2002-2003 Game Recaps

Tartans Edge Defending Champs (10/6/2002)

CMU's 2002-2003 campaign starts off with an exciting 7-6 victory on the home ice of defending champion Penn State West. Defenseman Noble Shore opened the scoring for the Tartans by picking the bottom left corner of the net with a wrist shot from his point position. The game saw many lead changes, but CMU was able to counter PSW's attack with 2 goals each from Rob Ready and D.J. Book. Jamie Bretz and Anthony Scolieri also notched their first of the season. Scolieri's goal was the game winner as he was able put home a shot while on his stomach. Goaltender Dan Garmat made several key saves down the stretch to ensure the victory. Looking ahead, CMU will try to keep the offense rolling and sure-up their defensive play as they head into the IUP tournament.

IUP Tournament (10/11-12/2002)

The Tartans continued their solid play this weekend, but came up short in both games. CMU played a tight game with IUP on Friday but were not able keep pace and fell 9-4. On Saturday, CMU battled hard against a chippy UPJ squad. The Tartans bounced back from a 4-2 deficit in the 3rd period to send the game into overtime. Unfortunately, UPJ put home the winner during sudden death. With two weeks before their big match-up with Pitt, the Tartans must improve their overall play if they want to make some noise this season.

Battle of Oakland goes to CMU (10/26/2002)

The Tartans improved their league record to 2-0 after defeating Pitt 6-2 on Saturday. The Panthers got a fluke goal to start the game, but CMU rattled off five straight. Pitt was head-hunting the entire game, but the Tartans kept their cool and capitalized with 3 power play goals. Freshman goaltender Dan Garmat continues to dazzle everyone with his amazing play. He had 32 saves on 34 shots. Pete Beutler, Derrick Chan, Rob Ready, Devin Fell, Anthony Scolieri, and Jamie Bretz all tallied for the Tartans. CMU still looks to pick up its play as it moves into the meat of the regular season.

The Beat Goes On (11/2/2002)

CMU went to 3-0 in league play with the defeat of Youngstown State 7-4 on Saturday. The Tartans jumped out to a quick two-goal lead, but gave up two short-handed goals on the same power play to even the score. However, the lead was regained and never lost. The penalty-laden game was close throughout until the Tartans pulled away with a goal early in the third period. The power play continues to be a great source of offense for the team, but giving up three short-handed goals in the game didn't make the coaching staff happy. The highlights of the contest were Ed Brower's backhand roofer on a breakaway and goaltender Dan Garmat's thieving glove saves. The team will travel tomorrow to play a solid Edinboro squad.

Tartans Halted by Edinboro (11/3/2002)

The trip up North wasn't kind to CMU. Edinboro jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, but the Tartans put in a few goals of their own to make the score 5-2 in favor of Edinboro after one period. The second period was a different story. CMU looked like a new team by toughening up their play and keeping Edinboro off the scoreboard. A Devin Fell power-play goal made the score 5-4 going into the intermission. However, Edinboro tallied three times in the third period to make the final score 8-4. The Tartans sit at 3-1 as they prepare to play St. Vincent next week.

CMU Drops a Tough One (11/9/2002)

The Tartans lost 3-1 to St. Vincent on Saturday. It was their first loss on home ice this season. St. Vincent got a power-play goal in the first period and knocked one in at even strength in the second. However, Kevin Hutchinson also put home a sweet shot in the middle frame to cut the lead to 2-1. With Dan Garmat being his usual spectacular self in goal, the Tartans looked to strike again. But the third period brought with it an all too familiar foe: the short-handed goal against. Despite numerous opportunities, CMU couldn't net any more pucks. The Tartans need to start capitalizing on their chances and limiting the opponent's so no more solid efforts go by the wayside.

