separated second from fifth. The teams are talented and very well-matched. It’s the emotion, energy, and intangibles that are likely the key factors in determining who advances to the Final Four next weekend and one step closer to a NESCAC championship and autobid to the NCAA tournament.
Read more: http://www.uscho.com/2013/02/21/a-most-interesting-round-of-eight/#ixzz2LkE2zBpG
For Amherst's extensive preview, click here. For Middlebury's preview, click here. For our regular season recaps: Middlebury and Amherst.
Players to watch
Middlebury goalie The Panhters have had a rotating cast in net this season, though Mike Peters (G, So.) has made the last three starts in net.
Johnny Van Siclen (F, Sr.) The Name with the Game. Van Siclen led the Lord Jeffs in goals and points (14-11-25), including scoring four more goals than the next nearest Jeff and scoring five game winning goals, three more than the next highest team member.
No comments:
Post a Comment