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The Butler University hockey team is proud to announce that an agreement has been reached with a new head coach in Jeff Gasior this week. Jeff recently held High School hockey coaching positions with Carmel, Zionsville, and Noblesville. Prior to his work with these teams, he served as Purdue’s head coach during the restarting of their program. He has also held coaching positions with other programs, which include the Indianapolis Inferno, Arapahoe Ice Warriors (Midget Major AAA in Colorado), and served as the Indiana Ice USHL Futures Tournament head coach a few years back. Take a look at this short Q & A to learn a little more about Coach Gasior!

What kind of coach would you describe yourself to be?

I am a strong believer in preparation and discipline. I will make sure our team is ready for every team that we play and will have a game plan in place every time we step on the ice. Our focus will be on playing strong defensive hockey while also speeding up the game and forcing teams into playing our style and pace. Our team will dictate the play from whistle to whistle and force teams to defend us for an entire game.  While winning games and building a championship program will be a major focus, ensuring that our student athletes graduate from the best University in the country is first and foremost. Making sure our fans and alumni our proud of the way we represent this University and help any student athlete find a viable career path after their individual hockey career is over will be a major focus as well. This is the type of coach I will be and the expectations can be set high for our program as of this moment.

What are you looking forward to most in being the head coach of the Butler University hockey program?

I look forward to restoring Butler as a national contender and building on our successes year over year. Knowing the championship pedigree that Butler has and building off of the national championship team of 2000. Instilling the Butler Way in everything we do, both on and off the ice will be our main focus from day one. These are the items myself and our staff will be most looking forward to.

What team are you looking forward to playing the most? Why?

I am truly excited to play against Ball State’s hockey program. Knowing a few players on that team and the coaching staff well it should make for a great rivalry starting next season. In addition to establishing that rivalry, I also look forward to our home opener against Notre Dame, anytime you get a chance to beat a program like ND you have to be excited.

What should Butler Hockey fans expect from the team this upcoming season?

A 100% commit to providing our fans with the best hockey possible, a work ethic on the ice like never seen before and the ability to be proud of our student athletes in both the classroom and on the ice. The Butler Way will be established early on with this team and fans should expect to be involved in everything we do. Building our fan base and growing the alumni support will be our main focus. Bringing back players who helped win a national championship back and letting everyone know Butler is not a team to mess with this season. The fans should get nothing but the best from our team and if they don’t, my contact information is on the site and will expect them to hold me accountable for representing this great University. The fans can also expect to hear us screaming our fight song after every home game win, as with each win we will gladly sing our fight song to show our pride for representing this proud University.

Any special pregame routines or superstitions?

My biggest superstition is making sure and grabbing pieces of gum from our fans before all of our games. Need to feel that support and chew gum on the bench that our fans have brought. I also pay homage to the hockey gods before stepping on the bench before every game. These are just a few of the many pregame routines and superstitions I have.

Name: Sean O’Reilly

Number: 34

Grade: Junior

Major: Marketing

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Q: How would you describe your playing style?

A: As a goalie, there are two basic styles of play, stand-up and butterfly. I like to think I would definitely categorize myself as butterfly goalie with a pretty quick glove.

Q: If you had to pick an NHL’er that you resemble on the ice, who would it be?

A: I wish I could say I look like Martin Brodeur, but he had a way more old school style of play. If I had to pick a new school goaltender I would say Ryan Miller because of our ability to use size and flexibility to our advantage.

Q: How long have you been playing hockey?

A: I started skating when I was three and began playing goalie full time when I was 7.

Q: Favorite hockey memory?

A: My favorite hockey memory was when I was a bantam my team and I traveled to Wisconsin for a tournament with teams in the division above us. We won the whole thing after a 4 round shootout after only allowing two goals on 50+ shots. It was an amazing team effort and bonding experience.

Sean O’Reilly playing in High School for Loyola Academy.

Q: Favorite Butler Hockey memory?

A: My favorite Butler hockey memory is looking back on our first game against the University of Kentucky. We didn’t even have jerseys and barely knew each other’s names but everyone was so optimistic and excited to play competitively again. The team has come so far since then.

Q: Pregame meal/routine?

