Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Minnesota (Dodge Holiday Classic)
Men's Hockey Falls to Two-Time Defending National Champion Minnesota
December 20, 2003 | Men's Ice Hockey
Dec. 20, 2003
Box Score
Minneapolis, Minn. - Two-time defending national champion Minnesota was too much for the Princeton men's hockey team to handle as the Tigers dropped the second semifinal of the Dodge Holiday Classic 9-0 Saturday night at Mariucci Arena. The Golden Gophers scored five second-period goals drop the Tigers to 5-10-0 overall this season.
The loss was Princeton's 10th consecutive loss against non-ECAC opponents, dating back to the 2001-02 season. In that span Princeton does have one non-conference win, that coming over ECAC foe Rensselaer in the RPI Tournament a year ago.
The loss was a redeeming one for the Gophers, as five years ago, Princeton knocked off Minnesota in the first round of the Dodge Holiday Classic, en route to winning the tournament.
The first period started out strong for the Tigers as they limited Minnesota to one shot on an early power play. Minutes after killing off the penalty, the Tigers got a power play of their own but were unable to convert. In fact, Minnesota had the best scoring opportunity of the power play, but Princeton goaltender Eric Leroux made a sprawling save on a breakaway to keep the game scoreless. Minnesota broke the scoreless tie at the 10:48 mark of the first period to go ahead 1-0. The Golden Gophers worked the puck in Princeton's end and set up Jake Taylor on the right point. Taylor fired a shot through a screen that was redirected at the hash marks by Andy Sertich and passed Leroux. Minnesota continued to pressure the Tigers through the period, but was unable to crack leroux, who made 13 saves in the opening stanza. His counterpart for Minnesota, Justin Johnson, faced three shots and steered them all aside as the first period ended with Minnesota ahead, 1-0.
Minnesota came out strong to begin the period and pulled away from the Tigers, scoring four goals on 11 shots to claim a 5-0 lead after two periods. The first goal came a mere 24 seconds into the period when Trot Riddle set up Chris Harrington with a one-time form the slot. Nine minutes later, the Gophers worked a give-and0go that resulted in a goal for Gino Guyer to make the score 3-0. Minnesota then added two goals with 1:37 of each other around the 15:00 mark to make the score 5-0. First, Thomas Vanek, the fifth overall pick in last season's NHL draft, scored on the power play, then Sertich scored on a rebound off the rush to make the score 5-0. The Tigers managed five shots on goal in the period, the best chances coming off the sticks of senior forward Dan Hursh and freshman forward Kevin Westgarth.
The third period began with the Tigers making a goaltending change, putting in junior goaltender Trevor Clay. For Clay, it was his first appearance of the season. He entered the season with a 3-10-0 career mark and he was in net for all three Tiger wins last season. Clay faced 10 shots in the first 8:25 of the period and allowed three goals. The goals were scored by Riddle, Fleming and Judd Stevens. Following Minnesota's eighth goal, freshman goaltender B.J. Sklapsky took over in net, making his first career appearance. Sklalpsky made four saves, including a glove save on a breakaway shot from Garrett Smaagaard, and allowed one goal by Taylor.
The Tigers meet Miami (Ohio) in consolation game of the tournament at 4 p.m. central time. The 13th-ranked Red Hawks fell to No. 6 New Hampshire 3-1 in the other semifinal game earlier today at Mariucci Arena.
Box Score
December 20, 2003 * Minneapolis, Minn. (Mariucci Arena)
Princeton 0-0-0-0
Minnesota 1-4-4-9
1ST PERIOD - MINN: Sertich (Taylor, Hirsch) 10:48.
2nd PERIOD - MINN: Harrington (Riddle, Koalska) 0:24; MINN: Guyer (Potulny, Ballard) 9:20; MINN: Vanek (Koalska, Sertich) 14:03, pp; MINN: Sertich (Hirsch, Fleming) 15:40.
3rd PERIOD - MINN: Riddle (Vannelli, Irmen), 3:34; MINN: Fleming (Smaagard) 4:19; Stevens (Fleming, Taylor) 8:25; MINN: Taylor (Potulny, Guyer) 18:26.
Shots:
Princeton 3-5-4--12
Minnesota 14-11-15--40
Power Plays: PRIN 0-5; MINN 1-5.
Goalies:
PRIN: Leroux (40:00; 25 shots, 21 saves) Clay (8:25; 10 shots, 7 saves) Sklapsky (11:35; 5 shots, 4 saves)
MINN: Johnson (8 shots, 8 saves)
Penalties:
PRIN: 10-20; MINN 9-18.
Attendance: 9,996