The Cowl Winter Sports Preview October 12, 2006 Friars March Forward in Year Two of Army Regime
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
he Cowl T Est. 1935 6th Annual Winter Sports Preview ______ ^TMPISACICH'O^'60*1 photos by TIM VI A new look for Friar Hockey Head Coach Tim Army is reshaping the very image of Providence College hockey. See Page 2 for the story. Also inside... Head Coach Bob Deraney The Swimming and Diving and the Women’s Hockey Teams look to youth to Team plot their course back to rejuvenate their programs. the NCAA Tournament. What can we expect this See page 3. year? Seepages 2 The Cowl Winter Sports Preview October 12, 2006 Friars march forward in year two of Army regime by Ryan Holt ’09 Men’s Hockey Sports Staff Schedule 2006-07 A young team, a young coach, a tough October conference: None is part of a formula for a 6 ST. THOMAS (exhib.) — W, 4-0 winning team. For last year’s Providence 13 CLARKSON College Men’s Hockey team, however, all 14 ST. LAWRENCE of these were. In the 2005- 20 BOWLING GREEN MEN’S 2006 campaign, the Friars, 21 NOTRE DAME HOCKEY led by first-year coach Tim 27 MERRIMACK* Army, came from virtually 28 @ UMass-Lowell* nowhere to challenge more experienced 31 BOSTON COLLEGE* Hockey East squads. Army’s bunch held first place in the conference for many November weeks, and rose to as high as No. 9 in the 3 @ Massachusetts* national rankings. 4 MASSACHUSETTS* Many questions surrounded last year’s 10 VERMONT* Friars. Particularly, the questions focused 14 NORTHEASTERN* on the team’s ability to adjust to a new 17 @ Boston University* coach. Army’s style—fast-paced, aggres 24 UMASS-LOWELL* sive, and offense intensive—was a far cry 26 @ Brown# from the old regime. The team, as the sea son’s record shows, responded quite well. December Scoring was up from the previous 1 @ Maine* year—many Friars had career years. The 8 @ Boston University* defense also improved, as then sophomore 29 Lake Superior State* Tyler Sims emerged as a rising star. The 30 Wisconsin/Clarkson* improvements produced wins, bringing attention and fans to Schneider Arena. For January the first time in nearly five years, PC was 5 BOSTON UNIVERSITY* a contender in the Hockey East. 7 @ Boston College* The Friars made a serious run to the 13 @ UMass-Lowell Two major keys in PC’s upturn in for Hockey East title. As the season drew to a 19 MAINE* tunes last year were sophomore defense close, however, the team lost its momen 20 MAINE* man Cody Wild (above) and junior net- tum, bowing out in the first round of con 27 @ New Hampshire* minder Tyler Sims (right). Wild led all ference playoffs. The season as a whole, however, was a Friars blueliners with 21 points (6 goals, February success. The team made great strides. A 15 assists) en route to Hockey East All 2 @ Vermont* Rookie Team honors. Sims blossomed as 3 @ Vermont* new strategy and culture as well as vast a goaltender in his sophomore cam 9 BOSTON COLLEGE* improvements in the level of play resulted. paign, posting a 17-15-12 record with a 10 @ Massachusetts And a feeling of optimism is evident this 2.32 goals against average and a .916 16 @ Northeastern* year in the locker room. save percentage. With underclassmen 17 NORTHEASTERN* “Were going to play very well,” said like these two, a talented senior class, 23 @ New Hampshire* Army. “I think were going to pick up and and the potential for immediate impact 24 NEW HAMPSHIRE* develop from where we were a year ago.” from a number of Coach Army’s Most of the Friars’ key players are recruits, the 2006-07 Friars look to March returning for the new season. They will be improve upon their fifth place finish in 2 MERRIMACK* joined on the ice by seven freshmen, any Hockey East last year—with their goal 3 @ Merrimack* of whom could make an impact. being a berth in the NCAA Tournament 8-11 HOCKEY EAST Quarterfinals “I think the freshman fit that model and this year. The Friars get their season 16 HOCKEY EAST Semifinals# that will add a great deal to our program,” underway on Friday, Oct. 13 at 7:00 p.m. 17 HOCKEY EAST Finals# said Army. versus Clarkson. 