Huskies on the prowl

5- 3 Huskies final

2009-04-13T19:49:00.003-04:00

Andrew Leenhouts goes 3.2 innings with six strikeouts.

The bases are loaded, (through no fault of his own) but he gets Sam Boone to ground into a 6-4-3 double play before Dan Zehr comes in for the final out and the save.

4-0 NU going into bottom 6

2009-04-13T18:50:00.005-04:00

Sometimes its not how hard but where you hit them. Matt Miller blooped a single over the head of second baseman Adam Tempesta, scoring Ryan Maguire, who had bunted and then stolen second. Andrew Leenhouts is in for NU and promptly struck out the first two batters before giving up a single to Tom Conley.

Les Williams went five innings, allowing no runs on four hits with five strikeouts.

For UMass, Brian Leigh went 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on ten hits.

EDIT: Leenhouts gets Matt Gedman to pop out to third, ending the inning.

EDIT: David Gustafson bloops a double to right,... scoring James Donaldson. 5-0 Huskies.

Huskies 3-0

2009-04-13T18:46:00.000-04:00

NU scores three in the top of the third to take a 3-0 lead. UMass gets a man to second in the bottom of the fourth, but Les Williams gets Matt Gedman to pop out to end the inning.

3-0 Huskies heading into the top of the fifth.

Welcome to Fenway

2009-04-13T17:20:00.001-04:00

BC downed Harvard in the opener and now we are getting ready for the championship game between the Huskies and Minuteman.

Here's the lineup for each team, starting with the visiting Huskies:

Northeastern (17-11, 5-4 CAA)

Matt Miller RF
Frank Compagnone LF
Mike Tamsin 3B
James Donaldson 2B
Frank Pesanello C
Tony DiCesare DH
David Gustafson CF
Brendan Stokes 1B
Ryan Maguire SS

LHP Les Williams (0-0, 4.20)

Massachusetts ((10-18, 4-8 A-10)

Sam Boone 3B
Adam Tempesta 2B
Brian Baudinet CF
Jim MacDonald DH
Mike Donato RF
Peter Copa 1B
Tom Conley C
Matt Gedman SS
Kyle Multner LF

Ryan Leigh (0-4, 3.45)

The National Anthem has just been sung and now the teams are huddling on the field, so we should be ready to get underway soon.

And at just about 5:40 we are underway. Miller grounds out to short to start the game.

Thoughts...

2009-04-10T12:41:00.002-04:00

It's warm out, classes are starting to wrap up and I'm getting closer and closer to graduation and getting ready to go out into the real world. At first I was ecstatic about being done with school; now I'm not so sure. Anyways, part of my class assignment is to post some final thoughts about my blogging experience.

I actually started this blog way back in November as a way to provide updates at the women's soccer NCAA tournament games. My volleyball writer at the Huntington News live-blogged the CAA volleyball tourney at Cabot...and then things kind of went dead.

But starting Online Journalism in the spring semester gave me a reason to start the blog again and I have to say its been a good experience. I've live blogged the Beanpot, Hockey East playoffs and will be providing updates from Fenway Park at the NU-UMass Beanpot final Monday evening. I wish I was a little better at uploading audio and pictures to go along with some of my posts-some of the interviews I posted from the Beanpot were a little sloppy. I also wish I was a little more timely with some of my posts- sometimes I'd upload audio a few days after an event.

Overall this has been a good experience. I've gotten some good feedback from the few readers I've had. I hope to keep this up, although I'm not sure what subject matter it will be on. If I am around Northeastern in the fall, you bet I will be following Husky sports and giving my thoughts on here.

Beanpot.....

2009-04-07T01:15:00.000-04:00

well the baseball one anyways.

It doesn't quite get the attention as its more famous hockey cousin, but the finals are played in Fenway Park. Depending on the weather/travel schedule of the team, I might be heading up tomorrow to Brockton to check out Harvard vs. Northeastern in the opening round. BC and UMass play in the other game. (BU doesn't have baseball team...that thing called the hockey team and Jack Parker are pretty much all their athletics department consists of).

So check back tomorrow for some possible live blogging action.

BREAKING NEWS: Thiessen signs with Penguins.

2009-04-03T17:42:00.004-04:00

Former Husky captain Joe Vitale will be joined by a familiar face in the Penguin's organization.
Junior goalie Brad Thiessen, one of the three Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalists, signed with Pittsburgh today.

Check out the full news here.

Hockey Buzz is reporting its a two year entry contract.

More to come later.

EDIT: Thiessen is going to Wilke Barre/Scranton in the AHL. Interesting to note he'll be joining former BU netminder John Curry.

Check out Jon Raymond's breaking news story on the Huntington News' website.

Welcome to the spotlight Chris Rawlings.

Thiessen a Hobey Hat Trick finalist

2009-04-02T17:23:00.002-04:00

Congrats to Brad. The winner will be announced next Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPNU. The other two finalists are BU's Matt Gilroy and Colin Wilson. Check out the full release here.

Head coach Greg Cronin was also named New England Coach of the Year and is a finalist for National Coach of the Year.

Shameless plug

2009-04-01T01:39:00.001-04:00

Here's a bit I did for the Boston Metro on Mike Tamsin, who became NU's all time hit leader over the weekend.

It's over....

2009-04-01T01:28:00.003-04:00

It's been a few days since the men's hockey team lost to Cornell in the first round of the NCAA tournament. It was no doubt a great season, one that put NU hockey on the map, but there's a huge "what if." What if we had beat Cornell? Look, I know Bemidji State rolled over Notre Dame (and then Cornell), and from what I heard, would have beaten the Huskies the next day the way they were playing, but it is still tantalizing to think that's all that would have been standing in between Northeastern and a trip to the Frozen Four..... Oh well. Kind of a tough way for the six seniors to go out, but the program has certaintly made progress since they first stepped on the ice.

NU goalie and fellow blogger Brad Thiessen has this to say, which I think sums it up pretty nicely:

and just like that it’s over

It has taken a few days and still I can’t quite get the thoughts out of my head or the feeling in my stomach of what happened on Saturday night. I think I can speak for most of the guys when I say we are kind of still in shock and don’t really know what to do with ourselves right now. To lose the game like we did, for the second game in a row was pretty devastating. I mean when you do it once and you still have something to play for it eases the pain a bit, but when it ends your season it’s a little more difficult to swallow. I feel for the bus that came out to support us in Grand Rapids, I feel for the fans who packed into Qdoba and Connor’s to watch the game, we all feel like we let everyone down. Yes we were able to accomplish a lot this season, including some things that other NU teams have never done, but we didn’t win anything, which is tough to take. The weekend happened pretty fast, as soon as we lost we were whisked to the airport and back in Boston 5 hours after the game ended. It was a good experience but not a result that anybody wanted.

Check it out.

2009-03-27T12:58:00.003-04:00

In addition to my own blog, I've been writing for the College Baseball Blog, providing updates and previews for the CAA and Husky baseball (although I'm late in posting my preview for this weekend.)

Also, be sure to check in with Jared Shafran for all the latest updates from the NCAA hockey regional in Grand Rapids.

Change is on the way..

2009-03-26T21:47:00.003-04:00

..to the blog anyway. Check out the new design and features and let me know what you think.

Alright so it's been a while since I've posted. It's old news now, but the Huskies are headed out to Grand Rapids to take on Cornell in the NCAA tournament. Read what NU coach Greg Cronin has to say about the matchup here. Hockey East is making it's presence felt in the tournament, sending four teams (NU, BU UNH and UVM). Each coach's conference call is up on HEA's website.

Couldn't find any conference calls on the ECAC site, but here's a link to some team notes on the Big Red, courtesy of the ECAC official site.

I won't be making the trip since I have a little thing called the sports section to put together Sunday night but Huntington News men's hockey writer Jared Shafran will be live blogging all the action.

I FINALLY got an RSS feed up... enjoy it. It's something I've tried to figure out how to implement for a while.

3-2 LOWELL

2009-03-20T20:00:00.001-04:00

Lowell advances to the Hockey Championship game. Give Chris Auger his second goal of the season.