Back on Track (11/15/2002)

CMU came away with an 8-4 victory at Allegheny on Friday night (most of the game was played on Saturday since the start time was 11:30pm). Minus a few players, this was the Tartans best team effort of the season. Ferocious backchecking by all of the forwards and strong play at the blue lines by the defensemen were keys to the victory. Jamie "Big Shooter" Bretz led the charge by registering a hat trick. Pete Beutler scored one of the game's craftier goals on a two-on-one with D.J. Book. Using Book as a decoy, Beutler looked one way to make a pass but fired a snap shot far side to beat the Allegheny netminder. This win improved the Tartans league record to 4-2.

Tartans Just Miss in 7-3 Loss (11/16/2002)

The Tartans lost 7-3 in an exhibition game against WVU-DII on Saturday. However, the game was much closer than the score reflects. The Mountaineers jumped to an early 5-1 lead, but after that, goalie Jim Vernille and the rest of the Tartan defense were able to shut out the WVU team through the second period. The Tartans hit numerous posts and missed a number of very close goals that could have been the difference in the loss. With the loss, the Tartans fall to 0-3 in non-league play and 4-5 overall.

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Tartans Tie Spartans (11/23/2002)

CMU tied Case Western 3-3 in an exhibition game on Saturday. The Tartans played sluggish through the first two periods, and Case Western capitalized on their opportunities, building a 3-1 lead. CMU's only goal at that point was from Kevin Hutchinson who put one home from his office in the face-off circle to the left of the goaltender. In the third period, goaltender Jim Vernille shut out the Spartans and gave the Tartans a chance to get back in the game. An Ed Brower goal made it 3-2, and with ten seconds remaining and the Tartans enjoying a two-man advantage, Devin Fell buried a shot top shelf to tie it up.

Bad Effort at a Bad Time (11/24/2002)

CMU fell 5-1 to Pitt-Johnstown on Sunday. The Tartans didn't seem to show up (literally or figuratively) and failed to match UPJ's level of play. However, that cannot be said for goaltender Dan Garmat. Dan made an amazing 65 saves on 70 shots. After poor coverage by the defense allowed four first period goals, Dan was spectacular, stopping all but one shot in the final two periods. CMU's lone goal was scored by Kevin Hutchinson.

Tartans Win in Wheeling (1/19/2003)

CMU played a strong game in an exhibition against Wheeling Jesuit on Sunday. The Tartans won the first game of the semester by a score of 14-2. The entire team played well and was very cohesive. Goals came from many, including freshman Igino Cafiero and senior "Big" Matt Scurlock. Senior Joe Frankiewicz threw the best hit of the game, hurling an opposing player into the boards in the defensive zone. CMU gets back into league play next week with contests on Friday and Saturday.

Tartans Play Poor, Get Outworked (1/24/2003)

CMU lost 4-3 to Pitt on Friday night. It was a crucial game, and it looked to be in the Tartans' favor at the start of the contest. Early first period goals by Mike Nollen and D.J. Book put CMU up 2-0. However, the opponent began to capitalize on the CMU mistakes. After Pitt took the lead 3-2, Kevin Hutchinson tied the game at 3-3 with a sliding goal. The score remained that way until late in the third when Pitt scored the game winner. Poor play at the blue lines and a lack of quality passing in the neutral zone led to the loss. The power play was able to control the puck easily, but did not have much success.

Lack of Results Not Due to Lack of Effort (1/25/2003)

CMU bounced back from a poor performance on Friday with a hard-fought game against a highly touted Slippery Rock club. The first period ended with no score as the teams exchanged chances but had nothing to show for it. In the second, the Tartans got into penalty trouble and had a few lapses. Slippery Rock capitalized and made the score 3-0. CMU then countered with a goal of their own in the middle frame. Defenseman Brian Schmella flipped the puck over the Slippery Rock defense, and Mike Nollen darted in on a breakaway and lasered one top shelf to make the score 3-1. Slippery Rock was able to get another tally before the second period came to a close. In the third, the teams played fairly even, but Slippery Rock found a way to get another goal to make the final score 5-1. The Tartans created numerous breakaway and odd-man break chances throughout the game, but could not cash in. Goaltender Dan Garmat made 36 saves.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions (2/1/2003)

