{"id":96949,"date":"2010-10-13T15:49:16","date_gmt":"2010-10-13T20:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/atlantic-hockey-blog\/?p=15"},"modified":"2010-10-13T15:49:16","modified_gmt":"2010-10-13T20:49:16","slug":"in-atlantic-hockey-its-deja-vu-all-over-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-admin.uscho.com\/2010\/10\/13\/in-atlantic-hockey-its-deja-vu-all-over-again\/","title":{"rendered":"In Atlantic Hockey, it’s deja vu all over again"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last season, Atlantic Hockey teams struggled out of the gate in non-conference matchups, going 1-9 on opening weekend, with Canisius getting the sole win.<\/p>\n

Turn the calendar ahead and it was more of the same. AHA teams were 1-9-3 to open the 2010-2011 season with the Golden Griffins again getting the only victory, a 5-3 decision over Western Michigan. The league’s reigning player of the year, Cory Conacher, picked up where he left off, recording a hat trick, including the game winning goal.<\/p>\n

Linemate Vincent Scarsella had three assists, becoming the seventh player in the school’s Division I era to reach the 100 point mark for his career. He added a goal on Saturday in a 3-2 overtime lost to the Broncos, giving him 102 points to date.<\/p>\n

A winning feeling<\/h4>\n

While not outright wins, a couple of ties had some AHA teams feeling good. Mercyhurst opened its season early with a 4-4 tie at Michigan on October 2. The Lakers battled back from a 4-0 deficit and then won the ensuing shootout in five rounds.<\/p>\n

“I loved it,” said Laker coach Rick Gotkin. “All these years (23) and I’ve never been involved in a shootout. It really does feel like you won something, and guys tell me that after if you lose a shootout you really feel like you’ve lost the game.”<\/p>\n

So Gotkin says he’s not in favor of using tiebreakers in league play where where points are on the line.<\/p>\n

“Some of the best games I’ve ever been involved with have been ties.” he said. “There’s something about each team deserving something after a great game where they happen to tie.”<\/p>\n

On Saturday, Connecticut goaltender Garrett Bartus stopped 40 of 43 shots to help the Huskies to a 3-3 tie at Maine. The Black Bears outshot UConn 43-19 for the contest, including 15-4 in the third period and 4-1 in overtime.<\/p>\n

It was probably not as good a feeling at Niagara, which had 3-1 lead on visiting Merrimack, but had to settle for a 4-4 tie as the Warriors exploded for three goals during a 3 minute span late in the second period.<\/p>\n

Player of the week<\/h4>\n

This year, I’m going to name a player of the week in this space every Tuesday, as well as some honorable mentions to call attention to outstanding performances.<\/p>\n

POTW:<\/strong>Cory Conacher, Canisius<\/strong><\/p>\n

Five points in two games will pretty much guarantee some recognition.<\/p>\n

Honorables: <\/strong><\/p>\n