Devils Stop Wolf Pack in OT

 

By Henry Lucey

 

The Albany Devils came back from a two-goal third-period
deficit  to stop the Hartford Wolf Pack, 4-3 in OT.

(Photo courtesy Chris Rutsch/Hartford Wolf Pack)

HARTFORD – Miles Wood’s goal at 1:43 of overtime highlighted an Albany Devil comeback as the Devils stopped the Hartford Wolf Pack, 4-3, before 4,909 fans at the XL Center on Friday night. The Devils fought back from a 3-1 third-period deficit on goals by Kevin Rooney and Ben Sexton.

 

Wolf Pack coach Ken Gernander’s squad came out firing on all cylinders in the game’s opening frame. After an early power play saw the Pack launch five shots bon goal, ut ultimately come up empty-handed, Hartford’s Chris Brown broke the stalemate at the 9:55 mark. The right-winger found himself unmarked at the bottom of the left circle and sent a snap-shot off of Mackenzie Blackwood’s glove and into the back of Albany’s net, for Brown’s fourth tally of the year.

 

With his offense dominating, Wolf Pack goaltender Magnus Hellberg saw little action, and successfully turned aside all six of the attempts that came his way in the opening stanza. Matt Carey added to Hartford’s lead when he got inside position on Albany defenseman Josh Jacobs and fired a wrist shot past Blackwood’s short side 2:56 into the second stanza. The Devils finally beat Hellberg when Seth Helgeson, assisted by Petr Straka and Blake Coleman, launched a perfectly-placed snap-shot just inside the right post at the 13:55 mark, trimming the Wolf Pack’s lead to 2-1.

 

Hartford was quick to quell any momentum that Helgeson’s score may have provided for the Devils. At 17:01, Jacobs was whistled for hooking, sending the Pack on their third power play of the evening. With a man advantage, Adam Tambellini received a crisp pass from Mat Bodie and ripped the puck over Blackwood’s right shoulder from the left flank at 17:38. The score, Tambellini’s third of the year, was also assisted by Ryan Graves and sent the Wolf Pack into the dressing room leading 3-1.

 

The third period, though, would belong to the Devils, who outshot the Wolf Pack 11-6 in the frame. Kevin Rooney got Albany back to within one at 10:40, firing a shot past Hellberg from the left side. Shortly thereafter, at 13:29, Ben Sexton scored an unassisted tally to tie the score at three.  Rooney got around the Wolf Pack’s John Gilmour on left wing and had the puck poked off of his stick.  Rooney kept going, though, and, as he was being knocked down, managed to get another poke at the puck and send it through Hellberg. The rest of the third period was scoreless, and the teams skated into the locker room with the game deadlocked at three goals apiece.

 

Albany got the game-winner on its second shot of overtime. Wood carried down the right side into the Wolf Pack zone and used Hartford defenseman Steven Kampfer as a screen, snapping a high shot that found the top of the net to give the Devils the win.

 

The Wolf Pack return to action Saturday night when they travel to Allentown, PA to tangle with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Faceoff is 7:05 p.m., and the game can be heard live on News Radio 1410 WPOP, and on-line at www.newsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

 

The next home game for the Wolf Pack is Wed., Dec. 7--an I-91 match-up vs. the Springfield Thunderbirds. It will be a “Click It or Ticket Family Value Pack” game that includes two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for just $40. First puck drops at 7 p.m.

 

 

Yale Wins ‘The Game,’ Foils Harvard’s Ivy Title Hopes

By Steven A. Conn

Associate Athletics Director and Director of Sports Publicity, Yale University

Yale topped Harvard 21-14 in their 133rd annual meeting.

BOSTON, Mass. – In a rivalry that is known as The Game, Saturday’s contest could easily go down as one of the true classics in the 133 years of the Yale-Harvard football rivalry. Defensive back Jason Alessi batted down a fourth-down pass in front of the Yale sideline with eight seconds left to secure the Bulldogs’ 21-14 victory, preventing the Crimson from securing a piece of the Ivy League Championship.

