SCHENECTADY, N.Y.-The eyes of the college hockey world will be on Messa Rink tonight as the American International College ice hockey team and the fifth-ranked, defending national champion Union Dutchmen do battle in the season opener for both teams at 8:07 p.m.
FOLLOW LIVE: Video ($7.95) |
Audio (Free) |
Live Stats | Twitter:
@AIC_HockeyRESUMING THE RIVALRY: Last season was the first time that the Dutchmen and Yellow Jackets did not meet up on the ice in six years; AIC and Union had played each other once a season from 2008-09 to 2012-13.
Overall, the Dutchmen are 6-0-0 against AIC, including 5-0-0 at their home rink. The most recent match, the first and only in the series at the Olympia, saw Union skate away with an 8-0 victory on October 26, 2012.
SCOUTING THE DUTCHMEN: Union's roster is vastly different from last season's squad thanks to six departures. Graduating were defenseman and captain Mat Bodie (East St. Paul, Man.), who was the school's all-time assists leader, forward and alternate captain Daniel Carr (Sherwood Park, Alb.), who racked up a 157-point career, and fellow forwards Cole Ikkala (McKinney, Texas), Matt Hatch (Massena, N.Y.), and Kevin Sullivan (Darien, Conn.). Additionally, defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (Margate, Fla.) left after his junior season. Gostisbehere, Bodie, and Carr all signed NHL contracts, with Philadelphia, the New York Rangers, and Montreal respectively.
However, returning are key players like forward Daniel Ciampini (Concord, Ont.), who led the team with 23 goals and was second with 41 points, as well as fellow forward Mike Vecchione (Saugus, Mass.), who had a 14-20-34 line last year in 38 games. Goalkeeper Colin Stevens (Niskayuna, N.Y.), who went 28-4-2 with a .929 SV% and 2.05 GAA, also returns. In all, eight returning Dutchmen who scored at least ten points last year are expected to play tonight.
SCOUTING THE YELLOW JACKETS: AIC, like Union, experienced significant turnover with their roster, but also returned key cogs such as sophomore right wing
David Norris (Calgary, Alb.), senior center
Alexander MacMillan (Calgary, Alb.), junior left wing and alternate captain
Chris Porter (Stoufville, Ont.), and senior defenseman and captain
Steven Hoshaw (Vista, Calif.). For a full preview of the Yellow Jackets' season,
click here.
RAISING THE BANNERS: Prior to tonight's contest, the Dutchmen will be hosting a special ceremony to honor last year's team. They will have four championships to celebrate: the Cleary Cup for winning the ECACHL regular season title, the Whitelaw Cup for winning the ECACHL Tournament, their regional championship, and their national championship.
SPRINGFIELD CONNECTIONS: Dutchmen head coach Rick Bennett is a native of Springfield, and included in his professional career were 101 games played for the American Hockey League's Springfield Indians and Falcons from 1992-1994.
UP NEXT: AIC opens Atlantic Hockey play with their lone set of games in Worcester at the Hart Center against the Holy Cross Crusaders on Friday October 17 and Saturday October 18. Both games start at 7:05 p.m.
