This is posted on the Dutchmen website:
Memorable season concludes with 2-0 loss to Duluth in NCAA Regionals
3/25/2011
BRIDGEPORT, CT – Kyle Schmidt scored a first period goal and Justin Fontaine added third period insurance to lift #3 seed Minnesota Duluth to a 2-0 victory over #2 seed Union College in the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey East Regional Semifinal Game at Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard.
The Bulldogs (23-10-6) advance to the regional final game against either Air Force or Yale Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. The Dutchmen complete a memorable season with a record of 26-10-4. Minnesota Duluth goalie Kenny Reiter had his third shutout of the season and sixth career, making 28 saves.
The Dutchmen outshot the Bulldogs, 12-5 in the first period, and the nation's best power play (31%) had four opportunities in the period. Just 29 seconds into the contest, Mike Connolly went in the box for a late hit for the Bulldogs, and the Dutchmen had five shots on Duluth netminder Kenny Reiter. Jeremy Welch had the best opportunity with a blast from the top of the right circle that was stopped by Reiter. The Dutchmen also had the man up at 6:07 after an interference by Kyle Schmidt. Union's Luke Cain took a break in slapper at 10:58 that was stopped and redirected by Reiter to his left, and Josh Jooris was there but his wrister went just wide.
Welsh had another opportunity when his shot featured a late blocker stop by Reiter at 9:42, just 35 seconds into the third Union power play. Trent Palm was in the Duluth box for hooking. Union had an 11-0 shot advantage until Duluth's first shot nearly nine minutes into the first.
Duluth had two on net during the first power play for the Bulldogs, after an Andrew Buote cross check at 13:04. The Bulldogs snapped the scoreless tie at 14:38. Kyle Schmidt potted his ninth of the season when, from in close, he tipped in a Mike Montgomery drive from the left point. It was Duluth's fourth shot of the period.
Each team traded late penalties in the final 4:12 of the stanza, with Brady Lamb's late hit for UMD at 15:48 and Welsh whistled for a slash at 19:43.
Welsh was stuffed in front after a Bulldog giveaway 4:29 into the second. The Dutchmen had another glistening opportunity with a two-on-one at 6:51 into the second. But Adam Presizniuk's quick wrister inside the left circle was denied by Reiter. Presizniuk had two chances right on the crease in a crowd at 8:42 that got snapped.up. After the second, the Dutchmen had a 21-12 shot advantage.
Pressure by the Bulldogs at 3:46 of the third featured a drive stopped by Kincaid behind close traffic in front. Kincaid made a tremendous diving stop on J.T. Brown on Kincaid's left post, and he stopped Brown again on the quick rebound in tight.
Duluth had the man up with Greg Coburn in the box at 6:13. Just 11 seconds later, Justin Fontaine scored his 21st of the season and 11th on the power play. Kincaid made a great save and then another on the rebound by Justin Faulk before Fontaine converted from the right circle. It was Duluth's sixth power play chance of the day.
With Trent Palm in the Duluth box for a hit from behind at 11:46, off the ensuing face off Presizniuk had a drive stopped by the extended right pad of Reiter, and the rebound was just missed by Coburn on the right post.
Kincaid made 29 saves in the Union nets while Reiter stopped 28 saves.
It was Union's first NCAA Division I tournament game, and the season featured the Cleary Cup for the ECAC Hockey regular season title as well as the most wins in a season in school history.
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