In a battle of teams with opposite records, the Elis registered a milestone win with heroes on both sides of the ball and on special teams. The senior class leadership and performance was crucial today, but it’s hard to overlook the impact of the Yale youth.

Freshmen scored all three touchdowns, and a rookie quarterback, Kurt Rawlings, threw a pair of scoring passes to Reed Klubnik. The last one was the game-winner with 6:47 left in the fourth quarter, a three-yard play that capped a 14-play, 80-yard drive that won’t soon be forgotten.

Yale took over on that game-winning drive after Crimson placekicker Jake McIntyre was wide left from 35 yards out. Rawlings, who completed five of seven passes on the possession, mixed in timely tosses with runs by classmate Alan Lamar and junior Deshawn Salter. The longest play of the drive was a Rawlings 13-yard run that gave the visitors a first-and-goal at the Harvard 10.

Lamar, who scored from a yard out in the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7, carried the ball to the three before the third-down play that sent half of the packed Harvard stadium into a frenzy.  Rawlings dropped back to pass, looked to one receiver who was covered, moved away to avoid a sack and then spotted Klubnik coming across the end zone from right to left. Rawlings, who is likely the only Yale freshman QB to beat Harvard, got the pass off before getting hit and Klubnik jumped, secured the pass with both hands and came down in the end zone a split second before being hit. The ball bounced to the ground, but the catch and touchdown had already been made.

Alex Galland, Yale’s double-threat kicker who also had a fantastic day punting, split the uprights for his third extra point of the day as the noise in the stadium rose to a level that could only help the Yale defense get into a finishing mode.

The Bulldog D, led by captain Darius Manora (nine tackles), stopped the Crimson on its next possession and forced a punt. The Harvard defense then answered with a stop of its own and got the ball back for one last chance. QB Joe Viviano moved his team from his own 20 to the 47-yard line before Alessi ended the Crimson’s title hopes by batting down the final pass.

When you look at the final score, it would be hard to imagine that the game was scoreless through the first 25 minutes of play. However, the span included 11 punts and nine penalties before Harvard cashed in on a penalty and found the end zone to go up 7-0 with 4:46 left in the half.

The Bulldogs bounced back with a 10-play, 68-yard drive that ended with Lamar (57 rushing yards) bursting into the end zone. The drive appeared as if it would end in a field goal attempt by Galland, but the sophomore lined up wide left and the ball was snapped to holder Andrew Johnson. Johnson, a junior backup quarterback, took a step forward and then jumped while throwing the ball over the Harvard line. Senior tight end Leo Haenni had taken off on the snap and was near the five-yard line when Johnson tossed the pass. Haenni had to come back for the pass and landed on the three-yard line.

The fake field goal was the first of two crucial, deceptive special teams plays, and the second was just as surprising. Kicking off to start the second half, junior Blake Horn bounced a perfect on-side kick 11 yards before finishing the play with the recovery.

Rawlings and Klubnik made the on-side kick significant by connecting on a 28-yard pass play that put the Elis up 14-7. The Bel Air, Md., native dropped back and released a perfect spiral down the right sideline. Klubnik, with a Crimson defensive back (who got flagged for interference on the play) all over him, leaped to haul in the throw in the right corner of the end zone. The receiver, who led the Blue with five catches for 55 yards, got his left foot in before being pushed out of bounds with 13:46 left in the third.

Prosperity did not last long for either team. Harvard answered with a score five minutes later to make it 14-14 entering the money quarter.

BULLDOG BITES

Yale, which leads the nation in red zone efficiency, was 2-for-2 on Saturday… Kurt Rawlings led all players with 74 rushing yards and a 7.4 average… The Bulldogs ended a nine-game skid against Harvard by avoiding any turnovers… Senior WR Myles Gaines bounced back from an injury at Brown to haul in four important passes… Deshawn Salter had eight carries and converted a big fourth-down play.

American Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament Tickets on Sale Friday

All-session ticket packages for the 2017 American Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Championship will go on sale tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. ET. The championship will be held March 3-6, 2017, at the Mohegan Sun Arena for the fourth straight season.  The UConn Huskies, the only champions the fledgling American has known, will be trying to capture their fourth straight AAC title. The Huskies, of course, are the most dominant team in NCAA women’s basketball history, having captured 11 national crowns.

Indeed, the American was well represented throughout last year’s postseason play, with the University of South Florida also included in the NCAA tournament field, with Memphis, Temple and Tulane all participating in the WNIT.

The 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena, home of the WNBA Connecticut Sun, is a multifaceted facility in Uncasville, CT. It has hosted championship boxing, college and professional men’s and women’s basketball, Davis Cup tennis, professional bull-riding and professional bowling. The WNBA All-Star Game has been played at Mohegan Sun Arena four times, and the WNBA Draft has been held at the facility three times. 

All-session tickets, good for all 10 games in the tournament, cost $99—which represents almost a 33 percent discount off face value of individual session ducats. Tickets will be available at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office daily between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., as well as through all 11 American Athletic Conference member schools. In addition, tickets may also be purchased online, at www.MoheganSun.com or www.Ticketmaster.com, or by telephone at 1-800-745-3000. Information on discounts for groups of 10 or more people is available through the Connecticut Sun Group Sales Department at (860) 862-4000. 

The latest information on the 2017 Women’s Basketball Championship can be found on The American’s Championship Central page at www.TheAmerican.org/WBB. 

2017 American Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Championship March 3-6, 2017 Mohegan Sun Arena • Uncasville, Conn. 

First Round – Friday, March 3

* No. 9 seed vs. No. 8 seed 4 p.m. ET

* No. 10 seed vs. No. 7 seed 6 p.m. ET

* No. 11 seed vs. No. 6 seed 8 p.m. ET 

Quarterfinals – Saturday, March 4

* No. 5 seed vs. No. 4 seed Noon ET

* 8/9 winner vs. No. 1 seed 2 p.m. ET

* 7/10 winner vs. No. 2 seed 6 p.m. ET

* 6/11 winner vs. No. 3 seed 8 p.m. ET 

Semifinals – Sunday, March 5

* Saturday afternoon winners 5 p.m. ET

* Saturday evening winners 7:30 p.m. ET 

Final – Monday, March 6

* Semifinal winners 7 p.m. ET

Wolf Pack’s Paliotta Hoping to Bring Some Cleveland Magic back to his Home State

By Bob Crawford

Mike Paliotta, a native of Westport, has his eyes on making the Rangers
while playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack. (photo by Chris Rutsch)

For Hartford Wolf Pack defenseman Mike Paliotta, a native of Westport, CT, signing this summer with the New York Rangers, the team he rooted for as a kid, was pretty exciting, and it came right on the heels of another huge thrill.

Paliotta’s signing, on the first day of NHL free agency, July 1, came less than three weeks after his last year’s team, the Lake Erie Monsters, defeated the Hershey Bears in Game Four of the Calder Cup Finals, completing a sweep of the Bears and locking up the AHL championship.  Plus, while celebrating their own title, Paliotta and his Monsters teammates got to watch their fellow Quicken Loans Arena occupants, the Cleveland Cavaliers, capture the NBA championship.

Even for a guy like Paliotta, who had no previous connection to the city of Cleveland, that was something pretty electrifying to be a part of.

“It was awesome to see a city that’s struggled sports-wise for a while to all come together, and see the support,” the Wolf Pack blueliner said recently.  “It really is a sports city, any time fans can get behind a team they do, and the teams obviously appreciate it.  The way they support the Cavs, and then the Indians in the World Series this year…cool to watch, and they did the same with us.”

One Ohio native who was front-and-center as a fan at the Indians’ World Series games was Cavs superstar LeBron James, so one wonders, even though he was a little busy with his own job during the Calder Cup playoffs, was he also all over the Monsters’ games?

