2005-2006 Game Recaps

Previous Seasons

2002-2003 Game Recaps
2003-2004 Game Recaps
2004-2005 Game Recaps

Tartans Search for Tomorrow but Find Only Yesterday in the Preseason (10/1-2/2005)

The Tartans failed to get the start they wanted in two exhibition games this weekend. CMU was less than lackluster for most of the first game against California. After improvement in the third period, the team carried some more positive play into the second game. The Tartans were able to put four goals on the board against CCAC. Senior defenseman Devin Fell scored once as did freshman winger Steve Karolyi, who put home a slap shot from outside the blue line. Sophomore Ed Bergin got two goals, one shorthanded and another off a two-on-one with fellow sophomore linemate Tom Yaniglos. While the players and coaches are not pleased with the preseason results, chemistry is developing amongst the forward lines and a physical presence is starting to show on defense.

Season No-pener (10/8/2005)

CMU failed to get it together for its season opener at Case Western, falling 13-3. A 5-0 first period deficit pretty much told the story for the Tartans. The second period did bring some encouragement, as the Tartans played the Spartans on somewhat even terms, being outscored 4-3 in the middle frame. Tom Yaniglos got CMU on the board by putting in the rebound after the familiar site of Devin Fell carrying the puck all the way to the net and getting a shot. Fell also assisted on a Dan Gilmour shorthanded goal later in the period. Gilmour struck again as the second period buzzer sounded, roofing an impossible-angle shot from the goal line. However, the Tartans could not muster any more offense in the third. Case Western was able to tack on four more goals in the final period. This was CMU's third straight season opener against Case Western (0-2-1). Gilmour has now scored a goal in all three of his regular season openers as a Tartan. Fell has registered at least one point in his last five games, dating back to last season.

Third Line's a Charm, but Tartans Still Lose (10/16/2005)

The Tartans' first period play brought with it some encouragement as they played on fairly even terms with Edinboro on Sunday. Edinboro did capitalize on three costly CMU mistakes, but the Tartans were able to establish a solid forecheck, get some offensive chances, and Nicholas Roche was steady in goal. Down 3-0 going into the second, the Tartans, however, tired throughout the second frame and gave up five more goals. CMU regrouped somewhat for the third period, only being outscored 2-1. The Tartan goal came when the big senior, Alex Clemmens, redirected an Anuj Kumar centering pass for his first of the season. The goal was an exclamation point for the line of Clemmens, Kumar, and Ken Hu, who provided good forechecking, generated turnovers, and created offensive chances throughout the game. They also were not on the ice for any of the ten goals against.

Note: The game was later deemed a forfeit by Edinboro.

Tartans Storm Back but Blow Lead, Game (10/29/2005)

CMU spotted Allegheny a quick 2-0 lead on Saturday night, but the Tartans had a few tricks (and treats) of their own. Devin Fell and Dan Gilmour both scored on slap shots to tie the game at two after one period of play. In the second, CMU capped its four-goal outburst with Anthony Scolieri slamming one home and Tom Yaniglos putting in a rebound after Ed Bergin hit the post. Allegheny added a goal in the second period as well to make it 4-3 in favor of the Tartans heading into the final period. Allegheny tied it in the third, but Scolieri struck again, sneaking a shot in on the far post after receiving a pass from Steve Karolyi. The Tartans could not hold the lead though, as Allegheny tied it up on the next shift and put home the game-winner with 49 seconds left to play. Final score: 6-5.

Daylight Savings Ends, Tartans Still Can't Begin (10/30/2005)

The Tartans that actually showed up on Sunday were no match for St. Vincent's offensive attack. A barrage of goals was slightly tempered by the CMU offense, which oddly enough had it's best output of the season in the lopsided loss. Devin Fell, Steve Karolyi, and Greg Tanski each tallied once, and Dan Gilmour put together a third-period hat trick.

Tartans Lose by Wide Margin Again (11/5/2005)

The Tartans had no solutions for the problems CCAC's offense caused them on Saturday. Sean McCreery got his first of the season for CMU, and Dan Gilmour added one of his own. The Tartans are still looking for answers in the defensive zone and with the transition game. Nicholas Roche made 50 saves in the loss.

Tartans Forfeit (11/6/2005)

Tartans Outhustled in Loss (11/12/2005)

CMU fell to Pitt-Johnstown 13-0 on Saturday. The Icecats were able to dominate the play and kept the puck in the Tartans' zone for the majority of the contest. CMU generated some offensive chances but could not cash in. Dave Urban faced 72 shots, stopping 59 of them in a phenomenal effort.

