Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 2/22

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

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UConn Women's Basketball links

Notebook: Huskies get back to work [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Geno Says It’s Up To Stewie To Figure Things Out [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Geno Offers Little Response To Summitt’s Book [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Teammates For Five Years, Friends For Life [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Expect More From Mosqueda-Lewis – Geno Does [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Stewart Discussed Her Struggles Today Following Practice [rich elliott – ct post]

Huskies Looking To Make More Decisions On Their Own [rich elliott – ct post]

Impressive end to today's practice [jim fuller – new haven register]

Breanna Stewart hoping to think less, play more [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn commit eyes state title [jim fuller – new haven register]

No. 3 Huskies Host Seton Hall in Saturday's Senior Night [uconnhuskies.com]

UConn Women Hope To Bounce Back From Loss To Baylor [hartford courant]

Breanna Stewart working her way through recent funk [new haven register]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Kevin Ollie’s Take [dom amore – hartford courant]

Wrapping Things Up From XL [dom amore – hartford courant]

Shabazz Napier: 'I Think the NCAA Tournament is Gonna Be Missing a Great Team' [david borges – new haven register]

Three Huskies in running for Big East Awards [kevin duffy – ct post]

Notes/Quotes from Cincinnati: “The scouting report on (Napier) says he’s a streaky shooter.” [kevin duffy – ct post]

Post-game breakdown, video: Cincinnati [gavin keefe – the day]

No Napier madness? Heartbreaking [john silver – snyuconn.com]

Familiar Territory [uconn huskies basketball]

Napier, UConn beat Cincinnati in OT [ct post]

Nutshell: Napier rescues UConn men again [ct post]

Napier's NBA stock should be soaring [ct post]

UConn Men Overcome Second-Half Slump, Win In OT [hartford courant]

UConn Men's Notebook: Calhoun Was Injured, But Didn't Want To Sit [hartford courant]

Napier's The Joyful King Of Overtime [hartford courant]

Shabazz Napier delivers again in OT to beat Cincinnati [new haven register]

Alarm sounds in OT, as UConn men rally for victory [the day]

UConn Football links

Big East and the NFL combine [andrea adelson – espn.com]

Sio Moore Proud Of UConn, But Looks Toward NFL [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

Report: ESPN to match Big East-NBC deal [john silver – snyuconn.com]

ESPN Reportedly Matches NBC's Offer To Televise Big East Games [hartford courant]

W. Lacrosse. Lacrosse Opens Season At Iona Saturday 1 p.m. [uconnhuskies.com]

Baseball. Connecticut Travels to Orlando for Weekend Action at UCF [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Track. Huskies Look to Capture Eighth Consecutive New England Championship Title [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Track. Women's Track & Field Searches for Eighth Consecutive New England Championship Title [uconnhuskies.com]

Softball. Softball Returns to Florida for FAU Strike-Out Cancer Tournament [uconnhuskies.com]

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Video: Jason Varitek Talks About His Role With Red Sox

After retiring before spring training last year, former Boston Red Sox captain Jason Varitek stayed away from baseball as he best he could. He did participate in a few of the memorable events from the 2012 season along with his own special day.

Now he finds himself back on the field at spring training. But this time around it's as an instructor as he's a special assistant to GM Ben Cherington.

On Wednesday, Varitek talked with the assembled media about his role with the club.

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Video: Napier Rescues UConn in 73-66 OT Win Over Cincinnati

If it weren't for the play of Shabazz Napier, the UConn Huskies men's basketball team might not be in the position they are in right now. Sure they can't play for a Big East Tournament title or even a national title.

All they can do is play for pride and help their coach Kevin Ollie get to 20 wins in his first season. And if Napier plays like he did in overtime, he'll surely get his coach to that mark.

Shabazz Napier hits a three-pointer in overtime to help UConn put away Cincinnati 73-66 in Hartford. Napier had 11 of his 27 points in overtime to help UConn to a 73-66 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats in front of 11,131 and a nationally televised audience on ESPN in their XL Center finale.

The Huskies improve to 18-7 (8-5 Big East) while the Bearcats fall to 19-8 (7-7).

DeAndre Daniels added 17 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots for UConn while Omar Calhoun had 10 points and a team-high six rebounds. Ryan Boatright bounced back from a bad performance last Saturday with nine points.

