University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Mercyhurst
Janosz's Blast Sends UConn To AHA Semifinals!
3/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
March 12, 2011
Storrs, Conn. - Sophomore defender Tom Janosz picked a great time to score his first goal of the season. Janosz blasted a shot into the top right corner 11:41 into overtime tonight to give UConn a 4-3 victory over Mercyhurst and advance the Huskies into the AHA Semifinals.
"Scoring goals is typically not my role I guess. I'm more of a stay at home defenseman but in games like this, you do what you gotta do. It's great to score my first goal of the season but it means more coming in a win like this," said Janosz.
After surrendering a three-goal advantage in the third period, UConn went into overtime needing a goal to advance to the AHA Semifinals for the first time since 2006-07. Both teams had quality chances in the extra session leading to Janosz's heroics.
Janosz's blast saved UConn after Mercyhurst scored three unanswered goals in the third period. The Lakers saw goals from Nate Jensen, Scott Pitt and Mike Gurtler to force overtime.
Mercyhurst held a 14-10 edge in shots after one period but it was Connecticut generating the quality chances in the opening 20 minutes. Mercyhurst goaltender Ryan Zapolski was sensational in the first period while also receiving help from the iron as UConn rang two shots off the post.
Zapolski made his best saves of the night in the first period, both on junior Marcello Ranallo. Ranallo was stoned from the top of the crease at 12:15. Zapolski made the top save of the night on Ranallo with just 38 seconds remaining. Ranallo found the puck in the slot and snapped a shot headed for the top-right corner. Zapolski flashed the glove to make an incredible save to keep the score deadlocked at 0-0.
The second period was a different story for the UConn skaters and Zapolski. UConn registered goals on 11 shots in the period, ending Zapolski's night early.
Senior assistant captain Stevie Bergin put UConn head with his third goal of the season at 12:30. Classmate Jason Krispel skated along the right corner with the puck before sending a pass into the slot for an onrushing Bergin. Bergin calmly slid a shot five-hole to go up 1-0. Krispel earned his 11th assist on the season. Sophomore Sean Ambrosie earned his 17th assist on the play.
Freshman Cole Schenider gave UConn a 2-0 lead at 13:39 when he lifted the puck under the cross bar from the top of the crease. The goal was his 12th of the season with Ranallo earning his 10th assist on the year.
Connecticut upped its lead to 3-0 at 15:34 with a typical blast from freshman Billy Latta. Latta picked up a loose puck at the top of the right face-off circle and slapped a shot off the far post and in for his 11th goal of the season. Zapolski was pulled after the third goal for junior Max Strang.
After 40 minutes, Mercyhurst held a 30-20 edge in total shots but UConn went into the locker room ahead, 3-0.
Mercyhurst stormed back in the third period to tie the game with three-straight goals. A two-goal burst just 18 seconds apart started the rally. Nate Jensen scored on the power play at 6:09 before Scott Pitt made it 3-2 at 6:27.
Lakers' forward Mike Gurtler evened the score at 3-3 with another power-play goal at 12:11.
The Huskies had one quality chance for the game-winner but a tip from the right side by Krispel hit off the cross bar. After regulation, Mercyhurst held a formidable edge in shots, 49-24. For the game, Mercyhurst outshot UConn, 56-32.
UConn sophomore goaltender Garrett Bartus stopped 53 shots which ranks as the third-highest total in UConn Division I history.
UConn will have to wait until tomorrow night to determine its opponent next weekend as the rest of the AHA Quarterfinals commence.
