December 27, 2007
Toyota UConn Hockey Classic
Freitas Ice Forum • Storrs, Conn.

Holiday Tournament Preview

THE FIELD

Saturday, Dec. 29
Ferris State vs. Brown, 4 p.m.
Army at Connecticut, 7:15 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 30
Third-Place Game, 4 p.m.
Championship Game, 7:15 p.m.

(All times Eastern)

LAST YEAR

Colgate won the tournament in its first appearance, beating Northeastern, 5-2, in the semifinals and topping Connecticut, 3-1, in the finals. Colgate goalie Mark Dekanich earned the tourney MVP honors, stopping 62 of 65 shots. Chris Ochoa scored the game-winner in the third period as UConn toppled Holy Cross, 2-1, in an opening-round contest that doubled as an Atlantic Hockey matchup. Northeastern thumped Holy Cross, 7-2, in the consolation final, using seven different scorers.

INTERESTING TOURNAMENT FACTS

Army hasn't won an in-season tournament game this decade (0-6), including an opening-round loss to Connecticut in the 2005 event. In Oct. 1999, the Black Knights needed a shootout win over Fairfield to advance to the Quinnipiac Cup finals, where they lost to Holy Cross.

This is the 15th consecutive year for the UConn Classic, won by the hosts in 1995, 1999 and 2004. This is the fifth consecutive year that Uconn has used its opening game as a league contest.

WHO TO WATCH

Ferris State coach Bob Daniels has split weekend starts between junior Mitch O'Keefe (2.04, .930) and freshman Pat Nagle (2.24, .915) so expect the same. The Bulldogs are getting most of their scoring up the middle from centers Cody Chupp (4-8—12), Brendan Connolly (5-6—11) and Adam Miller (2-7—9). Brown is led by senior Jeff Prough, who has 45 goals and 46 assists in his career.

Army's line of Owen Meyer (20 points), Luke Flicek (20) and Bryce Hollweg (16) is one of the highest-scoring lines in the nation, and it's likely junior Josh Kassel (2.46, .905) will get the start in the league contest. Freshman Andrew Olson (nine points) is making some noise for Connecticut, which is led by defenseman Sean Erickson (11 points) and forward Chris Myhro (60 career points).

HOW WE SEE IT

Army has dominated Connecticut of late, winning 4-1 earlier this season and going 4-0-1 against the Huskies last season so there's no reason to see that streak come to an end. An Army win would give the Black Knights sole possession of second place in Atlantic Hockey. Ferris State has played .500 hockey since Thanksgiving, but that includes two losses to Michigan State. The Bulldogs shouldn't have too much difficulty with Brown, losers of five in a row and winless in seven. Brown has been giving up twice as many goals as it scores during the skid, and no player has more than four goals or nine points.

In the final, we have to give the edge to Ferris State over Army. The Bulldogs have played a tougher schedule and have already beaten Notre Dame. The home fans won't go home empty, though, as Connecticut should topple Brown in the consi final.

— Ken McMillan