April 30, 2002

Stony Brook, N.Y. - America East Semifinal. No. 3 Stony Brook (8-6, 3-2) at No. 2 Hartford (9-6, 4-1)

Media: Listen to the game on 90.1 FM or log on to the internet at www.goseawolves.org or wusb.org. Click on the live link to listen to all the action.

Welcome To The Party Stony Brook makes its first postseason appearance in 14 seasons in its match-up against Hartford Wednesday night. The Seawolves have never played a Division I postseason game, its last postseason appearance coming in the Division III ECAC semifinals - a 12-4 loss to Montclair State.

The Series: Hartford holds a 9-4 series edge after a 9-8 win over Stony Brook earlier this season. Stony Brook had won the first nine meetings between the two teams, but Hartford has taken the last four. The last two meetings between the two teams have been decided by one goal.

Previous Meeting: Brian LaMastro's six goals proved to be the difference in Hartford's 9-8 win over Stony Brook on March 12. With Hartford leading 6-2, Stony Brook reeled off five straight goals to take a 7-6 lead. LaMastro responded with two straight tallies for the Hawks before Steve Conlon answered for SB to tie the game at eight. Frank Fenimore scored the lone goal of the fourth quarter, taking a pass from LaMastro and slipping it past Seawolves' goalie Phil Reed for the game-winner.

Keys To The Game:* Man-Up/Man-Down - Hartford was four for six in man-up situations in the last meeting between the two teams * Goaltending - SB starter Steve Armsworthy was sidelined with a knee injury in the last meeting while Hartford's Rorke Greene made 22 saves * LaMastro vs. Pall - Which top gun will outdo the other? LaMastro had six goals to Pall's two in the last meeting between the two teams. * Face-offs - SB ranks third in the nation in face-off winning percentage - will that continue?

Pall's Haul: Stony Brook senior attackman Kevin Pall finished the regular season with 43 goals, the fifth-best single-season effort in the program's history. He has scored in 43 of his last 44 games and has 11 multiple-goal games to his credit this year. The first-team all-conference pick is averaging 3.07 goals per game -- good enough for sixth in the nation.

Saving The Best For Last: Senior Denis Scannell is enjoying his best season in a Seawolf uniform. Entering the final regular season game of the year, he has totaled 25 points (17g, 8a), surpassing his previous high of 20 that he set in his freshman year. He has now scored at least one point in nine straight games. Scannell has also been a force on face-offs and groundballs - he ranks tenth in the nation in face-off percentage (.605) and 13th in groundballs (5.64).

The Rookie: Three-time America East Rookie of the Week selection Steve Conlon has registered a point in 13 of 14 games this season. He ranks second on the team in scoring with 20 goals and 17 assists, averaging 2.64 points per game which is seventh-best in the conference. On Tuesday, he was named to the America East all-rookie team. Conlon's 37 points is the best single-season performance by a freshman in the history of the program. Conlon eclipsed the previous high of 34 that was set by Brian Reilly from 1984-87. Entering the season, Tony Cabrera had the best mark by a freshman at the Division I level with 29 points.

Hitting The Ground: The duo of Eric Hatkewitz and Kyle Pearl have been a big reason why the Seawolves are third the nation in face-offs. Hat (66 gb) and Pearl (45 gb) have been groundball machines on face-offs this season. In addition, they have also gotten into the scoring act. Pearl (4g, 5a) has nine points while Hatkewitz has totaled six points (4g, 2a) this season.

One-Goal Blues: Four of Stony Brook's six losses have come by one goal -- two in the final minute of regulation and the other in triple overtime. Stony Brook is 2-4 in one-goal games this season.

Waiting 'til The Last Minute: Heading into the playoffs, Stony Brook will hope to improve upon finishing out each quarter. The Seawolves have given up 12 goals in the final minute of a quarter this season -- four have come in the final minute of regulation.

SB In The Postseason The Seawolves have made three postseason appearances - all at the Division II level. They are 2-2 in postseason play and captured the ECAC Championship in 1985.

Facing Off: Stony Brook entered the week as the third best face-off team in the nation, winning 62 percent of its draws. It trails only Towson(.635) and VMI (.628). Dennis Nafte ranks second in Division I (.658) while Denis Scannell is tenth (.626).

I Love A Rainy Night: With rain in the forecast, let it be known that Stony Brook is no stranger to bad weather. The Seawolves are 5-1 in games where it has rained this season -- it's only loss coming last Saturday versus UMBC. SB is 1-1 at night.

A Fowl Foe:Stony Brook has faced Hartford in two other playoff games this year - the women's basketball and men's tennis team fell to the Hawks in the America East title game.