Tulsa Crushes Connecticut, 49-19

By Bob Phillips

UConn's road to nowhere continued on Saturday when they were
trounced by Tulsa, 49-19. The Huskies fall to 1-8.

TULSA—It was a game, so it seems, like all others. UConn gets off to a decent start, then goes into a golden slumber and gets blown to smithereens. This time it happened against the Golden Hurricane of the University of Tulsa, who walloped the Huskies, 49-19, before 17,451 fans at H.A. Chapman Stadium on Saturday night.

Both teams entered the game with identical 1-7 records. The fact that the stadium was only half full in the heart of football country is indicative of Tulsa’s woes. So while an expectation of good football might be a stretch, it should at least be a competitive game, right? Think again.

As has happened too often throughout this lost season, the Huskies jumped out to a hot start. This time they took a 10-0 lead at the first turn fueled by a recovered fumble in the Tulsa end zone by Tyler Coylem followed by an 80-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback David Pindell to senior wideout Kyle Buss. A 44-yard field goal by kicker Michael Tarbutt created a double-digit advantage for the Huskies. Tarbutt would later add a 50-yard field goal in the second quarter.

But that’s when the roof caved in for the Huskies as the Golden Hurricane proceeded to go on a rampage, scoring on their next seven possessions to open an insurmountable 49-13 lead. In the third quarter.

On a positive note (everything in this world is relative—keep that in mind on Tuesday)—Kyle Buss hauled in a career-high 129 yards on six receptions while quarterback David Pindell rushed for 100 yards or more for the fifth time this season. The senior signal caller from Columbia, Md., finished with 150 rushing yards.

In the too-little-to-late department, the Huskies added a garbage-time TD with a three-yard scoring pass from Pindell to tight end Tyler Davis late in the fourth period.

The Huskies’ march to nowhere continues on Saturday when they will entertain 4-5 SMU at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Kickoff is at noon, and the game will be streamed on ESPN3/WatchESPN. 
                                                                                                                                                 —with staff reports

Two-Time ECHL All-Star Gillam Joins Sound Tigers

BY BOB PHILLIPS

Former ECHL All-Star goaltender Mitch Gillam has been assignied to
the Bridgeport Sound Tigers from the Worcester Railers.

BRIDGEPORT—The Bridgeport Sound Tigers announced on Thursday that goaltender Mitch Gillam has been recalled from the Worcester Railers, the New York Islanders’ East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). In baseball terms, the American Hockey League is the equivalent level of AAA, and the ECHL is equivalent to AA.

Gillam, 26, played five games with the Railers this season and went 2-3-0 with a 2.85 goals-against-average and .916 save percentage. Last year, he played a team-high 41 games with Worcester and posted a 23-14-2 record to earn ECHL All-Star honors in his rookie campaign. The Peterborough, Ont., native led the club in wins, goals-against-average (2.15), save percentage (.925) and shutouts (5), and helped Worcester qualify for the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The 6-0, 180-pound netminder was 1-1-0 with a 2.88 goals-against-average in three post-season appearances. As a collegian, Gillam played at Cornell, where he posted a 47-28-17 record in 97 career games. He was a two-time All-Ivy League Second Team with the Big Red.

On Deck
The Sound Tigers start an AHL signature-in-three weekend series when they wrap up a three-game road trip tonight vs. the Springfield Thunderbirds at MassMutual Center. First puck drops at 7:05 p.m. This will be the first of 10 meetings between the Atlantic Division rivals this season. Fans can follow all of the live action via AHLTV and the Sound Tigers Radio Network, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. On Saturday, the series shifts to Bridgeport where the teams will meet at the Webster Bank Arena at 7 p.m. On Sunday, the Wilkes Barre-Scranton Penguins are in for a visit. First puck drops at 3 p.m.

