Syner has rewarded UMass hockey fans the past four years with his breakaway speed. He has 96 career points, and a chance to become only the 10th player in the history of the program to reach the century mark.
In the regular season finale at Merrimack, Syner made a highlight film solo rush , weaving and then splitting thrugh the defense for a shorthanded goal with six seconds remaining in the first period.
"Last year, he had a goal against Minnesota that was very similar," UMass coach Toot Cahoon said. "It wasn't shorthanded, but it just took the 11,000 people at that game right out of their seats. It was the same type of play where you just say - Wow that looks like Kharlamov (Valeri, former Soviet superstar). You just don't see too many do that. I can think of some guys - Corey Millen, (Paul) Kariya. Very special athletes make a play like that."
The Minutemen will need big plays to upset the Eagles. BC has won 11 straight games, and has beaten UMass 10 straight times at Conte Forum, including 2-0 sweeps the past two years in the Hockey East quarterfinals.
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Dick Baker of the Springfield Republican has a story on MassLive.com today about rising senior hockey player T.J. Syner impressing top brass at the Washington Capitals Development Camp. The Longmeadown native, who has not been drafted by a NHL team, took the opportunity to show off his terrific speed and skating ability to top executives.
Syner had 27 points on nine goals and 18 assists in 2010-11 and will serve as co-captain for the Minutemen in the 2011-12 season.
"I like to thank my teammates for this award," the senior captain said. "Being a goalie, I couldn't do it without my other defensemen clearing rebounds."
Dainton, on an amateur tryout agreement with the Springfield Falcons, was fighting back tears at the podium as he individually began to thank his defensemen for their help. The award was voted on by the members of the team.
If you can't make it, you can always listen online, listen on the radio (100.9 FM WRNX), or check out the PodCast tomorrow morning.
Here are several recaps from Thursday night's 5-1 loss at No. 15 Wisconsin for the UMass hockey team. The Mass Attack and Badgers will face each other again on Friday night starting at 8 PM Eastern (7 PM CST).
MassLive.com: Wisconsin blitzes Minutemen, 5-1
Daily Hampshire Gazette: Badgers Ice UMass
USCHO.com: Turnbull's Surge Helps Wisconsin Drop UMass
Madison.com: Badgers Start Second Half Right Way
Don't forget UMass hockey fans that today HockeyEastOnline.com will continue its chat series at 1 p.m. (Eastern) with Massachusetts junior forward T.J. Syner. The chat forum will open a few hours in advance to begin accepting your questions.
Click Here To Chat With Syner On Tuesday At 1 PM
In 11 games this season, Syner has three goals and a team-high six assists with a +2 rating. The assistant captain for the Minutemen has played in 75 career games with 18 goals and 24 assists which is the most for an active skater.
Be sure to join us on Tuesday afternoon for the chat to hear all about how T.J. became involved with hockey, what it's like to play in front of his hometown fans and what it's like to be a college hockey player in the best league in the country.
If you missed watching the UMass Hockey Show on CBS3 Springfield this past Saturday, you can watch it online. Host Josh Maurer and Coach Don "Toot" Cahoon break down the team's series against Minnesota and looks ahead to the next few games. We also learn about captain Paul Dainton, and the meaning behind the symbols on his goalie helmet. Plus, a couple of local players are leading the team's offense. And we take a few minutes to chat with Michael Marcou, and former UMass great Jon Quick.
The show will recap the Minnesota weekend, preview the upcoming games against Boston University, feature insight into the program from head coach Don "Toot" Cahoon and show you sides of several players you may not have known about.
There are several features on Paul Dainton, Michael Marcou, T.J. Syner and Kevin Czepiel, plus you can meet several of the team's freshmen and Kevin Moore finds out what guys must do to get ready for games. It's a show any UMass hockey fan will not want to miss!
UMass Hits Some Numbers In First Weekend
Playing At Maine Isn't Always A Sure Loss
UMass Goes With 7 Defensemen For 2nd Game
Dainton Injured In First Period
Comeback Falls Short In Loss To Minnesota
Reactions To Saturday's Minnesota Game
Baker also received a scouting report on freshmen defensemen Conor Allen and Joel Hanley who should play key roles as the season progresses.
