It's a Lindenwood/UMSL Championship Final

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Lindenwood and UMSL set up an expected Division I championship battle by winning their semifinal matchups. Lindenwood defeated Michigan State, 10-5, while UMSL held of the University of Buffalo, 2-1. The championship game starts at 11:30 a.m.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

I'll try to do a blow-by-blow write-up of this game...

First Period
Pounding sticks against the boards, the game is on. LU blocks shot off of UMSL's first rush... Glove save by UMSL's goalie Steger ... LU's Brandon Barnette takes roughing penalty, 10:56... set up the power play.. shot, chest save and hold by LU's Dave Thomas... shot fired over LU net... Thomas pounces on puck in crease... LU kills penalty.

Steger, glove save... looked like he dropped the puck to keep the play alive, but quick whistle... looked dangerous... 7:12, whistle, puck out of play... Andy Meade sets up behind his own net, waiting for a man to get open... UMSL appears to be carrying the play...

Steger loses his stick, is able to grab it back up before Lindenwood can make an attack...

4:44, LU's Inouye scores top-shelf, 1-0 Lions lead... I didn't see the goal -- was asked to take a phone call from a woman asking where the "live feed" was... guess this will have to do... ;)

Travis Fudge, 5-minute major for boarding 2:12 remaining... great opportunity for UMSL to get back in the game and even take a lead... two good clears by LU... 1:07, UMSL's Danny Dwyer scores to tie it up, assisted by PJ Tallo, 1-1

LU can be dangerous on the PK... pucks rolls to UMSL crease, Steger pounces on it... One last UMSL rush, backhander turned away, UMSL player goes hard into the boards...

End of one period: 1-1

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Second Period

2:48 remains in Fudge's penalty... Thomas roughs up Meade, stationed in front of the LU net... weak shot almost deflected into the LU net... Tallo, assisted by Adam Clarke, fires a wrister past a screened Thomas..., UMSL leads, 2-1

One minute remains in UMSL's power play... LU blocks shot, clears the puck deep into the UMSL zone... LU player blocks another shot, taken up high near collarbone, shakes it off. Penalty is killed...

LU gets a shot off on the ensuing rush, but it's tight into Steger's chest.,, UMSL's in white jerseys, LU in dark... LU shot, pad save, Steger rolls over and gets back up quickly... whistle... Blake Propp, interference penalty... 7:57 remains in second period...

LU passes puck around the perimeter, shot deflected out of play... UMSL clears zone... shot, pad save, shot, goal! Power play... Scored by Jeff Hill, assisted by Travis Fudge -- a bit of redemption... 2-2

UMSL gets it back almost immediately on a goal by PJ Tallo! UMSL leads 3-2

Seconds later, LU ties it up again! Incredible. Goal scored by Kyle Gouge, assisted by Michael Thiefault, 3-3

Pad save, LU scores, Steger is incensed rushes over to referee, makes obvious kicking motion -- goal is waved off... much to the delight of the UMSL fans... and chagrin of LU's supporters...

LU penalty for hooking... UMSL shot, Thomas makes pad save... shot, pad save directed into corner... shot blocked, players go flying, LU clears zone... Thomas takes shot off of mask... power play is over... no damage... another shot - and Thomas takes ANOTHER shot of his mask... makes the save and dives on the puck...

Not a lot of shots in the last couple minutes of the period, stanza ends tied, 3-3...

[Leaferguy]

I was wrong. I probably would've paid to see this. Thanks for the updates, Richard.

The Live Scoring just came back on. Sweet

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Third Period

UMSL sets up behind own net... "Move the puck!" a spectator shouts... they do, it's intercepted by LU and they get a shot on net...

Slashing penalty to UMSL's #8, 10:31 remains in game...

Tallo intercepts pass, spins, spins again, clears the zone... scrum along the boards, cleared again into the LU zone... Steger takes a shot off the mask... Clarke blocks a shot... Steger makes stop, puck rolls between his legs, he reaches back and stops it from crossing the line...

LU power play is over... rush and a shot by Gwozdz for UMSL, save... he steals puck... LU gets it back... shot by LU and chest save by Steger... 6:30 remains in game... 3-3

Acrobatic leap by LU player over fallen opponent... shot deflected high over the protective netting and into the rafters...

LU carrying the play at the moment... all players and coaches standing up at the benches... fairly full bleachers and fans lined up along the glass at each end of the rink... one of the most well-lit of any inline hockey facility that I can recall -- nice...

UMSL shot deflected into the netting, 4:14 left... With 3:25 left, Tritons call a timeout... scratch that... officials timeout... Tallo, I believe, blocks shot puck goes into netting... Timeout, Tritons... this one sounds accurate... 2:35 remains... it's anyone's game...

Faceoff to right of Steger.. UMSL wins it, but LU steals the puck and keeps it in the zone... Tallo hangs on to the puck behind his own net... times running down... is OT looming? One minute to play in regulation...

