Who: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point vs Amherst (19-4-2)Where: Ridder Arena, Minneapolis, MN
When: 8:30 PM EDT Friday 3/27/15
Video/Audio: NCAA GameCenter
Stats (National Rank)
Defense: 2.38 G/GM (17th)
Power Play: 25/114 - 21.93% (18th)
Penalty Kill: 77/99 - 77.8% (59th)
Penalty Minutes: 10.41/GM (55th)
Defense: 2.00 G/GM (6th)
Power Play: 21/86 - 24.42% (11th)
Penalty Kill: 88/102 - 86.3% (11th)
Penalty Minutes: 10.07/GM (57th)
Previews/Media
The Lowdown: Purple Reign
Amherst won a thriller in OT against Norwich and UWSP defeated Hamline at home 4-2 to reach the D-III Frozen Four. It's the second ever visit to the semis for the Jeffs, who lost a heartbreaker in OT to Oswego in the 2012 semifinals. Then freshman Aaron Deutsch had the shot in the final minute of regulation that was eventually rebounded home to force the extra frame in the 2012 contest against Oz. Last Saturday against Norwich, Deutsch didn't just get the helper, he actually fired home the shot heard round Orr Rink in the final minute of regulation that pulled the Jeffs even with the Cadets.
UWSP holds the edge in pedigree with four national titles and eight D-III Frozen Four appearances including their second straight in the elite group of four. Last year, they lost 3-1 to champion St. Norbert in the title game in Lewiston, ME, hosted by Bowdoin. The potent Pointers attack is well balanced with their top five scorers all between 22 and 31 points on the season. Sophomore Joe Kalisz, who was just selected to the Second Team All-America West by the AHCA, leads the way with 17 goals while senior blueliner and First Team All-America West member Kevin Gibsonhas 22 assists to pace the Pointers. In the net, UWSP senior Brendan Jaeger has a 2.20 GAA and a .914 save%.
Amherst coach Jack Arena, who led his team to its second D-III Frozen Four appearance despite losing their starting goalie midseason, won his second ACHA Coah of The Year award last night. While new starter Danny Vitale may have been a career backup, he has played as anything but this season. The senior, who played only three minutes of college hockey in his first three seasons, has the sixth best GAA (1.71) in the country and the second best Save Percentage at .943. He's helped out by a disciplined defensive corps led by seniors Jake Turrin, who was just named to AHCA's First Team All-America East and the smooth skating Deutsch.
It should be a great game between these two purple-clad clubs facing off for the first time in their school's history. While they share a propensity for purple attire, the schools are very different from geographic location to size (1,700 at Amherst vs 8,000 at UWSP) to playing style. While both are very capable on both sides of the puck, Amherst is known for their disciplined defense while the Pointers have a bit more offensive punch. Either way, expect a knock down, drag out fight for a bid in the national title game.
Players to Watch (other than the goalies)
Joe Kalisz (F, '17) In his last semifinal game against Oswego, the new All-American had two points (1-1-2). What does he do in his second Frozen Four appearance in as many college seasons.
Andrew Fenwick (F, '15) There's a lot of good stories on Amherst, from the seniors bookending their careers with Frozen Four appearances to Jack Arena coaching his son, etc., but none is more compelling or recent than the story of the eldest Fenwick brother. He has fourteen goals in his college career with five of them coming in the last five games, including the only goal in a 1-0 NESCAC championship win over Williams.
In honor of the battle for purple reign, here's Minneapolis native Prince with "Purple Rain"
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