University of North Texas...
Friday, October 9, 2009
Texas A&M University Aggies (6) VS. University of North Texas Mean Green Eagles (4)
In A&M’s first road trip of the season, the Aggies ventured to the Dr. Pepper Star Center in McKinney – the newest ice facility in the Dallas-Fort Worth area – for a week end series. Both teams were sporting much improved squads. A&M was competing to continue their winning streak from the previous season and UNT to make an early season statement.
The Home team set the pace from the face off drop, shooting an unanswered 6 shots to open the first period. The tempo was physical and open with opportunities from both teams.
Aggies opened the scoring with 5:24 remaining in the 1st period. With sustained pressure, defensemen Brian Young shot the puck into traffic in front of the UNT net. Dustin Roark drove the net and fired the re-bound home.
Just over a minute later, Young assisted two rookies to notch the final score of the period. Patrick Madigan cleared the A&M blueline and found Matt Moreno moving on the right side. Entering the UNT zone and crossing the top of the circles, the shot sniped the top corner.
With a 2-0 lead entering the second period, the Aggies scored the next 4 goals in less than 3 minutes.
Another rookie notched his first A&M score at 15:25. Capturing a loose puck behind the UNT net minder, Tom Callaghan alertly bounced a shot off the goalie tender and the puck deflected into the net. At 14:43, Justin Cooley moved the puck deep into Eagle territory. On a cycle play, Aubrey Berkowitz fired a low shot home, 4-0. With 13:08 remaining, Julien Legrand moved the puck out of the A&M area to forward Nathan Banks in the neutral zone. As the Aggies crossed into Eagle territory, Banks fed a pass back to Legrand. A quick shot from the point, and Michael Molge fired home the rebound under an outstretched glove.
On a power play opportunity to finish the Aggie scoring, Madigan and Cooley teamed to control the puck over the UNT blue line. With an accurate pass into the slot area, Dominic Marino put the Aggies into a commanding 6-0 lead.
The Home team continued to battle, and focused 3 scores to cut the Aggie lead to 6-3.
The physical competition continued with both teams missing scoring opportunities. The Eagles notched the final goal with 2:55 remaining in the game.
Kyle Vrla, the Aggie net minder, along with his counterpart, enjoyed a stand out performance deceiving the final 6-4 tally.
Key Statistics:
Shots Goals PP Minors Majors
Aggies 40 6 1 7 0
Eagles 28 4 2 7 0
Very up tempo, aggressive game as both teams still searched for game consistency.
The second game of the series continues this Saturday, October 10, 2009.