Start of overtime.

2009-03-20T19:57:00.002-04:00

And at 7:57 p.m., we're off.

Husky fans aren't letting that last second goal dampen their enthusiasm.

2-2. Headed to OT

2009-03-20T19:40:00.001-04:00

With 19 seconds left, Lowell ties it up. Entering the 6-on-4 advantage, it seemed like the River Hawks were poised to make the best of that chance and they did. Scott Campbell scores his 14th goal of the year off a rebound, sticking the puck past Thiessen on the right post.

NU win the faceoff and drives down to the River Hawks zone, but can't convert. And just like last Sunday, we're headed to overtime.

This is the ninth time a Hockey East semifinal has gone to overtime.

Remember those penalties....

2009-03-20T19:35:00.003-04:00

NU just took a dumb one... too many men on the ice. When Hutton is pulled, that will give the River Hawks a two man advantage. 1:05 left and the River Hawks have taken a timeout. This is their season right here.

The River Hawks have pulled Hutton in favor of an extra attacker. This worked for UMass-Amherst Sunday... will it pay off for their fellow state school?
It's 6-on-four for the 'Hawks.

Dennis McCauley with serve the too many men on the ice penalty.

2-1 NU: 5 minutes left.

2009-03-20T19:26:00.000-04:00

Northeastern fans are getting loud. The Huskies need to play smart and not take any dumb penalties.

Halfway there.

2009-03-20T19:16:00.003-04:00

The Huskies are halfway to living up to NESN's intermission graphic (18-1-1 record when leading after two). We've got ten minutes left in the final period with NU leading 2-1.

EDIT: 8 minutes left. Hutton just made a string of great saves front point blank range.

2-1 NU start of third.

2009-03-20T18:54:00.003-04:00

During the longer then usual intermission (thanks to the HEA 25th Anniversary Ceremony), NESN flashed the following line: 18-1-1. It's the Huskies' record this season when leading after two periods.

3:24 in and Thiessen has made some great saves thus far. We've got a pair of matching penalties on NU's David Strathman and Lowell's Barry Goers for some extra activity after the whistle.

On another note, the lower levels have started to fill up as the game moves along.

2-1 Huskies after two.

2009-03-20T18:35:00.005-04:00

Give River Hawk forward Scott Campbell the assist on the last goal.
EDIT: Add another assist to Paul Worthingon. The goal was Blair's first of the season.

Each team had eight shots in the second. NU will have a 12 second man advantage to start the second.

Northeastern certainly struck quickly with two goals 25 seconds apart. Again, its been a really fast paced game. I think that last UMass goal was key. The PP gave them a good chance to close to within one going into the third and if they failed to capitalize I think that would have given a boost to NU going into the break. (Although technically Lowell scored during a four-on-four situation).

Right now Hockey East is honoring the top 25 forwards and defenseman/goalies in the conference's 25 year history. Both categories are ridiculously stacked with former Terriers and Eagles. Maine has a good amount in the top defender category.

Four Huskies are in defenseman/goalie category: Rob Cowie, Jim Fahey, Dan McGillis and goalie Bruce Racine.

2:51 left in the second: Lowell on the PP

2009-03-20T18:27:00.004-04:00

A good way for a losing team to get back in the game is on power plays. The Huskies just gave Lowell a PP chance when Denis Chisolm was whistled for cross checking.

There are a few scattered Boston University fans here for the later game and they are greeted with a hearty round of boos from Husky fans each time they're displayed on the jumbotron.

EDIT: After a no call on David Strathman behind the net (from here it looked like he decked a Lowell player pretty good from behind), Lowell's Maury Edwards gets two for tripping at 18:11 of the second period.

With 1:35 left, NU will have 1:02 on the man advantage after this four-on-four situation plays itself out.

EDIT: Lowell gets on the board. Defensman Ryan Blair shoots the puck past Thiessen from the left post.

2-0 Northeastern; 7:27 left.

2009-03-20T18:19:00.003-04:00

Give defender David Strathman the second assist on Kraemer's second goal of the season and McNeely the other assist on Rassey's score.

Start of the second period.

2009-03-20T17:54:00.010-04:00

Here we go...

17:50 left in the first.

Husky fans have started the NORTH-EASTERN chant and its echoing throughout the Garden.

Lowell just had a great chance on an odd man rush. Thiessen fell down in his net and was sprawled by the left post as a River Hawks forward tried to swing the puck around the right post.

Lowell has been crashing the net hard and has been tenacious going after rebounds.

NU is thirty seconds into a PK thanks to a hooking call on captain Joe Vitale.

Tyler McNeely just stole the puck away and drove down the ice.

Thiessen just made a great point blank save.

50 seconds left in the PP.

The Huskies got a great turnover in UMass Lowell's zone.

EDIT: PP is over. Northeastern has been putting great pressure on UMass-Lowell and is now on the PP when Scott Campbell was given two for cross checking.

13:13 left in the second. Double thirteens.... might not be the best omen for what has recently been a lackluster NU PP unit.

Prior to the PP NU had a great chance when they closed in on Carter Hutton. After a review by the refs, the no goal call stood.

And now the River Hawks are putting the pressure on short handed.

EDIT: 1-0 NU. Who else but Kyle Kraemer? The junior broke in from the right post and went top shelf against Hutton. This came with four seconds left on the PP.

EDIT 2-0 HUSKIES. Rob Rassey grabs the puck from a pileup in front of the net and shoves it in.
Give Dennis McCauley the assist on Rassey's strike and Wade MacLeod the helper on the first goal.

The goals were scored just 25 seconds apart.

No score after one

2009-03-20T17:45:00.003-04:00

It was a pretty up-tempo first period, but a combined 27 shots on net (16 by Lowell, 11 by NU) couldn't sneak there way through.

Each team failed to convert its lone PP chance. NU looked good on an early PK, but conversely they failed to get off a shot on the lone power play presented to them.

With such a back and forth game, it seems to me that the first team to score could gain a big advantage.

On another note, it feels weird to be back at the Garden and not for the Beanpot.

5:46 left: Huskies on the PP

2009-03-20T17:17:00.004-04:00

Lowell's Mike Potacco gets two for hooking as he wraps around NU defender J.P. Maley.

The River Hawks have killed off 56 of its last penalty chances.

Again, its been a pretty faced paced game so far. Both teams have had several good chances.

Lowell kills off what was a lack luster PP chance for NU, which saw them take a grand total of zero shots.

Time to drop the puck

2009-03-20T17:10:00.002-04:00

Official start time is 5:06.

The Huskies have several great chances in front of Lowell's goal, Kyle Kramer tries to slip on in point blank. but Hutton sprawls out to deny him.

The Huskies are in the middle of a great PK. Tyler McNeely was given two for hooking.

16:22 left in the first.

Edit: NU kills off the penalty but not without the River Hawks having several good chances.

This place isn't nearly as full as it was for the Beanpot. I'd estimate the lower level is about a third full. The press level is fairly deserted as well.

We're currently situated right above the NU student section, which is pretty full has been loud so far.

It's been a fast paced game thus far. 13:49 left in the first.

Line charts

2009-03-20T16:01:00.002-04:00

Here's the line charts for each team. Some interesting notes for NU. Tyler McNeely returns after missing several games. Kyle Kraemer remains on the top line and Greg Costa is out of the lineup. There have been a lot of changes in the Husky lineup the past few weeks, but so far so good, as everything Greg Cronin does seem to work.

