Weekend Wallop

Well, that was quite a weekend for the Icers as they swept Navy by a combined score of 17-0 to run the winning streak to 10 games.

As I said a number of times on Friday and Saturday, the Midshipmen simply had no answer for the Icers' depth and their team speed. With full respect for the heart of the Middies, when you are outshot by a 4-1 margin it's tough to mount any type of sustained offense.

It was a great weekend for the line of Nick Seravalli, Eric Steinour and Paul Daley. Eric potted four goals on Friday and added another on Saturday, Nick scored twice in both games, and Paul set the table for his linemates with some aggressive forechecking.

Chris Cerutti and Domenic Morrone each had two goals. Dom leads the team with 11 on the season, and it's interesting to note that 2 freshmen (Morrone and Steinour) are in the top 3 in team scoring (along with Tim O'Brien).

I spoke with Nick Seravalli and Chris Cerutti following Saturday's win. Chris Pronchik was the second star, but he was a no-show. He later pleaded innocence, claiming he didn't know he was supposed to come out for a chat.

We'll forgive him this time, but I'm not sure his mom, who was listening at home, will be so forgiving!

There was a scary moment early in the 2nd period on Saturday. Carey Bell, just back this weekend after recovering from a concussion, was chasing the puck down behind his own net.

Carey turned towards the end boards just seconds before Navy's Michael Orzetti made contact. The hit sent Carey hard into the boards and at first glance it looked bad. Fortunately, Bell popped up and was able to continue playing.

Orzetti was assessed a 5-minute major and a game misconduct, which was the right call by referee Rick Gallagher. However, as I said at the time, this was another case of a player putting himself in a position to get hurt.

I'll reiterate what I said on Saturday - I don't blame Carey for what happened, because that is how players today have been taught to play the game. But, I will reiterate what I said here and here about the need for changes in how the game is taught, beginning at the youngest age.

I'll climb down off my soapbox, but not before giving the final word to Ann Hume.

Ted Hume's grandmother wrote a very insightful email in response to my earlier posts. Here's part of what Mrs. Hume wrote:

Hockey is a physical sport, as you point out, but there have to be limits on the checking and slamming players into the boards that occurs. There is no game that is worth permanent or serious damage to players. At least in hockey players wear helmets and padding and are prepared for a certain amount of roughness.

But the fact that seven members of the Icers are out with injuries shows that the game is no walk in the park. I was glad to read in your blog that the Icers players and coaches are aware of the limits and are not so fanatic that safety is ignored.

As an octogenarian, I know that there is no wealth that compares to one's health. It is a tragedy to sacrifice that treasure to sports in one's youth, or to sacrifice peace of mind to the life-long guilt that follows injuring an opponent in a game.

It's time to get ready for the long drive to Manchester, NH for next weekend's PAL Stovepipe Tournament. The Icers will be facing the host school, NCAA Div. II University of Southern New Hampshire on Saturday at 4:30pm.

Div. II Stonehill College and NCAA Div. III U-Mass Boston play in the early game at 1:30pm. The consolation game on Sunday will go at 1:30, with the championship game to follow at 4:30.

Barb and I would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. For those of you heading to New Hampshire, safe travels and we'll see you there.