Video: UConn Survives Quinnipiac in Double OT 89-83

It's been since 1986 when the UConn Huskies men's basketball team last lost to an in-state team.

Since a 49-48 loss to the Hartford Hawks that year, which happened to be former coach Jim Calhoun's first year at the helm, the Huskies are 66-0 against teams from the state. Late on Sunday night in the 2012 Paradise Jam, they almost saw that streak come to an end.

UConn guard Shabazz Napier drives between Quinnipiac's Jamee Jackson, left, and Shaq Shannon during the first half. If it weren't for a Shabazz Napier three-pointer late in regulation, we'd be talking about a loss instead of a win.

Napier was huge in both overtimes as he made his free throws to help UConn hold off the Quinnipiac Bobcats 89-83 in double overtime at  the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

UConn improves to 4-0 on the season and will take on the New Mexico Lobos for the 2012 Paradise Jam title on Monday night at 10 p.m. Quinnipiac falls to 2-2 and will face the George Mason Patriots in the consolation game.

Napier finished with a career-high 29 points, 23 of them coming in the second half and both overtimes. Ryan Boatright added 18 points and four assists while Omar Calhoun had 17 points and five rebounds.

Tyler Olander led UConn with seven rebounds to go along with his five points before fouling out.

Dave Johnson paced the Bobcats with 16 points and had five rebounds and four assists. Garvey Young had 14 points while Jamee Jackson added 13 points and seven rebounds. Ike Azotam rounded out the Bobcats in double-digits with 10 points and he had a game-high nine rebounds.

UConn Huskies vs Quinnipiac Bobcats 2012 Paradise Jam Box score

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photo credit: thomas layer – special to hartford courant (no.  2 in gallery)

 

Patriots Send Colts to Glue Factory

Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots celebrates after returning a punt for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half during the game on November 18, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts

The Indianapolis Colts came into Foxboro on Sunday to face the New England Patriots sporting a 6-3 record and looking very far removed from the disaster of 2011. 

After one quarter they even had a 14-7 lead.  That lead though evaporated in the late New England afternoon air quicker than you could say “Julian Edelman”.

In a blink of an eye, or 1:01 on the game clock, Edelman returned a punt 68-yards for a TD.  Then on the ensuing Indianapolis drive newly acquired CB Aqib Talib picked rookie QB Andrew Luck and returned it 59-yards for a TD and like that it was 21-14 New England and they were on their way to a convincing 59-24 win.

Up 24-17 to start the third quarter New England exploded in the second half putting up 35 points in the final 30 minutes.  Edelman got his second score of the day on a 2-yard pass from QB Tom Brady and TE Rob Gronkowski got his second TD of the day off a 24-yard pass.  He had scored the Patriots first TD in the first quarter off a 4 yard catch.

In the fourth quarter the Patriots put up 21 more points on an 87-yard INT returned for a TD by rookie CB Alfonzo Dennard and rushing TD’s of 3-yards by RB Stevan Ridley and 4-yards by RB Shane Vereen. 

In the second half the only points the New England defense gave up came long after the outcome was decided when Colts rookie WR T.Y. Hilton went 43-yards to the house on a Luck TD pass.  It was Hilton’s second TD catch of the afternoon.

The 59-points tied a franchise record for most points in a game, they put up 59 against Tennessee in 2009 at Foxboro.

It was a remarkable game as the Colts had the ball nearly 6 minutes longer, had more first downs, more total yards, ran more plays and more rushing yards.  It was the Patriots special teams and defense that had four more takeaways that made the difference in the game. 

The Patriots had more return yards, more yards off turnovers, more turnovers and more touchdowns.  And when you have more touchdowns you usually win the game.

Now it’s off to the Thanksgiving Night matchup with AFC East Rival New York Jets, let’s hope New England has another performance like this stuffed into the Thanksgiving turkey.

Comcast Sports Net New England’s Tom E. Curran is reporting post game that TE Rob Gronkowski has suffered a broken forearm.  The team hasn’t confirmed the injury.  The NFL Network is reporting Gronkowski will be out a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks which is the remainder of the regular season.

Colts at Patriots Gamebook includes the box score, all the stats, play by play, drive charts and more.

Colts at Patriots Game Recap.

To continue reading, hit the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Turning Point of the Game

In the matter of 1:01 in the 2nd quarter the Patriots scored 14 points on special teams and defense and took over the game.

