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Saints Fall in NJCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Semifinal

Canton, NY - North Country Community College’s road to the NJCAA Ice Hockey Championship was stopped short by defending National Champions, Minot State University-Bottineau. The #2 Lumberjacks scored four goals in the first period and finished with an 8-1 win over #3 North Country Community College in the semifinals of the NJCAA Men's Ice Hockey National Championship hosted by SUNY Canton.

The Saints defeat was not due to lack of effort.  The Saints continued to battle to the end.  Clarence Bell (Tupper Lake, N.Y.) scored the lone goal for the Saints off an assist from Matt Latham (Edmonton, Alberta) in the first minute of the third period.  However, three power play goals and a short handed goal by the Lumberjacks left the Saints too far behind. 

The Saints were out shot 45-31.  Dan Earles (Penetang, Ontario) started in goal for North Country and had nine saves in the first period.  Chris Lambertsen (Lake Placid, N.Y.) played the final two periods for the Saints and had 28 saves.

The Saints end their season at 20-6-1 and finished second in Region III play. 

MSU - Bottineau, 19-9-2, will face #1 seed Monroe Community College in the championship game Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM. 

1st period: MSU, Holloway (E. Schultz), 5:30.  MSU, I. Friesen (Benue), 7:44.  MSU, T. Friesen (E. Schultz, J. Schultz), 13:05.  MSU, Burdick (J. Schultz), 17:38.

2nd period: MSU, Blue (Burdick, I. Friesen), 4:38.  MSU, Burdick (Betterman, Blue), 17:00.

3rd period: NCCC, Bell (Latham), 00:33.  MSU, T. Friesen (Betterman, McIntosh), 13:08.  MSU, Holloway (T. Friesen, Gordon).

Shots: NCCC-31.  MSU-45.

Goalies: NCCC, Earles (20:00, 13 shots - 9 saves), Lambertsen (40:00, 32-28).  MSU, Didychuck (60:00, 31-30).

Records: NCCC (20-6-1).  MSU (19-9-2).

Canton, NY - The North Country Community College Saints wasted no time getting to work this evening, taking on the Titans from County College of Morris (Randolph, NJ) in the opening round of the 2008 NJCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championships.  Ben Starbuck (Kaslo, BC) opened up the scoring for the Saints at 1:37 in the first period.  This would be the first of many to follow as the #3 Saints went on to a 13-1 win over #6 Seed CC of Morris.

Starbuck tallied two goals for the Saints, while Matt Latham (North Bay, ON) and Colin Port (Kamloops, BC) each picked up two goals and an assist.  The Saints out shot CC of Morris 80-14.  Goaltenders Dan Earles (Penetang, ON) and Chris Lambertson (Lake Placid, NY) combined to make 13 saves for North Country.   

Chris de Itturronde scored County College of Morris’ lone goal, while Sean Griese had 67 saves in net for the Titans.

Coach Datta states, “Our goal was to get up early and rest our legs.  The team got to work early and played consistent the entire game. Now we can focus on tomorrow.”

The Saints improved to 19-5-1 and will face #2 Seed, and reigning NJCAA National Champions, Minot State University – Bottineau tomorrow at 6:30 PM.  The winner advances on Sunday to play in the 2008 Men’s Ice Hockey Championship at 2:00 PM. 

1st period:  NCCC, Ben Starbuck, 1:37. NCCC, Lee Zirk (Matt Latham), 2:59.  NCCC, Patrick Tremblay, 5:51.  NCCC, Chris McCarthy (Ryan Graham, Patrick Tremblay), 8:00.

2nd period: NCCC, Matt Latham (Colin Port), 00:06.  NCCC, Colin Port (Matt Becker), 00:52.  NCCC, Josh Bucko (Scott Bell), 7:23.  NCCC, Mark Bertaloni, 12:22.  Morris, Chris de Itturrondo (Ryan Hallock, Tom Benton), 12:34.  NCCC, Jordan Butcher (Clarence Bell), 15:32. NCCC, Matt Latham (Jansen Simpson), 19:23.

