Oct. 14, 2006

New Haven, CT - The Highlanders began their season with a two hour drive into Connecticut to face the Yale Bulldogs.

The teams did not have much time to warm-up before the game because of time constraints. This might have slowed down the pace of the game, but it did not show this time.

As both teams warmed up, both sides showed their strengths. The first half of the period was good clean hockey with a small amount of stops.

Nine minutes into the first Captain Tommy Lucin took the first penalty of the game. The Highlanders were only on the penalty kill for seconds as the Bulldogs were called for a penalty.

The Highlanders took no time to capitalize on the Yale mistake. Sophmore Miguel Dominguez took a shot from the point and beat the Yale goalie for the Highlanders first goal of the season.

The Highlanders kept the lead until late in the first when Yale put the puck in the net.

In the second period Highlander mistakes put them in the box four times. The Bulldogs took advantage of a 5-3 power play, scoring a goal. This power play goal put Yale up 2-1.

"They take time away from our offensive game and tires our scoring lines," Lucin said when he was asked about the eight penalties in the game.

3 minutes into the third, Yale scored their third goal. The Highlanders were working hard for the rest of the third stoping Yale's physical play.

Their best opportunity came when Lucin took the puck in on a breakaway and was pulled down before taking the shot. The referees made a bad call by not giving Lucin a penalty shot.

Throughout the game the Highlanders relied on all-star goalie Joe Cestaro. Even though he let in 3 goals his save percentage was .945, making 52 saves.

" I think the next time we face-off against Yale there will be a different turnout," said Lucin.

(article courtesy of Piotr Machocki from the vector )