Promotions Galore
Sunday will be a special day for kids—Peppa Pig and PJ Masks Day! (Can you believe it?) Prior to the game with WBS, Peppa Pig and her brother, George, from the Nickelodeon show will join the heroes from the Disney Junior show, PJ Masks on the Webster Bank Arena concourse for a meet-and-greet with fans. A special promotional package offering access to the game, early entry the pre-game meet-and-greet an hour before doors open (1 p.m.), a toy mask, activity packet, and a pack of crayons is available. For more information, call 203-345-2300 ext. 7 or email groupsales@harboryardse.com.
 In addition to Sunday, the Sound Tigers will boast a wide-ranging promotional schedule. Upcoming dates include

·         Wed., Nov. 7-Cool Fun School Day Game (10:30 a.m. start)

·         Sat., Nov. 10-Wizards and Warlocks Night

·         Sun., Nov. 11-Trading Card Giveaway

·         Nov. 23-Hockey and Hops (Craft Beer Tasting)

·         Dec. 1-Superhero Night

·         Dec. 15 & 16-Holiday Gift Weekend

For a full promotional schedule for the 2018-19 season, click HERE. For additional details or to reserve a group outing for any giveaway or theme night, call the Sound Tigers at (203) 345-2300 ext 7

—Staff Reports

P-Bruins Stomp on Sound Tigers

Mike Sislo of the Sound Tigers (16) advances the puck vs. Providence.
The Sound Tigers prevailed, 6-1, over the P-Bruins.

PROVIDENCE—The Bridgeport Sound allowed a season-high four goals in the second period on Sunday and suffered a 6-1 loss to the Providence Bruins before 7,988 fans at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on Sunday. Cameron Hughes recorded his first professional hat trick and Zach Senyshyn also scored twice for the Bruins, while Seth Helgeson netted the Sound Tigers' lone tally.

It was Bridgeport's fifth straight setback in Rhode Island dating back to Feb. 16, 2017. The loss also snapped Bridgeport's two-game win streak and Christopher Gibson's personal three-game win streak overall.

Providence scored four straight goals to begin the game with two in the first 16 minutes, including Senyshyn's first of the afternoon (on the power play) that opened the scoring at the 1:40 mark. Following an interference minor to Connor Jones just 23 seconds into the contest, Senyshyn grabbed a pass from Hughes in the neutral zone and wheeled down the right wing. He skated through the circle and drove the net before filtering a shot between Gibson's legs for his third tally of the season.

Trent Frederic doubled the Bruins' lead at 15:01 of the first period with his third goal in the last two games against Bridgeport. Emil Johansson and Anton Blidh created space and set up Frederic on the right wing, where the rookie forward wristed a shot on target that clipped the post and found its way past Gibson's blocker.

The Sound Tigers nearly got one back at 2:20 of the middle frame when Helgeson lofted a shot from the right point that was deflected past goaltender Dan Vladar. Travis St. Denis was camped out in the slot and got his stick on it, but the third-year forward was called for a high stick and the contest remained 2-0. Instead, Providence went up by three at the 3:39 mark when Jones broke his stick on a clearing attempt, and Jan Kovar found Hughes in front for a back-door tap in.

Hughes' second of the game and third of the season came nearly three minutes later when the Bruins won several battles in a row to maintain heavy pressure in the offensive zone. The Sound Tigers failed to clear and Colby Cave forced the puck to Austin Fyten, who set up Hughes at the 6:41 mark. That goal chased Gibson from the crease and Jeremy Smith entered the contest in relief.

Helgeson made it 4-1 at 12:12 of the second period with his first goal of the season. Parker Wotherspoon played the puck along the blue line where Helgeson settled it at the right point and lifted a long, parameter shot that angled off the left point and banked in past Vladar's right arm. Jeff Kubiak also earned a helper on the goal.

Hughes polished off his three-goal and four-point performance at 12:43 of the second period on a penalty shot of all things. The University of Wisconsin product stole the puck in the neutral zone and charged ahead on a breakaway, before he was hooked by Yannick Rathgeb from behind while getting a shot off in the low slot. Hughes stayed on the forehand during his first pro penalty shot and beat Jeremy Smith glove side to make it 5-1. All four of Hughes' goals this season have come against the Sound Tigers.