No. 5 Northeastern Huskies (25-10-4, 18-6-3 Hockey East; 2nd seed)

Wade MacLeod Joe Vitale Kyle Kraemer

Ryan Ginand Steve Silva Chris Donovan

Dennis McCauley Rob Rassey Tyler McNeely

Alex Tuckerman Mike McLaughlin Steve Quailer

Jim Driscoll David Strathman

Louis Liotti J.P. Maley

Denis Chisolm Mike Hewkin

Brad Thiessen

No. 19 UMass Lowell River Hawks (19-15-2, 14-11-2 Hockey East; 5th seed)

Chris Auger Ben Holmstrom Paul Worthington

Mark Roebothan Scott Campbell Mike Potacco

Michael Budd David Vallorani Jonathan Maniff

Kory Falite Nick Monroe Patrick Cey

Jeremy Dehner Nick Schaus

Ryan Blair Maury Edwards

Steve Capraro Barry Goers

Carter Hutton

Welcome to the TD Banknorth Garden

2009-03-20T15:54:00.003-04:00

We've got just over an hour until the puck drops between the Northeastern Huskies and the UMass-Lowell River Hawks.

Hockey East announced its end of the year awards this past week and the Huskies certainly took home their fair share. Brad Thiessen and Greg Cronin were named Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, respectively, last night. Thiessen is also one of the finalists for the Hobey Baker award.

Here's complete list of the awards, as well the All-Rookie team and some others.

Prior to that, several other Huskies were honored, including captain Joe Vitale being named best defensive forward and Louis Liotti being honored as best defensive defenseman. Thiessen was also a Hockey East first team All-Star.

The series goes on.... without me.

2009-03-15T18:43:00.003-04:00

So I've got to thank Jared Shafran, Keith Lavon and Pete Martin at WRBB for giving the blog a plug during the second intermission report yesterday.

But anyways like Jared said, I'm at the newsroom tonight, laying out the sports section for tomorrow's paper and finishing up my recap on the baseball team's weekend. So while I'm going to most likely pop over for the third period, I won't be giving live updates.

Wish I could be there.....

Edit: I've got my Matthews Arena play list queued up on my iPod right now. "Let it Rock" by Kevin Rudolf is starting it off.

4-1 NU final.

2009-03-14T21:57:00.003-04:00

Well not technically. But after a harrowing minute or so in Northeastern's zone, the Huskies finally break out and Greg Costa launches a shot from the left of the center faceoff circle for an empty netter. Give the assist to Chris Donovan.

With 29 seconds left, NU defenseman Jim Driscoll and UMass forward Casey Wellman throw the gloves off. Each gets two.

Edit: NOW, we're done. What a game.

3-1 Huskies

2009-03-14T21:47:00.004-04:00

16 seconds into the PP... and right after my colleague Jared Shafran suggested this would be a good time for the Huskies to break their PP drought, they do just that.

Steve Quailer gets the intial shot, and freshman Alex Tuckerman puts it in. Give the other assist to Louis Liotti.

5:17 left.

4:28 left. Jordan Virtue takes down Brad Thiessen behind the net. It's a delayed penalty, and Thiessen skates to the bench sans helmet, an angry scowl on his face.

2:06 left UMass has pulled Dainton.

2-1 UMass

2009-03-14T21:28:00.008-04:00

It's deja a vu all over again. Matt Irwin of Massachusetts scored his team's first goal, this time on the PP. 2-1 with 14:28 left.

The score hasn't dampered the fans, as they are as loud as ever.

The only other HE game in action is the Maine-BU game, and the Black Bears are up 5-3 with 11 minutes to go in the 3rd.

NU kills off a Chris Donovan penalty. Joe Vitale is a beast on the PK.

We've got 9:39 left here at Matthews.

After maybe the second ice call of the game, Paul Dainton takes a minute to fix his pads, drawing the ire of the Doghouse.

I might as well hit CTRL C for this... but boy Thiessen is stepping up big. He just stuffed another UMass breakaway.

And we've got a final in other HE action. Maine knocks off BU 6-3, evening the series.
6:53 left.

6:12 left and Topher Bevis gets two for holding the stick. Huskies back on the power play. It was delayed call and NU was able to kill a few valauble seconds off by keeping possession.

Start of the third.

2009-03-14T21:22:00.001-04:00

Barely made it back from the bathroom line to do the intermission report. But man, what a game. Jared Shafran and I talked about it, but man is Brad Thiessen GOOD. People just come to expect it, but this guy is making a case for HE Player of the Year.

Minuteman have a 5-3 advantage for 42 seconds after NU defender Jim Driscoll and UMass forward Casey Wellman went to the box. Husky junior Chris Donovan drew the whistle to give NU the advantage.

We have two other HE series that just ended. UMass-Lowell knocks off Vermont, while defending national champs BC takes care of UNH.

After 2, 2-0.

2009-03-14T20:58:00.000-04:00

Chisolm was sent to the box for holding, but NU killed it off towards the end of the second.

Greg Costa broke away in the closing seconds of the PP... but couldn't beat Dainton in the one on one matchup.

UMass put great pressure on the Huskies in the closing minute of the period, but NU was able to escape thanks to some outstanding goalkeeping by Thiessen.

On another note, Joe Vitale has been a beast.

1-0 Huskies..... Now 2-0.

2009-03-14T20:40:00.003-04:00

Well Kyle Kraemer couldn't have picked a better time to score his first goal of the season. After review, his tally marked as good.

David Strathman started it when he ripped a shot from center ice towards the net. Joe Vitale collected the puck, when behind the net, and found Kraemer, who slipped it past Dainton.

With 10:35 left, UMass just killed off what was a poor power play for the Huskies.

Don't know the exact stats, but UMass might be outshooting NU on the Husky power play, or at least it feels that way.

Seriously.

That four-on-four matchup passed by with some fast movement up the ice.
UMass is now on the power play with 7:08 left. Husky senior Denis Chisolm laid out a Massachusetts player behind the Husky net.

Massachusetts forward Casey Wellman and Northeastern forward Steve Silva have both been escorted off the ice, getting penalties for roughing.

9:38 left in the second.

The crowd is starting to get loud midway through this UMass PP. I'd say the lower levels are a tad more crowded then last night. Just like last night, the crowd is getting into it.

Following a GREAT PK by the by Huskies, NU takes a 2-0 lead on what wasn't the prettiest of goals. Give the goal to Steve Quailer, with the helpers going to Alex Tuckerman and Mike McLaughlin.

NU drove down to the Minuteman zone and the puck rattled around the net before Quailer took and it pushed it towards the net. The puck appeared to deflect off a skate and floated like a knuckleball past Dainton.

Just about to start the 2nd period.

2009-03-14T20:20:00.000-04:00

The first period bore and eerie resemblance to last night at Matthews. Maybe not as physical as last night.

One not so great stat for NU: Five shots on four power plays. Not good at all.

Hopefully something was said in the locker room between periods....something needs to jump start the Huskies.

After one, no score.

2009-03-14T20:03:00.000-04:00

That's it for the first period. With 1:32 left, UMass defender Topher Bevis got sent to the box. With the second resumes, NU will have 28 seconds left on the PP. Be back in a few for some quick thoughts.

Here we go.

2009-03-14T19:30:00.011-04:00

NU coach Greg Cronin is sending his third line out to start (Costa-Silva- Donovan). They're up against the UMass fourth line (Saunders-Virtue- Davis)

Just 48 seconds in, Minuteman Chris Davis gets two for interference. NU needs to start taking advantage of their PP, which has been stagnant the past few games.

Huskies can't take advantage on the man edge. Could this give UMass a boost to start the game?

At 4:09 NU's Denis Chisolm gets sent to the box for cross checking. Huskies haven't looked much different from last night. A goal here would be absolutely devastating for NU's morale.

Just under a minute into the PP, a UMass player rips a shot on Brad Thiessen. He's there to make the save and is in position again, making a great save when a UMass players collects the rebound and slaps another shot in.

NU has killed the PP.

NU's Kyle Kraemer takes a pass from Steve Quailer and rips a shot from the top of the right circle, but it clangs off the post. Seconds later, Wade MacLeod has another shot go right off the post.

Huskies have another chance with the man advantage. Alex Berry gets two for taking down David Strathman by the Northeastern net. 11:09 left in the first.

Edit: Make that a hooking call against Berry.

The Huskies can't convert that PP. Interesting to note that Kraemer is back on the fourth line.
On another note, Paul Dainton is looking down right filthy in the roughly three and a half periods of playoff hockey he's played.

