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ACHA Selects Storm Through Europe Undefeated!
The Best of the ACHA D2 Answer the Call Going 5-0 Across the Ocean!
January 5, 2008
It became clear from the second that the players started arriving to the Albany County Hockey Facility in Albany, New York on December 26, 2007, that being a part of the ACHA D2 Select Team was going to be a serious responsibility. When every player walked into the locker room at their practice facility, they were overwhelmed with the preparation that went into setting up for their arrival. Every player had their very own locker with all of their customized gloves, helmets, warm ups, jerseys, and bags meticulously arranged. The training staff and equipment manager had numerous workstations set-up around the locker room ready to tackle all equipment issues. There was a full stock of everything a player could ask for from stick tape to brand new hockey helmets, including an unlimited supply of bottled water, vitamin water, and sports drinks.

While the players tinkered with their new gear, the coaching staff and management team introduced themselves. They congratulated the players on being selected to the team and reminded everyone what the Select Team represented. Head Coach Paul Lowden told the players to look at the colors on their jerseys and reminded them that wearing those colors (red, white, and blue) comes with a heavy responsibility and high expectations. Assistant Coach Paul Fioroni, while introducing the challenge ahead, mentioned that any time a team from the United States takes on a team from Europe, it quickly becomes a war and the hockey is intense because of what each team represents. It becomes a battle of the way the game is played. This is because of the different styles of hockey that Europeans and North Americans have both grown up playing. European hockey is wide open, on a big ice surface, with lots of speed and puck handling, whereas North American hockey is more aggressive and physical.
The ACHA D2 Selects get the royal treatment when they arrive for training camp in Albany, NY.
Coach Paul Lowden speaks with the first ever D2 Select Team before the first practice.
Kyle Finnerty (William Paterson University) and Charles Walsh (Georgetown University) above.
Dayne Gluting (Wagner College) pictured above during the Selects training camp.
After several practice sessions in Albany, the team began its adventure across the ocean as the first group ever to represent the ACHA D2 Selects. The trip to Europe was one of the longest road trips that any of the players had ever experienced. After a four (4) hour bus ride from Albany to the JFK Airport, the team departed on a six (6) hour flight to Frankfurt, Germany at 10:00 PM on December 27, 2008. After a short layover, the team caught another flight from Frankfurt to Munich, Germany. After finally arriving in Munich, the team was greeted by the welcome committee that organized the tour, quickly grabbed their luggage and boarded the bus for their four (4) hour trip to their first game destination in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. In total the team ended up spending over twenty-two (22) hours travelling including enduring a significant time change. Before the boys got a chance to realize just how tried they were, the coaching staff called an immediate practice. Before retiring for the evening the team had a practice at 10:00 PM local time in the rink of their first game. After a fairly light skate, it was finally time to get some rest and get ready for their first big game as a team against the local Swiss club.

