By PAUL GOTHAM
Two weeks ago they were a part of NCAA Division I men’s hockey history. On Saturday night, Joe Carusone (Gates-Chili) and Brian Oliver (Greece Arcadia) will play a role when one team wins its first championship in program history.
Carusone and Oliver will be a part of the officiating crew for Saturday’s national championship game when UMass meets St. Cloud State.
UMass is still looking for a win in its third finals appearance while St. Cloud State reached the championship game for the first time.
Carusone, who still holds the Gates-Chili program record with 150 career points, started officiating in the ECAC for the 2004-05 season. The SUNY Cortland alum also has experience in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) 4 Nations Cup.
Oliver played for Arcadia/Olympia during his high school days and has worked in the American Hockey League. He has had experience in the IIHF World Junior Championships.
Both Carusone and Oliver worked the Midwest Regional Final when Minnesota Duluth beat North Dakota, 3-2. A game that took five overtimes – the longest in NCAA history.
UMass edged Minnesota Duluth 3-2 in the national semi-final. St. Cloud State eliminated Minnesota State, 5-4.
A 7 p.m. puck drop is scheduled at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ESPN will televise the game.
Leave a Reply