Again, the Huskies have a PP. T.J. Syner is in the box for UMass.

Edit: Different shift, same result for NU. They can't convert on the PP, looking very tentative.

Line charts

2009-03-14T19:07:00.000-04:00

Just about twenty minutes till the puck drops. Here's the line charts for each team... a few interesting changes for the Huskies.

University of Massachusetts Minutemen (16-18-2, 10-14-3 HE: No. 7 seed)

Alex Berry Cory Quirk Scott Crowder

Chase Langeraap Michael Lecomte James Marcou

T.J. Syner Casey Wellman Brett Watson

Shawn Saunders Jordan Virtue Chris Davis

Martin Nolet Justin Braun

Topher Bevis Matt Irwin

Doug Kublin John Wessbecker

Paul Dainton

No. 4 Northeastern Huskies (23-10-4, 18-6-3 HE; No. 2 seed)

Wade MacLeod Joe Vitale Kyle Kraemer

Alex Tuckerman Mike McLaughlin Steve Quailer

Greg Costa Steve Silva Chris Donovan

Dennis McCauley Rob Rassey Ryan Ginand

J.P. Maley Louis Liotti

Jim Driscoll David Strathman

Denis Chisolm Mike Hewkin

Brad Thiessen

After being active the past few games due to the absence of sophomore Tyler McNeely, junior Randy Guzior is out and junior Kyle Kraemer is in on the first line. After being on the top line last night, senior Ryan Ginand is on the fourth line this game. Could this be a wake up call for the senior? He hasn't scored since Feb. 13, ironically that was against UMass.

Game 2.

2009-03-14T18:25:00.002-04:00

Getting ready to head over to Matthews in a few. Needless to say, this is a crucial game for the Huskies. A few quick scores would be just the thing to get Northeastern back on track. They've scored only four goals in their last three games (and one of those was a shorty last night).

It will be interesting to see how the Huskies come out tonight. Check back closer to game time for the lineups.

2-1 UMass final.

2009-03-13T21:10:00.000-04:00

It's over. The Huskies can never create any solid chances after pulling Thiessen. Dainton was caught out of his net midway through the man advantage, but UMass escaped with the victory.

Still 2-1.

2009-03-13T21:02:00.004-04:00

3:11 left, Huskies still trail by one.

With 1:09 left, Husky coach Greg Cronin calls a timeout. It looks like NU will pull Thiessen.

Ginand, Vitale, Quailer, MacLeod, Donovan and Strathman are the ice.

2-1 UMass.

2009-03-13T20:55:00.000-04:00

With 7:30 left, Massachusett's Davis moves behind Thiessen and shoves the puck past him. This seems like a deflating goal...

UMass ties it up.

2009-03-13T20:48:00.002-04:00

11:40 left when Irwin rips a shot from center ice, getting it past the top right shoulder of Thiessen.
Give Quirk and Crowder the assists.

The goal rouses up the UMass fans. As usual, NU fans quickly respond

Mid third, 1-0 NU.

2009-03-13T20:35:00.005-04:00

It's just a tad over three minutes into the third period. UMass had a few good opportunities and now there is a faceoff upcoming in their zone.

It feels like any old goal could win this thing....

4:11- UMass on the man advantage thanks to a hooking call against McCauley.

Edit: 1-0 Huskies. This place just exploded on the shorty by MacLeod

Donovan broke down the left side of the ice, crossing towards the center but couldn't get off a shot. The puck rattled around the back of the net before MacLeod collected it and moved towards the net, making a great move and going top shelf to the right of Dainton, falling as he ripped the shot.

After two, 0-0.

2009-03-13T20:20:00.002-04:00

This has been an incredible game so far. Hard hits, a few good offensive chances, and great goal keeping by both Dainton and Thiessen.

NU's McCauley had a great breakaway with under ten seconds left in the second, but Dainton was there for the save.

4-on-4

2009-03-13T20:16:00.002-04:00

NU's McCauley and Massachusetts' Nolet get two for unsportsmanlike like conduct at 17:58.

Husky PP

2009-03-13T20:03:00.003-04:00

Quirk gets two for hitting from behind. Can the Huskies convert? They have been putting the heat on UMass the last few minutes.

UMass PK unit strikes again. Still 0-0, 5:59 left in the second.

Start of the second.

2009-03-13T19:49:00.005-04:00

Well its just over three minute into the second period. I mentioned it earlier, but I am impressed with the amount of UMass fans who made the trip. Even walking around the lobby during intermission, you could see a decent amount.

The Doghouse has been loud, but I'd say the volume is slightly below a BU or BC game.

Edit: A "Let's go Huskies" just echoed through the rafters, followed by the "NORTH-EASTERN" chant.

Randy Guzior just had a breakaway opportunity denied by Dainton. Now this place is getting loud (especially when it was announced Maine had a 1-0 lead over Maine.

It's midway through the second. NU just had three great chances in the UMass zone, drawing some "ooo's" from the crowd, which is continuing to be loud.

End of 1, 0-0.

2009-03-13T19:32:00.001-04:00

While there's been no scoring thus far, there certainly hasn't been any lack of extracurricular activity. Both teams have been pretty intense so far and it's been any entertaining game.

Neither team has been able to convert on any PP chances.

UMass fans have traveled pretty well. They made a little noise during the end of a UMass PK, but were quickly drown out by NU fans.

Other scores to note around the HE playoffs include Maine on top of BU 1-0 and BC ahead of UNH 2-0. Both are in the first intermission.

Pictures

2009-03-13T19:21:00.003-04:00

Faceoff in UMass zone, just over ten minutes in.

Here's some pics from pre-game and first period action. Northeastern just killed off a Hewkin obstruction penalty.

View of the NU bench from the press box.

Pregame Doghouse.

Midway through the first

2009-03-13T19:14:00.001-04:00

Huskies had a great chance when MacLeod broke from the bottom of the circle to the middle of the ice before dishing it off to Vitale. Vitale's shot was deflected with a nice save by Dainton and took a funny rebound, catching the Minuteman netminder out of position.

But no Husky player was around to put it home.

It's been a pretty phyiscal game so far. McCauley was getting into it was UMass player along the boards. And then there was that earlier scuffle that resulted in the penalties.

NU can't convert PP

2009-03-13T19:11:00.000-04:00

UMass fans are starting to come to life just as those matching penalties are expired. UMass was able to clear the puck out of their own zone twice so far.

...and any noise the Minuteman fans hoped to rile up was quickly drown out by Husky fans.

UMass successfully killed of the brief 5-on-3 PP for NU.

Feisty start

2009-03-13T19:00:00.003-04:00

Ryan Ginand had a great chance just 30 seconds in as he caught Dainton out of position on the right post, but couldn't convert.

4:45- Matching penalties. Hewkin and Crowder get two each for roughing. Quirk drove towards the NU net and had his shot deflected. A minor scuffle enused behind the net, with one UMass player getting shoved on the ice.

Just 58 seconds into those penalties we have a 4-on-3 for the Huskies as UMass had too many men on the ice. Macrou is serving the penalty. NU has struggled on the PP lately- can they convery?

Lineups

2009-03-13T18:50:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Matthews Arena. Here's the line charts for each team.

Massachusetts (No. 7 Seed) (15-8-3, 10-14-4 HE)

Alex Berry Cory Quirk Scott Crowder

Chase Langeraap Michael Lecomte James Marcou

T.J. Syner Casey Wellman Brett Watson

Shawn Saunders Jordan Virtue Chris Davis

Martin Nolet Justin Braun

Topher Bevis Matt Irwin

Doug Kublin John Wessbecker

Paul Dainton

No. 4 Northeastern (23-9-4, 18-6-3 HE)

Ryan Ginand Joe Vitale Wade MacLeod

Alex Tuckerman Mike McLaughlin Steve Quailer

Greg Costa Steve Silva Chris Donovan

Dennis McCauley Rob Rassey Randy Guzior

J.P. Maley Louis Liotti

Jim Driscoll David Strathman

Denis Chisolm Mike Hewkin

Brad Thiessen

They've just finished the national anthem and we're almost set to go here.
The Doghouse is packed and loud as usual, but the lower sections have a decent amount of empty seats.

