Klingensmith shines in nets
Toolbox
By Tom Herzig Correspondent - Published: November 29, 2008
MIDDLEBURY — From Norwich goalie Ryan Klingensmith's point of view, all's well that ends well. After building leads of 2-0 and 3-1, Norwich wound up in a 3-3 tie after regulation with PrimeLink Great Northern Shootout opening round opponent Plattsburgh State.
After a scoreless five-minute overtime session, the tourney literally lived up to its name with a shootout that saw the Cadets light up the board three times in a row while the Cardinals fired blanks at the other end.
Officially, the game was a tie that Norwich "won" via shootout against the No. 1 nationally ranked team in Division III going in.
It was a long day at the office for Klingensmith (26 saves) who had to hold down the fort through eight Plattsburgh power plays — the last two of which were converted — two minutes apart. Phil Farrow's goal tied the score at 17:10 after Joey Wilson's shot hit the post then caromed off Cadet defenseman Shawn Baker's stick to Farrow, who, by then, was looking at a lot of open net.
Nick Del Gallo stuck the first Shootout penalty shot past Cardinal goalie Bryan Hince's stick side.
Klingensmith answered at the other end by reaching back to snare a puck that seemed already by him.
D.J. Fimiani was next up for Norwich and lifted penalty shot number two over Hince's glove.
When Plattsburgh's Andrew Hillock held the puck an instant too long, Klingensmith snuffed him setting the stage for Craig Anderson to score the third unanswered Shootout stroke.
"I got a lot of help from the defensemen on those power plays," Klingensmith said. "In the shootout situation, you know you're playing the top team in the nation and you're just thinking stay focused on the puck. Do everything you can and make a big save or two. It was good to see our guys go out there and put the puck in the net."
Two Klingensmith saves with Norwich ahead 3-1 turned out to vital. He broke up a two-on-one breakaway with 1:37 left in the second period and 6:05 in the third period quickly closed down the angle and stopped a surefire bid by Dylan Clarke at short range.
"Del Gallo didn't know until just before we started the shootout that he was going to be the first guy," Coach Mike McShane said. "He almost lost the puck then he made a good wrist shot. It's an exciting way to decide things for the fans and the players."
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