The Tartans can't seem to decide whether or not they want to make the playoffs, as evident in their poor decision making when Penn State West grabbed a 7-5 decision on Saturday. CMU came out strong, leading 1-0 after the opening stanza by way of a Rob Ready tally. The score changed hands often in the second period, but the Tartans ended up ahead 5-3 after goals by D.J. Book, Ready, Mike Nollen, and Book again. Freshman Anthony Scolieri was busy collecting three assists during the scoring flurry. Then came the turning point of the game. PSW scored two late goals to even it up as the teams went into the locker room. The opposition's goals all seemed to result from poor decision making by CMU. Odd-man breaks and breakaways against, along with less-than-adequate coverage in all areas of the defensive zone, were commonplace throughout the second period. At times, the Tartans had no trouble controlling the Nittany Lions, but there were just too many lapses. CMU pressured well throughout the final period, but PSW got a goal with 3:30 on the clock and then sealed it with an empty netter. Another squandering of decent offensive and goaltending performances is leaving the Tartan faithful frustrated and confused.

Big Time Effort = Big Time Win (2/2/2003)

CMU came away with huge 5-4 victory on St. Vincent's home ice this Sunday. It didn't start out well, as the opponent made it 1-0 less than 20 seconds into the game. Then, the Tartans said, "Huh? What? No." D.J. Book and Steve Wasik scored first period goals of their own to give CMU the lead after one. In the second period, Brian Schmella put home a one timer from the point off a great pass from Kevin Hutchinson. However, the lead would not stand. St. Vincent tied the game at three as the teams left the ice for the intermission. The Tartans came out strong in the third, and Rob Ready put them back in front with a goal 1:14 into the period. St. Vincent was again able to tie it only a few minutes later. The score remained deadlocked until very late in the game when D.J. Book took control and slammed home the game winner. The Tartans survived the final 17 seconds to get the win. Dan Garmat made several outstanding saves throughout the game to preserve the victory. Keys to the game were the domination by the Ready-Book-Scolieri line and rock solid defense from Eric Kidder and Igino Cafiero. The Tartans also scored two of their goals on the power play.

Tartans Let It Slip Away (2/8/2003)

CMU fell 7-6 in their exhibition game against California on Saturday. The Tartans opened up the scoring only 19 seconds into the game when Jamie Bretz tickled the twine. After Cal got one back, CMU rattled off 3 straight to take the lead 4-1. One of those goals was a great individual effort by D.J. Book. Taking the puck at his own blueline, Book fought off a defender all the way to the goal while darting between the other Cal players and finished it with a backhander. Cal then took over, scoring five straight goals of their own. The Tartans came back to almost tie it up in the waning moments, but to no avail. Defenseman Devin Fell marked his return to the line-up with 2 assists. Jim Vernille made 18 saves in goal.

SOLID (2/9/2003)

For the second week in a row, the Tartans came away with a big win on the road. This time, it was a 6-2 victory at IUP. CMU was ready to play from the get-go. Goals by Jamie Bretz and Rob Ready gave the Tartans a 2-0 edge after the first period. In the second, Mike Nollen deflected in a Devin Fell slap shot to push it to 3-0. IUP came back with a goal of their own when a shot from the point ricocheted off the scrum in front of the net and into the top corner. CMU answered quickly, however, as Kevin Hutchinson found Mike Nollen wide open at the top of the circle for an easy wrist-shot goal, his second of the game. With a 4-1 lead after two, the Tartans knew they'd have to withstand an onslaught to hold on. Dan Garmat weathered the storm, as he had the Golden Glove working all night long. IUP took several penalties in the third but was able to catch the Tartans napping, scoring off a shorthanded two-on-one. Still with the power play, D.J. Book set up Anthony Scolieri for a crucial fifth goal. Rob Ready appeared to score shortly after that, but the officials waved it off. It was of no consequence though because Kevin Hutchinson sealed it with a breakaway goal late. The Tartans also got a great effort from their grinding forwards: Pete Beutler, Matt Scurlock, Ed Brower, and Jiri Schindler.