Live blog tonight from Matthews

2009-03-13T16:42:00.000-04:00

I'll be heading over in about an hour to the arena, so be sure to check in for live updates from the action between NU and UMass.

Big weekend coming up.

2009-03-13T15:08:00.004-04:00

So needless to say, this weekend is going to be exciting. The Huskies have home ice in the playoffs for the first time since 1998 and I can't even begin to imagine how loud Matthews will be tonight.

But this could be a good series as well. Massachusetts has given the Huskies trouble this year, posting a 2-1 record against NU. And as the esteemed Jack Grinold pointed out, Northeastern owns a 3-4 all time series record in home playoff series. So its not like home ice has been a sure thing for the Huskies.

Here's the game notes for NU and UMass.

The weekend got off to an early (and good) start for Husky sports. Women's basketball won it's opening tourney game against Georgia State. The sixth seeded Huskies take on third seeded James Madison tonight at 7:30. The Huskies rolled last night, but will face a much tougher test tonight against the Dukes. The Huskies have been inconsistent, but has shown they can compete with the best in the CAA.

Here's head coach Daynia La-Force Mann and senior co-captain Ashlee Feldman's post game press conference.

Baseball started its weekend at Seton Hall's Strike Out Cancer tournament with a 7-2 win over Iona. Junior Ryan Quigley was impressive today (7 IP, no earned runs, 10 K). Check out an interview I did with him following the NU-Sox game here.

A dream deferred...

2009-03-10T11:57:00.006-04:00

Well in retrospect, the weekend probably didn't turn out the way a lot of Husky fans had hoped it would. The basketball team was bounced from the tourney in its first game by eleventh-seeded Towson, who lost to George Mason 56-48. Surprisingly, the Patriots were trounced by VCU, 71-50 in the championship.

It's doubtful the team will get any sort of postseason bid.

Men's hockey slipped from the top spot in Hockey East after a split with BC this weekend. It's a bit disappointing they couldn't finish in first, but I wouldn't call this a slump by any means. NU tied No. 1 BU in two games and then won three of its last four games. I think it's just a case of the Terriers simply refusing to lose: Their last loss was Jan. 13 against Providence.

They'll be right back at it this weekend, hosting seventh-seeded UMass for a best-of-three series. Matthews should be rocking and if you can't make the games, check back here for live updates.

Women's basketball won a crucial game last Wednesday, locking up the sixth seed in the CAA tournament. They'll face eleventh-seeded Georgia State Thursday at 7:30 p.m. NU split the season series with the Panthers, dropping an uninspiring 71-51 decision in Atlanta before emerging with a thrilling 68-66 win at Solomon Court. From talking with head coach Daynia La-Force Mann, this year's tournament seems wide open. Perennial powerhouse Old Dominion and its 17 straight conference championships isn't the favorite this year for the first time in a while. From what I've seen of the league, Drexel and James Madison are probably the teams to beat heading in.

Quick baseball note. Former Husky Adam Ottavino, a first round draft pick by the Cardinals in 2006, is going to be starting the deciding WBC game for Italy tonight on ESPN2.

Could be a big weekend.

2009-03-07T15:07:00.004-05:00

Men's hockey had an exciting come-from-behind win last night against BC. All they have to do to clinch their first regular season Hockey East title is win tonight at Conte Forum (7 p.m.). I'll be heading up to the game and can't wait.

You have to wonder how deflating that loss was for the Eagles last night. They more or less outplayed the Huskies for most of the game, and led with 26 seconds left. But tonight is BC's senior night, so you can bet they'll be coming out hard.

Men's basketball begans its quest to go dancing tonight, taking on eleventh seeded Towson, who upset sixth-seeded Drexel last night.

Although they were swept in a doubleheader today, the baseball team ended its Florida swing 7-3. Not bad at all.

If all goes to plan, this could be one of the biggest weekends in Husky sports in quite sometime.

Fort Myers Pitctures

2009-03-06T16:28:00.004-05:00

Northeastern Alumni gathering prior to the game.
View from City of Palms Park press box.
Night game, Red Sox vs. Reds
View from the hotel.
Just to prove I was really there.

I hopefully should be getting some better pictures some time this week and I'll be sure to post those once I do.

Not loving being back in Boston

2009-03-01T21:15:00.002-05:00

Don't get me wrong, Boston is a great city but those two days in Florida went by way, way too fast. Now its back to the snow and cold. Oh well. I'm just glad I was able to make it back and wasn't snowed in someplace.

Men's basketball wrapped up it season with a loss to ODU on Senior Day. NU is the third seed in the CAA tournament and will face either Drexel or Towson Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Men's Hockey swept Lowell this weekend, keeping their one point edge over BU in the Hockey East standings.

Baseball swept a doubleheader today for its first two wins of the '09 season, including winning on a walk-off walk in the final game.

Women's basketball lost at VCU. They'll end their season with senior night at Solomon Court Wednesday night.

That's a wrap

2009-02-28T15:11:00.001-05:00

14-0 Sox final.

Bottom 5, 14-0 Sox.

2009-02-28T14:35:00.003-05:00

The Huskies got their second base runner when Donaldson led off the top of the fifth with a walk but he was forced out at second on a grounder by sophomore Chris Guillemette, who pinch hit for Brandon Stokes. He stays in the game at 1B.

Freshman John Putress pinch hit for Devin Barry and stays at his DH spot. Freshman Ryan Kemp is in right, and fellow classmate Tucker Roeder takes over behind the plate for Pesanello. Senior righty Tyler Thornton is in.

Freshman Jason Roth pinch hits for Gustafson and stays in to play center.

Senior righthander Jeff Thomson is in to pitch for the Huskies.

Top 4; 12-0 Sox.

2009-02-28T14:16:00.003-05:00

Sox righty Junichi Tazawa is in.

He strikes out Gustafson and Tamsin and then gets Pesanello to ground out to second. Ryan Maguire is in at short for the bottom half of the inning.

Jacoby Ellsbury lines a triple to deep center, scoring two more runs. He's lifted for a pinch runner.
14-0 Sox after four.

It's official. I've given up trying to keep score. My score sheet is a mess of crossed out names, runs, and arbitrary non-roster invitees.

Bottom 2, Quigley in.

2009-02-28T13:39:00.005-05:00

Junior lefty Ryan Quigley is in.

Pedroia reaches on an error, then steals second. Youkilis strikes out looking, Anderson walks. Lowrie strikes out looking on a full count and Angel Chavez grounds out 4-6.

Quigs has looked the most impressive of the three NU pitchers.

It's the top of the third and lefty Dustin Richardson is in to pitch for the Sox.

Bottom 3, lefty JT Ross is in for the Huskies.

Sox tack on seven more runs off Ross in the third. Youkilis and Pedroia have both been lifted.

12-0 Sox, heading to the fourth. Angel Chavez hit a two run home run, his second of the game.
Sophomore righty Brandon McNelis gets Josh Bard to pop up to third to end the inning.

And we're off.....

2009-02-28T12:59:00.007-05:00

Freshman Matt Miller grounds out to Dustin Pedroia at second on the third pitch of the game.

....And no sooner then that, David Gustafson lines triple into the gap in right center, sliding into third to a loud ovation from NU fans.

Frank Pesanello strikes out looking to end the inning.

Russ Lloyd starts off the inning the inning getting Ellsbury to ground out. Pedroia walks, Youkilis flies out and then Anderson and Lowrie each walk before Angel Chavez takes a 1-1 offering and deposits it to the right of the Giant Glass sign in left field fora grand slam.

Senior Aaron Greenblatt is in for NU.

Lloyd threw 26 pitches, nine strikes.

Josh Bard hits a 2-2 pitch into the right field bleachers. Greenblatt then hit Zach Daeges

After walking Josh Reddick, Greenblatt gets Ellsbury to ground out. Donaldson makes a nice play going to his right, and Stokes goes into a partial split to scoop the ball and keep his foot on the bag just ahead of the speedy Ellsbury.

