Adding Injury to Insult
Trinity coach John Dunham was bending down to look at his clipboard during the first period, when he got hit with a puck just above his left eye, and required 15 stitches. “I was lucky. A half inch lower and I lose my eye,” said Dunham, “So I’m counting my blessings.” When it was pointed out that he never lost his feet, Dunham chuckled, and said, “I’m an old goalie; you don’t go down.” Dunham was a college goaltender for Brown, Class of 1965.
Experience Counts
The men behind the bench in today’s early semifinal have 49 years of head coaching experience between them: Trinity’s John Dunham has 31 years, and St. Thomas’ Terry Skrypek, 18.
Dunham is one of four active D-III coaches with over 400 wins; after today’s game his total stands at 420. Skrypek is not far behind; he has 340 with today’s win.
For the Record
Until today, Trinity had not lost a game on the road or a neutral site this season. Today’s loss ended an 11-game unbeaten streak for the Bantams.
Today’s win extends St. Thomas’ winning streak to eight games, with the last four coming on the road.
Three All-Americans participated in today’s game, east first teamers Doug Kisielus and Joe Ori of Trinity; Anthony Blumer is a second team All-American.
Past Meetings
The only other time these two teams met before today was in the Norwich Times-Argus tournament two seasons ago. The Bantams won that one, 4-3.
NCAA Track Record
This was Trinity’s second trip to the NCAA’s. The Bantams lost in the 2003 quarterfinal round, 5-4, to Norwich in 2003, after leading 4-1. Trinity’s all-time NCAA record is now 1-2.
St. Thomas has vied for the national championship one time previously. The Tommies lost in 2000 to Norwich, 2-1. This year marks the 11th trip to the NCAA’s for St. Thomas; the Tommies were in the inaugural D-III tournament in 1984, and are now 7-13-3 overall in NCAA play.
The 2000 team boasted the best player ever to don a Tommies uniform, that year’s national player of the year, Steve Aronson.
MIAC Heroes
The Tommies were the second seed in the MIAC tournament for the last two seasons, but upset St. John’s each time to claim the league’s autobid. The Tommies have won six MIAC titles, twice that of any other team in the conference.
Get Your Tickets Now
This season, ticket information for the D-III Frozen Four did not become available until the Sunday before the tournament. Next year, fans will be able to buy tickets 50 weeks in advance. Tickets for the 2006 tournament, to be held Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19, 2006, go on sale Friday, April 1, at ticketmaster.com and at 607-722-3711.
