West Point, New York - - The puck dropped at 10 a.m. as the 2004 Atlantic Hockey Championship Tournament Quarterfinals began with #5 University of Connecticut playing #4 Sacred Heart University. After an incredibly competitive Play-In Friday night between American International College and the U.S. Military Academy, where the Yellow Jackets moved onto the quarterfinals, the Pioneers and Huskies would not disappoint the fans at Tate Arena.

Sacred Heart would prove to be too much for the Huskies winning 3-0 advancing to the Atlantic Hockey Semifinals tomorrow. Power plays and goaltending would be the story of this inter-state match up as the Pioneers improved to 13-16-5 overall with the win and the Huskies conclude their season 12-16-7.

The first period started at a frantic pace as both teams tested the goalies early. Starting in goal for the Pioneers was Kevin LaPointe. For the Huskies Scott Tomes was between the pipes. Tomes in the 2003-04 season was 12-13-7 overall and 9-10-5 in Atlantic Hockey play. His counter-part LaPointe was 11-12-5 overall and 11-7-4 in Atlantic Hockey.

The only score in the first period came on a power play for the Pioneers. Sophomore forward Peter Giatrelis beat Tomes at the 4:19 mark of the first period. Giatrelis was assisted by William Billinghurst and Pierre-Luc O'Brien.

The second period began the same way as the first as each team tried to dictate play. Each team had some nice scoring opportunities but both netminders stopped any early barrages. At the 6:06 mark of the second period Sacred Heart found themselves down one man as the Huskies were given a power play opportunity. The Pioneers proved up for the task as they held UConn to only one shot attempt during the two minutes.

The Huskies tested Sacred Heart's penalty killing team once again at the 9:46 mark and they again were up for the task. Immediately following the power play, Sacred Heart quickly went on the offensive and it was Tomes' turn to stand tall between the pipes.

Nearly three minutes until the end of the second period, the Huskies were called for a tripping penalty which gave the Pioneers the man advantage for the second time in the contest. Forty-five seconds into their power play, the Pioneers were called for too many men on the ice and the teams skated 4-on-4 for 1:15. Connecticut would then try to capitalize as they had the man advantage for :45 prior to the end of the period and had their best scoring opportunity all game, but once again LaPointe came up big for Sacred Heart.

The Pioneers took their one goal advantage into the third period but Connecticut would dictate pace for the majority of the period. The Huskies quickly moved into the Sacred Heart zone with a barrage of shots on goal. Connecticut looked more focused beating the Pioneers to the puck and maintaining possession. The intensity of both teams was noticeably higher with the stakes of moving into the Atlantic Hockey semifinals on Sunday on the line.

At 11:15 of the second period Sacred Heart's William Billinghurst scored assisted by Chris Connerty and Bernie Chmiel putting the Pioneers up 2-0. Connecticut did not let up and continued to pressure LaPointe immediately after the goal. But the junior netminder continued to baffle the Huskies as they could not find the back of the net.

Connecticut coach Bruce Marshall used his time out at the 16:37 mark to talk things over with his team. Down two goals, Connecticut pulled their goalie and at the 18:17 mark the Pioneers closed the door on the Huskies by scoring an empty net goal putting Sacred Heart up 3-0. The goal was scored by Garrett Larson and he was assisted by Rocco Molinaro.

Sacred Heart’s opponent in the Atlantic Hockey Semifinals will be decided later today.