Well for a good portion of the game I was worried that this would be a UMass team unable to adapt to a smaller ice surface but luckily they got things going late and came away from the Coffin with a hard-fought 5-3 win.  First off, let me say that I was very impressed by how Providence played.  I frankly did not expect anything out of this team this season and instead they have two or three solid lines of kids who can skate and can especially pass well.

I though the Friars carried the play in the first and even held their own well in the second despite being outshot.  But it was very impressive of this UMass club who could have easily given up twice going down a goal on the road, but instead they stuck with their game and didn’t let up on their effort and came away with the win.  For a good part of the game the offense just didn’t flow for the Minutemen, probably partly because of the smaller ice and partly because Providence was playing that well.  The early Casey Wellman goal came on a very nice backhand shot into an open net as Alex Beaudry was slow to move to cover.  A little odd to see Irwin score a goal that didn’t come from one of his big ole slapshots but he continues to be one of the top offensive defensemen in the league.  The game tying goal was an excellent play by all three wingers involved as Rocco Carzo got the puck up to Will Ortiz on the rush who went into shoot only to pass to Martin Nolet at the last second.  I didn’t really get a good look at the Keane game-winner.  Just looked like the crashed the net and fought to get the puck in.  The empty-netter by James Marcou was a nice backhand from a tough angle but the credit is due to a great poke check by Syner who was able to get the puck out to center ice before getting hauled down.  After being so-so for most of the game the defense really stepped up their play in the 3rd and allowed UMass to come back to win the game.

I expect to see the team opening things up a little more on the larger home ice tonight.  However I hope they don’t get too complacent on the heels of the win as Providence could come out angry after going toe-to-toe with UMass for most of the game last night only to lose their grip on the game at the end.  I also really hope to see some improvement on faceoffs as UMass lost at the circle 43-21.  Hopefully we’ll see a good crowd for the game, especially from the student section where whomever has the best costume will be going home with a new IPod.

Fear The Triangle Player of the Game – Casey Wellman
Casey started things off well with the first goal of the game and played well throughout.  I especially like to see that he had 6 shots on net.  This award almost went to Will Ortiz for his excellent effort through the entire game and his strong two way play.  His pass on the game tying goal was key.

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Matt Vautour has a short recap in the Gazette.  The Republican continues to disappoint with their staff reports crap.

That’s about it for real game stories.  I’m surprised to see the Providence Journal has a story on the Brown game and none on the PC game. 

Elsewhere last night BC had to battle for a 4-3 win at home against Merrimack while Maine topped Vermont 4-1.  UNH lost 4-1 also to Wisconsin out in Madison.  Meanwhile out in the CCHA here’s reason number 1,953 why I don’t like shootouts.

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Lowell was two for three yesterday.  They did drop their much anticipated home game to BU in overtime but the school signed the agreement to buy the Tsongas Arena during the game and also picked up a committment from goaltender Chris Eiserman.  According to USHR Eiserman had also taken a visit to UMass but it’s not surprising to see him commit to the River Hawks as it will give him a chance to play with his older brother Bill who committed there earlier in the year.  Eiserman is currently a teammate of UMass recruit Peter DeAngelo with the NH Monarchs of the EJHL.

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John Parker scored a goal in Team USA’s exhibition win over Canada West as they prepare for this week’s Junior Tournament.

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This article out of Wisconsin mentions UMass’ trip out there as part of the 10-11 schedule.