Opening Week Wrap-Up

Lots of excitement on opening week for the 2006-2007 season and it all started with the Ice Breaker tournament at the new Steve Cady Rink at Goggin Ice Arena.

Vermont came out the first night against Colgate and defeated the pre-season number one team in the ECACHL on Friday 6-0. Vermont Sophomore forward Peter Lenes had two goals both assisted by Dean Strong, who also had a goal, and Senior Ryan Gunderson. Goaltender Joe Fallon (pictured above) earned 23 saves in the shutout.

Miami would defeat Denver in their first round game 5-2. Junior Forward Ryan Jones scored two goals and goaltender Charlie Effinger stopped 28 of 30 Denver shots.

The Finals saw Fallon and the Cattamounts get the upper hand as the Junior goaltender stopped 31 of 32 Miami shots on goal as Vermont captured the Ice Breaker tournament in the 4-1 victory. Sophomore Corey Carlson had two goals in the victory.

The Maine Black Bears also had a victory giving Hockey East an early advantage in the third annual Commisoner's Cup as they defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers 3-1 in the Hall of Fame game at the Xcel Energy Center. 21 seconds into the game Josh Soares scored the first goal of the year for the Black Bears and that gave Maine the immediate momentum. Freshman Teddy Purcell put away the game with an empty netter in the third. Maine goaltender Ben Bishop continued to impress people after bringing the Black Bears to the Frozen Four last season, stopping 29 of 30 Minnesota shots on goal. Senior Forward Michel Leveille had two assists in the victory.

In other college hockey action this weekend:

Wisconsin got a win and a tie against Northern Michigan in Green Bay. Goaltender and one of the early Hobey Baker canidates, Brian Elliott, had 23 saves in his first shutout on the year and 12th career shutout. Sophomore Shane Connelly started on Saturday in the 3-3 tie.

Union swept Ferris State behind great play by Junior goaltender Justin Marzek who made 76 saves and had a shutout in the series.

And Boston College forward Brian Boyle made a statement against Northeastern as he scored twice while adding two assists in the 5-2 victory against the Huskies.

Coming tommorrow: A preview of this coming week. One of the big games include a big WCHA showdown between North Dakota and Wisconsin.