Senyshyn finished the scoring at 19:00 of the second period to complete the 6-1 final - Bridgeport's first five-goal loss since a 5-0 setback to the Springfield Thunderbirds last March. Wotherspoon and Blidh got tangled up in the Providence zone and the Bruins rushed ahead before Cave backhanded a shot that Smith turned back, but the rebound hit Senyshyn while standing at the left post and went in.

The Sound Tigers finished the game 0-for-6 on the power play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill. Gibson (3-3-0) made 14 saves on 18 shots in 26:41 of playing time, while Smith turned back 18 of the 20 chances he faced in 33:19 of relief. Vladar (1-2-1) earned his first win of the year with 28 saves for the Bruins.

Providence outshot Bridgeport 38-29. The game also included one fight when tempers spilled over midway through the second period, resulting in a tilt between St. Denis and Cody Goloubef at the 10:36 mark.

With the win, the P-Bruins improved to 3-5-1-0, while the Sound Tigers fall to 4-4-1-0. The Sound Tigers conclude a three-game road trip next Friday with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Springfield Thunderbirds at MassMutual Center. It will be their first of 10 meetings this season. Fans can follow all of the live action via AHLTV and the Sound Tigers Radio Network, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.

Promotions Galore

The Sound Tigers will boast an extensive promotional lineup for the 2018-19 season. Upcoming promotions include:

• Hockey and Hops (Nov. 23 and Mar. 17)
• Military Appreciation (Jan. 12)
• Star Wars Night (Jan. 19)
• Princess Night (Mar. 30)
• Hockey Weekend in Connecticut (Feb. 23-24)
• Holiday Gift Weekend (Dec. 15-16)
• A Revamped Teddy Bear Toss (Nov. 23)

For a complete listing of 2018-19 Sound Tigers promotions, click HERE. For additional details or to reserve a group outing for any giveaway or theme night, please call the Sound Tigers' front office at (203) 345-2300 ext 7. For further information on ticket or sponsorship opportunities, call ‘(203) 345-2300 or e-mail info@soundtigers.com.

—Staff Reports

Tigers Tame Wolf Pack, 5-4

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers came away from Hartford with a 5-4
victory, thanks to Steve Bernier's third-period power play goal. (Photo
Courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack)

By Philip Oliver

HARTFORD—Steve Bernier’s third-period power-play goal was the winner for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a 5-4 victory over the Wolf Pack at the XL Center on Saturday night. The Wolf Pack led 4-3 after two periods of the see-saw battle, but Travis St. Denis tied the score for Bridgeport before Bernier’s winner.

“We played a well-fought game and battled hard,” Wolf Pack head coach Keith McCambridge said.  “But poorly-timed penalties, and the inability to hold the lead going into the third, was the downfall.”

The Wolf Pack had successfully killed five Sound Tiger power plays before Bernier connected on the sixth Bridgeport man advantage.

Former Wolf Pack captain Ryan Bourque scored twice in the first period for the Sound Tigers, but the Wolf Pack came back twice from a goal down.

Bourque opened the scoring at 4:30 with an unassisted goal, working the puck away from Wolf Pack defenseman Chris Bigras and putting a shot past Marek Mazanec from the left side.

Steven Fogarty got that goal back only 2:20 later, at 6:50, increasing his team-leading goal total to five.

Bourque scored again only 50 seconds after that, deflecting in a try from the left point by Mitch Vande Sompel at 7:40.

That lead lasted until there were only 36.3 seconds left in the first, when Michael Lindqvist scored on a Wolf Pack power play.  With Parker Wotherspoon in the box for slashing, a Lias Andersson shot went off of Bridgeport netminder Christopher Gibson and trickled behind him.  Lindqvist reached toward the goal line and knocked it in.

The Wolf Pack took the lead for the first time with 7:08 left in the second period, on Shawn O’Donnell’s third goal in two games.  Brandon Crawley played the puck towards the net from the right-wing boards, and O’Donnell re-directed it through Gibson.