LU shot high over the net...

17 seconds left, PJ Tallo passes to Blake Propp who waits, waits, outwaits Thomas and puts it over him and into the net! UMSL up, 4-3

17 seconds remain... PJ Tallo picks up loose puck, fires it at vacant LU net... time expires... puck goes in...

UMSL wins the Division I NCRHA National Championship!

[wednthavddr]

Congrats UMSL. Hope we can see some game film on Youtube ASAP!

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Apparently, I was wrong and PJ Tallo did score the empty-net goal at the end of the game after all. As a result, the final score is 5-3, not 4-3, in UMSL's favor.

[HockCity21]

Congrats to UMSL

[thereal54]

UMSL is my new favorite team. "Fifth-year senior Blake Propp was the hero, scoring to break a 3-3 tie with :17 to play." - Blake; I may never have met you but I envy you deeply :)

[UL-Lafayette]

that game was hands down the best roller hockey game i have ever seen. Congrats to UMSL for taking down the champs, they played a smarter game and looked like they wanted it more than LU. PJ Tallo played incredible and has my vote for Player of the Year after that "un-believable" performance.

I was lucky enough to be at the UC-Irvine/Stony Brook game last year at Nationals in Colorado and the UMSL/Lindenwood game today ... i didn't think anything would ever top the game in CO, but i was wrong. The game today tops them all and i couldn't be happier to have witnessed history ...

what a great way to end an amazing week. memories i will never forget!

[tommy]

Richard,

Seriously great job on the commentary. It really helped and gave a real honest and non-biased account of the game that I was truly interested in the outcome of.

-Tommy

[RichardGraham]

Thanks, Tommy, and to all IHC readers who have commented so far.

I'm sure that the Forums will heat up and get a little crazy before too much longer, but until then, I want to let you know how much I appreciate the kind words.

It's nearly 6 a.m. and I'm heading to the airport for my flight back to L.A. I won't be able to get any stories up for a while, but I look forward to finishing up a tournament wrap-up and a few more stories as soon as I possibly can.

If any available moderators can keep an eye on the future Forums comments and keep 'em clean and fair, I sure would appreciate it.

Hats off to the NCRHA, helpful people like Rob Coggin, Nanette Houser, and William Bourque; my roomie, ref Joel Louer; the LLU Ragin' Cajuns (taking those shots at me was unnecessary, however); and many, many more that I don't have the time to name now. Mike Burke -- GREAT to finally meet you. You did a helluva job.

I am reinspired about the sport!

[RaginCajunAlum]

the LLU Ragin' Cajuns (taking those shots at me was unnecessary, however);

Thanks for what you do Richard. PS its UL not LLU ;) BTW, what shots did we take at you? I missed that. Thought we all had a good time together Friday night.

What a tremendous game it was though.

[Drexel63]

I have to do it, because I said I would...

At 10:45 PM EST on Friday evening, one Bill Bourque showed a flash of genius, and stated boldly, Lindenwood is going to lose the final. This was only a flash, though, as he predicted it would be Buffalo to overtake them... I invite him to claim his praise...

This is all in good fun, gentlemen... Please don't fly off the handle here, I have nothing but the utmost respect for LU, their streaks, and the bar they set for the rest of the league.

Also, congrats UMSL...

[William Bourque]

Hats off to the NCRHA, helpful people like Rob Coggin, Nanette Houser, and William Bourque; my roomie, ref Joel Louer; the LLU Ragin' Cajuns (taking those shots at me was unnecessary, however); and many, many more that I don't have the time to name now. Mike Burke -- GREAT to finally meet you. You did a helluva job.

I am reinspired about the sport!

Richard,

The pleasure was all mine. My only regret is that I was so busy running around I didn't get more written about the event. I managed to see at least a tiny bit of every game for the entire tournament. Hope your flight was good, my flight from Philly-Phoenix was rough with the lightning storms that forced us off the runway twice.


I have to do it, because I said I would...

At 10:45 PM EST on Friday evening, one Bill Bourque showed a flash of genius, and stated boldly, Lindenwood is going to lose the final. This was only a flash, though, as he predicted it would be Buffalo to overtake them... I invite him to claim his praise...

LOL, I forgot I said "Mark My Words". That being said, Lindenwood was nothing short of awesome on and off the rink all season at both the NCRHA Nationals and the ECRHA Event in Pittsburgh. \

I have nothing but respect for the players on the team and the coaches and benches. One of the classiest things I saw this weekend was at the conclusion of the championship when LU lost. ALL the Lindenwood fans stood and applauded what UMSL accomplished and weren't displaying any sour grapes that could have sullied such a monumental victory.

I can't wait for next season.


Please stay tuned to www.ncrha.org for a recap of the DI Championship game.