A Glimmer of Hope, but a Flash of Reality (11/19/2005)

The shorthanded Tartans put forth a valiant effort on Saturday night, but still lost 7-2 to Pitt. Trailing 1-0 after the first period, CMU watched Pitt go up by two goals before Greg Tanski ripped a wrist shot past the Pitt netminder off an odd-man break. The Tartans couldn't keep the momentum going in the second period, however, as Pitt scored three more times: shorthanded, on a power play, and shorthanded again. The Panthers scored shorthanded again in the third before Tanski nothced his second of the game, again off the rush from the left circle. After the ensuing face off, Tanski almost completed the hat trick but hit the post from the same spot. Pitt added a late goal to close out the scoring. The Tartans got good goaltending from Dave Urban (48 saves), excellent breakout passing from the defense, and cohesive play from the forward lines. Unfortunately, they could not keep pace with the Pitt team for 60 minutes.

No Answers (1/20/2006)

The new year didn't bring much luck to the Tartans, as they lost to California on Friday night. CMU was constantly running around in its own zone, surrendering many shots. The Tartan offensive attack produced a decent amount of chances, but not nearly as many as the opponent did. CMU's only goal came when Tom Yaniglos redirected a point shot from freshman defenseman Chris Faught.

Tilted Ice (1/21/2006)

The Tartans lost to IUP on Saturday in a game where they rarely left their own zone. CMU showed a marked improvement in physical play, but a lack of good decision making is holding the team back.

One Day at a Time (1/29/2006)

The Tartans opened up Sunday's game at IUP with a solid forechecking scheme and inspired play. The result was one of CMU's better first periods of the season, only trailing 3-1. The Tartan tally came from freshman D-man Diego Taccioli. However, the familiar defensive breakdowns and transition problems plagued the Tartans throughout the final two periods as IUP pulled away to a 9-1 victory. CMU looks to strengthen its breakout and reduce the time spent in its own zone in the remaining games. The Tartans are taking steps toward this, as they were only outshot 36-22, a far cry from the ridiculous shot differentials in the previous two games.

Can't Stop the Bleeding (2/3/2006)

CMU didn't come ready to play against Pitt on Friday night, surrendering six goals in the first period. The horrendous start nullified a decent effort in the second and third periods as the two teams played fairly even. Devin Fell scored once for the Tartans, and freshman Steve Karolyi had his first two-goal game. While CMU is improving certain aspects of its game, the level of inconsistency is still alarming.

Just Like That (2/11/2006)

It seemed like the Tartans were about to turn the corner on Saturday against Penn State Altoona. After a scoreless first period in which goaltender Dave Urban was phenomenal, Devin Fell put CMU ahead 1-0 in the second frame. The Tartans killed of a penalty to start the third period before fell notched his second of the game to make it 2-0 in favor of the home team. However, CMU took eight consecutive penalties after that. While the Tartan penalty kill unit snuffed out the PSA power play, the disadvantages kept CMU from scoring any more and took a toll on the players. PSA scored three times late in the game to snatch a win.

Who'll Stop the Rain? (2/12/2006)

CMU travelled east to complete a home-and-home weekend with Penn State Altoona on Sunday. The game was fairly even, but the power play was again a key factor. PSA capitalized on its chances; CMU did not. After falling behindd 1-0, Dan Gilmour got the Tartans even. However, the opponent would lead for the rest of the contest, eventually prevailing 7-3. There were some highlights for the Tartans. Dave Urban was solid in goal again, and Devin Fell set up Tom Yaniglos for a one-time slap shot goal with a blind behind-the-back pass in the second period. In the third, Dan Gilmour hit Fell in stride with a perfect outlet pass that the big senior took all the way to the net for the score. After the game, x-rays confirmed that the gritty Gilmour played the entire game with a stress fracture in his arm (suffered in the previous contest), and he skated the second and third periods with a broken finger.

Closure (2/18/2006)

The Tartans ended the season with a disappointing loss against Robert Morris in an exhibition game. Early on, CMU hung with the opponent and generated some offensive zone pressure. The advantage was very short-lived however, as the familiar schema played out. The Tartans could not muster a goal in their final performance of 2005-2006 and had trouble alievating the Colonials' attack. In many ways, the game was a microcosm of the season.