23-25 NCAA Regionals Returning in goal is Tyler Sims. He had an impressive season last year, allowing PHOTOS COURTESY OF SPORTS INFO April just over two goals per game, and saved hopes to raise that bar this season. of speed and skill. Johnny sees the ice as 5 NCAA Frozen Four% nearly 92 percent of shots against him. Junior Jon Rheault, last year’s top goal well as anyone that I watched all last year.” 7 NCAA Frozen Four% Sims’ numbers earned him All-Hockey scorer, is also returning. Like McDonald, They are not the lone freshman for East Honorable Mention honors. he had a career year. He is also a threat on wards. Greg Collins and Rhode Islander HOME GAMES IN CAPS Someone who we will also see in the net the power play, scoring a team-high eight Matt Tommasiello will also add to the * - HOCKEY EAST Game this season is freshman Ryan Simpson. He goals last year. Rheault brings a mix of Friar lineup. * - Badger Hockey Showdown was Goaltender of the Year in his juniors’ speed and power back to the ice. “They both skate well. Both are smart #-@TD Banknorth Garden (Boston) league last year. Last year’s captain, current co-captain, and they give us depth. Both more than %-@ Sawls Center (St. Louis, Mo.) “Simpson will form a great partnership senior Tony Zancanaro returns for his final capable of playing,” said Army. with Sims,” said Army. “He is very capa season. He also had a career high year on Aggression on defense is also a feature were going to keep going and just over ble of playing games, and he will play offense. Zancanaro’s hustle and motivation of the Friars’ strategy. Hard-hitting, high whelm teams,” said Zancanaro. games.” for his team will again be vital on the ice scoring senior assistant captain Dinos As is usually the case, a tough schedule Sims is aiding in Simpson’s transition this season. Stamoulis returns following a career year lies ahead for the Friars. However, as to the college game. Seniors Chase Watson, Bryan Horan, on both sides of the puck. Stamoulis pro Army’s strategy has been, they will “play “He’s a really skilled goalie, big guy,” and Jamie Carroll are also back for their vides an intimidating presence on the ice. their game.” Army’s strategy is proactive said Sims. “I’m just helping him to try to last seasons as Friars and are coming off Last year’s freshman standout, Cody rather than reactive, which provided prob use his size to his advantage.” Sims tremendous years. They should continue to Wild, runner-up for Hockey East Rookie lems for some opponents last year. Army believes the young goalie is adjusting well. have a major impact on the Friars’ offense. of the Year, returns looking to add to an and his squad refuse to be intimidated by If someone had to describe Army’s The returning sophomores, led by Kyle already impressive resume. Wild was the any team, no matter the ranking. strategy in two words, they would likely be Laughlin, last year’s leading freshman Friars’ top scoring defenseman, and “We have to go out on the ice ready to speed and shooting. This year’s team has scorer now with a year of Hockey East seemed to have a knack for scoring game establish our pace, our speed to the game,” plenty of people who fit into those cate experience, look to make a bigger mark on winning goals. said Army. gories. the team this season. Matt Taormina, Marc Bastarache, Fans will see a different Schneider The Friars out-shot their opponents in Four freshman forwards look to make Trevor Ludwig, and Austin Miller return Arena this year. Thanks to a generous all but nine games last year, a trend they an impact early in their careers. Chris this year looking to build on last year’s donation, new seats—this time in PC col- look to continue this year. Though last Eppich and Rhode Island native John progress. ' ors—were installed over the summer. year’s top goal scorer, Torry Gajda, is Cavanagh will add a great deal of speed to Two incoming freshman look to further “It’s awesome. I never thought it’d be gone, there are plenty of great shooters left the offense. deepen and enhance the lineup. Mark this unbelievable, the gray seats look real and even more joining the team. “They will give us a spark immediate Fayne and Rhode Islander David ly good,” said Simms. Senior co-captain Colin McDonald, ly,” said Army. “Both skate well; they are Cavanagh, cousin of teammate John “It looks great, it’s coming along really always a threat on offense, had a career- both a combo of sense and skill.” Cavanagh, will certainly strengthen the well, I think campus will like it,” added high 28 points last year. Of course, he Army added, “Chris is really a combo defense. Zancanaro. “We were fast last year, but now we’re Year two of the Tim Army era looks to even faster, we’ve got more speed and Men’s Hockey 2006-07 Quick Facts be even better than the first. The aggres we’re moving a puck well,” said sion, which won so many games last year, 2005-06 Review Key Returnees Zancanaro.