OU Hockey - Phoenix 9, Oklahoma 2

[Chris Perry]

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***



PHOENIX 9, OKLAHOMA 2

The No. 3-ranked University of Oklahoma® Hockey club started off play in 2007 on the wrong foot, losing to the WSHL Jr. B Phoenix Polar Bears by a score of 9-2 in the first of three games for OU at the Arizona State University Desert Classic tournament in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Polar Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period before Adrian Borchgrevink, a former Polar Bear himself, put the Sooners on the board with a goal at the 16:36 mark of the period. In the second period, it was all Phoenix as they scored two power play goals and an even-strength goal in the first 11:06 of the stanza, chasing OU starting goaltender Aaron Schmeilski from the net. Freshman Chad Helgason was called on to replace Schmeilski and Helgason stemmed the Polar Bear tide for a while before Phoenix scored short-handed to take a commanding 6-1 lead after forty minutes of play. In the third period, Sooners defenseman Mark Tylka scored a power play goal for OU at the 5:05 mark to bring the score to 6-2. However, Phoenix never let up on Helgason and the Sooners, scoring short-handed again, on the power play and at even-strength to make tonight’s final 9-2.

Sooners starting goalie Schmeilski stopped just 13 of 18 shots he faced before being pulled in the second period in favor of Helgason, who stopped 8 of 12 shots during the remainder of the game. Phoenix goaltender Drew Riccio stopped 20 of OU’s 22 shots. OU was 1 for 11 on the power play while Phoenix was 3 for 13 with the man advantage.

The loss, the worst in terms of goal differential in OU Hockey’s four-year history, leaves Oklahoma with a record of 20-2-0 on the season while Phoenix improves to 29-2-0. The Sooners, losers in two of their last three games, look to get back in the win column Friday evening as they face No. 10 Arizona State in OU’s second game at the Desert Classic.
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Phoenix 2 – 4 – 3 -- 9
Oklahoma 1 – 0 – 1 -- 2
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FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, PPB, Davis (Orosco, Laricchia), 5:52; 2, PPB, Barkwell (Cantor, Walker), 12:32; 3, OU, Borchgrevink (Force), 16:34. Penalties: OU, Smith (holding), 7:42; PPB, Butler (high sticking), 13:03; OU, Borchgrevink (roughing), 19:12.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 4, PPB, Vulaj (Walker, Davis), 7:57 (pp); 5, PPB, Davis (Orosco, Walker), 9:57 (pp); 6, PPB, Langlois (Barkwell, Cantor), 11:06; 7, PPB, Cantor (unassisted), 13:47 (sh). Penalties: PPB, Parson (hooking), 3:55; OU, Petty (boarding), 4:53; OU, Brewer (roughing), 7:03; OU, Denton (unsportsmanlike conduct), 7:05; PPB, Barkwell (unsportsmanlike conduct), 7:05; OU, Kenney (hooking), 9:49; PPB, Barkwell (slashing), 12:09; PPB, Walker (boarding), 13:45; PPB, Parson (elbowing), 16:31; OU, Kennedy (tripping), 18:30; OU, Hetrick (elbowing), 19:47.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 8, OU, Tylka (Hallberg, Ritter), 5:05 (pp); 9, PPB, Davis (Laricchia), 5:51 (sh); 10, PPB, Cantor (Vulaj, Langlois), 12:13 (pp); 11, PPB, Orosco (unassisted), 19:24. Penalties: PPB, Butler (tripping), 1:53; PPB, Walker (slashing), 2:57; PPB, Restemayer (cross-checking), 4:43; PPB, bench minor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 4:43; PPB, Restemayer (delay of game), 6:22; OU, Hetrick (interference), 6:43; OU, Allan (tripping), 10:56; PPB, Brown (hooking), 13:31; OU, Denton (interference), 13:34; OU, Ritter (holding), 14:10; OU, Hetrick (boarding), 15:18; PPB, Langlois (roughing), 18:33; OU, Allan (roughing), 18:33; PPB, Parson (ten-minute misconduct), 18:33; OU, Force (ten-minute misconduct), 19:24; OU, Kenney (slashing), 19:59.

Shots on goal:
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Phoenix 7 16 7- 30
Oklahoma 8 7 7- 22
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Goalies: OU, Schmeilski (18 shots, 13 saves), Helgason (12, 8); PPB, Riccio (22, 20). Referee: Kornowski. Linesmen: Bibbs, Lachall.

### BOOMER SOONER! ###

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Chris Perry, General Manager
University of Oklahoma® Hockey
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[Duke o Brewery]

This really seemed like an ambush game. Our boys have spent most of the last 4 weeks resting and relaxing over the holiday, not keeping their skills sharp. Two skilled players were suspended tonight, one wasn't present due to a family illness, and a fourth, possibly our very best player, is gone playing on a US Junior National Team.

