failure to launch...

13 minutes into the first period, Duluth takes two penalties within :16, Yale has 4-4 and then 5-3 manpower advantage, and then after a broken stick, a virtual 5 on 2 advantage for half a minute. Dice came up snake-eyes. No stats available for inability to convert 5 on 2's but it cant be good for the impotent. "It's like Union (0 for 9 PP vs UMD Friday) all over again," said veteran journalist Adam Wodon. On a subsequent Yale PP, Duluth winger Mike Connelly converts a shorthanded 2 on 1 with surgical precision, and the first goal has been scored. Yale should decline their next penalty. Duluth PK in Bridgeport is 12 for 12 with a shorty so far. Respect for ECAC power plays can't be too high.
"The difference between Yale and a WCHA power like North Dakota is that UND would have buried it by now," said Wodon. Yale got their best chance of the period on their on shorthanded chance. Refs appear a little whistle happy with half a dozen minors called in period. 1-0 Duluth Bulldogs after first, with :55 PP seconds on fresh ice to start the second if they need it. Yale skated with more jazz and pizzazz in first than all of the Air Force game. Will their legs hold? stay tuned...WCHA in charge of this regional until someone scores on Duluth junior goalie Kenny Reiter. 4 shutout periods and counting...