5-0 Sox after one.

Greeting from sunny Ft. Myers

2009-02-28T12:36:00.004-05:00

It's about 80 degrees here with a slight breeze..... I just checked weather.com and its 27 degrees back in Boston..... Just sayin.

I had a chance to stop by the NU Alumni barbecue before the game. I'd say there were several hundred alumni present. Certainly couldn't be held in any better weather.

It's roughly twenty minutes to game time, so here's the lineups for each team. I'll try and update the subs each inning.... although I can't make any promises. My scorecard will most likely be a mess after the game. Notable players in the lineup for Boston include reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkillis, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Jed Lowrie.

Northeastern Huskies (0-1)

Matt Miller RF
David Gustafson CF
Mike Tamsin 3B
Frank Pesanello C
James Donaldson 2B
Jeff Dunlap LF
Brendan Stokes 1B
Devin Barry DH
Sam Berg SS

RHP Russ Lloyd

Boston Red Sox (0-3)
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Kevin Youkillis 1B
Lars Anderson DH
Jed Lowrie SS
Angel Chavez 3B
Josh Bard C
Zach Daeges LF
Josh Reddick RF

LHP Kris Johnson

Also set to throw for Boston is RHP Junichi Tazawa, LHP Felix Doubront, and LHP Dustin Richardson.

Live updates from Fort Myers Saturday

2009-02-26T17:56:00.001-05:00

Be sure to check in Saturday from (hopefully) sunny Fort Myers for updates from the Northeastern-Red Sox game.

It's been a while.

2009-02-24T12:39:00.004-05:00

Sorry for not posting the past week. My lack of posts certainly doesn't reflect the lack of news in Northeastern athletics. The men's hockey team tied both games in a home-and-home series with Boston University. I was at Agganis and Matthews both nights and the atmosphere was amazing. Agganis may be the newer facility, but the fans at Matthews were unbelievable Saturday night. With the ties, Northeastern is still one point ahead of Boston University for the top spot in Hockey East.

The men's basketball team got back on track, winning its BracketBuster game with Wright State Saturday. The game was on ESPN2 and it was pretty cool to see Northeastern on national TV, especially since they emerged with a win against a pretty solid Raider team. Overall the CAA went 8-4 in BracketBusters. It's highly unlikely the conferences gets two bids this year, but this strong showing can only help down the road.

A bit of sad news this weekend too. Senior tight end Brian Mandeville, who was invited the NFL combine had barely gotten to Indianapolis when combine doctors found a problem during his routine physical. It turns out he has a problem with one of his heart valves and his playing career is likely over. Yahoo! Sports and the Huntington News have the story. By all accounts it sounds like Mandeville is strong character guy, so while this is definately a shame, he'll hopefully be able to move on with his life. It's fortunate this was found before it surfaced on the field.

The baseball team starts it season tomorrow, taking on Division II Eckerd at 7 p.m., before scrimmaging the Boston Red Sox Saturday at 1 p.m. I'll be in Florida starting Friday and will be sure to post pictures and updates from the game.

The swimming and diving team ended the season 7-6 (2-3 CAA) and will compete at the conference championship from Feb. 23-28 in Fairfax Va. NU finished fifth in the championship last season.

Women's hockey wrapped up the regular season this weekend, getting swept by BU. The Huskies will have a quick turn around, as they will face the Terriers 3 p.m. this Saturday at Walter Brown arena.

The women's basketball team split a pair of games, topping William & Mary on the road and giving first place Drexel all they could handle before falling in overtime. Guard Brittany Wilson was named CAA Rookie of the Week for the third time this season.

Weekend recap

2009-02-17T12:23:00.004-05:00

Congrats to the women's hockey team, who downed Vermont 4-3 Sunday to earn their first playoff berth since the 2003-04 season.

The men's hockey team split a home and home series with UMass, although not in the traditional way. NU rallied from 2-0 ad 3-2 deficits to win 5-3 Friday at Mullins Center. The win was the 20th of the year for the Huskies, the first time since the 1997-98 season they 've reached that mark. UMass came into Matthews Saturday night and emerged with a 4-1 victory. The Huskies are now 1-2 against the Minutemen this season, who seem to pose a matchup problem for Northeastern. This could be something to watch come playoff time.

After losing a stinker to Drexel, men's hoops lost 64-53 at George Mason Saturday. It's not that suprising, as GMU is a tough team, never mind at home, but it would have been nice for the Huskies to get the win.

Women's hoops dropped a 62-58 loss to Towson in overtime Sunday. This comes after a thrilling 68-66 OT win Thursday night at Solomon Court against Georgia State.

There's been a bit of a panic by Husky fans over the recent funk of men's basketball and hockey. Granted, these teams have hit a bit of a skid, but hockey is still one point ahead of BU for first place and men's basketball can clinch the No. 1 seed in the CAA tourney if they win out.
The Huskies have three conference games remaining (vs. Georgia State, at Drexel and vs. ODU).

Hockey has a big home and home series with BU this weekend, followed by series with UMass-Lowell and BC to close out the season. UMass-Lowell is ahead of BC in the Hockey East standings.... who would have though that?

It's the middle of February and baseball season is quickly approaching. The Huskies open regular season play next Monday against Eckerd in Sarasota, Fla. The annual NU-Red Sox scrimmage will take place on Saturday Feb. 28. I'm looking forward to being there in person.

Michael Phelps

2009-02-13T12:47:00.003-05:00

A little off topic, but one of my class assignments is to talk about the recent Michael Phelps scandal. Not so much whether what he did was right, etc. but more the aspect of how anything you do can wind up online. There's no better proof of this then TMZ or Perez Hilton. Total trash sites and a waste of bandwidth if you ask me, but they are proof of the modern digital world were even the smallest embarrassing action can be documented.

An issue closer to home for college students like me is Facebook, and to a lesser extent, MySpace. While MySpace has always been open to the public, it's only been about two years for Facebook. So while those drunken pictures from Saturday night at the bar might seem harmless, they could paint a negative impression of you to a potential employer. I applied for a part time job this fall and my supervisor added me on Facebook. I try to make sure my profile stays fairly clean and I use the site's privacy setting to control what people can see.

While technology allows people to see almost any part of people's lives, I think a little common sense and good judgement can help avoid any embarassment. In other words, just be smart.

Beanpot post game press conferences

2009-02-10T17:15:00.002-05:00

No. 29 for the Terriers

2009-02-09T22:36:00.000-05:00

It's all over.

With about 1:30 left, NESN showed a shot of the Husky bench. The look on Greg Cronin and the rest of the Huskies said it all. Northeastern gave up three short-handed goals and after being within one goal late in the third, they fell apart, giving up two shorthanded goals within thirty seconds.

Husky fans have remained positive, while BU fans can't resist rubbing the loss in their face.

5;36 left. 5-2 BU

2009-02-09T22:25:00.003-05:00

With 7:06 left, Boston University's Joe Pereira is given a two minute minor for slashing...... and one minute in BU freshman David Warsofsky scores..... and 30 seconds later another shorthanded goal. as Colin Wilson breaks away.

I think its safe to wrap this one up.....

Edit: With 4:28 left, Husky forward Dennis McCauley gets two for interference.
The Huskies just seem to be falling apart.

BU fans are chanting "Hey, hey goodbye," but to their credit, Husky fans are responding with a loud "Let's go Huskies,"

9:58 left.

2009-02-09T22:16:00.002-05:00

NU's Mike Hewkin gets a minor for interference. It really feels like BU is about to break it open with an insurance goal and the man advantage gives them the perfect chance.

Edit: Huskies kill off the penalty. Alex Tuckerman breaks towards the Terrier goal, but his wrap around attempt is no good.
7:57 left.

Also not sure why BU fans are still doing the "BC sucks" chant.... they are playing Northeastern after all.

Still 3-2 BU: 12:39 left.