Offensive Player of the Game

Patriots WR/PR Julian Edelman had 1 carry for 47 yards, 5 catches for 58 yards and 1 TD and 2 punt returns for 117 yards and a TD.

Defensive Player of the Game

Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich had 8 tackles (4 solo); 1 sack; 2 tackles for loss; 2 QB hits; 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.

Game Notes

Starters for the Patriots were:

On Offense:

LT Solder

LG Thomas

C Wendell

RG McDonald

RT Vollmer

TE Gronkowski

WR Edelman

WR Welker

WR Lloyd

QB Brady

RB Ridley

On Defense:

DE Ninkovich

DT Wilfork

DT Love

DE Jones

LB Mayo

LB Spikes

LB Hightower

CB Talib

CB Arrington

S Gregory

S McCourty

Inactives for the Game:

Patriots

1. TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle)

2. G Dan Connolly (back)

3. S Patrick Chung (shoulder)

4. DE Jake Bequette

5. DL Justin Francis

6. TE Daniel Fells

7. G Logan Mankins (ankle/calf)

Colts

1. CB Vontae Davis (shoulder)

2. LB Mario Harvey

3. T Bradley Sowell

4. DL Josh Chapman

5. NT Martin Tevaseu

6. T Tony Hills

7. TE Colby Fleener (knee)

The spread (Patriots MINUS 10) WAS covered.  The over/under (53) WAS COVERED.  I TOOK the points (COLTS) and took the OVER.  I am now 2-8 vs. the spread and 7 of 10 calling the under/over.

Since 1999 the Patriots have the best record in the NFL at 154-64.

In the last ten seasons the Patriots are 37-8 in games played November 1 or later.

New England has its first 4-game winning streak of the season.

The Patriots lead the overall series 47-29, which includes a 2-1 post season advantage.

New England is 27-12 vs. the Colts at home, 6-2 at Gillette Stadium.

Since the Colts won 5 of the 6 meetings the Patriots have won the last three games.

The Patriots are now a combined 18-0 in the second half of the season since 2010.  Their last loss in the second half was in 2009 in the season finale at Houston.

Bill Belichick is now 199-107 including playoffs in his career.

Belichick’s 199 wins are good for 8th all-time.  Former Broncos, Giants and Falcons head coach Dan Reeves is 7th with 201 wins.

Bill Belichick is 13-8 vs. the Colts in his career.  He is 11-6 against them as the head coach in New England and that includes a 2-1 post season record.

Tom Brady is 10-4 against Indianapolis in his career including the playoffs.  Overall including playoffs he is 147-44.

Brady has 321 TD passes in his career he is now 5th all-time.  Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton is 4th with 342.

Brady has thrown at least 1 TD pass in 42 consecutive games.

The Patriots are 87-16 when Brady throws at least 2 TD passes in a game.

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 111 consecutive games including playoffs, 94 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

DE Rob Ninkovich had a strip sack and a fumble recovery on Sunday it was his 5th forced fumble of the season tying a team record held by former LB Mike Vrabel.

There were 6 QB hits by the Patriots 2 each by Ninkovich and DE Jermaine Cunningham and 1 a piece by LB Brandon Spikes and LB Dont’a Hightower.

CB Aqib Talib, CB Alfonzo Dennard and S Tavon Wilson all had an INT on Sunday.  Talib and Dennard returned their INTs for a TD.  Wilson’s was a team leading 4th on the year.

S Nate Ebner had two special teams tackles on Sunday to lead the team.

LB Jerod Mayo led the team with 10 tackles (1 solo).

Roster moves Saturday:

  • CB Aqib Talib was activated and placed on the 53-mam roster.
  • WR Deion Branch was released
  • CB Malcolm Williams was released
  • WR Greg Salas was signed from the practice squad
  • WR Jarred Fayson was released from the practice squad

The Patriots sacked Indianapolis QB Andrew Luck 1 time, while Brady was not sacked.

New England is PLUS 20 in turnover differential. The offense has given up 3 INT and 4 fumbles, while the defense has 13 INTs and 14 fumble recoveries. 

The Patriots were 4 for 6 (66.7%) in the red zone.  They had 4 TDs, 1 FG and 1 missed FG.

New England was 8 for 12 (66.7%) on third down conversions and 0 for 0 on 4th down attempts.

Indianapolis offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is the interim head coach in head coach Chuck Pagano’s absence.  Since taking over Arians is 5-2 is his NFL career.

