Now Lets Take a Look at Division I by Ian Prescott

After several successful runs in recent years, Connecticut looked to improve upon their 9-7-3 record (second place Northern Conference, seventh overall) and a 3-1 record at nationals. These records are an impressive feat considering mid year the Huskies lost three key players to long suspensions: Cody Gabor (18g 6a 24pts), James Baker (7g 8a 15pts) and Zack Back (6-2-1 3.52gaa, .862 sv%). Unfortunately for the Huskies they will be without senior forwards Nick Tomcyzk (26g 26a 54pts) and Tyler DaSilva (32g 22a 54pts) who have elected to pursue other interests, however the Huskies managed to recruit five new players who hope to contribute to the cause of filling the absence on the scoring front. The Connecticut squad looks to rely on solid team defense from the back line out as they look to finish atop of the ECRHA Northern Conference.  However, starting goalie and club president Zach Back had this to say about his team’s chances:  

 

“If we are going to win nationals this year, it is going to be through winning the low scoring games.  Our team has to stay out of the box – it was our Achilles heel last season.  Also, need to get some contribution from our new guys.  If we play our system and win the close battles, we will have a shot.“

 

With the parity throughout the ECRHA, the Huskies are going to have to find a way to cover their losses in order to sink their teeth into this year’s Division I crown.

 

 

Hofstra finished 7-11-0 last year, which placed them one point out of DI regional playoffs.  This after last year, the Pride made a solid run during nationals in San Jose, CA in which they went 4-2-0. Although the team suffered the loss of team captain Mike Scardigno (11g 17a 28pts) they will return four of its top five scorers while adding back Rich Stegner and Todd Green from two seasons ago, hoping to fill the spots of this year’s graduated seniors. The Pride will also add former Michigan University forward Bryan Rosen this season. The goals set for the Pride are to return to form and earn both a Regionals and a Nationals birth.  If that is to be accomplished, it is going to be on the back of goaltender Jared Occhicone (5-10-1, 3.88 GAA, .863 sv%), who looks to get back to his freshman year form where he lifted Hofstra to new heights in the 2009-10 season. Although his stats were better in 2010-11, it is arguable that his dominance was noticeable more so in 2009-10

The constant struggle for Hofstra to put together back-to-back victories showed during the regular season where they couldn’t post consecutive non-exhibition wins dating back to Oct. 23^rd , when they posted wins against Rhode Island and Suffolk CC. The challenge this year will be stringing together consistent efforts with a roster as coach AJ Frey characterized as “a team that won’t necessarily blow you away on the scoreboard” . He also had this to say about the Skate Safe Event, which is always exciting for the nearby Hempstead, NY based Hofstra University club:

 

“Once again, playing at home at Skate Safe November 19^th-20^th is the highlight of the year for both teams. Seeing some new faces on Long Island, including Brockport, Buffalo, and Towson will be interesting as well. In addition, having true home games this year will definitely help get people interested in the club and allow the organization to promote itself a bit better.”

 

Hofstra Fun Fact: The club is entering its 10 season this year. For the fourth year in a row, the club will participate in a club-run St. Baldrick’s Foundation event, where team members, coaches, other students, and members of the faculty and administration shave their heads in solidarity with those children who often lose their hair as a result of chemotherapy. Participants raise money for the foundation, which then goes to childhood cancer research organization.

 

 

If there were ever to be a cliché to describe personnel changes in college sports is that it is indeed a “double edged sword”. If one team in 2010-11 felt the brunt of that saying it was the Rhode Island Rams. Losing 183 points of combined offense from the prior season, the 2010-2011 Rams team totaled seventy-two points of total offense.  To put this in perspective, they were outscored by the top two 2009-2010 Rams scorers Brendan Nelson and Justin Lundh, by a total of thirty-one points. However, the bright side for the 2011-12 Rams is that the same squad from a year ago has nothing to lose, and perhaps an uptick in college recruiting can happen almost immediately.  Hopefully, the offseason for the Rams has been far more kind to them than last season’s 0-18-0 regular season record.