2008 Woodie Awards
Say it ain't so! UConn Huskies eliminate MIH
Brian Fitzsimmons
Issue date: 3/19/06 Section: Sports
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The third seeded Pioneers certainly had the opportunities to capitalize and take advantage of the Huskies' mistakes, but it did not happen. They failed to convert while amassing 27 shots on 10 power plays.
"I think that if we did score on the power play, especially late in the game, it would've given us a spark," head coach Shaun Hannah said. "We tried to put the puck in the net, but it just didn't go."
Scherer started the offensive spark for Connecticut as he fired the puck under Pioneer goaltender Jason Smith's arm only 5:12 into the game. Scherer struck again and put the Huskies up 2-0 with seven minutes remaining in the period. The goal would eventually become the game clincher.
The Pioneers surged for their first tally when Peter Ferraro scored off a pass from senior Erik Roos with 1:22 left in first period action.
More insurance came for the Huskies when Scott McDougall blasted a shot over Smith's shoulder for the only goal in the second period.
The Pioneers trailed only 3-1 well into the third period, and the door for a possible comeback effort swung wide open. The sixth seeded Huskies took two penalties 5:18 and 6:10 into the period to give the Pioneers a two-man advantage. But, to symbolize how the night went for the Pioneers, they took two penalties of their own to erase the advantage, which ultimately led to another blown power play scoring opportunity.
The dagger to seal the victory came when Scherer's shot found the back of the empty net with a minute and six seconds left, which completely silenced the Milford Ice Pavilion crowd.
"This whole thing just leaves a horrible taste in your mouth," freshmen forward Bear Trapp, winner of five AHA Rookie of the Week honors, said. "You just want to start next year up right away, and we're going to do everything in our power to make sure this doesn't happen again."