On December 29, 2008 the team took on the ECH Frauenfeld a strong Swiss league team. As the puck drop, it was apparent that the team was nervous as they took ice in front of a small number of USA fans, plenty of Swiss fans, and a crazy crew that beat drums behind the Select's bench during the entire game. Both teams cautiously played the first few minutes as they felt each other out. The Swiss team played as expected, showcasing their strong skating and puck moving ability. Although the team seemed out matched in the early minutes, the Selects stuck to their game plan by dumping and chasing and wearing down the skilled Euros with physical play. The Swiss became increasingly agitated by the physical play as they were not expecting to be hit, and it really affected their ability to execute as a team. The Selects scored the first goal, and the game went back and fourth until late in the third period when the Selects buried two late tallies to secure a 6-4 win. For the first ever outing as a team, the coaching staff was very pleased with the effort of the players.
The home arena of the ECH Frauenfeld was a first class facility with a seating capacity of 4000.
The ECH Frauenfeld players line-up on their blue line for the pre-game ceremonies.
A tough centerman for the ECH Frauenfeld win an offensive zone draw for his team.
The ACHA D2 Selects celebrate their first goal of the 2007-2008 European Tour.
On December 30, 2007 the won their second game of the tour by a score of 2-1 against a very talented SC Weinfelden also from Switzerland. The game was very similar to the opening contest, but Weinfelden was a much more physical team than our first opponent. They are known for being the most physical squad in the Swiss league, so the game turned out to be a great contest between two highly talented teams, who played an aggressive style of hockey. The Selects would strike first again, and held the lead well into the second period. After several sustained periods of offensive pressure, Weinfelden scored late in the second frame to tie the game. The third period served as an exciting finish to a great contest. Near the end of the period, the Selects survived a long Weinfelden powerplay and just lasted to the final buzzer. The teams headed into a five (5) minute sudden death overtime. One of the ACHA forwards drew a penalty about two (2) minutes into overtime and Selects defenseman Jordan Stover from Colorado State University capitalized on the powerplay opportunity firing a shot from the point, which Mike Barnes from Kentucky University tipped in for the game winner. The ACHA's stop in Switzerland ended successfully as their focus switched to their New Years Day game with a tough Austrian opponent.
Justin Sand (Michigan State University) makes his first start of the tour against the SC Weinfelden.
Mike Martin (New York University) battles for space in front of the ACHA Selects net.
Kent Arsenault (Utah State University) leads an offensive rush against the strong Swiss team.
Nathan Morang (Grand Valley State University) skates down a Swiss forward on the backcheck.
After ringing in 2008 in Munich, Germany, the team headed for Austria on New Year's Day to take on EHC Bregenzerwald, who play in the second highest Austrian National League and were papered as the best team on the tour. The highlight of this game was the outdoor stadium in which the game was played. For those who get excited by the annual NHL Winter Classic, which is also played outdoors, this was certainly a much more authentic outdoor experience. The rink is located at the base of a mountain in a small village bordering the Swiss Alps. The rink is surrounded by high snow walls which are tiered similar to an indoor rink so that spectators can view from different levels. Additionally, with the mountains and chalets in the background, one could not ask for a more perfect place to play a hockey game. The temperature during the game was fifteen (15) degrees Fahrenheit, and the cold air along with high altitude was certainly a challenge for the Selects. The game started at 7:30 PM and the stadium lights illuminated the rink adding to the atmosphere.

The host team really put on a show for the game as each player was introduced one at a time, and skated onto the ice through a light and smoke show. The rink staff had set-up special lighting and a fog machine that each player passed as they entered the playing surface. After all the players were introduced, they cut the lights and lit "ECB-USA" in the snow. Team officials had placed containers of gasoline in an arrangement on the snow so that the flames spelled out the team abbreviations. The stage was set for a great hockey showdown.

Once the game was finally underway, the Selects again took the lead in the first period. The Austrian team was very physical and talented. It was tough for the ACHA to get used to playing under the lights outside. With the extreme cold temperature, the ice was very hard and was difficult to play on at the end of each period.

