University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Army
Huskies Advance To Toyota Championship; 2-0 Over Army
12/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Dec. 29, 2011
STORRS, Conn. - UConn sophomore Cole Schneider notched the game-winning goal and Garrett Bartus earned his second career shutout to propel Connecticut to the championship game of the 19th annual Toyota UConn Hockey Classic. UConn will face UMass Lowell at 7:15 p.m. Friday at Freitas Ice Forum.
The packed house of 1,587 fans were treated to a rousing rendition of the National Anthem by New England legend Renee Rancourt, the voice of the Boston Bruins.
Junior goaltender Garrett Bartus finished with 19 saves for his second shutout of the season and the second of his career. Both clean sheets for Bartus have come against Army.
"He made a couple of huge saves for us. Big time saves. We got ourselves a little dirty in front of the net which you have to do sometimes in a game like this," said UConn head coach Bruce Marshall.
The Huskies came into the game with the fourth-ranked power play in the nation at 25.4 percent and only increased that mark with two goals on the man-advantage.
"If you can create and score on the power-play, that'll always help you win games. It's a backbreaker for teams," added Marshall.
Schneider opened the scoring at 11:16 of the first period with assists going to Alex Gerke and Brant Harris. Schneider took a pass along the left wall from Gerke and ripped a shot from just inside the blue line at the left point to beat Army goaltender Rob Tadazak.
UConn had quality chances throughout the period and finished with an 11-4 edge in shots. Connecticut also held the edge in face-offs, 12-6.
Neither team was able to score in the second and UConn took a 1-0 lead into the final period.
The Huskies were dangerous throughout the net on special teams, with two of the best chances of the evening coming on the penalty kill.
Jordan Sims and Schneider each had golden opportunities from up close, only to squander the chance to make it 2-0.
4:28 into the third period with UConn down a player, Schneider and Sims came down on a two-on-one on the left side. Schneider lifted a pass from the left wall over to Sims in the slot. Sims deked to his backhand but failed to lift the puck over the sprawled Army netminder.
Just 45 seconds later, Schneider found space alone in the slot and also looked to go forehand, only to have Tadazak rob the sophomore of his second goal of the night.
The Huskies found the insurance goal at 13:35 with Brant Harris tapping home a perfectly executed play on the power play. After a stretch of excellent movement in the offensive zone, Sims sent a cross-ice pass at the top of the crease from the right wall for Harris to tap into the empty net for his team-leading 12th goal of the season.
For the game, UConn outshot Army 31-19.
The Huskies will face UMass Lowell for the second time this season after earning a 3-2 victory in overtime over the River Hawks in Nashua, N.H. back on October 18.
"They'll certainly have a jump in their step tomorrow. They put up good numbers tonight. They're going to want to come after us. These are the types of games we need to start winning. We are definitely excited to get out there tomorrow night," said Marshall.
The Huskies will be looking for their fourth UConn Hockey Classic Championship and the first since 2003. UMass Lowell is attempting to become the first team from Hockey East to take home the championship.