Connor Jones tied it back up for Bridgeport, on a deflection of his own, at 16:30.  Wotherspoon took a shot from the left point, and Jones reached out and tipped it in from in front.

Then, for a second straight period, Hartford scored inside the final minute.  At 19:36, Ville Meskanen put the Wolf Pack up 4-3, connecting on a 2-on-1 with Gabriel Fontaine.

St. Denis evened the score just 3:41 into the third, though, receiving a pass from Sebastian Aho along the goal line on the right-wing side and one-timing it into the net.

Then, a holding penalty to Bobby Butler at 5:41 led to Bernier’s game-winner.  Again, it was a deflection, as Mitch Vande Sompel’s shot from the top of the right circle hit Bernier and got by Mazanec, at 6:26.

The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Saturday, Nov. 10, a 7 p.m. contest vs. the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.  That is “Country Night” at the XL Center, and tickets for all 2018-19 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $13 each, and all tickets will have a $3 day-of-game increase.

Season ticket information for the Wolf Pack’s 2018-19 AHL season can be found on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  To speak with a representative about all of the Wolf Pack’s many attractive ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.

Huskies Stumble … Again

By Bob Phillips

UConn wideout Keyion Dixon (23) busts a move vs. UMass. It wasn't
enough, however, as the Huskies fell to the Minutement, 22-17. (Photo
courtesy Andrew Hamilton/UConn Athletic Dept.)

EAST HARTFORD—“In the middle of the journey of our life I found myself within a dark woods where the straight way was lost,” wrote great Italian poet, Dante, in his classic work, Inferno. Although authored in the 14^th Century, one has to wonder if the Middle Age master had a premonition of this horrific 2018 UConn football season—nearly 700 years in the future—in mind. Case in point: With a nor’easter whaling in the background, the Huskies continued their slow decent into hell, dropping a 22-17 decision, this time to the UMass Minutemen, before an announced crowd of 24,150 fans at soggy Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field on Saturday.

The Huskies have been getting crushed by FBS (Football Subdivision, formerly known as D1) opponents this season. They were hopeful their fortunes would reverse vs. UMass, a FCS (Football Championship Subdivision, formerly known as D1A) foe.

No such luck. As has often be the case this wretched season, the Huskies started off on the right foot. This week, UConn scored on their first possession when tailback Kevin Mensah capped a seven-play, 82-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run just 3:36 into the contest. On the defensive side of the line, the Husky D played a solid first half, holding the Minutemen to just three points in the first half. ell in the first half by only allowing three points to the Minutemen. Indeed, when UConn entered the locker room leading 7-3 at intermission, it represented just the second time this season that the Huskies had led at halftime.

And the second half started off strong for the Huskies as well, as quarterback David Pindell scampered for a 24-yard touchdown run to extend the Connecticut advantage to 14-7 at 3:43 into the third period. Pindell, who finished the game with 120 yards rushing, eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the fourth time this season, breaking Pete Petrillo’s single-season standard for rushing yards in a single season (sent in 1967 with 676 yards). Pindell, the senior signal caller from Columbia, MD, now has 784 yards rushing this season.

Things continued to go UConn’s way after intermission. With the Huskies leading 14-3 late in the third period, defensive lineman Kevin Murphy recorded his first career interception to keep the Minutemen off the board. But then the storm set in… After the turnover, the Minutemen outscored (the Huskies 19-3 to come back and win 22-17.

"We had too many missed opportunities today that we didn't take advantage of, offensively and defensively and special teams,” said Husky head coach Randy Edsall after the game in a familiar refrain. “We had opportunities there that we just didn't finish the game out at the end."

The Minutemen improve to 3-6, while the loss dropped the Huskies to 1-7. UConn now will head to Oklahoma where they will take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m., and the game will be televised nationally (God bless ‘em) on the CBS Sports Network.

