#4 Utica defeats #1 Curry 2-1 in Overtime to advance to the National Championship!

It’s game two of the Men’s NCAA Frozen Four here in Utica, NY. This time it’s between #1 Curry & the hosts, #4 Utica Univ.! Read our preview HERE.

1st Period

Early on, Utica really came out strong, creating chances and flying down the ice. Curry goaltender (Sid Watson Award winner) Shane Soderwall was tested lightly at times, a bobbled puck was called dead by the official via whistle while it was loose. The ref looked to the sky as the crowd gave him their ‘compliments’.

The game was more fast-paced than the earlier game between Hobart and Geneseo, read that recap of Hobart’s 2-1 victory HERE. It became quite chippy as the period went on, lots of post-whistle pushing and shoving, some minor punches thrown by Curry at one point. It looked like a point-of-emphasis to by physical in this one, but Curry as we discussed in the preview, they’re no strangers to penalties.

As the period went on, the game became more settled, similar to game one’s pace/feel. Shots-on-goal were 9-7 in favor of the Colonels.

Great opening scoreless period with lots solid action!

2nd Period

The physicality did not leave these teams during the intermission. Utica’s playing fast hockey, not starting slow each period as they’ve tended to do. Curry has played good hockey as well, but they’ve seemed to turn it into a fight at times when they’re better off sticking to hockey…

#19 Preston Brighton missed an open net off the rebound, keeping it locked at 0.

There were a few quick deflections that were kept out of the net by POTY Shane Soderwall, standing tall and playing well as he has all year. Utica continues to pressure him and force faceoffs in the Curry end.

Utica 1-0: #26 Anthony Bax (19:01) – Bax scores the opening goal of the game, something Utica has struggled with this past month, a wrist shot from the right point and he buried it. His second goal of the year for his freshman campaign.

The Pioneer goal came in the final minute of the period, Utica leads 1-0 entering the 3rd period, the winner will be playing the back-to-back defending national champions Hobart on Sunday.

Utica outshot Curry 19-5 in this period, very surprising to see how well they’ve adapted to Curry’s style of play.

3rd Period

Utica’s #21 Eric Vitale had an early breakaway chance in the first two minutes of the period, he missed the net, definitely will want that one back regardless if it comes back to bite them or not…

Curry Penalty: #20 Ben Biester (3:35, Tripping) – Biester gets caught for tripping, the first penalty of the day for either team.

#27 Andrew Della Rovere misses the net on a wide-open one-timer from the slot on the powerplay, followed by a turnover in which Curry clears, they would kill off the penalty.

#24 Jakob Breault makes a nifty move in front, Soderwall stands tall and keeps the shot out of the net, Utica has been dominating the last period and a half… Curry is staying in it with their goaltending and defense.

Since the end of the 1st period, Utica has held Curry to five shots on goal,

Utica Penalty: #24 Jakob Breault (9:25, Tripping) – Breault gets called for a clear trip, Curry will want to take advantage here as they’ve lacked shots since the first period.

Curry Goal: #25 Shane Carr (11:03) – Curry gets the one they needed. They’ve lacked offense, but took advantage when Utica gave them the extra skater, we’re all tied up with just under nine minutes left in the game!

Curry Penalty: Shane Carr (13:11, Slashing) – Curry’s goalscorer picks up a penalty just after, we’ll see if it costs them.

Soderwall comes up big numerous times on the PK and keeps it tied at 1, Curry kills off the minor penalty.

Physicality continues, escalating after the whistle, no penalties called, perfect.

Curry Timeout: 1:25 left in the 3rd period.

We’re headed to overtime in Utica! Longtime writer Russell Jaslow loves overtimes 🙂

I’ve only been here since 7:45am…

Overtime #1

A wild sequence in overtime so far, referees letting everything go, clear or not… They’ve lost control it seems like of the game, play is getting out of hand, but it does make it fun.

Utica nets the winning goal after a rebound coming from a shot from the point, some clutter in front of the net causes a clear shot for the Pioneers and Eric Vitale redeems himself, scoring the winner to send Utica to the National Championship.

Press Conference Notes: Utica Univ.

I asked goaltender Ryan Piros about his rollercoaster of a season, he transferred midseason, where he went from a season being over in February if he remained, to a national championship game vs the back-to-back champs Hobart, he said: “Not the freshman year I expected. It’s one of the craziest things and I’m just glad I got the opportunity halfway through to be in a good spot with the best facilities and fans in the country. It’s the greatest thing I could’ve ever asked for”.

I asked Coach Heenan about last year being his “rebuild year” and how now he’s gone a step further, making the finals, he said:

“You know I think in your coaching it’s going to bother you if you don’t make that step. What’s nice is to have a huge fanbase, they’re going to remind you all summer that you didn’t win that game. So you know that’s definitely there. So to get through this one is a huge step for us and the program. Clearly, at Christmas we added a huge piece [Ryan Piros]… We’re lucky to be at home, the dominos fell in place for us”.

Press Conference Notes: Curry College

I asked goaltender Shane Soderwall what Curry meant to him and how Coach Roundy and everyone at Curry has not just changed his hockey career, but life itself, he said:

“I’m just super grateful to be here. From the moment I talked to Coach, I knew that there was something special here. So just to be able to live that with these guys… throw on this jersey every day, it’s just meant so much to me”.

I also asked Coach Roundy about this team and with all the ups and downs it’s seen, the individual accolades and program accolades, what his thoughts were, he said:

“It’s just a great group of guys, they love working hard and coming to the rink everyday. They have a lot of fun doing it throughout the process. You know, you come into the rink every morning and my office is in the locker room area, and just a lot of hoot and hollering going on, they have a great time with each other. As a coach, that’s all I’m really looking for, is enjoy the process and work hard. These guys have done an unbelievable job taking this program to really the national stage and to the Frozen Four for the first time in 50 years. I’m just super thankful and grateful for these seniors, especially because they’ve been here through the ups and downs, and just to continue to push the envelope for this program, it’s been amazing to see how far they’ve taken this thing over the last four years”.