“I’m not sure,” was Paliotta’s chuckling response to that.  “I think he’s been to one or two, that’s what I’ve heard.  We had a couple of cool guest appearances, 50 Cent dropped the puck at one of our games, but it was cool to be in the same city, same arena as those guys, obviously unbelievable athletes.  Just a year that I’ll never forget, for sure.

“Just like any team, we had our ups and downs throughout the regular season, but we came together at the right time in the playoffs and we really hit our stride.  We ended up going 15-2 in the playoffs, which is pretty special.  We had a really good group of guys, a good mix of young and veteran players, and we just jelled at the right time and were able to win a lot of close games.  It was really cool to be a part of, something I’ll always cherish.”

The Monsters swept three of their four playoff series’ last spring, and never were even tied in a single series after its start, which is a level of playoff dominance rarely seen in pro sports nowadays.

“Now that we look back on it, it’s pretty crazy,” Paliotta said of Lake Erie’s run to the Cup.  “Any time you’re watching playoffs, it’s usually Game Six, Game Seven to close out series’.  But we had a ton of chemistry, guys were playing with a ton of confidence and it really showed.  Those tight games early on in the series’ we were able to win, and I think that’s what made our team so special, we were a really resilient group.  It was a really special team to be a part of.”

After that triumph it had to have been somewhat difficult for Paliotta to leave the Columbus organization, having just been acquired by the Blue Jackets the previous June, but the opportunity with the Rangers was a dream come true.

“I was thrilled,” said Paliotta of being inked to a Ranger contract.  “It’s the team I’ve followed my entire life, being from Connecticut, and I’ve really enjoyed the transition so far.  I think we have a really good team here, we’ve got a lot of young guys and some really good quality veteran leadership as well.  So I’ve been really excited about it, I’m just hoping that we can continue to find our stride and our game and continue to develop as a really solid team.”

In addition to rooting for the Rangers as a youngster, Paliotta was also keenly aware of the fortunes of his home state’s two AHL entries, the Wolf Pack and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

“Honestly I’m closer to Bridgeport, I’m only about five or ten minutes away from Webster Bank Arena,” he said.  “So as a kid we would watch those games.  And then, being a Rangers fan, I would always keep close tabs on the Wolf Pack as well.  So now to see it come full circle is pretty cool, and have the opportunity to play for the Wolf Pack and be a part of the Ranger organization is really special to me.”

Although Paliotta is only 23, and last season was officially his rookie year as a pro, the Rangers are already the third NHL organization to hold his rights.  He was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, and played one NHL game with Chicago in April of 2015, following his Senior season at the University of Vermont, and then was traded to Columbus in the Draft-Day deal that saw Brandon Saad go from the Blackhawks to Columbus in 2015.

“It’s crazy that I’ve now been through all that, it’s only really my second full year pro,” Paliotta mused.  “But I’ve obviously taken a little bit from every place I’ve been, and hopefully I can continue to grow as a player and as a person.  I’ve learned a lot everywhere I’ve been, now I’m just focused on being with the Rangers and helping this team win, and helping the organization.”

Paliotta had been away from Connecticut since 2009, when he left home to play two seasons with the U.S. National Development Team in Ann Arbor, MI.  Prior to that, he went to Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT, and played two years in that school’s fine hockey program.  On behalf of chilled-to-the-bone youth hockey parents, Paliotta was asked if he agreed that Choate’s campus rink is truly the coldest in hockey.

“Yeah, hands down,” he laughed in response.  “It’s definitely the coldest, I think my parents would attest to that as well.  They’ve seen a lot of games there during my high school years.  Any time anyone asks where I went to high school and I say Choate, they always say, ‘OK, that’s the coldest rink out there.’  So that’s definitely what it’s known for, but I really enjoyed my time there as well.”

Now, after seven years hanging his skates in different locales from Michigan, to Burlington, VT, to Chicago, to Columbus and Cleveland, Paliotta is finding life to be distinctly pleasant back in his old stomping grounds.