With that said, the ACHA seemed to be unaffected as the Selects took an early 3-0 lead before the Austrians got on the board. In the third period, the Austrians pulled to within one before a big goal from Selects forward Matthew Maida from Florida Gulf Coast University who scored on a great offensive play with a great deke walking through two Austrian defenseman and eventually beating the goaltender on the backhand. The ACHA squad leading 4-2 would give up another goal midway through the final frame making the last minutes of the game very entertaining as the Austrians were pressing for the equalizer. The Selects survived some close calls in the third period. Luckily, thanks in part to some great goaltending from Kyle Finnerty from William Paterson University, the Selects came out with the victory. After the game the fans were treated to a great firework display as the players left the ice. This would certainly prove to be one of the most memorable hockey experiences for all the players on the ACHA squad.
The EHC Bregenzerwald's home facility is at the base of the Austrian mountains outside.
The pregame ceremonies organized by the host team were spectacular and special.
Mike Barnes (University of Kentucky) battles through a defensive zone faceoff.
Matthew Maida (Florida Gulf Coast University) is named as the ACHA Selects Game MVP.
On January 2, 2008 the team headed to Weiden, Germany to take on the EV Weiden Blue Devils. The game turned out to be a lopsided victory in favor of the Selects, who ended up winning by a score of 15-0. Unfortunately, due a scheduling error, the EV Weiden program did not dress their 'A' team against the Americans as they were preparing for their playoffs and did not want to risk injury. Instead only one line from the premier team dressed and the Selects were left to take on the Blue Devils "B' team which was certainly not up to the task. The huge offensive outburst was also due to Selects forwards finally gelling together well and moving the puck with great accuracy.
The home arena of the EV Weiden was a first class facility with a seating capacity of 8000.
Sean Sutphen (Miami University of Ohio) posts up at the side of the net on a Selects powerplay.
Thomas Montes (Depaul University) leads the rush down the left side against the Blue Devils.
Chris Brennan (St. Joseph's University) cuts across the middle against the German team.
The final match-up took place on January 3, 2008 in the outskirts of Prague, Czech Republic were the ACHA took on the infamous HC Kobra. Reluctant to dress their top players for the game, the Czechs quickly realized how talented the American players were and in an unprecedented move dressed additional players after the first period to ensure they put their best foot forward. After the first period, the score was 5-2 in favor of the Selects and the HC Kobra 'adjused their line-up accordingly. Coach Paul Lowden was quoted as saying that "never in my coaching or playing career have a seen a team undress weaker players and replace them with stronger players during the course of the game." Obviously, the Selects were playing by the host team's rules and could not do much about the midgame roster changes. One of the new additions to the game was a new goaltender for the Kobra who was certainly one of their best talents as he made many tremendous saves throughout the remainder of the game. Due largely in part to the solid play of both the Czech netminder and Andy Pate from Eastern Washington University the second period ended scoreless. In the third period, the Kobra again dressed even more players from their top team and the Selects fought hard to earn a 6-3 victory.
The Coach of the HC Kobra stands behind his team as they take on the ACHA D2 Selects.
Curtis Morrison (Kennesaw State University) battles for space in front of the ACHA Selects net.
Ryan Hernandez (Michigan State University) sqaures off against a Kobra forward.
With the final victory, the Selects successfully went 5-0 on their first ever tour to Europe and were ready to return back home. After over thirty (30) hours of traveling, the ACHA Selects returned home safe and would have a couple days of rest before returning to school and getting back on the ice with their individual university teams.

In summary, it was extremely impressive to see how the Select team was able to come together on and off the ice after only three (3) practices. The squad was full of great personalities, and every player contributed to the team in a positive way. During the first meeting in Albany, the coaching staff cautioned that some players may have to fill different roles on the team. With twenty-six (26) of he top players in the league assembled, all among the best on their respective teams, a key part of the team's success was the ability for all the players to check their egos at the door. The Selects were also able to endure many other obstacles without being negatively affected. Firstly, the altitude was a big factor, as the team was playing at much higher altitude in Europe than most of the Americans were accustomed to. Fatigue was also an obvious road block, as the team spent on average five (5) hours a day travelling on the bus, and with all the city tours, most players were only able to get about six (6) hours of sleep each night. The team also faced challenges with the playing facilities. Obviously, the Olympic sized ice was much larger than the Selects normally play on and the configuration of the rink was also different. Many sections of glass were lower than usual or missing all together which took some time to adjust to. Finally, the Americans had to adjust to the European rules which were also somewhat obscure and certainly lacked the consistently that we enjoy in North America. All in all, the team represented the strength of the ACHA proudly and successfully and the players received an education in European culture, and returned home with lifelong memories and the experience of a lifetime. 2007-2008 Official Photo Gallery
Andy Pate (Eastern Washington University) and Charlie Walsh (Georgetown University) above.