Feb. 9, 2008
Utica, New York -
Box Score
Coming of one of their worst performances of the season the Knights had to decide how they would respond to a 7-2 drubbing at the hands of conference rival Utica College. Last night the Knights saw themselves receive more ejections then goals. Tonight they showed the intensity, character, passion and skill they possess as one of the best college hockey teams in the country as they beat the Pioneers 1-0.
Behind the steady hand, calm demeanor and laser focus of senior goaltender Mike Collichio the Knights never trailed. Collichio returned to his famous form stopping 25 out of 25 shots. Arguably the most underrated goaltender in the conference Collichio showed why he deserved to be given better conference recognition by his peers. Warding off all of the challenges with his butterfly maneuvers and hot glove Collichio put Neumann in a position to play their style of hockey.
Ironically, the winning goal came early in the game as fellow senior Mike Gooch, the Knights' captain, took a long rebound at the 9:31 mark and slammed it by Utica's goaltender Andrew Luckow. Luckow never had a chance at the puck as he was screened from by all of the traffic in front of the net and Gooch's shot sailed right by. The goal was Gooch's 30th point of the season and his 97th career point. From that moment on the Knights began to suck the life from the building. Using their trademark speed, stick work and passing ability the Knights kept the pressure on the Pioneers the rest of night.
The best opportunity the Knights gave the Pioneers to tie or take over the game came late in the third period when the Pioneers gained a two-man advantage. Out-manned 5-3 the Knights penalty killing unit steadied the team and killed the first of two penalties and then turned around and killed the second penalty before going on the power play themselves. The effort given in that short amount of time frame was a microcosm of the entire game.
Head Coach Phil Roy stated, "Tonight was about answering our own questions. After Friday's loss we had to decide if we were going to play our style or other people's style. I think we showed people tonight who we really are. We took 3457 people and put them to sleep with our brand of hockey. We were patient, we used our speed and we never backed down in our intensity. That was as hostile an environment as you are going to fine. Our team welcomed that challenge because that is who we are. Tonight we played for the silence and that is as sweet as the win."
The Knights record improves to 16-7 overall and 7-6 in conference. Neumann will take on ECAC rival Manhattanville on Friday February 22nd and Saturday February 23rd in Purchase, NY. This will be a re-match of the ECAC conference championship game where the Knights lost in overtime 5-4. Both teams will be playing for positioning in the ECAC West playoffs.