“Yeah, it’s cool,” he said.  “It’s my first experience playing back on the East Coast.  I’ve had a lot of fun with it, it’s been nice to have family and friends able to come to games and support me.  All in all, it’s been a good experience so far.”

UConn’s Long, Strange Trip Continues With 21-0 Loss To Temple

After the most recent debacle, a 21-0 whitewashing by Temple, the UConn
Huskies now get a week to regroup and prepare for Boston College.

Photo By Bill Harper

And this is why they blew up The Big East?

The Connecticut Huskies put on their most dismal display in this season that has devolved into season only a fan of existential literature can truly appreciate with an embarrassing 21-0 loss to the Temple Owls before a disconcerting crowd of an announced crowd of 22,316 (not even close) at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field and a national television audience on ESPN2 on Friday night.

How bad was this loss? Consider the following:

* The Huskies gained just eight first downs, juxtaposed to the Owls’ 22.
* Temple gained 216 yards on the ground, vs. just 91 for Connecticut (66 coming from QB Donovan Williams—most of them the result of the freshman running for his live. Williams was sacked five times in the game).
* The Owls outgained the Huskies in total offense, 206 yards to 53. In the first quarter.
* Temple reached paydirt on its first three possessions, giving the Owls 21-0 lead—which was all the scoring this game would see.

Now consider this: The Huskies are in full panic mode.

Last week against East Carolina, UConn head coach Bob Diaco yanked starting quarterback and team captain Bryant Shireffs late in the game—a dismal 41-3 thrashing at East Carolina, replacing him with Williams. This week, he started Williams, the 6-4, 215-lb. freshman from Dumfries, Va. (The game plan going into the season was to redshirt Williams, and preserve four years of eligibility. So much for that. Diaco and his staff are willing to sacrifice a year of this kid’s eligibility—when he assumedly would be at the top of his game—for what? To salvage what has become a season that has taken on the attributes of Dante’s decent into hell? Ain’t happening, folks.)

Temple opened the scoring beginning with a 32-yard pass-catch play from quarterback Phillip Walker to wideout Jahad Thomas down the right sideline to the Husky 23. That set the stage for a 23-yard scoring pass to Thomas on the very next play. 7-0 Owls. And the fat lady started to sing…

The Owls doubled the lead on their next possession—a three-play, 55-yard touchdown drive highlighted by a 44-yard pass-and-run play from Walker to Ventell Bryant, and culminated with a 10-yard scoring pass to Thomas. Fourteen-zip.

After a blocked 35-yard field goal attempt by UConn’s Bobby Puyol (arguably the Huskies’ MVP, certainly on the offensive side), the Owls went on a six-play, 77-yard drive ending with an 18-yard scoring pass from Walker to Romond Deloatch. The kick by Aaron Boumerhi (who was 3-for-3 in PATs) was good to make 21-0, Rutgers.

Game over. Literally.

And believe it or not, it could have been much worse. Only two picks by UConn's safety Obi Melifonwu in the Temple end zone spared UConn from a 35-0 loss. At home. Three-quarters of the way into the season.

The Owls, who achieved bowl eligibility last week, improved to 5-1 in The American Athletic Conference, 7-3 overall. The Huskies, meanwhile, dropped to 1-6 in conference play, and 3-7 overall. The loss—UConn’s fourth straight—officially eliminated the Huskies from any postseason bowl consideration.

Williams completed 12 of 21 passes for 69 yards in his first start. He also rushed for 66. With all due respect, a +3 pass-to-rush ratio from a team not running a Wishbone offense (or any variation thereof) against a good team—but one that will never be mistaken for Ohio State or Alabama—does not bode well. Indeed, the Huskies (3-7, 1-5) have lost four straight.

Friday night’s game marked the debut of new Husky offensive coordinator David Corley, who assumedly was a key figure on pulling the trigger on the switch from Shireffs to Williams. That move turned out to fix nothing in an offensive unit totally devoid of fire (not to mention touchdowns for the past two games).

