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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Bowling Green
Split Decision
January 05, 2002 | Men's Ice Hockey
Jan. 5, 2002
Final Stats
BOWLING GREEN, OHIO - The Princeton men's hockey team couldn't sustain the momentum it gained from Friday's win at Bowling Green, losing the rematch 2-1 Saturday night at BGSU Ice Arena.
Tiger goalie Trevor Clay (Winnipeg, Manitoba) received his second start of the season, but it ended much like the first one. A week ago Clay dropped a 2-1 decision to Notre Dame, stopping 41 shots. Against Bowling Green the freshman suffered a similar fate, this time turning aside 33 Falcons shots in a one-goal loss.
"Trevor gave us a great effort and stopped a number of point-blank shots," Princeton coach Len Quesnelle said. "We didn't execute the little things that are necessary to win close games."
Clay was barely done scuffing his crease when Bowling Green jumped to an early 1-0 lead. Ryan Minnabarriet sent a pass from the right-wing boards to the slot where it was redirected by a streaking Colen Pappas just 24 seconds into the first period. Clay rebounded nicely from the early goal, stopping 10 shots in the opening 20 minutes, including a breakaway by Brian Escobedo and a shot by Tyler Knight, who was left alone in front.
Princeton ended its 0 for 14 power-play drought when a Brad Parsons (Kingston, Mass.) centering pass deflected off Bowling Green netminder Jordan Sigalet. The play started deep in the Falcons zone when an attempted BG clearing pass was kept in at the point by a diving Neil McCann (Calgary, Alberta). The puck squirted along the left-wing boards to George Parros (Randolph, N.J.), who fed Parsons to the right of Sigalet. Parsons intended a pass for David Del Monte (Mississauga, Ont.) in the slot, but it hit Sigalet, and Princeton tied the score 1-1 at 12:58 of the first stanza.
Bowling Green's Scott Hewson scored the eventual game-winner midway through the second period when he finished off rush with linemates Greg Day and D'Arcy McConvey. Hewson's shot from the slot beat Clay high to the stick side at 11:15.
A pair of Bowling Green penalties with 7:59 to play in the second gave Princeton a five of three advantage for two minutes. Despite improved puck movement, the Tigers did not generate any quality scoring opportunities and only of couple of shots. "We moved the puck well on the five on three, but then we got a little selfish" Quesnelle said. "We didn't have enough patience and poise."
The best pressure was in the last minute of the second, when Parsons, Parros, and Matt Maglione (Fayetteville, N.Y.) each had whacks at a loose puck in the Bowling Green crease.
Outshooting Princeton 23-17 after two periods, Bowling Green had several scoring opportunities, but Clay stopped shots by Hewson and Joe Statkus from slot in the last five minutes of the period.
Princeton yielded just four goals in the two-game series, but three came on the power play. On the other hand, the Tigers converted just one of 11 man-advantage opportunities.
Facing double-digit shot totals in each of the seven periods he has played this year, Clay did his part to keep Princeton close. In the third he made a pair of spectacular glove saves and a two-pad, sliding stop on McConvey.
Two penalties in the last six minutes hindered Princeton's chances of scoring the tying goal. After pulling Clay for an extra attacker, the Tigers couldn't rekindle the success they enjoyed against Notre Dame, when they scored two goals with the goalie on the bench.
Princeton falls to 5-12 overall as Bowling Green improved to 6-14-4. The Tigers return to ECAC action next weekend at Harvard and Brown before taking a break for exams.
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