Tartans Drop League Finale (2/14/2003)

CMU lost a hard-fought game to Pitt-Johnstown on Friday night, 5-3. The game was even for most of the first period, but UPJ was able to come away with two late goals that would prove to be the difference. In the second, Devin Fell got the Tartans rolling with a power-play goal when D.J. Book found him open at the right point for a slap shot. UPJ was also able to add another before the second period came to a close. In the third, two early goals by UPJ hampered CMU's comback effort, but they fought back regardless. The power play continued to provide all of the Tartan's offense, as Rob Ready and D.J. Book pulled CMU to within two goals. Despite many chances, the Tartans just could not light the lamp anymore. Dan Garmat made 23 saves in net.

Final Exhibition Game Cancelled (2/16/2003)

Due to the inclement weather, the exhibition game between the Tartans and Penn State Altoona was cancelled.

Alumni Game Recap (4/12/2003)

This year's alumni game proved to be a memorable one. There was an incredible turnout of alumni and a good time was had by all. The game was thrilling from start to finish. The former players were so impressive that current team officials were checking to see if they still have some eligibility left. In the end, Ed Brower scored the overtime game winner for the red team, consisting of (mostly) current players. The final score was 11-10. Afterwards, stories and great moments were shared between the participants. The current Tartans would all like to personally thank each alumnus and alumna that came back to make this a tremendous event. See everyone next year!

2002-2003: Season in Review

For the Carnegie Mellon Tartans, the 2002-2003 season was a one of excitement, but unfortunately, also one of missed opportunities. After defeating defending champion Penn State West on opening night, CMU rolled on to a 3-0 record in league play through early November. Hard-fought losses to Edinboro and St. Vincent along with a victory over Allegheny kept the Tartans optimistic. However, a loss to Pitt-Johnstown to end the first semester left a bad taste in the mouths of the players, as they allowed 70 shots on goal. The team played great at times during the first half, but it was still looking to reach the next level.

So with a huge turnaround from last season's performance, the Tartans sat at 4-3 and set out to solidify a playoff spot during the second semester. The road to the playoffs, however, would prove to be difficult and frustrating. Losses to Pitt and Penn State West could have turned the season into a disaster. But the Tartans weren't done yet. In a game against Slippery Rock, CMU showed they could play with any team in the league, and they would eventually show they could play and win. Two huge road victories were the byproduct of hard work down the stretch. A thrilling 5-4 win at St. Vincent and an incredibly strong 6-2 win at IUP proved to the league that the Tartans were for real. Heading into the last weekend of league play, CMU needed a win or losses by other teams to sneak into the post season. The opponent for the Tartans would be Pitt-Johnstown. Despite a solid effort, CMU fell 5-3. After the weekend was said and done, a tiebreaker sent Pitt into the playoffs ahead of the Tartans.

CMU finished up the season with a 6-7 record. Hardly where they wanted to be, but definitely a step in the right direction.

The team's success during 2002-2003 hinged on many factors. The offense was one of the best in the league. The top line of seniors Rob Ready, D.J. Book, and freshman Anthony Scolieri was unstoppable at times. Rob skated right through opposing defenses and controlled the play like no one else. With pinpoint passing and deadly accurate shooting, D.J. Book showed the rest of the league that no one can outskate the puck, especially when he's handling it. Scolieri established himself as one of the premier playmakers and scorers in the league, often torturing defensemen and goaltenders with smooth stickhandling and smart all-around play.

The Tartans were hardly a one-line team though. Junior Jamie Bretz anchored a second line that kept the other team honest on every shift. Possessing a wicked shot, Bretz consistently beat goalies who weren't expecting him to let it go. On Jamie's right side, sophomore Kevin Hutchinson used his speed and savvy to set up teammates and score goals from every angle imaginable. The line saw different left wingers for both semesters. Freshman Derrick Chan complemented Bretz and Hutchinson throughout the Fall with inspired play. In the Spring, the much anticipated return of junior Mike Nollen proved to be worth the wait. Mike's hockey sense and scoring touch helped him move right up the stat sheet despite only playing half of the season.