A: I’m not sure it’s a routine as much as a superstitious quirk but whenever I get my gear on I always put my left skate on first then right, and the same with my pads.

Q: Favorite goal celebration?

A: I’ve always wanted to score a goal but have only had an empty net chance twice and I’ve missed both times. If I ever did I imagine I’d try to convince the other team and the referees to just end the game out on the account of rarity.

Name: Patrick Connelly

Number: 5

Grade: Sophomore

Major: Finance

Hometown: Chicago, Ill

Patrick Connelly (Photo by James Longstreth).

Q: How would you describe your playing style?

A: Aggressive as I can be, I like to focus on winning the small battles. I also like to use my shot to my advantage by getting a lot of pucks to the net and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Q: If you had to pick an NHL’er that you resemble on the ice, who would it be?

A: Marian Hossa. I’m not sure exactly why.

Q: How long have you been playing hockey?

A: Since I was 5.

Patrick Connelly (Photo by James Longstreth).

Q: Favorite hockey memory?

A: Senior season of high school. Mostly because we finished 10th in the state of Illinois, but also because of the group of guys we had on the team as well as we were able to beat (freshman) Joey Gurgone’s Fenwick Friars

Q: Favorite Butler Hockey memory?

A: First home game against IUPUI—it was cool to see all the support we got and see the beginning of something special.

Patrick Connelly with his mother and father.

Q: Pregame meal/routine?

A: I always have to eat my turkey sandwich.

Q: Favorite goal celebration?

A: Whatever comes to mind. I’m not really a flashy person but I guess it all depends on the situation of the goal.

The hockey team traveled up to Wisconsin on Friday to face Marquette University, who is ranked 3rd in the Pacific Region of the ACHA.

Faceoff on Saturday afternoon’s game (Marquette University Television).

On Friday night, it was all Marquette, who won by a score of 9-0.

Marquette University had a six-goal lead after two periods and cruised the rest of the way en route to a 9-0 win over Butler University.

Corey Quinn had one goal and three assists to lead Marquette. Quinn scored 6:35 into the third period to make the score 8-0Marquette. Christian Leathley provided the assist.

Others who scored for Marquette included Adam Benkovich, Marc Shipbaugh, and William Podewils, who each put in two and Brian Kennedy and Christopher Dolan, who scored one goal each. More assists for Marquette University came via Eric Plotz, who had two and Joe Bertane, Lee Barnes, Mitchell Ellena, Colin Telmanik, Johnny Stillman, and Christopher Morrow, who each chipped in one.

Butler University was held below its usual level of production, who normally averages 4.3 goals per game.

Butler and Marquette shake hands following the Saturday afternoon game (Marquette University Television)

Saturday night was a little bit different, as the game was tied 1-1 after 2 periods. However, the Golden Eagles won it in the 3rd to end Butler’s inaugural season.

Sophomore forward Patrick Connelly found the back of the net just 1:30 into the first period to give the Dawgs a 1-0 lead over the Golden Eagles. Butler held that lead until 10 minutes later when Marquette defensmen Eric Plotz fired a shot from the point to beat Junior goaltender Sean O’Reilly.

Patrick Connelly fires a shot past Marquette’s netminder to put the Dawgs up 1-0 (Marquette University Television).

The 2nd period was held scoreless, but housed many close scoring opportunities from the Dawgs, including 1 controversial goal that was called off.

In the 3rd period, the floodgates opened and Marquette netted 5 more, which concluded the game at 6-1.

The broad cast of the game can be found here.

The Bulldogs faced off against Ball State for the last pair of games of January. These games were close and tough, but the Butler hockey squad walked away with a couple losses.

The Friday night game was a home game for the Dawgs played at the Indy Fuel Tank in fishers. Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as Ball State University defeated Butler University in a shootout 5-4 (1-0 SO).

The shootout lasted for 6 attempts between the teams.

Ball State University was led by Johnathon Simpson, who grabbed one goal. Simpson scored on the power play 58 seconds into the second period to make the score 2-1 M3-Ball State University. Mark Grainda picked up the assist.

