The Utica Pioneers have been highly successful winning three consecutive UCHC titles and consistently being ranked among the nation’s best D-III hockey teams but struggled over the past two seasons to advance beyond the quarterfinal round of the NCAA tournament. Following two consecutive upsets at the hands of the University of New England, this year’s team took care of business in front of what is the most rabid D-III fan base looking for a Utica team to win the national championship.
“As I said before, the luxury of having a young team is they don’t feel pressure,” said Utica head coach Gary Heenan.” I like that the guys are loose and ready to get out there and play our game. This rink is a little bigger than standard, so we are definitely going to be preaching “north” and telling the guys to turn up the jets with our cycle of walls. I expect this game will feature a lot of speed and a good deal of physical play. We know how good Coach Taylor’s team is and we are going to look to take advantage of our opportunities and develop some second shot opportunities against [Damon] Beaver in their net.”
With UCHC Rookie of the Year Eric Vitale sidelined, the Pioneers will cycle some players through their lines to compensate for the loss of their top left wing. Jakob Breault, Matt Wood, John Gutt, Shane Murphy, Khristian Acosta, and Michael Herrera will all be looked to for an offensive spark while the defense will rely heavily on Brian Scoville and Kimball Johnson playing with a young group on the blueline.
“Scoville probably averages 28 minutes a game,” stated Heenan. “Kimball is probably a minute less so we will see how situations dictate some personnel on the ice. While I think the game will be a hard-fought game, I think the power play chances will be limited. We would love Scoville to get a couple of chances with his shot but know this is probably the best penalty kill [surrendered only three PPGs all season] we have seen all season, and the most aggressive from a pressure the puck standpoint.”
Hobart comes into Thursday’s contest following an epic four overtime win over Curry where they produced over 100 shots on goal in the almost seven full periods of action. Sophomore Damon Beaver has been outstanding in goal for the Statesmen who also play up to seven defensemen and four balanced lines. The defending national champions return much of the roster that won the title last season with a couple of key additions in Chris Duclair and last week’s scorer of the game-winning goal, Bauer Morrissey.
“I don’t think Hobart is going to game plan much,” noted Heenan. “They know the game they want to play and dictate on the ice, so I do not expect them to be any different on Thursday. They have a very experienced group and the best goaltender we have seen all season. This is what we have played for all year – to be in the final four teams with a chance to win a national title. I think we can absolutely do this, but we will have to earn it as the four best teams in the country are here battling for the same prize.”
Utica will play Hobart in the first semifinal on Thursday afternoon at 3 PM at the Koeppel Family Sports Center on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford, CT.
