MILTON, Mass. - For the first time in program history, the #7 Curry College men's ice hockey team will host a game in the NCAA Division III Championships on Saturday evening, as the Colonels welcome Bowdoin College to the Canton Ice House for a 7 p.m. puck drop. The game is the first Curry's first NCAA Tournament game since the 2010-11 season.
What's On the Line
The winner of Saturday's game will advance to the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Championship, and will travel to Hobart College on Saturday, March 18 for a 7 p.m. start.
How They Got Here
After falling to Endicott in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship, Curry received one of the NCAA Tournament's three at-large bids. It is just the third time in Curry history that a Colonel team has earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, joining the 2003-04 men's ice hockey team and the 2008 football team.
Bowdoin pulled off a Cinderella run to the NESCAC Championship, winning the league title as a seven-seed in their conference tournament. The Polar Bears knocked off eighth-seeded Williams College 3-2 in overtime to earn the NESCAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after previously upsetting second-seeded Trinity and fifth-seeded Colby.
Players to Watch
Netminder Reid Cooper (Corman Park, Saskatchewan) was named the CCC's Goaltender and Co-Player of the Year on Wednesday. Cooper currently ranks second in the CCC with a save percentage of .934 with a goals against average of 1.93. He has won 19 games on the season, good for third in the NCAA.
Bowdoin is expected to have junior Alex Kozic between the pipes on Saturday. In 23 games this season for the Polar Bears, Kozic has a 2.29 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.
Curry senior Mark Zhukov (St. Petersburg, Russia) is averaging almost two points per game this season, with 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points in 20 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 fourth in the nation at 28.0 percent. With eight goals and 25 assists for 33 points this season, Favaro is ranks third in the nation in scoring among defensemen.
Freshman Gage Dill (Estero, Fla.) was named CCC Rookie of the Year on Wednesday, 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.
Bowdoin's leading scorer is senior Andy Stoneman, who has notched 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points this season. In the NESCAC Final, Stoneman scored two goals and assisted on the overtime winner from Bobby Pearl.
Senior Albert Washco is Bowdoin's second-leading scorer with seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points, while Pearl ranks third with 16 points on five goals and 11 assists.
From the Coach's Desk
"This is a historic achievement for our program," said Curry head coach Peter Roundy. "As difficult as last Saturday was, we hit the reset button once we got the news that we earned one of the three at-large bids. Along with preparing for Bowdoin this week, we have been focusing on what has made us successful all season. We are excited for the opportunity to host an NCAA game and we will be ready for the challenge."
How to Watch
Saturday's NCAA Championship contest between the Colonels and the Polar Bears will take place at the Canton Ice House, located at 65 North Street in Canton, Mass. Tickets will be $6 for adults and $4 for students and seniors. If you are not able to attend the game, live statistics and video will be available at curryathletics.com.
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