The Bowdoin Orient

March 9, 2001
Volume CXXXII, Number 19

Men's hockey shutout in semis

by ALISON MCCONNELL, STAFF WRITER

   Postseason play came to an end for the men's hockey team last Friday in a 3-0 loss to Amherst. The Polar Bears finished with a 14-10-1 overall record, and were content with the season's results. "Looking back on the season, I am extremely proud of the way the team came together and played," captain Alex Tatum '01 said. "We weren't expected to do much in the league, as we lost a lot of seniors last year."
   Head Coach Terry Meagher agreed. "I'm pleased with our season; I feel our athletes played hard and represented the school, and the uniform, in the proper way."
   The Bears went out fighting in the first NESCAC semifinal game last Friday. Second-seeded Amherst took a decent lead after two goals, separated by 24 ticks, in the second period. "Going into it, we knew it would be tough," Meagher said. "Both teams were struggling to adjust to the bigger ice surface. We certainly didn't give up, and had a lot of chances. Their goaltender played very well."
   Amherst's Jim Smith would wrap the game up at 3-0 with a late third-period goal. "They got two great scoring opportunities in a minute span, and took advantage of them," Tatum said. "We definitely had our chances, but just couldn't capitalize on them."
   Colin Robinson '01 made 15 saves during the matchup, and Brian Losier '01 added one. Amherst's Nick Resier rejected 16 shots in the victory. The Jeffs advanced to last Saturday's NESCAC championships, and wound up at the losing end of a 4-3 overtime game with Middlebury.
   Coach Meagher acknowledged that post-season play is always valuable for his squad. "That Amherst team was a veteran one," he said. "It gives us experience and a taste of the hard work required to get to that level."
   Tatum also indicated that low expectations from the league might have encouraged the Bears to work harder. "I think the fact that we were picked so low gave us a boost, because we wanted to prove that we were one of the contenders in the league," he stated.
   The 2000-2001 season included big wins over Colby, Trinity, and Babson, and a great matchup against the U.S. National Under-18 team. Certain players were cited for their contributions this winter. "The team got great play out of some key people, especially Colin in between the pipes," Tatum said. "The junior class really stepped up in to a leadership role throughout the season, and will lead next year's team well. They have a great nucleus returning."
   "The leadership we got from our captains and other three seniors was instrumental in the season," Meagher added. "Also, Brian Shuman played very strongly and was a factor in each and every game."
   Regarding the forward line, he said, "We were excited about the record-breaking season Chris [Pelletier] had. And Mike Carosi was Mike Carosi." Pelletier finished at the top of team stats, totaling 28 points on the season with 18 goals and 10 assists. Junior Carosi was right behind him with 27 points, followed by Sean Starke's 22 and Adam Mantin's 21.
   Meagher said that there are some specific things the team will be working through next year. "We need to find more ways to get production out of our forwards," he stated. "We're really going to focus on that."
   The rest of the spring semester is a regrouping time for the men, as many of them play on other sports teams and turn their focus to academics.
   The coaching staff, in preparing for next season, develops summer and preseason workout programs for the team to follow until the ice is ready for them again next November.

Chris Pelletier (15) and Colin Robinson (30) each had record-breaking seasons.
(Colin LeCroy/Bowdoin Orient)