MILTON, Mass. - The Curry College men's ice hockey team has qualified for the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament, and will take the ice against #3 University of New England on Saturday afternoon for the CCC Semifinals. Puck drop from the Canton Ice House is slated for 3 p.m.
Season Series
The Nor'easters took two of three from the Colonels in the regular season, with each game decided by a single goal. UNE defeated Curry 2-1 in overtime on November 11, but the next day the Colonels were victorious by a 3-2 final. UNE won the rubber match 3-2 on February 4.
How They Got Here
Curry enters Saturday's semifinal ranked sixth nationally in the USCHO.com poll with an overall record of 20-4-1, and finished CCC play with a record of 16-4-1 to claim the second seed and a bye into the semifinals. UNE, ranked ninth nationally, enters with an overall record of 19-5-2, and also went 16-4-1 in league action to earn the third seed. They defeated Wentworth 3-2 in overtime in the CCC Quarterfinals.
Players to Watch
Curry and UNE rank fourth and fifth nationally this season in goals per game, but netminders Reid Cooper (Corman Park, Saskatchewan) of Curry and Billy Girard IV of UNE have kept their opponents under their season averages in all three games head-to-head. Cooper owns a .936 save percentage and 1.83 goals against average this season, while Girard has a .921 save percentage and 2.28 goals against.
Senior Mark Zhukov (St. Petersburg, Russia) is averaging almost two points per game this season, with 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points in 18 games played. Six of his 12 goals have come on the power play this season.
Classmate Nick Favaro (Vaughan, Ontario) is the anchor of Curry's vaunted power play, which ranks third in the nation at 28.3 percent. With seven goals and 25 assists for 32 points this season, Favaro is one of only five players in Division III with one assist per game or more.
Freshman Gage Dill (Estero, Fla.) has put together an outstanding rookie campaign, and is tied for the team with 15 goals on the season. Dill has also accumulated 14 assists for 29 points, ranking fourth on the Colonels.
UNE's leading scorer is sophomore Ryan Kuzmich, who has piled up totals of 14 goals, 21 assists, and 35 points this season. The Colonels have done well keeping him at bay however, as he has only managed two assists in three games against Curry this season.
Senior Jake Fuss is not far behind Kuzmich, with 10 goals and 23 assists this season for 33 points. Fuss earned the primary assist on the overtime goal by Jared Christy in UNE's CCC Quarterfinal victory over Wentworth. Christy ranks third on UNE with 27 points this season, while Daniel Winslow leads the Nor'easters with 16 goals.
From the Coach's Desk
"Our group worked hard to earn a bye in the quarterfinal round, which gave us a little more rest," said Curry men's ice hockey coach Peter Roundy. "The guys have had a great week of practice and this group is focused, prepared, and excited for the opportunity to compete. It is great to be able to host the semifinals and play in front of our fans. They have been supportive all year and we know they will bring great energy on Saturday."
How to Watch
If you aren't able to attend Saturday afternoon's game at the Canton Ice House, the contest will be broadcast live at curryathletics.com/streaming. Live statistics will also be available at curryathletics.com.
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