Arians is 0-1 vs. New England as a head coach.

Luck is 6-4 in his NFL career.

He is 0-1 vs. the Patriots.

Indianapolis is 2-11 as the road team in the series since 1998.

The Colts are 7-18 in the last 24 games vs. the Patriots dating back to 1996.

Indianapolis was 8 for 14 (57%) on 3rd down conversions and 0 for 0 on 4th down attempts.

The Colts were 2 for 2 (100%) in the red zone.  They had 2 TD’s.

Indianapolis is MINUS 13 in turnover differential. The offense has given up 12 INT and 7 fumbles, while the defense has 4 INTs and 2 fumble recoveries. 

John Parry was the game referee.  The temp at kickoff was 42 and clear.

Attendance – 68,756 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA.

Post Game Interviews

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Patriots QB Tom Brady post game press conference via patriots.com

This Week in the AFC East

Jets whipped the Rams, 27-13

Bills beat the Dolphins, 19-14 on Thursday night

AFC East Standings

Patriots                   7-3/3-0

Dolphins                  4-6/1-2

Jets                        4-6/2-2

Bills                        4-6/1-3

Next Week

The Patriots visit the New York Jets on Thanksgiving night at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford NJ.  Kick off is at 8:20 p.m. on NBC.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII

photo credit: getty images

2012 Blogpoll Top 25 – Week 12 Ballot

As many of you know, I am one of the voters in the BlogPoll Top 25. Each week, bloggers across the country representing the various FBS schools get together and put together their own top 25's.

Here at SOX & Dawgs, we are representing the UConn Huskies.

You can check out the ballot I submitted earlier today by clicking on the continue button below if you're on the homepage.


There's really no choice here in putting Notre Dame No. 1. I still will not put Ohio State in my poll since they are ineligible for the postseason.

It seems I've neglected putting the Texas Longhorns in my 25 the past few weeks. I've added them in this week where I thought they should be ranked.

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

2012 BCS Standings – Week 6 (Nov. 18)

For the second time in as many weeks, there is a new team atop the BCS standings.

BCS With all of the upsets over the weekend, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are now in the prime spot as they take over at No. 1.

They are followed by the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, Florida Gators and Oregon Ducks.

There are still two teams from the Big East in the top 25. They are the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (18) and Louisville Cardinals (20).

You can head over to the BCS website to see how the poll is computed weekly and how the teams are selected for the BCS bowls.

For a full look at the BCS Standings, click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Rank Team USA TODAY poll Harris poll Computer rank BCS average PVS
1 Notre Dame 1 .9959 1 .9958 1 1.000 .9973 3
2 Alabama 2 .9397 2 .9503 3 .9100 .9333 4
3 Georgia 3 .9139 3 .8950 6 .8200 .8763 5
4 Florida 6 .7905 5 .7798 2 .9600 .8434 6
5 Oregon 4 .8319 4 .8637 7 .8000 .8318 2
6 Kansas State 8 .7159 7 .7517 4 .8400 .7692 1
7 LSU 7 .7200 8 .7224 8 .7500 .7308 7
8 Stanford 11 .6332 11 .6598 5 .8300 .7077 13
9 Texas A&M 10 .6739 10 .6640 10 .6200 .6526 8
10 Florida State 5 .8129 6 .7760 17 .3200 .6363 10
11 Clemson 9 .6976 9 .6753 15 .4400 .6056 11
12 South Carolina 12 .5783 12 .5729 11 .6100 .5871 9
13 Oklahoma 13 .5410 13 .5322 9 .6300 .5677 12
14 Nebraska 14 .4434 14 .4435 12 .5500 .4790 14
15 Oregon State 17 .3817 15 .4181 12 .5500 .4499 16
16 Texas 15 .4020 17 .3784 14 .4900 .4235 15
17 UCLA 16 .4000 16 .3979 16 .3500 .3826 17
18 Rutgers 19 .2766 19 .2630 21 .1900 .2432 22
19 Michigan 20 .1959 20 .2000 19 .2800 .2253 21
20 Louisville 18 .3071 18 .3123 26 .0300 .2165 19
21 Oklahoma State 21 .1749 22 .1478 18 .2900 .2041 24
22 Boise State 22 .1647 21 .1482 30 .0000 .1043 NR
23 Kent State 25 .0583 25 .0682 22 .1600 .0955 NR
24 Arizona 31 .0034 31 .0073 20 .2400 .0836 NR
25 Washington 28 .0244 30 .0184 23 .1500 .0643 25

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Video: UConn Women Pass First Road Test, Aggies With Ease 81-50

We know the UConn Huskies women's basketball team may have a special year this season. But you don't really start learning about your team until you have your first road game.