In the losing effort, Butler University was led by Eric Gentry, who racked up two goals. Gentry scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 3:53 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Butler. Butler had gotten the advantage when Ball State University’s Wyatt Jackson was sent off for elbowing. Joey Gurgone assisted on the tally. Gentry’s next tally on the power play made the score 3-2 Ball State University with 8:07 left in the second period. Kyle Kortebein provided the assist.

Forwards Josh Braun and Patrick Connelly skating hard in Friday night action against Ball State (Photo by James Longstreth).

Ball State University was ineffective while on the power play, as it was held to two goals off of 11 man advantages.

Ball State University also got points from Grainda, who also had one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Ball State University included Nick Seifer and Jacob Smulevitch, who each put in one. In addition, Ball State University received assists from Brock Frazer, who had three and Josh Wilkinson and David Shingler, who each chipped in one.

Sophomore defensemen celebrates 1 of his 2 goals of Friday night (Photo by James Longstreth).

The defensemen of Butler University were also effective in Ball State University’s zone, and came away with two goals. M3-Butler University could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 24 minutes in penalties during the game.

Butler additionally got points from Patrick Connelly, who also tallied one goal and one assist and Kortebein, who also registered one goal and one assist. More assists for Butler came via Noah Brayton, who had one.

Forward Keenan Casey in action against Ball State on Friday night (Photo by James Longstreth).

Ball State University incurred 22 minutes in penalty time with six minors. Butler University registered two goals on seven power play opportunities.

Saturday night’s game took place at Butler’s home ice, but that didn’t help as the Dawgs fell to Ball State.

Ball State University had a three-goal lead after two periods and cruised the rest of the way en route to a 4-1 win over Butler University.

Freshman forward Joey Gurgone in Saturday’s game (Photo by James Longstreth).

Ball State University’s Patrick Lawson was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 38 saves and let only one puck past him. Lawson certainly lowered his goals against average, which was 5.47 entering the contest.

Ball State University was sparked by Daniel Aultman, who registered one goal. Aultman scored on the power play 17:13 into the second period to make the score 2-0 Ball State. A cross checking penalty on Keenan Casey had put Ball State on the power play. Brock Frazer picked up the assist.

Ball State University put 42 shots on net during the contest.

Sophomore goaltender Jack Sigman made 38 saves on Saturday night (Photo by James Longstreth).

Ball State University also got points from Mark Grainda, who also grabbed one goal and one assist and Matt Potter, who also tallied one goal and two assists. BSU got a goal from Aidan Wilkinson as well.

Butler University could not produce up to its normal offensive output. Butler averages 3.5 goals per game. Butler University’s offense rang up 39 shots on Ball State University’s net.

Sophomore captain Noah Brayton in Saturday night action (Photo by James Longstreth).

Ball State University incurred 20 minutes in penalty time with five minors. Jack Sigman made 38 saves for Butler University on 42 shots. Butler totaled nine minutes in penalty time with two minors and one major and went 1-for-4 on the power play.

Bulldog hockey returned to action on Thursday, January 21st against in-state rival Indiana University. Sophomore transfer goaltender Jack Sigman played in his first career game for the dawgs against IU. The team matched IU’s pace and trailed 1-0 in the first period when sophomore Eric Gentry opened up the scoring for the bulldogs with a shot from the point on a powerplay to tie the game up early on. Brayton and Kortebein assisted the goal. IU scored with three minutes left in the period to go up 2-1 heading into the second. The second period was scoreless until Kyle Kortebein fluttered in a rebound to tie the game up at 2-2 with 3 minutes left in the second period with assists from Gentry and Casey.

“Luckily the puck came back out and I was able to bury it,” Kortebein said, “I was able to scoop the puck over the goalies shoulder and make it count.”

Butler Hockey’s Kyle Kortebein notches his second point of the night by scoring on a rebound to tie the game at 2 (Photo by James Longstreth).

The third period proved to be a hassle for the dawgs, who experienced injury from sophomore Noah Brayton early on. IU scored 4 unanswered to close out the match, with the shot total favoring IU, 40-31.

The following day, the team traveled up to south bend to play against Holy Cross college. Junior Matt Thornley started in net for the dawgs. The team skated to a 7-3 loss on Holy Cross’s senior night, but head coach Branden Bushelle was impressed by the team’s performance.

