Duke Hockey would like to thank all of those who made Duke Hockey successful this past season, and especially those who volunteered to help Duke Hockey host the ACCHL Finals. Your efforts are appreciated, and do not go unnoticed. A special thanks goes out to Mike and Joann West who have helped form Duke Hockey's Booster Club, operated admissions into the games, did stats, and provided overall support. Thanks also to Mission Hockey who provided excellent on-ice protection, and supplied the ACCHL Tournament's Most Valuable Player, a pair of their top of line ice skates.

Finally, Duke Hockey will sorely miss the departure of Graduate Student and goalie Clayton Jernigan. Clayton provided Duke Hockey an opportunity to win every game, but more importantly ensured that our players formed a 'team'. Thanks and good luck Clay.

Saturday, February 26th (Semifinals)... (#3) Georgetown Hoyas 7 vs (#2) Duke Blue Devils 3
By Jon Schnaars
HILLSBOROUGH, NC -- The Duke Blue Devils came up short this weekend in their quest for a second consecutive Atlantic Coastal Conference Hockey League Tournament Championship. Falling by a score of 7 – 3 to the third seeded Georgetown Hoyas, the second seed Blue Devils still posted an impressive 7 and 3 ACCHL record this year and will return virtually all of this years squad.

In the first period of Saturday’s game, both teams came out a little rusty with all the key plays being made on defense. The Hoyas and Blue Devils both failed to get comfortable at the offensive end of the ice, a fact that was evident by the sparse amount of shots launched. Georgetown provided the Blue Devils with a couple of power play opportunities early, but Duke was unable to capitalize.

Things began to shift rapidly in the second period. At the 19:04 mark of the second period Hoya Luke Holden snuck the puck by Blue Devil goaltender Clayton Jernigan for the game’s first score. Three minutes later the Hoyas built on their lead with a shorthanded goal that escaped Jernigan’s reach on a rebound shot.

Blue Devil captain Steve Lake put Duke on the board at 15:22 of the second period with a power play goal that sailed over the shoulder pad of the Hoya goalie. The rest of the period’s scoring would go to Georgetown however, as they punched in a 4 on 4 goal and another on a put back that sailed just outside Jernigan’s glove.

Down three goals to start the third period, the Blue Devils were on their heels. Three minutes into the period Duke caught a quick surge though, when Lake took a breakaway feed from defensemen Ryan Eick and slashed to the net, easily beating the Hoya goaltender for his second score. With fifteen minutes to play it appeared as though Duke had gained some momentum. The Hoyas made sure to slam the door only minutes later.

With 14:16 to play in the final period the Hoyas scored on a quick backhander pushing the score to 5 – 2. Then on the ensuing face off, a defensive breakdown led to a sixth Hoya goal only seven seconds later.

The Blue Devils continued to battle throughout the contest, but Georgetown managed to deny any chance of a comeback by killing a five minute power play that left the score standing at 6 – 2 with 5:30 to play. Each team would score a final goal before the contest ended with a 7 – 3 victory for the Hoyas.

After the game Coach Brent Selman remained proud of his team’s effort. “We didn’t get the shots we needed,” he said. “No puck luck.”

While the Blue Devils defeated Georgetown in January by a score of 7 – 6, this contest was highlighted by good execution by the Hoyas, a bigger and more physical team than the Blue Devils. “In physical games we don’t tend to be as successful,” Selman said. “We are a smaller faster club. That pounding shift in, shift out starts to wear on you after a while.”

Backup goaltender Marc Roitman saw the game as one of failed opportunities. “We picked up some momentum in the 3rd at 4 –2. We had a five minute major, and when we didn’t score there, that was the breaking point.”

“Last time we played [Georgetown] we got a lot of bounces, and this time they got a lot of bounces,” captain Steve Lake said after the game. “They’re a good team. We just didn’t get in there this time, but we’ll get in there next time.”

The Blue Devils can now look forward to a new season, one that will include a trip to California. With several new recruits poised to join an already potent lineup, the Blue Devils can only get better.

“We have a lot to look forward to,” Selman said. “We’ll continue to build.”

All tournament games will take place at the Triangle SportsPlex and the public is invited to attend (ticket prices have yet to be determined). If you are looking for a hotel, please visit our hotels page. If you have any questions about this year's event or would like to volunteer, please email Duke Head Coach Brent Selman (brentselman@hotmail.com). Thanks for your interest in Duke and the 2005 ACCHL Tournament.