Sure it's only two games in but the Huskies made sure to make a statement in College Station, TX on Sunday afternoon.

UConn center Stefanie Dolson takes a shot over Texas A&M forward Kristi Bellock (5) during the first half at the Reed Arena. Playing in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN2, Stefanie Dolson tied her career-high with 24 points as UConn went on to an easy 81-50 win over the Texas A&M Aggies in front of 7,681 at Reed Arena.

The Huskies improve to 2-0 and are off to the Virgin Islands to play in the 2012 Women's Paradise Jam starting on Friday against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The Aggies fall to 0-3.

Dolson ended up with a nice all-around game adding six rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots to her 24 point effort. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis added 16 points, five rebounds and five assists while Breanna Stewart had 11 points and six rebounds.

Kelly Faris rounded out the Huskies in double-digits with 10 points and a team-high six assists. Kiah Stokes led the team with seven rebounds.

Courtney Walker was the only member of the Aggies to hit double figures with 20 points and also led them with seven rebounds. One time UConn recruit Kelsey Bone added eight points and was dominated by Dolson down low. Courtney Williams chipped in with seven points.

UConn Huskies @ Texas A&M Aggies 11.18.12 box score

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photo credit: us presswire (no. 22 in gallery)

2012 NCAA Football Rankings – Week 13 (Nov. 18)

AP & USA Today Coaches Polls

The NCAA football rankings are out and after another wild weekend of upsets, we have a new No. 1 team in the land.

With both the Oregon Ducks and Kansas State Wildcats falling on Saturday night, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (yup, just threw up in my mouth) are the No. 1 team in both polls.

They are followed by the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, The Ohio State Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks in the AP Poll. In the USA Today Coaches Poll, they are followed by Alabama, Georgia, Oregon and the Florida State Seminoles.

There are still two teams from the Big East ranked in the top 25 of both polls. They are the Louisville Cardinals (18/19) and Rutgers Scarlet Knights (21/19).

The Cincinnati Bearcats are among the others receiving votes in the Coaches Poll.

For a full look at the 2012 NCAA Football Rankings – Week 13 (Nov. 18), please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

AP Top 25 USA Today Poll
RK TEAM REC PTS PVS RK TEAM REC PTS PVS
1 Notre Dame (60) 11-0 1500 3 1 Notre Dame (56) 11-0 1469 3
2 Alabama 10-1 1399 4 2 Alabama (2) 10-1 1386 5
3 Georgia 10-1 1316 5 3 Georgia (1) 10-1 1348 4
4 Ohio State 11-0 1292 6 4 Oregon 10-1 1227 1
5 Oregon 10-1 1246 1 5 Florida State 10-1 1199 6
6 Florida 10-1 1171 7 6 Florida 10-1 1166 7
7 Kansas State 10-1 1064 2 7 LSU 9-2 1062 8
8 LSU 9-2 1048 8 8 Kansas State 10-1 1056 2
9 Texas A&M 9-2 1028 9 9 Clemson 10-1 1029 9
10 Florida State 10-1 1026 10 10 Texas A&M 9-2 994 10
11 Stanford 9-2 991 14 11 Stanford 9-2 934 13
12 Clemson 10-1 874 11 12 South Carolina 9-2 853 11
13 South Carolina 9-2 795 12 13 Oklahoma 8-2 798 12
14 Oklahoma 8-2 734 13 14 Nebraska 9-2 654 14
15 UCLA 9-2 624 17 15 Texas 8-2 593 15
16 Oregon State 8-2 599 15 16 UCLA 9-2 590 16
17 Nebraska 9-2 559 16 17 Oregon State 8-2 563 17
18 Texas 8-2 498 18 18 Louisville 9-1 453 18
19 Louisville 9-1 362 20 19 Rutgers 9-1 408 20
20 Michigan 8-3 282 23 20 Michigan 8-3 289 23
21 Rutgers 9-1 265 22 21 Oklahoma State 7-3 258 24
22 Oklahoma State 7-3 240 NR 22 Boise State 9-2 243 22
23 Kent State 10-1 155 25 23 Northern Illinois 10-1 149 NR
24 Northern Illinois 10-1 144 NR 24 Mississippi State 8-3 99 NR
25 Mississippi State 8-3 82 NR 25 Kent State 10-1 86 NR
25 Utah State 9-2 82 NR –
Dropped from rankings Dropped from rankings
Louisiana Tech 19, USC 21, Texas Tech 23 Louisiana Tech 19, USC 21, Texas Tech 25
Others receiving votes: Others receiving votes:
Boise State 20, Northwestern 20, Washington 20, Arizona 13, USC 12, Tulsa 10, San Jose State 8, Fresno State 7, Louisiana Tech 4, Wisconsin 4, San Diego State 2, TCU 1, Iowa State 1, Baylor 1, Vanderbilt 1 Utah State 74, Northwestern 59, Louisiana Tech 36, Washington 36, Tulsa 14, USC 14, San Jose State 7, San Diego State 6, Arizona 5, Vanderbilt 4, Wisconsin 4, Fresno State 3, Middle Tennessee 3, Arkansas State 2, Cincinnati 1, Texas Tech 1