“Me as a new quarterback, and Coach Corley as a new offensive coordinator—we still have a lot to learn,” said Williams in the postgame Husky locker room. “But he and I are going to grow stronger over the years, and the offense is going to get a lot better. I’m excited for the last three games, just to finish up the season strong and learn as much as I can.”

The Huskies’ season began to unravel early in the season when they dropped two close games in three weeks—to Navy and Syracuse—with both games ending on their opponents’ 1-yard line. The Huskies’ time management was questioned in both games, and ultimately may have contributed to the benching of Shireffs, and the demotion of offensive coordinator Frank Verducci, who worked with Diaco when they were both assistants at Notre Dame, but now works with tight ends and XXXs.

The spike came in last week’s dismantling by East Carolina, a 3-7 team. Now, after the loss to Rutgers, all hopes for a postseason bowl appearance have officially vanished for Husky Nation.

“I’m sad for our seniors,” said Diaco, who seems to be redefining the word “apoplectic” on a weekly basis. “They made an investment and worked hard to not have to be home for Christmas. Based on our record right now, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.

“These are good guys and our culture is strong,” continued Diaco. “They love each other and they work. They show up positive.”

Diaco went on to say that the Huskies’ problems are “fixable” sounding vaguely reminiscent of David Carradine's character, Grasshopper, in the classic '70s TV show, Kung Fu. He is talking about a team that has not scored a single touchdown against middle-tier competition in their past two games, after all.

“The answers are there but the team needs a break. They know we still have exciting match-ups to finish the season and a lot to play for. We have a game on the road against an ACC opponent against a team that’s very important to the people of the state, the team and the University. It’s a big game and an exciting game at Boston College.”

If only BC (or Pittsburgh, or Syracuse) could be a conference game for UConn—in the Atlantic Coast Conference—but is a discussion for another time.

“The team tried hard today,” surmised Diaco. “We fought hard and continued to strain and there is so much to clean up. UConn Nation, I am there with you. We are in lock step. I don’t see it any differently than you see it; we are on the same page.”

Maybe it’s just the cynic in me, but does Diaco sound like a prisoner captured by a band of rogue pirates walking off the plank in the middle of a stormy sea?

Without the ACC as a viable option, in this reporter’s humble opinion, Connecticut’s best path going forward would be to join the Big East in all sports besides football (which, of course, is not a Big East sport), and then play football wherever a conference will take them (including staying put in The American—if The American would allow this scenario). It would challenge the Huskies in men’s basketball (the women’s program has no challengers so far as the eye can see), and would reduce travel costs in all the non-revenue-generating sports. And if The American says ‘Hit the road, Jack!” the Huskies would be best served by playing as an independent in football in the short term, then downgrading the program to FBS status, and joining The Big East in all other sports for the reasons stated previously.

The Huskies now get a week off to try and regroup before heading to Chestnut Hill where they will take on 4-5 Boston College. But besides the long-standing rivalry between the two schools, the Eagles will have plenty to play for after having been spanked at home, 52-7, by the No. 7 Louisville Cardinals yesterday. No TV for this one, but the game will be broadcast live on the UConn/IMG radio network, and on WEEI 850 AM.

Bluefish Encourage Fans To Just Say ‘YES’ this November

The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced that they will be celebrating #YESvember throughout the remainder of this month. The goal of the campaign is to showcase the many ticket opportunities available for the upcoming 2017 baseball season and encourage, as well as to encourage Bluefish fans to say “YES!” to becoming season ticket or mini-plan holders as the ’Fish prepare to celebrate their 20th anniversary season at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. 

Season Tickets for 2017 are now on sale. New for 2017, the Bluefish are offering three different levels of season ticket packages. For details, CLICK HERE.

“We are encouraging our fans to say ‘YES!’ to the Bluefish, and to get involved with the team early this year,” says Bluefish General Manager Jamie Toole. “April will be here before we know it, and we really want members of our community to be a dynamic part of this milestone season.”

More information on 2017 Bluefish mini-plans, group outings, luxury suites, and other special offers will be announced soon.