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St. Cloud State University
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Huskies open with sweep at home
By Bobby Hart
Published:
Monday, October 20, 2003
Media Credit: Ryan Henry
Wisconsin defenseman Jeff Likens holds up SCSU forward Brent Hill Saturday. The Huskies finished the sweep with a 3-1 victory.
Media Credit: Ryan Henry
SCSU defenseman Matt Gens maneuvers around Wisconsin´s Matt Likens Saturday night at the National Hockey Center.
In a season in which the Huskies have their lowest preseason ranking in nine years, they accomplished a feat in the first weekend that took them six months into the season last year.
After a 2-1 win Friday, and a 3-1 win Saturday, the Huskies dismantled the Wisconsin Badgers for their first conference sweep thanks to some pesky defense that was pushed by outstanding performances from two different goaltenders.
SCSU head coach Craig Dahl, who decided to start all three of his goalies in the first three games of the season, started sophomore Jason Montgomery Friday night. Montgomery, who had the league's best save percentage (2.97) in WCHA games last season, showed that he deserved it.
Montgomery recorded 29 saves including some highlights that had him standing on his head. Among many others, the sophomore made a key glove save in the second period when Badger defenseman Tom Gilbert rifled a slap shot on a power- play, and a big save on Robbie Earl who had a 3-1 in the third period.
In a sloppy first period, it was the Huskies' fourth line of Andy Lundbohm, Konrad Reeder and Nate Raduns that showed the only glimpse of offensive consistency out of both teams. After cycling the puck along the UW boards, Lundbohm attempted a wraparound at the right post that deflected off Badger goalie Bernd Bruckler's stick and found Reeder alone on the left side. Although Reeder (one goal last season), didn't get a full stick on it, it trickled into the open net to give the Huskies the lead with about a minute left in the first period.
"Konrad is one guy that's been playing great for us," said junior Dave Iannazzo. "He's using his speed and playing really hard and it's good to see that some of those sophomores are stepping up."
Tim Conboy, who finished with a plus-one (one of three Husky defensemen to do so) was another one of those sophomores that had a big game. The San Jose Sharks draft pick showed that he'll fill in fine for the loss of Jeff Finger as the team's enforcer, after laying out several Badgers. Although Conboy found himself in the penalty box three times in the second period, Dahl was happy with his gritty play.
"I didn't have a problem with (the penalties)," Dahl said. "I thought he played a good physical game. He punished some people. The best word for him is 'scary.'"
The Badgers clicked on one of three power-plays in the second period when Nick Licari tied the game with a shot from inside the right circle at the 8:21 mark. The game winner came in the third period with a scrap in front of the net. SCSU defenseman T.J McElroy took a slap shot that was rebounded by junior Dave Iannazzo, who stuck a pretty backhand from inside the left circle. Iannazzo had only five points last season compared to 13 his first year with the Huskies, but appeared to be a step ahead of everyone Friday.
"I've always seen the ice well, but this year I feel a little more confident with puck," Iannazzo said. "That's something that can change overnight, but scoring a goal is only going to help."
Husky junior transfer Adam Coole got his turn in goal Saturday. Coole played for UMD two years ago and had a 43 save performance in a 3-2 Bulldog upset over the Huskies Jan. 11, 2002 at the National Hockey Center. After sitting out a year due to Division I transfer rules, Coole had another great performance at the NHC, only this time he was wearing a Husky jersey.
Coole saved 28 of 29 shots and led the Huskies to a 3-1 win over the Badgers to conclude their first sweep of the season.
"I had so many mixed emotions coming out tonight," Coole said. "Looking up in the first draw and seeing the SCSU jerseys in front of me, it honestly seemed like one minute I had a Bulldog jersey on and now I have a (SCSU) jersey on. I enjoyed every minute of it."
His coach and teammates did as well. After what Coole's been through in the last couple years, the win had some added meaning to the Huskies. The significance of his first SCSU victory was evident after the final horn when he was swarmed by teammates and a hug from Dahl.
"He's been around for a year so I was happy," Dahl said. "I gave him a hug and I don't usually hug goalies after games. He's a good kid."
After going 0-2 Friday night, the Husky power play found its niche Saturday with two goals from junior Peter Szabo.
The first goal came 12:15 into the first period when Hooton found Szabo alone at the right post with Wisconsin's Ryan MacMurchy in the penalty box for a five minute major for checking from behind.
It was one of three assists on the night for Hooton, who relinquished the opportunity to play alongside Szabo and captain Matt Hendricks on the first line.
"I came into practice last week and saw my linemates...I couldn't ask for much more," Hooton said. "Hopefully we can build on this weekend and keep getting better. I couldn't ask for two better guys to play with."
It looked as if the Badgers tied the game in the second period when Licari crashed the net for a rebound early in the second period, but the goal was recalled after referee Derek Shepherd was overruled by his linesman. The puck went off Licari's skate, which was evident later in the TV replay.
Hooton made another great play in the third period when he was taken down in the left circle. While on the ice, Hooton slid the puck over to co-captain Ryan LaMere who gave the Huskies the go-ahead goal five minutes into the third period with a pretty backhand.
Almost five minutes later, the Husky power-play struck again with some finesse. Hooton, LaMere and Szabo played tic-tac-toe back and forth across the ice for Szabo's second goal.
The Husky penalty kill then held the Badgers to only one goal from Andrew Joudrey during a five minute checking from behind major on Lundbohm. However, some close calls put some pressure on Coole.
"I'll probably die a couple years younger," Coole laughed. "I've been on a ninth and 10th place team in the WCHA, and the attitude is a lot different in (SCSU's) locker room. The atmosphere here at home is unbelievable. You hear the term 'you don't get beat in your building' and everybody here believes in that."
After a big season-opening sweep, which was predicted to go the other way, the Huskies may have made some believers around the WCHA as well.
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