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Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 11/18

Paw Prints The 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.

Busy day in UConn Huskies sports land as the men's soccer team as well as both basketball teams are in action.

The UConn Huskies soccer team starts the day at 1 p.m. as they'll host the Northeastern Huskies in the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament. Sunday's match will have a free video broadcast at uconnhuskies.com. Fans can also listen live at WHUS.org or 91.7 FM.

It's also gameday for the UConn Huskies women's basketball team as they are in College Station, TX for a matchup with the Texas A&M Aggies at 2:30 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and can also be seen online or your mobile device at WatchESPN. You can also listen on the IMG/UConn Radio Network.

It's gameday for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team as they are in the Virgin Islands for the 2012 Paradise Jam. They will take on the Quinnipiac Bobcats in the semifinals at 9 p.m. The game will be televised on the CBS Sports Network. 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 Women's Basketball links

UConn sees Texas-sized challenge in A&M [carl adamec – sny.com]

Caldwell, Turner have eyes on UConn [carl adamec – sny.com]

For Moriah Jefferson, Home Is Where The Game Is [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Stewart, Tuck, Jefferson Ready For First Road Test [rich elliott – ct post]

Hall of Famers Will Go Head-To-Head Sunday at Texas A&M [rich elliott – ct post]

Like Jefferson, Mosqueda-Lewis Dealt With Pressure To Stay Home [rich elliott – ct post]

On And Off The Court, Harris Extremely Impressed With Turner [rich elliott – ct post]

Caldwell Taking Her Time, But UConn Clearly In The Mix [rich elliott – ct post]

Jefferson eager to play in front of friends and family [jim fuller – new haven register]

Two top Texas phenoms high on UConn's recruiting wish list [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn's Jefferson proud of her decision to leave home [ct post]

Auriemma Expects Freshmen To Have Culture Shock In 1st Road Trip [hartford courant]

Huskies visit Texas A&M [new haven register]

UConn Men's Basketball links

On Phil Nolan, Leon Tolksdorf and Other Notes From The Lobby [dom amore – hartford courant]

Tom Moore, Scott Burrell, Kevin Ollie, Others Talk UConn-Quinnipiac Matchup [david borges – new haven register]

Update from St. Thomas [david borges – new haven register]

Notes/Quotes from the Marriott: “We didn’t really know what we were going to get from Enosch” [kevin duffy – ct post]

Ex-UConn assistant Moore has Quinnipiac moving forward [kevin duffy – ct post]

Men's Basketball To Face Quinnipiac In Jam Semifinals [uconnhuskies.com]

Facing his ex-coach, Ollie says UConn's his only worry [ct post]

Ollie Shrugs Off Emotional Distractions, Focuses On Team Identity [hartford courant]

Huskies look to continue dominance of in-state rivals [new haven register]

UConn vs Quinnipiac preview [cbssports.com]

UConn Football links

Reports: Conference realignment is back [john silver – sny.com]

Other UConn related links

W. Cross Country. Women's Cross Country Captures Eighth Place at NCAA Championships [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Cross Country. Men's Cross Country Finishes Ninth at IC4A Championships [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Men's Hockey Falls at Bentley, 3-1 [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Swimming. Huskies Complete Action At H2Okie Fall Invitational [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Swimming. Franz Enjoys Outstanding Day At Virginia Tech [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Connecticut Kids Living Their UConn Soccer Dream [hartford courant]

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

Connecticut Whale 2, Worcester Sharks 1

Worcester, MA, November 17, 2012 – Chris Kreider and Ryan Bourque scored goals 1:17 apart in the third period Saturday night at the DCU Center, to erase a 1-0 deficit and give the Connecticut Whale a 2-1 win over the Worcester Sharks.

