One More Time

Yale's Senior Class Looks For Second Title In Four Years

by Christopher Boulay/CHN Reporter

Three seasons ago, Yale’s freshman class won a national championship, accomplishing what no other first-year hockey players in New Haven ever could. Now, as they enter their final year, eight Bulldog seniors aim to repeat their feat by leading what is one of the most-talented squads in the school’s history.

Since that 4-0 win over Quinnipiac in Pittsburgh, Yale went 35-21-10. This included two appearances in the ECAC quarterfinals, an Ivy League Championship and an NCAA tournament appearance last year last season, where they lost in the first round to Boston University, 3-2, in overtime. Solid performances, but not acceptable finishes for the program, on their own.

Forwards Stu Wilson, Charles Orzetti, Cody Learned, Carson Cooper and Matthew Beattie, along with defensemen Mitch Witek, Rob O’Gara and Ryan Obuchowski, have been critical pieces of this Yale squad for the past three years, and will lead the way for one last run.

O’Gara noted that coach Keith Allain’s strategy and discipline have the team in a good position to make a deep run in the postseason, just like they did in 2013.

“His philosophies haven’t changed much,” O’Gara said. “Day-to-day, things are very similar to how they were back then. There are plenty of new faces in the staff and on the team. Personally, I think this is our best team since that year. Coach Allain knows that. He’s molding everyone the way he sees fit. We all trust him with everything. We know that we’re in the right hands, and moving forward as a team in the right way.”

Of the eight players returning for their senior season, Allain awarded Witek with the captaincy. Though, considering the options available, it wasn’t an easy choice.

“Mitch is a great leader,” Allain said. “He’s selfless; always puts the team ahead of himself. He’s one of our hardest workers, so he leads by example. And Mitch is also fortunate that our senior class is full of leaders. There are four or five guys that could have easily been captain. He’s got a really good group to lean on that will help him, so it won’t be a one-man show.”

Appearing in the final 16 last year was more of an expectation than an accomplishment for the Bulldogs, as Allain sets the standard for his teams to be in the mix for each trophy they can during the year. Losing to the would-be national finalists in the NCAA tournament last year was disappointing for Witek, who felt that this adds additional motivation for the team going forward.

“Any year that you finish and you’re not holding the trophy in the end, it does leave a sour taste in your mouth,” Witek said. “We did return a lot of guys, as well, and as a whole, we’re just very hungry this year.”

Witek will have plenty of help on defense. Yale only gave up 54 goals last season, and its 1.64 goals allowed per game average was the best in the country. The core lost Tommy Fallen and Matt Killian to graduation, but still puts forth an experienced group. While the defensive pairings will make it tough for every team the Bulldogs play this year, the team’s goaltender solidifies the group. Junior Alex Lyon had a 1.62 goals against average and a save percentage of .939, good enough for first in the nation in both categories.

“Alex has gotten better each year he’s been with us, and there are things he’s working on [in] his game right now,” Allain said. “I think one of the things that fuels Alex is Patrick Spano — the goaltender that’s behind him is darn good, as well. Our goaltending is in good hands. Alex has talent, but he’s also got that drive. We’ll make sure that he’s successful.”

While the defense could be a force, questions arise on offense. Yale averaged just 2.61 goals per game last season, which was 38th in the nation. Even-strength shooting percentage was only 7.64 percent last year, which compounded the team’s dependence on Lyon and the defensemen.

Though, there were some positive signs on offense last year that should make fans optimistic about this season. The Bulldogs are set up to spread out the scoring. A total of 10 players scored at least 10 points last season, with three tallying more than 20 points.

“[W]e spread it out a little bit, I think that’s part of who we are,” Allain said. “We play a team game. So, I would expect our scoring to be spread out this year, as well. But we’ve got a handful of returning players who scored some for us last year, and I would expect them all to improve on those totals. We got a couple of freshman coming in that we expect to contribute to the offense, as well. I think we’ll be able to score this year in adequate amounts.”

Possession was another good sign for Yale last season, as the team had an even-strength Corsi of 52.5 percent in 2014-15. Against ECAC opponents, this figure rose to 52.9 percent. If the Bulldogs continue to produce similar numbers — or better — this season, they may find goalscoring a bit easier with the more experienced group.

The freshman class may really help Yale’s offense get going this season. Specifically, forwards Joe Snively, Ted Hart, Andrew Gaus and JM Piotrowski are expected to have roles in the Bulldogs’ continually shuffling line chart.

“I think we have an extremely talented seven freshmen,” Witek said. “Thus far, they’ve shown they fit within the Yale hockey culture that Keith Allain has been building for us. They are all extremely hardworking. Off the ice, too, they’ve been extremely mature. It’s a work ethic thing that’s helping them fit in. That’s helping them get in situations where they can reveal their talent, too. We’re pretty excited about them.”

Due to Ivy League rules, Yale doesn’t start its season until this weekend in the Capital City Classic, which takes place at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, N.J. The Bulldogs face Princeton at 7:30 on Friday, Oct. 30, in the second game of the tournament. On Saturday, they will play in either the championship game or third-place game against Maine or Massachusetts. The offseason for Yale has been long, especially with the team stewing over the tough overtime loss to BU back on March 27.

“Since that game ended, I haven’t been able to wait until our next time putting that uniform on,” O’Gara said. “I know I speak for Mitch when I say that. I know we start later, but we’ve had plenty of time — captains practices, lifts, real practices — where it’s like ‘I just want into get into a game already.’ Seeing other teams playing definitely fuels that, a bit. I know that everyone in that locker room is raring to go to finally put the jersey on again.”

No matter what happens this season, Yale’s eight seniors already leave a proud legacy. They have their national championship. However, their final chapter may still contain some exciting stories, as they gear up for one more chance at glory.