Middlebury flexes its muscles at Primelink Big wins over Norwich and Plattsburgh push Panther record to perfect 4-0

Author: Steve Beslow

After opening the season with decisive wins at Tufts and Connecticut College, Middlebury's men's hockey team maintained its untarnished record at this weekend's PrimeLink Great Northern Shootout at SUNY Potsdam. Generally considered Division III's most competitive in-season tournament, the eighth annual Shootout pits the Panthers against regional rivals Potsdam, Plattsburgh and Norwich. This year, however, the competition could do little to stop the high-flying Panthers.

Middlebury's first test was Friday night against Norwich, the team that matched the Panthers in last year's PrimeLink and took home the trophy after a dramatic shootout victory. Middlebury had its revenge this time out, taking down the Cadets 4-3. Middlebury started off the scoring when Brett Shirreffs '07 found the net off a Scott Bartlett '08 feed at 13:41 into the first period.

Middlebury's lead was relatively short-lived. By 7:51 into the second period, the Cadets scored two powerplay goals, taking advantage of a couple of the Panther's eight penalties to take control of the game. Middlebury struck back with a powerplay tally of its own when Kyle Koziara '09 put the puck home off an assist from Justin Gaines '08.

The Panthers controlled the third period, regaining the lead when Tom Maldonado '08 scored on a powerplay at 9:00 with assists from Mickey Gilchrist '08 and Jamie McKenna '09. Just over four and a half minutes later, Koziara scored his second goal of the night, and his fourth of the young season, at 13:36, with McKenna and Gilchrist again credited with the assists. Koziara's second mark turned out to be the game-winner, as Norwich's Rick Cleaver scored the last goal before Middlebury closed the door, making a winner of rookie goalie Doug Rader '09, who stopped 24 shots along the way.

With last year's finals avenged, the Panthers did not let up, bringing their A game to Plattsburgh, which had defeated Potsdam 5-1 on Friday night. Just as they had against Norwich, Middlebury struck first, with Gaines putting them on the board at 5:05 with assists from Gilchrist and captain Jeff Smith '06. The Cardinals responded, however, with Deryk Whitehead knotting the score at 16:41 of the first period.

Penalties were a problem for the Panthers all night, but Middlebury's penalty killers were more than up to the task of working away the 20 minutes of box time. At 3:03 in the second period, Yev Saidachev '07 took a pass from defenseman Rob MacIntyre '08 and deposited it, under pressure, in the top-left corner of the net for Middlebury's first short-handed goal of the year. Plattsburgh stole back a bit of the momentum going into the locker room when T. J. Cooper put a rare score past Panther goalie Ross Cherry '08 with less than five minutes to play in the period. Cherry would finish with 22 saves.

As with the night before, the Panthers refused to be denied. At 7:22 in the third, McKenna put Middlebury ahead for good, with MacIntyre getting his second assist of the evening. McKenna's first career goal came at just the right time, securing the game and the tournament for the Panthers, who yet again won on the wings of a first-year player.

Besides the tournament trophy, the Panther players also took home some serious hardware. Saidachev, fresh off being named NESCAC Hockey Player of the Week, was tabbed as the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Koziara was named the top freshman of the weekend. Gaines and Maldonado were also recognized, garnering all-tournament honors.

Having faced serious competition in the Great Northern Shootout and coming out unscathed, the Panthers find themselves in a fantastic position. The men's hockey team will now return to Middlebury to prepare for its home opener this Friday night. Look for hard hits, sharp skating and plenty of brotherly love as Middlebury head coach Bill Beaney takes on younger brother Jeff, who leads the Southern Maine Huskies at 7:00 in the Chip Kenyon Arena.