2009-02-09T22:08:00.001-05:00

Husky fans have the "North-EASTERN" chant going. Again, the atmosphere here has been terrific. Not a bad game either.

BU's been putting the pressure on the last few minutes.

5-on-3 NU

2009-02-09T21:57:00.002-05:00

Both teams mascots went at it in between periods, with Paws and his Terrier counterpart rough housing near center ice.

The Huskies get a 5-on-3 57 seconds in when BU defender Kevin Shatterkirk is sent to the box.
Greg Cronin calls a timeout. Can NU take advantage?

Edit: It's down to a 5-on-4 for1:16.

Edit: Ginand has a great chance point blank on the right post, but can't convert. BU kills off the penalty.

After two, 3-2 BU

2009-02-09T21:41:00.002-05:00

With 19.1 seconds left in the 2nd, BU's Zach Cohen is called for tripping.

Northeastern will have a 5-on-4 advantage for the first 1:41 of the first.

2nd period analysis:

Northeastern entered the period on the PP, but 27 seconds in a shorthanded goal by Nick Bonino gave them a 2-1 lead.

However, Tyler McNeely tied the game at 1o:01. BU wasted no time taking the lead as Jason Lawrence scored just over a minute later.

Power plays were prevalent through the second period, but neither team was able to capitalize on any of them. NU had two power plays, while BU had three.

The Huskies can't keep giving BU a chance with the man advantage.

Overall, BU seemed to dominate play. They had several good chances that were either thwarted by Thiessen or one of his defenders. Several close calls around the net as well.

McNeely is gone with a 10 minute game misconduct which was called during a scrum in front of the Husky net. No one seems to know what its for.

In the period, BU outshot NU 12-3.

On the game, the Terriers are out shooting the Huskies 18-14.

Thiessen goes down.

2009-02-09T21:27:00.002-05:00

With a few seconds left in a BU power play, Husky defender Jim Driscoll makes a nice play to thwart a BU shot attempt. At the end of the PP, a scrum ensues in the NU net with several players piled on top of Thiessen. After staying down for a few excruciating minutes, he is attended to by the trainers and is moving around fine now.

However, Tyler McNeely is given a game misconduct for Northeastern.

3-2 BU

2009-02-09T21:26:00.001-05:00

Barely had time to type that last post when Jason Lawrence gives BU a 3-2 lead.

8:36 left in the second.

Another NU powerplay.. 2-2

2009-02-09T21:18:00.001-05:00

Terrier forwad Vinny Saponari called for interference. Huskies again on the PP. 11:29 left in the second.

Edit: Huskies aren't able to generate much pressure on the PP but as soon as it ends, freshman forward Tyler McNeely takes a deflected David Strathman pass and squeaks it past Millan. Give the other assist to freshman Steve Quailer.

2-1 BU

2009-02-09T21:10:00.003-05:00

I get up for under a minute and BU takes the lead 27 seconds in on the shorthanded goal. Forward Brandon Yip breaks away and unleashes a shot on Thiessen. The puck takes a funny bounce back towards the front of the net and Nick Bonino rips a shot over Thiessen's right shoulder.

The two fan sections are trading "Let's go Terriers" and "Let's Go Husky" chants.

16:36 left. NU's Jim Driscoll gets called for interference. The Huskies can't give BU this many chances on the PP.

Edit: NU's Wade MacLeod breaks free and gets to BU's net, but his attempt to wrap it around Millan is foiled.

NU kills off the PP, but not before some close calls, including one shot right off Thiessen's kneepad on a wraparound attempt.

NU powerplay... 1-1 after one.

2009-02-09T20:47:00.003-05:00

Terrier forward Luke Popko gets sent to the box. 35 seconds in, the Huskies have the puck right in the crease and Ginand dives to try and sneak it in the net, but is denied.

....and right after that.... NU gets a faceoff in BU's zone. Ginand passes it towards the center of the ice, where BU's Chris Higgins entagles Vitale, taking both of them down and leaving Husky forwad Mike McLaughlin all alone on the left post, where he wastes no time beating Millan. Give assists to Vitale and forward Wade MacLeod.

With the Higgins penalty, the Huskies will have a PP for 1:35 at the start of the second.

1st period analysis. 1-0 BU

2009-02-09T20:32:00.003-05:00

At 14:38, NU's Mike Hewkin gets two for holding.

Forty seconds later, Husky defender Louis Liotti gets sent to the box as well, giving BU a 5-on-3.

The opening six minutes really showed how even these teams are. There was no stoppage on the clock and only one shot on goal (by NU). The Huskies controlled the puck in the mid t0 later portion of the period, but couldn't score.

BU's 5-on-3 advantage late in the period and the top power play team in the country takes advantage as Colby Cohen squeaks it in past Thiessen. After a brief review, its determined to be a goal. Give the assists to Colin Wilson and Kevin Shattenkirk.

Slight delay as one of the refs appeared to have taken a puck off the face. Looks painful for sure.

NU offense pressuring

2009-02-09T20:29:00.000-05:00

NU is putting some nice pressure on but many of its shot aren't making it to the net. Steve Silva just had a great chance when he took a pass from behind the net on the left post and shot it across the net, just past the right post and open right side of the net. Slight delay to fix the BU net, which came dislodged.

6:51 left in the first.

BU kills off penalty.

2009-02-09T20:26:00.000-05:00

Despite being down in the Terrier zone most of the time, NU can't capitalize. Two nice saves by Millan in the final 23 seconds of the PP.

NU powerplay....now on 4-on-4

2009-02-09T20:12:00.003-05:00

John McCarthy gets two minutes for hooking.

....and just like that, NU's David Strathman gets two minutes for obstruction.

Just stating the obvious... but Ryan Ginand can really fly.

BU's Nick Bonino drives up the left side, but is denied by Thiessen.

BU's Brandon Yip gets to for hitting from behind at 9:47. NU will have a 5-on-4 after it was 4-on-4 for just under two minutes.

And we're off.....

2009-02-09T20:10:00.001-05:00

8:10 p.m. the puck drops.

Just a note. During the national anthemn (sung by a BC student) BU's fan section was a bit rowdy and even booed her in the beginning when it was announced she was from BC.

I said it before, but this place is LOUD

T-minus 18 minutes

2009-02-09T19:49:00.002-05:00

Just a tad over 18 minutes until the 57th annual Beanpot championship game starts. BC won the consolation game 4-3 over Harvard. With just over 45 seconds left, a Harvard defenseman tried to clear the puck across the middle BC picked off the poor pass and Benn Ferriero took advantage, putting it past Ryan Carroll for the game winner. Until that play, it looked as if the game was headed to overtime.

Talked to Keith Lavon and Pete Martin from WRBB and it sounds like the Huskies are at ease heading into this game, laughing and joking in the locker room.

So far each fan section has been extremely loud. I'm situated right above the NU pep band and nearest the Husky fan section. Several signs spotted among NU fans included "UMass-Kenmore" and "BU loves A-Rod."

Both fan sections should be great. I'll be along with some more updates, assuming my laptop doesn't die (had a scary moment booting it up.)

Edit: They've just dimmed the lights in the Garden and are showing the Beanpot trophy and pictures from past Beanpots on the jumbotron. This place seems ready to explode.

Welcome to the TD Banknorth Garden

2009-02-09T17:52:00.004-05:00

Here's the line charts for each team. No real surprises for the Huskies.

No. 3 Northeastern (19-6-2, 14-4-1)

Steve Quailer Joe Vitale Wade MacLeod

Alex Tuckerman Steve Silva Tyler McNeely

Dennis McCauley Ryan Ginand Mike McLaughlin

Greg Costa Rob Rassey Chris Donovan

Jim Driscoll David Strathman

Dan Nycholat Louis Liotti

Denis Chisolm Mike Hewkin

Brad Thiessen

No. 1 Boston University (21-5-1, 13-5-1 Hockey East)

Chris Higgins Colin Wilson Jason Lawrence

John McCarthy Nick Bonino Brandon Yip

Zach Cohen Chris Connolly Vinny Saponari

Andrew Glass Luke Popko Joe Pereira

Brian Strait Matt Gilroy

Colby Cohen Kevin Shattenkirk

David Warsofsky Eric Gryba

Kieran Millan

The rankings came out today and both the Terriers and the Huskies held at their respective positions (#1 and #3). So even though its not a matchup of No. 1 vs No. 2, it still should be a good one tonight.