CT WhaleCam Talbot made 23 saves in the Whale net in the victory, which snapped a two-game Connecticut losing streak.  Brodie Reid scored the only Worcester goal, and Alex Stalock made 21 stops for the Sharks.

The first period was tightly played and scoreless until the 17:29 mark, when Reid, playing his first game of the season, scored to give Worcester a 1-0 lead.  Reid tracked down a bouncing puck near the blue line and moved down left wing, before snapping a shot through Whale defenseman Matt Gilroy’s legs and past Talbot’s catching glove side.

The Whale pushed back strongly after that goal, but were unable to get anything by Stalock, despite several good chances.

Both goaltenders had to make some sparkling saves in a scoreless second period, which included the Whale’s Chad Kolarik hitting the goalpost on Stalock’s glove side twice in one shift around the 13-minute mark.

The Whale finally broke through against Stalock on a power play at 1:40 of the third.  After Worcester was called for having too many men on the ice, Kreider flipped in a rebound only four seconds into the man advantage.  Kyle Jean won a draw back to Gilroy at the point, and Stalock stopped Gilroy’s shots with his pads but could not control the puck.

Then, at 2:57, Bourque scored an unassisted goal that turned out to be the game-winner.  Worcester’s Travis Oleksuk dropped the puck behind his own net to Taylor Doherty, who lost control to Bourque.  Bourque reversed his field and stepped out to the left of a surprised Stalock, slipping the puck just inside the goalpost.

It was the second straight Saturday night that the Whale won in Worcester, after Connecticut skated off with a 6-2 road win against the Sharks the previous Saturday.

The Whale (6-7-1-0, 13 pts.) are now off until this Friday night, when they will travel to Bridgeport for a Nutmeg-State battle with the Sound Tigers.  That game faces off at 7:00 PM, and the play-by-play can be heard live on “Beethoven Radio” AM 1290, and on-line at www.ctwhale.com. 

The Whale’s next home game is next Saturday, November 24 vs. the defending Calder Cup-champion Norfolk Admirals, and fans can enjoy a doubleheader of hockey action that day at the XL Center.  Prior to Whale vs. Admirals at 7:00, the UConn Men’s Hockey Huskies will take on Air Force in an NCAA Division I hockey battle.  That game faces off at 3:30, and one ticket is good for both the college game and the Whale game.  The XL Center will serve as UConn’s home ice for Hockey East contests when the Men’s Huskies join the nation’s most prestigious conference in 2014-15.

Tickets for all Whale regular season home games at the XL Center 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.

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

Connecticut Whale 2 at Worcester Sharks 1
Saturday, November 17, 2012 – DCU Center

Connecticut 0 0 2 – 2
Worcester 1 0 0 – 1

1st Period-1, Worcester, Reid 1 (Hamilton, Doherty), 17:29. Penalties-Sheppard Wor (slashing), 13:15.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Acolatse Wor (delay of game), 13:19; Miller Ct (hooking), 15:54.

3rd Period-2, Connecticut, Kreider 2 (Gilroy, Jean), 1:40 (PP). 3, Connecticut, Bourque 3 2:57. Penalties-served by Stalberg Wor (bench minor – too many men), 1:36; Pyett Ct (double minor – high-sticking), 10:50.

Shots on Goal-Connecticut 7-9-7-23. Worcester 5-7-12-24.
Power Play Opportunities-Connecticut 1 / 3; Worcester 0 / 3.
Goalies-Connecticut, Talbot 5-4-0 (24 shots-23 saves). Worcester, Stalock 7-3-0 (23 shots-21 saves).
A-5,098
Referees-Terry Koharski (10).
Linesmen-Brian MacDonald (72), Joe Ross (92).

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Whale Sign Forward Shayne Wiebe to PTO

HARTFORD, November 17, 2012:  Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the Whale has signed forward Shayne Wiebe to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement.

