Press Release

PURPLE KNIGHTS DEFEATED BY STONEHILL IN SEASON OPENER, 5-4 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               FOR MORE INFORMATION November 12, 2005                                                                             Contact: Daniel O’Reilly                                                                                                          Phone: (802) 654-2929 SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – The Saint Michael's College men’s ice hockey team (0-1-0, 0-1-0 NE-10) was defeated by Stonehill College (1-0-0, 1-0-0 NE-10) by a final score of 5-4 on Saturday afternoon in the team’s season opener at Cairns Arena. For the Skyhawks, sophomore Anthony Zanetti (Ludlow, Mass./Springfield Catherdral) and senior Brian Lewis (Cohasset, Mass./Xaverian) each had two goals, while Brendan O’Brien (Braintree Mass./Deerfield Academy) had four assists in the freshman forward’s his first career game. Billy Petrucci (East Bridgewater, Mass./Tabor Academy) recorded nine saves in net, and Matt Gorman (Southboro, Mass./St. John’s) and Josh Green (Mendon, Mass./Gunnery Prep) had eight and two saves, as each goaltender played one period. For the Purple Knights, sophomore Tim Dancey (Anaheim, Calif./Berkshire School) had two goals and an assist, and junior Jared Silver (Montreal, Quebec/Tabor Academy) had three assists. Derek Jackson (Clinton, N.Y./Gunnery Prep) made 19 saves. Saint Michael's opened up the scoring just 1:02 into the first period, when Tim Dancey received a pass from senior captain Jonathan Perez (Sherman Oaks, Calif./Berkshire School) out in front of the net, and was able to send it past Stonehill goaltender Petrucci. The Skyhawks took advantage of a Saint Michael's hooking penalty at the 5:31 mark in the first period, as Zanetti scored just 15 seconds into the power play off of assists by Craig Pasquantonio (Randolph, Mass/Xaverian) and O’Brien. Lewis sent a wrist shot over Jackson’s left shoulder 10:10 into the opening frame, putting Stonehill on top 2-1, off of an assist from O’Brien. Following a Skyhawk cross checking penalty, sophomore Andrick Deppmeyer (Claremont, N.H./Bay State Breakers) sent a slap shot into traffic from the blue line, which found the net, tying the score at two to end the period. Lewis put Stonehill up 3-2 1:45 into the second, scoring a power play goal with assists coming from O’Brien and junior Matt Pollara (Plymouth, Mass./Archbishop Williams). With 14:30 remaining, Tim Dancey played the puck deep in the Stonehill end, centering a pass to Ryan Mero (Peekskill, N.Y./Avon Old Farms) who beat Gorman for the freshman forward’s first collegiate goal. Just a minute and 10 seconds later, Zanetti put Stonehill back on top, receiving a breakaway pass from O’Brien, and beating Jackson in the top right corner. At the 15:09, Tim Dancey took a shot from the right face off circle off of feeds from Mero and Silver which deflected off of Gorman’s right skate, once again knotting the score. With the Skyhawks shorthanded, sophomore Matt Curran (Scarborough, Maine/North Yarmouth Academy) broke through the defense and put the visitors back on top for good with an unassisted tally 1:55 into the final period. Saint Michael's returns to action Sunday afternoon in an exhibition match against Carleton University at 3 p.m. at Cairns Arena, while Stonehill will travel to Plymouth State on Monday for a 6 p.m. match up. For complete box score, click here ###PURPLEKNIGHTS###

For more information please contact the SMC Sports Information Office at (802) 654-2537
Last Revised: October 25, 2002