Sean Kilpatrick led Cincinnati with 18 points and seven rebounds. JaQuon Parker had 14 points and five rebounds while Cashmere Wright had 10 points and five assists.

For the better part of the first half, the game was tight. The Bearcats would lead by no more than four points early on while UConn's biggest lead was.

Late in the first half though, UConn used a barrage of three pointers to get out to a six point lead. They made six in the half. A Ge'Lawn Guyn three with 1:48 to go in the half cut the lead to 37-34 and that's where it stood at the half as both teams went scoreless.

The early part of the second half went the same way as both teams had a little trouble finding the basket. But then Cincinnati woke up and went on an 10-2 run to take a 53-47 lead late in the game.

UConn responded though by scoring the next six points to tie it up. The two teams exchanged baskets and then Napier had a chance to win but his shot was off the mark.

But in overtime, Napier made sure the Huskies wouldn't trail as he was nailing threes from downtown Hartford. He helped them get out to a 6-2 run to start the overtime. Cincinnati would battle back but UConn hit six-of-seven free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Honestly, at points in the second half, I thought there was no way UConn was going to win this game. But Ollie is a great motivator and whatever he said worked. The team began to play like it did in the first half. But still, they can't afford these lulls.

You'd also be shocked they won this game even though they were outrebounded 44-28. This seems to be the norm though for the Huskies. Lose the battle on the boards but show enough heart to win the game.

These two teams will match up again in Cincinnati on March 2nd.

Next up for UConn is a trip to the Windy City on Saturday where they'll take on the DePaul Blue Demons. Tip is set for 8 p.m.

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Cincinnati Bearcats @ UConn Huskies 2.21.13 box score

Here are the postgame quotes from UConn head coach Kevin Ollie.

Here are UConn's postgame notes.

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photo credit: michael mcandrews – hartford courant (no. 15 in gallery)

Goaltender Scott Stajcer Reassigned to Whale

HARTFORD, February 21, 2013:  Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the parent New York Rangers have reassigned goaltender Scott Stajcer to the Whale from its ECHL affiliate, the Greenville Road Warriors.

CT WhaleStajcer, a rookie and fifth-round (140th overall) 2009 Ranger draft pick, appeared in three games earlier this season for the Whale, going 0-2-0 with ten goals-against on 63 shots (4.32 GAA, 84.1% save percentage).  After being reassigned to Greenville October 24, the 6-3, 196-pound Cambridge, Ontario native was 8-4-3 in 15 ECHL games, with a 2.72 GAA and a 91.8% save percentage.

Prior to turning pro this year, Stajcer played five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Owen Sound Attack, compiling a career record of 57-61-12, with a 3.44 GAA, 90.2% save percentage and three shutouts.

The Whale’s next action is this Saturday night, February 23, when Connecticut travels to Wilkes-Barre, PA to take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.  Faceoff is 7:05 PM, and fans can hear all the action live on “The Rock” 106.9 WCCC, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com. 

The next home game for the Whale is next Friday, March 1 vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7:00 PM.  As at all Friday-night Whale home games, fans that night can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers at the XL Center until the end of the first intermission.

Tickets to all Whale home games start as low as $10 each ($12 each when tickets are purchased on the day of the game), and are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, through TicketMaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.

For information on season seats, and all of the Whale’s many ticketing options, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 548-2000 to talk with an account executive today.

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Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 2/21

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

It's game day for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team as they'll host the Cincinnati Bearcats in their XL Center finale. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. You can also watch the game on WatchESPN. You can also listen on the IMG/UConn Radio Network.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Men's Basketball links

Huskies Need Boatright to ‘Get Well Soon;’ Notes and Quotes from Practice [dom amore – hartford courant]

Dom answered a question in his mailbag [dom amore – hartford courant]

Kevin Ollie, Ryan Boatright Feel UConn Will Bounce Back Thursday Night vs. Cincinnati [david borges – new haven register]

Notes/Quotes from Feb. 20: “I wasn’t Ryan Boatright that game.” [kevin duffy – ct post]

Ollie talks Huskies, Bearcats, etc. (video) [gavin keefe – the day]

Preview: Cincinnati at UConn [lee lewis – republican-american]

‘Cats and Dogs living together…mass hysteria’ [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