—With Staff Reports

Yale Ices Brown in Season Opener

Yale celebrates their season-opening victory over Ivy League rival Brown.

By Steven A. Conn
YALE UNIVERSITY
Associate Athletics Director
Director of Sports Publicity

PROVIDENCE—It was the fastest goal ever scored by an ECAC Hockey team in its season opener. Just 14 seconds into the 2018-19 campaign, Joe Snively unleashed a wrist shot that sailed into the top corner of the net. The first of his two goals sent the Yale Men’s Hockey Team on the way to a 3-2 conference win over Brown at Meehan Auditorium on Friday.

Snively took a pass on the left side from rookie Curtis Hall and skated into the top of the circle before sending a rocket over Luke Kania’s glove. It was the 14^th fastest goal for an NCAA men’s Division I season opener.

After Brown evened things, Snively put the visitors on top again by taking the puck away from Kania behind the Bears’ net and then winning the race with the goalie to the crease for a wrap-around tally, the 45^th goal of his career at 17:36 of the first.

Both sides found the net in the middle frame, but the second one turned out to be the winner. Evan Smith sent a shot from the point toward traffic in the slot. The 6-foot-4, 212-pound body of teammate Luke Stevens was screening the goalie, and the Yale forward’s stick re-directed the puck past Kania with 4:59 left to make it 3-2.

“I tried to get out front to screen him [goalie],” said Stevens. “Evan made a good shot, and I just tipped it.”

The Bulldogs outshot the Bears 22-9 over the first 40 minutes, but the home squad tilted the ice in the third period trying to find the equalizer. Yale junior goalie Corbin Kaczperski came up huge in the final period with 13 saves, including a few quality chances, to earn the victory.

“There were a lot of blocks out front, and I was glad to help them out with a couple of saves at the end,” said Kaczperski.

Bulldog head coach Keith Allain was happy with the win, but certainly not satisfied.

“It was hard fought game and we played fast. It’s hard to simulate the pace of play in practice. As I told the guys after the game, there is still a lot of work to do and I’m excited about moving forward,” said Allain.

Katie Lou Named to Ann Meyers Drysdale Watch List

UConn senior Katie Lou Samuelson is one of 20 players named to the
2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award watch list.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—UConn senior Katie Lou Samuelson was named to the 20-player watch list for the 2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, as announced by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Coaches Association. In its second year, the Meyers Drysdale Award honors the top shooting guard in women's NCAA Division I college basketball.

Samuelson was a finalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award in its inaugural season. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native earned WBCA Coaches', AP and USBWA First Team All-America honors in 2018 for the second straight year. She is also a two-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and was tabbed the league's preseason player of the year for the upcoming season. Samuelson led the Huskies with 17.4 points per game last season while also leading the nation with a 47.5 three-point field goal percentage.

The Selection Committee for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award is composed of top women's college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers. By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Drysdale and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist at www.hoophallawards.com.

The winner of the 2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award will be revealed on an ESPN platform during the 2019 Women's Final Four in Tampa, Florida. Additional awards being presented and recognized at the WBCA Convention include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award, the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award, and the Lisa Leslie Center Award. Also being awarded is the Wade Trophy, the sport's oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award which is presented annually by the WBCA's community of coaches to the best player in college women's basketball.

2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Candidates
Chloe Jackson                  Baylor
Darby Maggard               Belmont
Katie Lou Samuelson     Connecticut
Candice White                 Fresno St.
Dionna White                  Georgetown
Shakyla Hill                       Grambling St.
Mikayla Ferenz                Idaho
Maci Morris                     Kentucky
Asia Durr                          Louisville
Allazia Blockton               Marquette
Destiny Pitts                     Minnesota
Arike Ogunbowale          Notre Dame
Teniya Page                      Penn St.
Jovana Nogic                    Providence
Kitija Laksa                       South Florida
Jessica Kovatch                St. Francis
Kiana Williams                 Stanford
Kennedy Burke                UCLA
Aliyah Mazyck                  USC
Amber Melgoza               Washington

—staff reports