[Lindenwoodhockey]

Congrats to the UMSL boys.... It was a great game that showcases all that is good in college roller hockey. Both teams and organizations have worked hard to get where they are and it was great to see both teams on that platform.

[RichardGraham]

Hey RaginCajunAlum,


Thanks for what you do Richard. PS its UL not LLU ;) BTW, what shots did we take at you? I missed that. Thought we all had a good time together Friday night.

What a tremendous game it was though.

Sorry about the typo. Was very tired at the moment I wrote that post....

As for the line about shots.. that was a joke, son. ;) Good singing on Friday night, by the way...

[kleinberg13]

I guess this question is directed to James, does anybody have any video to put online of the title game? Mainly the last minute of the game.

Congrats to UMSL!

[wednthavddr]

I personally would like to see as much of tha game as possible

[Ben Lambert]

Congrats to the UMSL boys.... It was a great game that showcases all that is good in college roller hockey. Both teams and organizations have worked hard to get where they are and it was great to see both teams on that platform.

I have to say that Lindenwood was graceful and classy through the entire thing. They definitely have shown that they are good winners and losers. It's a great compliment for the players and coaching staff to have such a quality group of guys like they have.

I'm sure they will be twice as hungry next year and will be more than ready to come back and avenge their loss.

Great job LU

[JLambertUMSL]

I will be working on video tonight.

There was no professional video shot, and I didn't shoot video either (I was coaching), so what video I do have is a little...umm...rough. :)

If there's anyone else who shot video of the game, please contact me...I would love to have it.

[JLambertUMSL]

A few things I noticed upon initial video review, and a couple of general thoughts...

- Struggling to score in a couple games earlier in the tournament (particularly UCF) paid off against Buffalo and LU. Our guys learned how to be patient and not to panic.

- The major penalty on LU was a huge factor.

- Jimmy Steger stopped seven shots on LU's third-period power play. UMSL's defense didn't block an extreme number of shots throughout the game -- Steger was just that good. He gloved a top-shelf would-be snipe by Kyle Gouge in the opening seconds of the game, and made a couple huge saves on shots by Travis Fudge that usually sneak through.

- Steger proves one of the points brought up in this article: http://www.inlinehockeycentral.com/article.php?article_id=53287.


Their athletes are trained to do things at one speed- top speed. Practices are fast paced and intense. When players run they run fast, when they rest they stand or very lightly jog. There is virtually no in between. The work is either of a high intensity or of a low intensity. This trains the CNS (central nervous system) to fire on all cylinders at all times.

Steger practices at one speed -- one level of intensity -- FAST. That's how he's able to compete in a game against an elite opponent like LU. (It's also why he didn't have a bad game all season.) That's how he was alert enough to stop the puck that was trickling through his legs in the third period. He always plays at top speed, at the maximum possible level of focus, in practices and games. He knows no other way. All out, all the time. He's a champion, and that's why we recruited him -- his passion for the game and desire to succeed.

- Coach Schulz shortened the bench to four forwards in the third period (Dwyer-Propp and Maloney-Shepard). One of the players who didn't play in the third period was his son Aaron (who was playing just fine, but not quite as well as the top four). So much for those who suggested he wouldn't have the guts to do that!

- Our biggest strategic point of emphasis heading into Nationals was "break out with speed." No more stretch. Everyone comes back, everyone breaks out -- FAST. Rallying around this simple concept, getting everyone to buy in, did wonders for team chemistry. Compared to the regular season, it was like night and day.

- Gus Maloney brought a new edge to the team. His passion was at another level once Nationals started.

- Andy Meade was just phenomenal.

- This is how Adam Clarke's college career was meant to end. It's safe to say we'll be retiring his number 47.

[dan sangiorgio]

UMSL's defense didn't block an extreme number of shots throughout the game .

the one tallo blocked after your guy turned the puck over from behind the net was maybe the best play of the game.

[JLambertUMSL]

the one tallo blocked after your guy turned the puck over from behind the net was maybe the best play of the game.

I think I know what play you're talking about. It's cut off on the only video I have, so unfortunately I guess I'll only ever see it once. That's kind of unusual. :)

The play Tallo made to gain and maintain control of the puck, then take it end-to-end and score the goal that made it 3-2, was amazing (and unlike the first six games of the tournament, he actually hit the net...better late than never!).

His steal and counterattack to set up the game-winner was awesome too. He's so lethal in transition.

[danglsauce]

how did LU get a 5 minute hooking penalty? or is that a typo?

[JLambertUMSL]

how did LU get a 5 minute hooking penalty? or is that a typo?

It was actually a boarding penalty (refs deemed it a dangerous hit from behind and called a 5:00 major).

[NCRHA]

The hooking call in question was a statistical error. The hooking penalty in the 2nd period was entered online as a 5 minute major, but it was actually a 2 minute minor. This has been corrected.