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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Men's Hockey Hosts Nationally-Ranked Minn. State and Neb.-Omaha on Monday and Tuesday
December 26, 2008 | Men's Ice Hockey
No. 17 Minnesota State vs. No. 8 Princeton
GAMETIME: Monday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.
2008-09 RECORDS: Princeton (10-2-0, 7-1-0 ECAC); Minnesota State (8-7-3, 5-7-2 WCHA)
SERIES RECORD: Series tied 1-1-0, Princeton leads 1-0-0 at home
LAST MEETING: Minnesota State won 6-1 on Dec. 27, 2007 at home
STREAK: Minnesota State won the last game
No. 16 Nebraska-Omaha vs. No. 8 Princeton
GAMETIME: Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m.
2008-09 RECORDS: Princeton (10-2-0, 7-1-0 ECAC); Nebraska-Omaha (11-4-3, 7-4-3 CCHA)
SERIES RECORD: Princeton leads 4-0-0 and is 1-0-0 at home
LAST MEETING: Princeton won 5-3 on Dec. 28, 2007 in Omaha
STREAK: Princeton has won the last four games
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This Week's Storylines
Back From the Break
Princeton returns to action following a 26-day layoff since it last played on Dec. 3 against Quinnipiac. Princeton plays its next seven games in a row all at home beginning with games against Minnesota State and Nebraska-Omaha.
Where We Stand
Princeton is 10-2 through 12 games played and sits tied atop the ECAC hockey standings at 7-1 with Cornell, which is 6-0-2. At 10-2, Princeton owns the second-highest winning percentage in the country, behind only Air Force.
Into the Break With a Win
Princeton closed out the first part of its season on Dec. 3 with a 4-1 non-conference win over travel-partner Quinnipiac. The line of Matt Arhontas, Mike Kramer and Mark Magnowski combined for three goals and eight points as Princeton broke the game open with three straight goals in the second period.
Fast to 10
Princeton's 10th win of the season came in its 12th game. It is the fastest Princeton has gotten to 10 wins since the 1928-29 squad got there in 11 games and it is the earliest date on the calendar that Princeton has ever had 10 wins.
Sorry to See 2008 Go
The upcoming non-league series marks the final two games of 2008 for the Tigers. 2008 has been a good year as Princeton has a record of 25-7 in calendar year, finishing the 2007-08 season 15-6 and starting the 2008-09 campaign 10-2.
Balanced Attack
Princeton has gotten contributions from all over this season as 19 skaters have contributed at least a point. Twelve players have between five and eight points and only one, junior Mark Magnowski has more than 10 for a team that is averaging 3.08 goals and 8.33 points per game.
Fire Away
Princeton leads the nation in shots per game with an average of 39.50. Princeton has had 40 or more shots in six games and has more than 50 twice. The Tigers have been held under 20 shots just once this year. Princeton averaged 31.09 shots per game last season. On the flip side, Princeton has allowed the second fewest shots per game, an average of 23.50.
Disciplined
The Tigers are the least penalized team in the nation, averaging 8.7 minutes of penalties per game. Princeton is averaging more than a full penalty less per game than any other team in country.
On the Road
Princeton played eight of its 11 games this season away from home and was 7-1 in those games. The Tigers play their next seven games at home and do not play on the road against until Jan. 31. After a 1-6 start at home last season, Princeton finished the year on an 8-1 streak on home ice.
In the Polls
Princeton currently ranks eighth in both the USCHO.com and USA Today Polls. Princeton's highest ranking this season has been seventh. The only other season in which Princeton has been ranked in the Top 10 was in 1998-99. Princeton's highest-ever ranking is sixth, which happened on Feb. 1, 1999.
Stingy Defense
The Princeton defense got back to its stingy ways, limiting Quinnipiac to one goal last Wednesday after an unusual weekend at the RPI Tournament where the team allowed eight goals in two games. Princeton's scoring defense ranks fourth in the nation, allowing 1.58 goals against. Alaska (1.25), Cornell (1.40), Air Force (1.44) and Notre Dame (1.65), along with Princeton, make up the top five.
Upcoming Opponents
Princeton vs. Minnesota State
The Tigers and Mavericks will meet for the third straight season in a series that is even at 1-1. Princeton won 4-3 two seasons ago at home, while Minnesota State won 6-1 last season at home.
Previous Meetings
Two seasons ago, Brett Wilson had a goal and three assists, while Cam MacIntyre added two goals, including the game winner in the final minute as Princeton defeated Minnesota State 4-3. Last season the Mavericks jumped on Princeton early and never trailed in an easy 6-1 win. MacIntyre scored the lone goal for the Tigers in the win.
Scouting the MSU Mavericks
Minnesota State is 8-7-3 overall and 5-7-2 in the WCHA. The Mavericks enter the weekend having dropped their last four games after being swept by both St. Cloud State and Denver. Princeton and Minnesota State have not played any common opponents.
