The Bullets opened their Mason Dixon season on Friday night against league powerhouse Bucknell. Last season the Bullets were one shot away from losing to Bucknell in the Mason Dixon playoffs but were able to finish them off in a shootout. Gettysburg was hoping that this game would not need extra time but would produce the same outcome.
Gettysburg started out of the gate with a great deal of intensity. They had a number of chances but could not get one past the strong Bucknell goaltender. It was midway though the the first period when the Bullets were awarded their first powerplay. They did not waste this opportunity, as freshman Graham Harkins took a pass from Junior Ryan Flanagan and ripped one on net. Senior captain, Phil Deyette was lurking around the net and poked home the rebound. The Bullets and the Bisons of Bucknell each exchanged chances but the first period ended with Gettysburg up 1-0.
Heading in to the second period Gburg knew that one goal would not be enough to hold off the quick Bucknell team. However, the Bullets found themselves in the penalty box to start the second on two occasions but good penalty killing and strong goaltending by Senior Cory Waldron, the Bullets were able to maintain their shutout. With 10 minutes left in the period, Sophomore Mike Schopp dangled past the Bucknell defenseman and slid a quick pass to Deyette who got stopped on the one timer but Sophomore Eddie Rupp was there to put in the rebound. The Bullets were not done as on the next shift Senior Dave Frascarelli received a pass from Junior Mark Bouchard and backhanded it past the goaltender. Bucknell needed time to regroup and called a timeout.
Gburg did not want to give Bucknell the chance to get back in to the game so they kept the pressure on. However, Bucknell was not going down without a fight. With a few minutes remaining in the period the Bisons were able to poke a rebound in behind goaltender Waldron. But at the end of the period the Bullets still held a 3-1 lead.
Coach Esser did not like the two goal lead and was hoping his team could put in one more insurance goal in the final period to hopefully seal the Bullets victory. Both teams knew that next goal was important and they both exchanged chances early in the period. Midway through the period the Bullets found themselves playing 4 on 4 with each team having a player in the box. But a quick pass behind the Bullets defense allowed Bucknell to score on the breakaway opportunity. It was now 3-2 and flashbacks of last season's playoff game were starting to develop. The Bullets had to stay strong and keep up the forechecking that had earned them the first three goals. Time was winding down and with just over a minute left Deyette, broke through the Bucknell defense on a two on one with Sophomore Matt Simeoni and on a sweet give and go, Deyette passed it to Simeoni who gave it right back and Deyette buried it in the net for his second of the game. This would be the goal Gettysburg needed as they went on to win 4-2.
The Bullets had 43 shots on goal as Waldron was outstanding stopping 29 shots on the night. It was a good start to the Family Weekend at Gettysburg. Tomorrow night Gettysburg takes on a relatively unknown team from the south in Virginia Commonwealth University. The Bullets would like to thank all the fans and family that came out to support them in their home opener and hope to see everyone at the next game.
Pictures coming soon to the Media Page
