While many college hockey fans in New England will have their attention glued to the TD Banknorth Garden for this weekend's Hockey East championships, another local team will be trying to make its own headlines and punch a ticket to hockey's version of the big dance.
Following an afternoon practice at Ryan Arena in Watertown on Wednesday, the Bentley men's hockey team headed to Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, N.Y. with hopes of returning as Atlantic Hockey Conference champions.
By taking its three-game quarterfinal series with Canisius last weekend, the Falcons ensured they would have another date with No. 1 seed Air Force in the first semifinal game at 4:05 this afternoon. Bentley was 0-3 against Air Force this season until a 4-1 home victory in the last meeting on Valentine's Day. The winner of the game will take on the winner of Mercyhurst-RIT in the championship tomorrow.
After making an early season statement with an upset of Maine in Orono back in January, there was a certain relaxed sense of confidence to the Falcons as they took to the ice Wednesday, knowing that they belonged in this position.
One of four senior captains, and recently named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week, Jeff Gumaer, has been through many of the ups and downs with this Falcon club, and is now relishing in the benefits of battling through some tough times.
``We had a little taste my freshman year of what this is like when we lost to Holy Cross in the (conference) title game, but this year is just so much more rewarding,'' he said. ``I feel like we've overcome a lot and we've really come together as a team. The past couple years have been tough with some of the losing, but everyone's playing for each other now and that's great to see. We finally have a chance to battle and come out on top.''
Along with Gumaer, fellow line mates and captains Dain Prewitt and Anthony Canzoneri, as well as Pat Percella, have been key leaders during the Falcons' run. Prewitt notched two goals in Game 1 of the Canisius series, while both he and Canzoneri had assists on all three of Gumaer's goals Sunday night in the deciding game.
Head coach Ryan Soderquist acknowledged how important they have been to his squad, and how important they will continue to be going forward.
``Obviously, senior leadership is huge, no matter what level,'' he noted. ``That top line of guys has been huge for us all year, they were big this weekend, and we're going to need them to step up and continue to lead this team during the weekend.''
Soderquist said he had every expectation that his team would be here this late in the season. However, he did not know it would come with a program-record, 19-victory campaign.
``We're obviously excited to be in the position that we're in,'' he said. ``Our first goal was to get a home playoff series and we were able to do that. Goal No. 2 has always been to reach the conference final four and grab a championship, and now we have a chance to do that and continue adding on to a historic year for the program.''
While senior leadership on the ice has been a large part of the success this season, Soderquist, who not only is the school's all-time time leading scorer, but also the youngest coach in all of Division I hockey, has been instrumental in putting Bentley on the map.
Since moving to D-I in 1999, he has led the Falcons to unprecedented heights. In 2002-03, his first year on the job, Soderquist led the Falcons to 15 wins, matching the total amount of wins in the team's previous three seasons. In 2005, he led them to another first with a conference championship appearance. Then, of course, there was the 3-1 win over traditional Hockey East power Maine on Jan. 16, as well as a tough, 4-1 showing against Hockey East finalist Northeastern University on Nov. 8.
Perhaps most importantly, though, he has gotten 27 men to respect him, and buy into his teachings.
``I think he was only in his fourth year or so when I came in, and it's been cool to see him progress just like everyone else on the team,'' said Gumaer. ``None of us ever have any doubts about his desire and will to win, and that really rubs off on the rest of the guys. I think losing takes more of a toll on him sometimes then it does the rest of the team even, and that's great to find in a coach.''
``The biggest thing is that he teaches and sticks to what he believes in, but he also just lets the guys play, and that helps a lot.''
The 25-win Falcons of Air Force will provide a stingy challenge for Bentley. They have won eight out of there last 11 games, and received 37 top-20 votes in the most recent Division I men's poll.
That Valentine's Day victory may be enough of a confidence-builder for Bentley heading into the game.
``I think we got a good draw,'' said Gumaer. ``I feel like we could have beaten them more than just the one time we did. We made some mistakes and I think everyone's looking forward to getting another shot at them.''
Soderquist echoed many of the same sentiments as his senior leader.
``We have a great deal of respect for Air Force and how they play the game,'' he said. ``They skate hard and work for each other, they have some real team speed. But I feel like our speed matches up with there's pretty evenly. They're getting some great goaltending, but that last time we played them here in our own building was a positive weekend for us. We got that win and even the (Friday) night game was a close game. We're real excited for the matchup.''
Come Sunday, the Falcons hope to be excited for another matchup - this time as a conference champion in their first-ever NCAA tournament.