Princeton vs. Nebraska-Omaha
Princeton is a perfect 4-0 all-time against Nebraska-Omaha, sweeping a two game set in Omaha in 1997-98 and winning games in each of the last two seasons. Princeton won 3-2 in overtime at home two years ago and 5-3 in Omaha last season.
Previous Meetings
Two seasons ago, Lee Jubinville scored in overtime to lift Princeton to a 3-2 win over the Mavericks at Hobey Baker Rink in a game Princeton never trailed. Last season the Tigers scored four goals in the third period to come from behind and defeat the Mavericks 5-3 despite just 15 shots on goal. Mark Magnowski had a goal and two assists in the win, which springboarded the Tigers onto a six-game winning streak.
Scouting the UNO Mavericks
Nebraska-Omaha is 11-4-3 overall and 7-4-2 in the CCHA. The Mavericks enter the weekend unbeaten in four games after two ties with Alaska and a sweep at Lake Superior State. Princeton and UNO have each played Union and Mercyhurst. Both teams have win over Union, while UNO swept Mercyhurst and the Tigers lost to the Lakers.
Non-League Schedule
Princeton is 3-1 in non-league play with wins over Brown, Northeastern and Quinnipiac and a loss to Mercyhurst. In addition to these games, the Tigers also host Robert Morris in late January. Princeton was 4-3 in non-league regular season games last season. Since the current schedule format was adopted in 1984-85, Princeton's best non-league record was 6-0-1 in 1997-98.
Team Notes
Against Ranked Teams
Princeton is 1-1 against ranked teams with a win over fourth-ranked Northeastern and a loss to 17th-ranked Cornell. Three of Princeton's next four games come against ranked teams as No. 17 Minnesota State, No. 16 Nebraska-Omaha and No. 20 Dartmouth all visit Baker Rink.
Trending Up
Princeton has increased upon its win total in each of the past five seasons. After a three-win season in 2002-03, the Tigers won five games in 2003-04, eight games in 2004-05, 10 games in 2005-06, 15 games in 2006-07 and 21 games a season ago.
Home and Away and Neutral
Princeton was 9-7 in games played at Hobey Baker Rink and 10-6 on the road last season. Princeton was once 1-6 at home before finishing its home schedule with an 8-1 stretch. Princeton was 2-1 at neutral sites. Princeton is 3-1 at home, 6-0 on the road and 1-1 at neutral sites this season.
Balanced Effort
Princeton's 100 points this season have been split among 19 different skaters and all players that have appeared in more than two games have at least one point. Fifteen players have two or more points and only one has reached double digits.
Offense From the Back
Princeton had four defensemen with double-digit point totals last season. Princeton last accomplished that in the 1994-95 season. Six Princeton defensemen have points this year and sophomore Matt Godlewski leads the way with eight points.
Even or Ahead
Princeton has been even or ahead on the scoreboard for 88.5% of the minutes played this season. The Tigers have only trailed for 82:40 all season and have only been behind in three of the 12 games played.
On the Horizon
The Tigers continue their homestand this weekend when ECAC and Ivy rivals Harvard and Dartmouth visit Baker Rink on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Individual Notes
3M Line
Linemates Mark Magnowski, Mike Kramer and Matt Arhontas combined for three goals in a nine minute span to lift the Tigers to a 4-1 win over Quinnipiac. The trio accounted for eight points in the game and have 11, seven and seven points for the season, respectively.
More Mags
Mark Magnowski leads all Tigers with six goals and 11 points this season. The junior crossed the 50-point plateau in the Quinnipiac win and now has 52 for his career.
Gods Goods
Matt Godlewski has recorded points in four of his last five games to reach eight for the season. The sophomore defenseman scored in Princeton's comeback against Mercyhurst and has eight points this season after totalling just three a season ago. He was Princeton's lone representative to the all-tournament team at RPI.
Captain Kush
Captain Brandan Kushniruk has led the Tigers over the past few weeks with points in five of his last seven games. The senior had both game winners at St. Lawrence and Clarkson and scored the go-ahead goal in the win over Northeastern. He added assists against Mercyhurst and Union.
Zen of Zane
Goaltender Zane Kalemba improved to 10-1 with the win over Quinnipiac. The junior has allowed a goal or less in nine of his 12 starts. He ranks third nationally in winning percentage, sixth in goals-against average and ninth in save percentage.
K-Lo
Kevin Lohry has goals in each of his last two games and now has four for the season to match his goal total from a season ago.
Wilson Will
Senior Brett Wilson put together back-to-back two assist games at the RPI Tournament to raise his point total to seven for the season. He leads all active scorers with 86 career points.
Walk This Way
After battling his way on to the team as a walk-on last season, Sam Sabky has contributed seven points in 12 games this season. Two of his three goals have come on the power play and he has a pair of games with two assists.