“I think we played a good game today, but had some let downs that costed us big time,” Bushelle added, “We out shot them and out played them in my opinion, but being down some bodies definitely took it’s toll in the later parts of the game.”

Butler Hockey’s Hunter Byram takes a shot in action against IU on Thursday (Photo by James Longstreth).

The Bulldogs played their 3rd game in 3 days with a short bench on Saturday, January 23rd against Davenport University. Butler was able to hold the game at 0-0 through 2 periods but ran out of gas in the third when the flood gates opened and Davenport ended the game on top 7-0. The dawgs resume play next weekend with 2 games against Ball State.

The hockey team returned to action this past weekend and posted 2 dominant wins at home against Washtenaw Community College. The team shutout Washtenaw 6-0 on Friday night, led by Junior netminder Matt Thornley who made a total of 18 saves. All 6 goals came in the first 2 periods for the Dawgs.

Coach Branden Bushelle had this to say about the performance: “On paper, a 6-0 win looks pretty nice. However, we need to do a better job at continuuing to play at a high speed throughout the entire game, no matter who we are playing.”

The scoring was lead by Brayton (2), Smith (2), and Byram and Connelly contributed to the total with 1 a piece.

Junior forward Kyle Kortebein sets up for a face-off in Washtenaw’s defensive zone in Saturday night action. (Photo by James Longstreth).

The Saturday night matchup showed that the squad could do exactly what Coach Bushelle said they needed to do.

The team didn’t hesitate to show that they could completely control a game, and that showed when the team posted a total of 59 shots on net to clinch an 11-1 victory. The scoring was lead by junior Johnny Frame, who had a total of 4 goals in the game, with notable goals from junior Kyle Kortebein and freshman Robert Campbell who each netted their first of the season.

Junior forward Johnny Frame adds another shot on net in Saturday night game. Frame tallied 4 goals on the night. (Photo by James Longstreth). 

“We came out to play and the puck found the back of the net,” Frame stated. “We entered this game with a mind-set of getting more shots on net, and I think that really helped us get some more momentum going”.

With these 2 wins, the Bulldogs improve to 3-3-0 on the season, and head into break with some confidence going into a big 2nd semester.

“Our schedule really ramps up next semester,” Sophomore captain Noah Brayton said. “We need to do our best to stay at game speed so we come out strong and continue to compete.”

Sophomore forward Noah Brayton takes shot against Washtenaw goaltender. (Photo by James Longstreth).

The Dawgs open up next semester with a home game against in-state rival Indiana University on January 21st at 9:45 pm at the Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion. Admission is free for students with a Butler ID and $5 to those without.

The dawgs (1-3-0) fell short in 2 games against ranked Grand Valley State University (14-4-0) last weekend. The team was shutout in the 1st game (9-0) but improved in the 2nd game with 2 goals total (7-2), one by sophomore defenseman Eric Gentry and and another by freshman defenseman Evan Page. The team is looking forward to improving their record with 2 home games against Washtenaw Community College on December 4th and 5th, with both games being at 9:45 at the Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion. Admission is free to Butler students with a student ID and $5 for everybody else.

The Butler Hockey team salutes fans in the 2015-16 season home opener against IUPUI.

The Butler hockey team didn’t hesitate to regain it’s dominance in the Indianapolis area with a substantial win against in-city rival, IUPUI, on Saturday, October 24th. The dawgs were up 3-0 within the first minute of the game, and were able to net 9 more goals to finish out the match by a score of 13-3. The scoring was led by sophomores Noah Brayton and Keenan Casey, who each had a hat trick. The dawgs resume play this weekend with 2 away games at Grand Valley State University.

The team fell short by a score of 5-2 in their bout against the University of Kentucky Wildcats (2-1-1) in Owensboro, Kentucky on friday night, leading them to a 0-1-0 start to the season. Both of the goals scored by the Dawgs were netted by freshman Joey Gurgone with an assist going to Connor Mahon and Noah Brayton, respectively. The Dawgs take a week off for fall break but are eager to return to home ice to play against the IUPUI Jaguars on Saturday, October 24th at the Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion in Indianapolis. Admission is free to all Butler Students with a Butler ID, and will cost $3 for those who do not have an ID. Puck drop is 9:45 pm.