2015 -- H 6029

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE PROVIDENCE COLLEGE HOCKEY TEAM ON WINNING THE

EAST REGIONAL IN THE NCAA HOCKEY TOURNAMENT AND WISHING THEM

CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE FROZEN FOUR IN BOSTON AT TD GARDEN

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, DeSimone, Amore, Keable, and Kennedy

     Date Introduced: April 02, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Providence College Men's Hockey Team, under the superb leadership

and coaching provided by Head Coach Nate Leaman, compiled an exemplary regular season

record of 21-11-2, finishing tied for second place in the Hockey East. The Friars were rewarded

for their excellent hockey season by being chosen to play in the NCAA Tournament where they

were seeded 4th in the East Regional played in Providence; and

     WHEREAS, The Friars won the first game of the NCAA Tournament, stunning one-

seeded Miami of Ohio by the score of 7-5. The Friars stormed to a 6-2 lead and held on for a two-

goal victory. In the regional finals, the Friars faced second-seeded Denver and after a tightly

fought first two periods, the Friars broke open the game in the third period to win 4-1. The Friars

will be playing in their first Frozen Four in thirty years thanks in part to goalie Jon Gillies' 23

saves, and the superb play provided by forwards Noel Acciari, the Hockey East Gladiator Best

Defensive Forward of the Year, and Shane Luke, and Defenseman Tom Parisi, all of whom were

named to the All-Regional Team. Noel Acciari was also named the Most Outstanding Player of

the Regional; and

     WHEREAS, The Friars were also led all season by the outstanding goaltending provided

by Junior goaltender Jon Gillies who was selected as a Hockey East First Team All-Star and the

league's Stop It Goaltending Champion. Jon posted a stellar 1.95 goals against average and a .931

save percentage, both of which ranked seventh in the nation. In Hockey East regular season

games, Jon posted the sixth-best goals-against-average (1.74) and fifth best save percentage

(.939) in league history Jon was twice named the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Month and

was a three-time choice as the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week. Jon is also the Friars

all-time leader in goaltender shutouts and career goals-against average; and

     WHEREAS, The Friars achievements thus far this season were made possible by a roster

of young men who always put team goals ahead of individual goals all season. The Friars were

blessed by the abundant contributions made by Captains Noel Acciari and Ross Mauermann,

Nick Saracino, Shane Luke, Trevor Mingoia, Mark Jankowski, Brandon Tanev, Tom Parisi, Brian

Pinho, Jake Walman, Kevin Rooney, Steven McParland, Anthony Florentino, John Gilmour, Josh

Monk, Brooks Behling, Kyle McKenzie, Mark Adams, Logan Day, Niko Rufo, Robbie

Hennessey, Stefan Demopoulos, Brendan Leahy, Nick Ellis, Conor MacPhee, Truman Reed,

Drew Brown, Alex Cromwell, and Jon Gillies. The Friars also benefitted all season by from the

innovative coaching and spirited leadership provided by Head Coach Nate Leaman, Associate

Head Coach Steve Miller, Assistant Coach Kris Mayotte, Coordinator of Men's Hockey

Operations Kyle Murphy, and Goaltending Coach Jim McNiff; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates the Providence College Men's Hockey Team on

winning the NCAA Hockey Tournament East Regional Final, and wishes them continued success

in the Frozen Four in Boston; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Providence College Men's Hockey Team Head

Coach Nate Leaman.

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