Movie Script Ending as SVC Takes Kent State in Overtime 4-3
Mighty Ducks move over. You could not write an ending to a sports film better than what happened to the SVC Icers in its thrilling 4-3 overtime road win at Kent State. As with its opener with Akron, SVC and KSU played a cautious physical opening first few shifts. Then from nowhere, Zach Motil received a pass from Nino Dipietro deep in the Golden Eagle zone and deftly made the shot to give SVC an early lead. It instantly tilted the white sheet. For the remainder of the period, SVC buzzed the home goalkeeper with 21 shots while Vinny Amatucci easily turned aside long range and perimeter attempt by KSU. Things looked up when SVC was to start the second with a power play. But in the case, it was a power failure. The team never really established any zone presence and fumbled on any sense of an attack. Momentum changed. Kent State started to clog the middle and lulled the Polar. Bearcats into a slumber. The visitors did not get a shot on goal until 13:50, and at one point Kent had a 9-1 shot advantage and popped in a power play goal at 10:17. Although Saint Vincent ended the middle 20 with a 19-12 shot advantage, it did not feel that way. The third started brutally. The hits came hard and heavy and KSU took the game away with puck support, gap control. tying up SVC sticks and neutralizing any long pass plays. The visitors kept looking for the big lazy break. Instead as a power play expired, Kent went ahead 2-1 at the 7:30 mark and with an SVC squad in disarray converted on another breakaway away at 6:54. A two goal lead seemed insurmountable. Kent was in complete control. An SVC timeout, a Kent penalty and Alex Schall started the comeback. #54 scored on one of his patent like goals. Get lost, find an open seem, and place a wrist shot into a seemingly impossible location. Cudos to Loughner and Belli for the set up. So you’re telling me there’s a chance. One in a million, but yes. With playoff and ranking implications at stake, Saint Vincent pulled Vinny Amatucci and went to work. It was nail biting. Kent fought hard. Their goalie was sharp. But at 21 seconds, Sam Traeger ripped a shot that completely handcuffed the KSU goalie and Nate Loughner finally converted on his 10’th shot of the game. Oh my oh my! Overtime! But there was still drama.
At the 20 minute mark, the refs assessed as penalty to SVC for hooking. They would start OT killing a deadly 4:3 power play. The refs lost the number of the SVC player who allegedly committed the infraction and asked Coach Martz to sit someone. Crupie took one for the team and sat the two minutes. SVC made the kill. At the 2:24 mark, Tyler Shigo found himself streaking down the left side on Kent State zone. He had a step and speed and was just ready to turn the corner behind the defenseman when he was tripped. Power play SVC. It took 58 seconds. Dipietro from Belli and Williams. The Kent State You Tube broadcast abruptly stopped with a simple Saint Vincent wins 4-3. A film editor could not have found a more fitting way to close a movie. Salvation comes in many ways. This day may have saved a season. Saint Vincent out shot Kent 54 to 32. It also outscored them 4-3. Oh, wait, you know that!
Homecoming is this weekend. It is also the home opener Friday night at 7:30 against Slippery Rock. As Mike Lange would have said, “Shame on you for six weeks” for missing this one!
Polar Bearcats Rip the Zips
In what may be a statement of bad news for opposing CHE teams, Saint Vincent commanded The University of Akron with a 12-0 opening season road victory. The game started evenly and each team had its share of fumbles and missed opportunities for the first few minutes. Then at 9:22 of the opening period, freshman Nino Dipietro took advantage of a set up from line mates Zach Motil and Chase Kushner and got nasty in front of the Zips goalie. SVC would need nothing more, but insurance goals came in bunches as the evening drew long with three in the first, four in the second and five in the third as the visitors ended with a 50 to 19 shot advantage. Akron had a few medium range shots on Vinny Amatucci, but he maintained control and thwarted what few quality chances were placed on him.
How did this happen? It took awhile for SVC to establish its bench rhythm and attack execution. But once able to get inside or behind Akron defenders the team turned into a swarm of snipers. Ten different players had goals, twelve had assists, and collectively Saint Vincent’s players placed 29 points on the score sheet. Every player had a least one plus, and only one was not credited with shot on goal. The slot, off the rush, back door, a scrum in front, defenders pinching into the deep slot for quick shots, all were part of the program. The defense held steady, closed gaps, moved pucks quickly and had solid hits to make plays without taking themselves out of position. The coolest play came at the start of the third period when an ill advised attempt to keep a puck in the SVC zone by a Zip defenseman ended in a classic 3:1. Motil, Dipietro and Kushner came with speed a quick passing befuddled the lone Akron blueliner and his goalie, 8-0 as Dipietro finished.
Who had the goals? Nate Loughner and Nino Dipietro had two each and single tallies went to Schall, Shigo, Motil, Williams, Traeger, Matis, Louie Amatucci, and Bedlli. And the assists? Spread the wealth. Two each from Shigo, Loughner, Motil, Dipietro, and solos from, Schall, Williams, Manolakos, Horton, Vecchio, Smith, and Costantino.
Next up for SVC, one of the top teams in College Hockey East, away at Kent State University. The schools have had some incredible battles the last few seasons. It’s early, but this match up already has the feel of playoff implications. It should be a dandy.