Bouncing back: Napier, Boatright shoulder the load [john silver – snyuconn.com]

Huskies Take On Bearcats In XL Center Finale [uconnhuskies.com]

Boatright plans to turn it around vs. Cincinnati [ct post]

Boatright, Napier Know They Need To Improve [hartford courant]

Huskies brace for game with Cincinnati [new haven register]

UConn backcourt took loss to Villanova to heart [the day]

UConn Women's Basketball links

UConn hopes Doty can turn back time [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Huskies Looking For Change In Aftermath Of Loss To Baylor [rich elliott – ct post]

Chong Scores 30, Ricci Wins 350th As Ossining Rolls Into Semis [rich elliott – ct post]

'Did Pat Eat Geno Yet?' And Other Lines From Pat Summitt's Book [hartford courant]

UConn Football links

DC answered a few questions in his mailbag [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Big East 2012 Top 25 countdown: No. 4 Trevardo Williams [matt fortuna – espn.com]

NFL combine underway [jim fuller – new haven register]

Dwayne Gratz Hopes To Make Noise At NFL Scouting Combine [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

Hugh Greer and Katie Woods Inducted Into Inaugural South Windsor High Hall of Fame [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Tennis. Women's Tennis Downs Bryant, 6-1 [uconnhuskies.com]

Baseball. Pitcher Profile: Stephen Catalina [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Huskies Travel To West Point For Two Game Set vs. Army [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Red Sox Lineups For Northeastern & Boston College

This afternoon, the Boston Red Sox will get a look at some new pitchers instead of their own. They may be college pitchers but it's better than nothing as they get ready to kickoff their Grapefruit League schedule on Saturday.

There is no radio or tv coverage for the game and each game will be seven innings.

Here's the lineup for the Red Sox against the Northeastern Huskies (1:35 p.m.).

Boston Red Sox
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Shane Victorino RF
4. Jonny Gomes LF
5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia DH
6. Will Middlebrooks 3B
7. Stephen Drew SS
8. Lyle Overbay 1B
9. David Ross SS
Joel Hanrahan SP

Hanrahan will be followed by RHP Daniel Bard, LHP Andrew Miller, RHP Alex Wilson, RHP Clayton Mortensen, RHP Pedro Beato, RHP Anthony Carter.

To see the lineup for the game against the Boston College Eagles, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

Here are the lineups for the game against the Boston College Eagles (4 p.m.)

Boston Red Sox
1. Justin Henry RF
2. Brock Holt SS
3. Jackie Bradley, Jr. CF
4. Mauro Gomez 1B
5. Jeremy Hazelbaker LF
6. Xander Bogaerts 3B
7. Jonathan Diaz 2B
8. Daniel Butler C
9. David Renfroe DH
Koji Uehara SP

Uehara will be followed by RHP Andrew Bailey, RHP Oscar Villarreal, RHP Terry Doyle, RHP, Jose De La Torre, RHP Junichi Tazawa.

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Video: ‘5 from the Fort’ with Pedro Martinez

Earlier on Wednesday evening, Boston Red Sox great and special assistant to Ben Cherington, Pedro Martinez, stopped by the CSN New England "The Baseball Show" set to do a 1-on-1 interview with Sean McAdam.

After he was done, he stayed around to answer five rapid fire questions from the CSN New England crew.

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St. John’s IceCaps 5, Connecticut Whale 1

By Wil Goldsholl

Hartford, CT, February 20, 2013 – In their fourth and final matchup of the season, the St. John’s IceCaps made easy work of the Connecticut Whale, winning 5-1 on Wednesday night at the XL Center. Over the season series, the teams got the best of one another on the road; Connecticut won twice in Newfoundland just two weekends ago, while St. John’s previously bested the Whale in Hartford back in early October.

CT WhaleEric O’Dell potted a hat trick in the win, which snapped a five-game Whale winning streak, with stellar performances from linemates Kael Mouillierat and Carl Klingberg. Mouillierat finished with four assists, while Klingberg had two of his own. Mark Dekanich also put together a high quality performance between the pipes; Connecticut had a tough time getting it to him, around him, or through him.