3rd period: NCCC, Clarence Bell (Jansen Simpson), 2:54.  NCCC, Ben Starbuck (Jansen Simpson), 6:17.  NCCC, Colin Port, 15:25.

Shots: CC of Morris, Griese (60:00 minutes, 80 shots - 67 saves).  NCCC, Dan Earles, Chris Lambertsen (60:00, 14-13).

Records: Morris (13-11-1).  NoCo (19-5-1).

Semifinals - Saturday March 1, Canton Pavilion, Canton, N.Y.

3:00 PM           #4 SUNY Canton vs. #1 Monroe CC           

(SUNY Canton beat Mohawk Valley CC 3-2 on Friday)

6:30 PM           #3 North Country vs. #2 MSU-Bottineau

North Country’s Skating Saints Men’s Hockey finished the 2005-06 season as Runners-Up in the National Junior College Athletic Association Championship Tournament in Buffalo, NY.  The Saint’s faced defending NJCAA Champions SUNY Morrisville in a hard fought battle that ended with the 4-3 defeat for the Saints in the Championship game.

In earlier NJCAA Championship tournament play, the Saint’s skated to an easy 9-4 victory over area rival SUNY Canton.

The following was shared by Coach Shom Datta (email: sdatta@nccc.edu ) upon returning from the tournament.  Achieving excellence...on the ice, in the classroom, and in the community!

Friends of Saints Hockey, It’s almost 2 am and the guys just returned from the National Championships in Buffalo, NY.  The Saints faced SUNY-Morrisville for the National Championship and ended up on the losing end of a 4-3 decision.  It was a thrilling, heartbreaking, entertaining and emotional game that made our fans proud despite the outcome.  I think as time goes on the guys will realize that the effort they put into the whole season and the friendships made will outlast the feeling they have right now.  Our goal was to go to Nationals and have fun and have no regrets.  In my opinion the guys went two for two on that scoresheet.  The dedication and intensity that these guys brought to the program humbles me and teaches me a lesson about what true dedication is all about.  If you see these guys around give them a thumbs up for representing the hockey program, school, and community with excellence.  We will have another few emails before the year is over to update everyone on some of the personal accomplishments of the players as we had more than a few guys earn regional, national and tournament honours.

A truly sincere thank you goes out to the friends, family, and faculty that were there in attendance rooting the Saints as the final seconds died down.  There are too many to list individually but a few that I must mention are Heather Conger (Steve and Matthew too!), Kevin Mellon, Chad Ladue, Ed Trathen, and Natalee Rice.  Heather made life a lot easier for us all with her tireless effort, allowing me to concentrate on the games, and treated the guys to a nice send off breakfast.  She also made possible the purchase over 30 tickets the first day for parents of the players.  Natalee arranged our pre-game dinner before the championship and brought an assortment of fan apparel that would be the envy of any professional sports marketing department.  Kevin Mellon, Ed Trathen and Chad Ladue went way out of their way to come and support the Saints, taking their personal time from their own family and friends to join our family of Saints hockey.

To all our Friends...Thank you for your support and we’ll see you in the Lake!

9-1-2005

"Thunder Bay Duo and Swedish Import Arrive On Campus"

The Saints are proud to announce the arrival of three very heralded recruits to the Saranac Lake area on September 1st, 2005. Thunder Bay, Ontario natives Albert Kavanaugh and Steve Atkins drove 25 hours with their families while Alexander Rundlof from Stockholm, Sweden flew in for his first experience in the United States. Coach Datta is optimistic about their immediate impact on the Saints Hockey Program. "Steve and Albert bring a wealth of talent and experience to our team. They were both an integral part of the nationally ranked Fort Williams Junior A hockey club. Alexander played Junior A hockey in Sweden and should also prove to be ready to accept the challenge of filling a some pretty big shoes," said Datta.

The big shoes Datta is referring to is the departure of All-American Goalie and North Country Rookie of the Year Jason Rafuse, who accepted a full scholarship to St. Anselms College in New Hampshire. The trio are also roommates and are excited about getting familiar with life in the North Country.

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