To top all this off, our expected first opponent in the Desert Classic, Minot State, backed out, and their improvised replacement is a semi-pro powerhouse that happens to be having a dominating season.

I'd definately have prefered to see a better outcome for tonight's game, but with all the extenuating circumstances I'm not surprised by our inability to perform at a higher level tonight.

Here's to a victory tomorrow night against Arizona State!!!

[Boomer.....]

Wow, not their best game.

[OUFAN29]

This really seemed like an ambush game. Our boys have spent most of the last 4 weeks resting and relaxing over the holiday, not keeping their skills sharp. Two skilled players were suspended tonight, one wasn't present due to a family illness, and a fourth, possibly our very best player, is gone playing on a US Junior National Team.

To top all this off, our expected first opponent in the Desert Classic, Minot State, backed out, and their improvised replacement is a semi-pro powerhouse that happens to be having a dominating season.

I'd definately have prefered to see a better outcome for tonight's game, but with all the extenuating circumstances I'm not surprised by our inability to perform at a higher level tonight.

Here's to a victory tomorrow night against Arizona State!!!

I agree. Hard to expect a college team to go up against a Minor league team for the NHL.

Go Sooners!!!

[OUFAN29]

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***



PHOENIX 9, OKLAHOMA 2

The No. 3-ranked University of Oklahoma® Hockey club started off play in 2007 on the wrong foot, losing to the WSHL Jr. B Phoenix Polar Bears by a score of 9-2 in the first of three games for OU at the Arizona State University Desert Classic tournament in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Polar Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period before Adrian Borchgrevink, a former Polar Bear himself, put the Sooners on the board with a goal at the 16:36 mark of the period. In the second period, it was all Phoenix as they scored two power play goals and an even-strength goal in the first 11:06 of the stanza, chasing OU starting goaltender Aaron Schmeilski from the net. Freshman Chad Helgason was called on to replace Schmeilski and Helgason stemmed the Polar Bear tide for a while before Phoenix scored short-handed to take a commanding 6-1 lead after forty minutes of play. In the third period, Sooners defenseman Mark Tylka scored a power play goal for OU at the 5:05 mark to bring the score to 6-2. However, Phoenix never let up on Helgason and the Sooners, scoring short-handed again, on the power play and at even-strength to make tonight’s final 9-2.

Sooners starting goalie Schmeilski stopped just 13 of 18 shots he faced before being pulled in the second period in favor of Helgason, who stopped 8 of 12 shots during the remainder of the game. Phoenix goaltender Drew Riccio stopped 20 of OU’s 22 shots. OU was 1 for 11 on the power play while Phoenix was 3 for 13 with the man advantage.

The loss, the worst in terms of goal differential in OU Hockey’s four-year history, leaves Oklahoma with a record of 20-2-0 on the season while Phoenix improves to 29-2-0. The Sooners, losers in two of their last three games, look to get back in the win column Friday evening as they face No. 10 Arizona State in OU’s second game at the Desert Classic.


Since this was a replacement team that is semi-pro, how does this count against our record? Isnt this considered an exhibition game?

[mfosterftw]

Ummm, guys... the Phoenix Polar Bears are NOT a semi-pro team. They are a Junior B team made up of kids 15-20 years old. Several players, including Owen Brewer and Adrian Borchgrevink, played for the Polar Bears before coming to OU. Many more played on other Junior B teams around the country previously. Their roster usually has many players who could be respectable at the Junior A level, but decide to play down a level for the opportunity to play for their coach (Harry Mahood) and a legitimate chance for a national championship.

OUSoonerinSanDiego, the Polar Bears play in the same league as the San Diego Surf, if you've ever heard of them, but the Polar Bears are head and shoulders above the Surf.

Was it an ambush game? In many respects it was, but that's OU's fault. My understanding is they looked out of shape, for which there's no excuse, ever. I think it was a lose-lose game - no credit for beating a team the uninformed consider to be significantly inferior, and major insults should they lose. Make no mistake, however... Phoenix has been a top program that is always a threat to win the national title at their level. With the desmise of their rival team in Tucson last month, it is quite possible they will not lose another game during the regular season (they have gone entire seasons undefeated on several occassions).

That OU responded last night with a win over #10 ranked Arizona State is a good sign. The loss to Phoenix is considered an exhibition, but I'm sure votes will knock the Sooners down in the polls a few points. It doesn't matter as it would take a complete collapse to keep them out of the post-season. OU just needs to focus on the fundamentals and position themselves to peak when they go to Nationals.

Marc

[Chris Perry]

The loss does count in the season record, the game was not played as an exhibition and it will and should be considered in the upcoming rankings

Chris Perry
[email protected]