CT WhaleWiebe, a 6-0, 190-pound native of Brandon, Manitoba, played one game earlier in the season for the Whale and was scoreless, before being released and joining the Whale’s ECHL affiliate, the Greenville Road Warriors.  In 12 games with Greenville, the 22-year-old Wiebe was a team-best +9, while contributing seven goals and five assists for 12 points, along with ten penalty minutes.  His seven goals were good for second on the Road Warrior team, and Wiebe ranked third on the club in points.

The Whale return to action tonight, traveling to Worcester to meet the Sharks in a 7:00 PM game.  All the action of that contest can be heard on “The Rock” 106.9 WCCC, and on-line at www.ctwhale.com.  The Whale’s next home game is next Saturday, November 24 vs. the defending Calder Cup-champion Norfolk Admirals, and fans can enjoy a doubleheader of hockey action that day at the XL Center.  Prior to Whale vs. Admirals at 7:00, the UConn Men’s Hockey Huskies will take on Air Force in an NCAA Division I hockey battle.  That game faces off at 3:30, and one ticket is good for both the college game and the Whale game.  The XL Center will serve as UConn’s home ice for Hockey East contests when the Men’s Huskies join the nation’s most prestigious conference in 2014-15.

Tickets for all Whale regular season home games at the XL Center, 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.

Season tickets for the Whale’s 2012-13 AHL season are also available. 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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Patriots Activate Talib Among Series of Roster Moves

The New England Patriots will get some help in the secondary for Sunday's game as they have activated CB Aqib Talib in a series of roster moves that also sees Deion Branch get released for second time this season.

New England PatriotsHere's the release from the Patriots:

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots activated CB Aqib Talib to the 53-man roster and signed WR Greg Salas to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. The Patriots acquired Talib in a trade with Tampa Bay on Nov. 1, 2012. In addition, the Patriots released WR Deion Branch and DB Malcolm Williams and WR Jarred Fayson from the practice squad.

Talib, 26, is in his fifth NFL season after joining the Buccaneers as a first-round draft pick (20th overall) out of Kansas in 2008. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder has played in 58 NFL games with 45 starts and has accumulated 160 total tackles, 18 interceptions with three returned for touchdowns, 53 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He played in four games for the Buccaneers in 2012 and has registered 20 tackles, one interception and defensed seven passes.

Salas, 24, was originally acquired by New England in a trade with St. Louis on Sept. 1, 2012 in exchange for an undisclosed future draft choice. He dressed for the 2012 season-opener at Tennessee but did not play and was inactive vs. Arizona in the home-opener. Salas was released on Sept. 19 and signed to the practice squad on Sept. 20. Salas was originally drafted by St. Louis in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Hawaii. The 6-foot-1, 209-pounder played in six games for the Rams last season and finished with 27 receptions for 269 yards. His season was limited to six games due to a leg injury.

Branch, 33, was originally selected by the Patriots in the second round (65th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft out of Louisville. He was traded by the Patriots to the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 11, 2006 and then reacquired through a trade with Seattle on Oct. 12, 2010. Branch was released by the Patriots on Aug. 31 and re-signed on Sept. 19. He played in seven games with three starts and caught nine passes for 80 yards in 2012. Branch, 5-9, 195 pounds, has played in 137 games with 110 starts and accumulated 511 receptions for 6,579 yards and 39 touchdowns. He has played in 15 postseason games with 13 starts and has 62 receptions for 932 yards and four touchdowns. His 24 receptions in three Super Bowls are third all time to the 33 by Jerry Rice (four Super Bowls) and the 27 by Andre Reed (four Super Bowls).

Williams, 24, was signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Oct. 27, 2012 and played as a reserve in the win at St. Louis (10/28). He was signed to the New England practice squad on Sept. 1, 2012 after being released following training camp on Aug. 31, 2012. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder was originally drafted by New England in the seventh round (219th overall) out of Texas Christian in the 2011 NFL Draft. He was released by the Patriots at the end of his first training camp before being signed to the practice squad in November. Williams rotated between the practice squad and 53-man roster after being re-signed and played in two regular season games and all three postseason games, including Super Bowl XLVI, mostly on special teams.

Fayson, 25, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2011 out of Illinois. The 6-foot, 213-pounder was released by the Saints following training camp and joined the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad on Nov. 22, 2011, where spent the remainder of the season. He was released by Indianapolis on Aug. 28, 2012. Fayson spent his first two seasons in college at Florida before transferring to Illinois. He joined the Patriots practice squad on Nov. 1.

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