St. John’s jumped out to an early lead in the first when Ben Chiarot got dumped on a cross-check by Jyri Niemi 5:28 in. It took the Winnipeg Jets’ top affiliate time to find the zone on the man advantage; the power play unit was turned away at the Whale blueline five or six times before a successful break-in. With nine seconds left in the advantage, however, Ben Maxwell got a pass from Will O’Neill at the point. Maxwell fired a slapper from the high slot for his fourth of the year at 7:19.

Connecticut surrendered another quick one on a broken play. Klingberg walked in to the zone and Mouillierat let one fly from the circle. It tipped off a stick on the way and, while Whale netminder Cam Talbot came up with the initial kick save, the rebound was laid out for O’Dell to put away for a 2-0 advantage.

O’Dell would gather his second of the night with 89 seconds to go in the period. Klingberg again gained the zone and fed Mouillierat in the slot. The pass to the crease created an easy put-away for O’Dell, and the 3-0 edge would take St. John’s into the second with a decisive lead and an 11-5 shot advantage.

Talbot’s 40th appearance of the year would end short; Jason Missiaen replaced him for the start of the second. Andrew Carroll and Patrice Cormier engaged in fisticuffs at 6:25 following a stoppage; the first of two fights for St. John’s’ number 28 on the night.

Finally showing signs of life, earning a few chances on goal, the Whale got on the board near the midway mark of the period. Nick Palmieri rolled out of the corner and fed a deflected pass across to Kris Newbury. Newbury dished to Andrew Yogan on the backdoor from the top of the circle and Yogan scored his fourth at 10:40. The second ended with the Whale trailing 3-1.

The third didn’t get any easier on Connecticut. Just over two minutes in, the IceCaps went up 4-1 when O’Dell converted his third; this time an easy tap-in rebound of a Mouillierat shot. Completing the hat trick earned O’Dell his 14th, 15th and 16th goals of the season.

On the next shift, Maxime Macenauer found a Maxwell shot on the doorstep for a redirect and a 5-1 lead.

The Whale’s Brandon Segal spoke briefly after the game, saying, “We had a lousy day, we came out flat and they got ahead of us. We made a little attempt in the second but they came hard and we didn’t match them. We’ve been playing good hockey, we’ll turn it back around. Gotta delete it and move on. We had that power play opportunity in the second to pull within one but we didn’t capitalize. Have to give [St. John’s] credit; they’ve been struggling and they played well. We’ll bounce back too.”

Dekanich saw 26 shots against, and allowed just one with a handful of quality chances, and few rebounds surrendered. Talbot finished with eight saves on 11 IceCaps tries, while Missiaen stopped 24 of 26 in his 40 minutes played.

To continue reading, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

St. John's IceCaps 5 at Connecticut Whale 1
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum

St. John's 3 0 2 – 5
Connecticut 0 1 0 – 1

1st Period-1, St. John's, Maxwell 4 (O'Neill, Mouillierat), 7:19 (PP). 2, St. John's, O'Dell 14 (Mouillierat, Klingberg), 8:05. 3, St. John's, O'Dell 15 (Mouillierat, Klingberg), 18:31. Penalties-Niemi Ct (cross-checking), 5:28; McIlrath Ct (delay of game), 18:49.

2nd Period-4, Connecticut, Yogan 4 (Newbury, Palmieri), 10:40. Penalties-Parlett Ct (boarding), 3:20; Cormier Stj (fighting), 6:25; Carroll Ct (fighting), 6:25; Klingberg Stj (holding), 19:15.

3rd Period-5, St. John's, O'Dell 16 (Mouillierat, Sol), 2:02. 6, St. John's, Macenauer 9 (Maxwell, Ramsey), 2:36. Penalties-Newbury Ct (tripping), 5:26; Pelech Ct (tripping), 7:58; Cormier Stj (fighting), 12:58; McIlrath Ct (fighting), 12:58.

Shots on Goal-St. John's 11-15-11-37. Connecticut 5-10-11-26.
Power Play Opportunities-St. John's 1 / 5; Connecticut 0 / 1.
Goalies-St. John's, Dekanich 8-9-0 (26 shots-25 saves). Connecticut, Talbot 19-20-1 (11 shots-8 saves); Missiaen 6-4-1 (26 shots-24 saves).
A-3,508
Referees-Darcy Burchell (42), Geoff Miller (28).
Linesmen-Jim Briggs (83), Luke Galvin (2).

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