Midway through the second period BC and Harvard are tied 2-2 in the consolation game.

Heading up to the press room, but I'll be back before game time. If the number of jerseys and hockey t-shirts worn around campus today is any indication, the Husky fan turnout should be great tonight. In my three and half years at Northeastern, I can't remember this much hype about an athletics event.

Odds and ends

2009-02-08T15:11:00.002-05:00

Between the Beanpot and the success of the basketball team, the Huskies have been getting some good publicity.

Here's a link to two Globe articles, one following around basketball coach Bill Coen and another on goalie Brad Thiessen.

Steve Buckley of the Herald also writes a nice piece on Northeastern's increased exposure.

Quick recap of some news in Husky sports this week:

-Football coach Rocky Hager announced the signing of 12 recruits, including twins from Brookline. Full story here.
-Hager also announced some staff changes. Read about it here.

BracketBusters pairings were announced last week and Northeastern drew Wright State. Needless to say, the pairing was a bit of surprise and raised some questions among Husky fans. Read what Tom Giles of WRBB has to say about it.

I'll be live blogging tomorrow from the Garden during what should be an exciting game between the Terriers and Huskies. Feel free to leave any suggestions or comments about last week's blog.

Beanpot Post Game Quotes

2009-02-03T15:24:00.005-05:00

Sorry once again. These are terribly late.

BC Coach Jerry York

General comments on the game:

Clearly, the first thought in my mind is that Northeastern played very well. I thought Thiessen was outstanding. One of our objectives going into the game was to create a lot of scoring chances and we did that, but Thiessen made some great saves. I thought there were some times were we played exceptionally well but we weren't rewarded for them.

I think we've still got something very special with this club. Sometimes success comes when you least expect it.

On goalie John Muse:
"I'm a big baseball fan. I've watched Sandy Koufax get shelled some nights and then he comes back and win 30 games. This wasn't his night. Goaltenders have to bounce back from different outings. John will be fine, he'll wake up tomorrow morning and be back where he was."

NU Coach Greg Cronin

I told my team this after the game, I'm not sure it was a 6-1 game. When you see the score from a distance, you say 'wow, Northeastern walloped BC,' but I told the players after the game we were very fortunate. Muse is an outstanding goalie, he's won a national championship.
We had multiple goals on the power play. I've said all along, if our power play gets going, we're going to be very dangerous offensively.

On growing into a contender and winning the first round game.
It's a game, the Beanpot's a game. I think all the media attention and national spotlight make more it larger then that. I asked us to focus on playing the game and executing the game plan and if we win or not, just do the best you can. Don't get caught up in the whirlwind media attention and the pressure. The drought that Northeastern's experienced over the years, it does weigh on us. Their kids, you can't filter out the media attention.

On the play of his seniors:

Well, I made a point to the underclassman that there's six of them playing in the game and this is there last chance at it. That goes with some responsibility for the seniors to play well. The seniors can't just sit there and be spectators and have a vanilla game. They've all got to have input and got to lead the team. I thought they did a very good job. Two guys that don't get a lot of credit, Liotti and Chisolm. They don't do anything great, but they're just real veteran players It's funny, I was watching them play tonight and you can't give freshman experience. Those guys understand the game, they know how to handle momentum swings. It's so important for the program to have people like that. I think they understand that there's another game to play, particularly for the Beanpot, and there's one on Friday, and that's just kind of the way we've been rolling through this year.

Ryan Ginand

Last year we started off slow and this is the last year for the seniors here. We know how much it means to the team to come with a victory, especially over BC. They're defending national champions and Beanpot champions. As for motivation, we look at every game the same, [we] just try and win.

All three years we were in the 5 o'clock game. The energy tonight was amazing. I didn't know what it was like and it was unbelievable. I can't wait for next week.

Brad Thiessen

On facing a large amount of shots

I like a lot of shots. It keeps me in the game. A lot of shots I saw all the way. [The defense] did a great job in front of me.

Chris Donovan

On his play in the game (1 goal/3 assists)

I try to be the first guy in every time. Rassey and Costa were great tonight, and McCauley and Quailer just made two great shots.

Here's the link to the different game stories:

Boston Herald

Boston Globe

NY Times

Also, I believe I said last night Muse was out of position for three of NU's goals Looking back, I actually think it was only two (Liotti's and Quailer's).

6-1 NU Final.

2009-02-02T22:49:00.000-05:00

NU really dominated in all facets of the game. This might be one of the best overall efforts for NU so far. I'm off to the press conference, will be sure to post the quotes later on tonight.

John Muse pulled

2009-02-02T22:46:00.000-05:00

BC pulled goalie John Muse after the last NU goal.. This is freshman's Chris Venti's first collegiate action.

4:43 left.

BC fan section deserted.

2009-02-02T22:41:00.000-05:00

A lot of people have left the Garden. Much of the bottom is empty and the BC fan section is deserted. Many of the BU fans who hung around from the first game are gone as well.

Husky fans are really getting loud. They've been counting down the final seconds of the minutes on the clock and then chanting how ever many minutes are left in the game.
Right now, its six.

6-1 NU.

2009-02-02T22:37:00.000-05:00

Alex Tuckerman rifles a shot from the left wing. Muse is sloppy handling the rebounds, and Donovan collects the loose puck and slams it home.

7:30 left. Donovan was given a penalty for hitting in the head.

9:57 left: 5-1 NU

2009-02-02T22:31:00.000-05:00

The Huskies once again killed off a penalty and now it is down to the final ten minutes.

NU taking a lot of penalties

2009-02-02T22:29:00.001-05:00

As soon as that too many men on the ice penalty is killed off, Chris Donovan takes a penalty for hitting from behind. The Huskies have a big lead, but they can't keep giving BC power play chances.

On another note, I think Brock Braford piled on top of Thiessen to end the second period, not Ben Smith, as Brockford was given the penalty.

Thiessen set a season-high in saves for this season. I'll have to check on that.

12:45 left.

Start of third 5-on-4 NU

2009-02-02T22:19:00.001-05:00

Each of those penalties at the end of second canceled out, so BC still has 45 seconds of a man advantage. On ice for NU is Louis Liotti, Dan Nycholat, Rob Rassey, and Mike McLaughlin.

Edit: NU kills off the penalty. Word is Chisolm will be suspended for this Friday's game at Merrimack.

Thiessen made another nice save, making him 29-of-30 for the game. NU gets a too many men on the ice. Ginand will serve this one. Kind of a sloppy penalty for the Huskies.

Entering this penalty, BC is o-for-4 on the PP with five shots.

Benn Ferriero rips a shot on net. but Thiessen catches it to the left with his glove.

15:30 left.

Also, Matt Lombardi was given the assist on BC's only goal, in place of Ray Whitney.

2nd period analysis.

2009-02-02T22:09:00.001-05:00

I was talking to Jared Shafran, the hockey writer, about how calm this second period was. And then midway through, boom! Seniors Louis Liotti and Dennis McCauley scored goals at 11:58 and 12:40, respectively, to give NU a 4-1 cushion.

Steve Quailer added the third goal of the period at 18:19.

One of the main stories of this game is the way the senior class has been stepping up for Northeastern. Ginand, Liotti, McCauley and Rassey have all been huge. Again, these guys seem hellbent on getting a Beanpot.

Juniors Chris Donovan and Brad Thiessen have been huge too. Thiessen has made several outstanding saves and Donovan has been everywhere on the ice.

John Muse has not looked sharp. He was caught out of position on the first two goals, and was completely out of the net for Quailer's score.

2nd half stats:

Thiessen: 21/21 saves. Game: 28/29
Muse: 7/10. Game: 14/19