A big reason for the team's offensive output was the consistency of the third and fourth lines. Senior Ed Brower was as good as any at keeping the puck in the offensive zone, and when he got a breakaway, it was money in the bank. Graduate student Jiri Schindler played with emotion and ferocity on every shift, often forcing turnovers. Highly skilled sophomore Pete Beutler was a pleasant surprise for the Tartans this year. He showed he was a scoring threat throughout the season, but the addition of physical play made him a complete player. The talent didn't stop there though. With the best set of hands on the team, senior Matt Scurlock ripped the puck at the net with ease all season long. If backchecking was needed, sophomore Anthony Morton was there to provide it, and senior Matt Bukhshtaber showed that puck pursuit and playing the body are the keys to winning games. Speedy freshman Sean O'Oloughlin gives the Tartans hope for a bright future of muckers and grinders.

On defense, the Tartans took a little time to settle in, but the group formed a solid core in 2002-2003. Freshman Devin Fell, one of the league's top D-men, set up goals for the Tartans as much as he prevented them from the opposition. Whether a big hit, a breakout pass, or a goal was needed, Devin provided it. Paired with him was graduate student Josh Aderholt. Strong on the puck and strong in the corners, Josh was a solid two-way defenseman. Freshman Igino Cafiero formed himself into a consistent blue-line presence, using his size to stop the opposing attack and move the puck ahead. He was paired with sophomore Brian Schmella for most of the season who provided a veteran presence and smart play in every zone. Senior Noble Shore, who opened the scoring this season for the Tartans, played a defensive game that relied on his size and positioning to keep the opposition out of scoring position. Another pleasant surprise this season was the relative ease with which sophomore Eric Kidder moved from forward to defense. Eric used his speed to beat opposing forwards to the puck and was always happy to introduce them to his shoulder. Injured for the first half of the season, sophomore Steve Wasik picked up right where he left off. A hard shot and a hard attitude in the corners made Steve a factor in every game. Senior Joe Frankiewicz, however, was the big hitter, slamming the other team whenever he got the chance. Rounding out the defensive core was the man who bleeds Tartan pride, senior Adrian Falcone. Adrian was also ready to fill-in as an assistant coach when needed, and he performed superbly in that capacity.

True, all of the Tartans played well in 2002-2003. But one guy was there for every minute. Freshman sensation Dan Garmat was the man in goal this season. With a quick glove hand and phenomenal reflexes, Dan stole several games for CMU. Not many other words can describe Dan; just come watch him play. Graduate students Jim Vernille and Doug Williard completed the goaltending unit for the Tartans. They continue to turn in solid performances when called upon.

Of course, there are team members that only get sparse playing time, but their contributions are valued by the entire team. Freshman Antony Vydrin, and sophomores Josh Johnson and Yury Zusman showed great cohesion throughout the year, and the team expects good things from them. Also at forward, graduate students Dan Hennessy and Matt Preston continue to perfect their skills. Rounding out the offense are freshmen Mike Barrella, Sarah Fafard, Daren Makuck, and junior Becky Kaplan. On defense, the Tartans look to graduate student John Heffner to complete the squad.

If you asked the players, their reasons for success would probably be the tremendous coaching staff. Head coach Fred Maddalena led the charge once again this season. "Coach" relates to his players very well, and explains the X's and O's as good as anyone. His experience in the game transcends to the players, and the results prove it. Assistant coach Tom Sullivan ran the defense again. Tom offers valuable insight for the defensive core, and is a great motivator. Goaltending coach Bill Nichols has proven to be a supreme asset for the Tartans. His work with the goalies is outstanding, and his knowledge is useful to all players.

So the Tartans await a chance to keep the success going in 2003-2004. Don't miss your chance to see one the area's most exciting college hockey teams.