November 30, 2007 - vs. Lowell

The second game of the season versus the Riverhawks will drop tonight at 7:00pm. Your Wildcat Men's Hockey entertainment options are, in order of visual stimulization

A) Attend the game

B) Pay for viewing on UNHWildcats.tv

C) Listen on the UNH Sport Radio Network (including the Yahoo! Internet Broadcast)

D) Get Live Stats on the UNH Athletics Website

I'll be back to report on tonight's line-up as soon as it's available.

*2.5 hours till puck drop*

Still in pre-game mode. Word is that Greg Collins will return to the line-up tonight.

Until then, a little pep talk from Coach Umile from the NHPTV game intro from the 2001-2002 season.

"Only a few can wear that Blue and White jersey. And, it's an honor to wear that jersey, and you go out there and give it everything you've got. They're playing for all the other guys that wore that Blue and White jersey. As you get onto the ice wearing the Blue and White the crowd rises and the cheers and you go out there and you battle. Only the guys that wore the Blue and White, that go out on that ice knows what it's like and what it really feels like." - Coach Umile

Go 'Cats!

Wildcat Alumns At An Arena Near You

I know everyone is thinking about tonight's game versus Lowell but with our 'Cats on the road next Saturday, December 8^th, at Umass, there is another game in town that could quite possibly feature two of our favorite Wildcats, Jason Krog and Darren Haydar, when the Chicago Wolves attempt to dethrone the Manchester Monarchs at home.

Tickets are still available.

And if you'd like to make sure that Darren Haydar makes it you can e-mail the Atlanta Thrashers owners! Of course, let them know that we'll understand his absence if he's playing in Blue when the Thrashers take on the Capitals that night in Washington.

Speaking of these two, they both had an assist last night but to different outcomes. Jason assisted on the first of Brett Sterling's hat-trick performance in the Wolves 4-3 OT win over Peoria. Darren assisted on the second goal, on the powerplay, for the Thrashers in their 4-2 defeat at the sticks of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was Darren's first game since November first and gives him a goal and six assists in eleven games.

Hope to see some Blue and White in the Verizon Wireless Arena on December 8^th!

Go 'Cats!

Wildcat Coaches on the Prowl

It appears that a Wildcat Coach was spotted up in Whitby, Ontario at the International Silver Sticks Hockey Tournament, over the holiday weekend, as noted by the Western College Hockey Blogger in the title-linked post.

While there were American teams and players it may just be that there are more Canadians headed our way, eh? (rhymes with 'way' people!)

Go 'Cats!

HHM

Happy Hockey Monday Wildcat Nation!

For the most part a great game Saturday night! See the previous post for details.

What I left out:

Rumors of Dan Rossman's departure have been greatly exaggerated! Dan suited up Saturday night and had a solid night. Good to see you Dan!

But, Dan Dries did not dress - who knows? Along with Greg Collins who is recovering from injury.

It's obvious but Special Teams have returned! The line mix worked very well with vanRiemsdyk joining Fornataro and Radja on the powerplay and putting DeSimone on the first line with Fornataro and Radja to reunite the Pollastrone-LeBlanc-Butler line.

We'll wait and see what we can put together for the Lowell series this weekend!

Player of the Week - Mike Radja. His play speaks for itself.

Rookie of the Week - James vanRiemsdyk. Stellar.

Unsung Hero - tough one this week... Jamie Fritsch! Scored his third goal and almost tallied his third game-winner this year with it! Though the late Brown goal ruined his game-winning goal streak, it was his goal, on a great play by Phil DeSimone, that stood through almost 40 minutes until Radja's second of the night near the five-minute mark of the third. On top of it all Jamie leads the team with a +10!


Future 'Cats

Blake Kessel has become a man possessed. Blake has exploded for a total of seven goals and four assists in 15 games - a total that ties him for first on his Waterloo Blackhawks, as a defenseman! While his plus-minus sits at a dismal -8 he along with fellow Future 'Cat, goaltender Matt DiGirolamo, have helped their Blackhawks find the win column. Matt has overcome some early oxidization on his game to improve his numbers to a 2.01 GAA and a .918 save percentage over eleven games.

Mike Borisenok has also shot to the top of his Green Bay Gamblers scorer list in a tie for first with five goals and seven assists.

Pro 'Cats

NHL

Daniel Winnik has a goal and two assists over his last two games bringing his season point totals to two goals and four assists in eighteen games.

Darren Haydar and Mark Mowers have been healthy scratches for their clubs of late. Darren has a goal and five assists in ten games and Mark has one goal in seventeen games.

AHL

Ty Conklin is maintaining a .913 save percentage and a 2.34 goals against average while leading his Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins with an 8-7 record.

Jason Krog (Chicago Wolves) has eight goals and twelve assists in eighteen games.

Garrett Stafford (Grand Rapids Griffins) has four goals and six assists in nineteen games.

Bryan Muir had a goal and six assists in twelve games with the Toronto Marlies and was an incredible +14 before having dropped out of the line-up recently where I have lost track of him.

Last but not least Josh Prudden has a goal and an assist in twelve games with the Worcester Sharks.

ECHL

Jacob Micflikier has racked up a number of points lately and a number of Three Star rankings en route to leading his Stockton Thunder with six goals and fourteen assists.

Sean Collins must have been faced with no other choice - he finally broke down and scored a goal to go with his 18 assists although he too has currently dropped off of my radar as he was not on the roster for his Wheeling Nailers last two games. He is second on the team in points.

Trevor Smith has found his scoring again in the ECHL with the Utah Grizzlies. He has five goals and seven assists in eleven games - good enough for fourth on the team.

Kevin Truelson continues his excellent play for the Bakersfield Condors. Three goals and six assists in sixteen games and a +4 rating from the blueline is second-most in defensive points and team leading plus-minus.

Shawn Vinz is still looking to find his stride this season with the Charlotte Checkers. He has one goal in eleven games.

Jeff Pietrasiak is finally back in net after the Kings' organization tried to fast-track Jon Quick who went pro after his freshman *correction* sophomore year at UMass last year. Quick had a 2.46/.907 goaltending line which was good enough for tenth among ECHL goaltenders, though far behind the numbers of those above him, was brought up to the Manchester Monarchs. Speaking of which the Monarchs will face Jason Krog and the Chicago Wolves on Dec. 8th. I have some hope that Darren may make a return for that game as it would be great to see both of them play. Anyhow, back to Jeff who has struggled a bit since his return to playing has a 3.37 GAA and a .882 save percentage.

The Fresno Falcons are getting about a point per game contribution from our 'Cats in the form of Brett Hemingway and Josh Ciocco. Brett has three goals and three assists and Josh has two goals and three assists.

The Trenton Devils have also found themselves the beneficiary of 'Cat points from Andrew Leach who is working his way up in the ranks and currently has two goals and five assists in sixteen games which ties him for fifth on the team.

Last but not least our 'Cat defensemen plying their trade for the Phoenix Roadrunners, Brian Yandle and Chris Murray. Brian has five goals and seven assists in fifteen games and Chris has struggled after his great start and subsequent injury but has five assists in eleven games. Chris is even and Brian is a -6, not bad amongst the struggling Roadrunners.

Go 'Cats!

November 24, 2007 - versus Brown

Well, I'm back home! What a night!

I'm quite pleased with the way the night turned out so let me run it down for you.

Mike Radja would open the scoring at 4:17 of the first with a perfect one-timer from the high-slot and he would open a big can of scoring before the night was over, capping the game with a hat-trick - the second 'Cat in as many games to ring one off (Trademark!) - with a short-handed goal at 12:31 of the third period to complete the three-poster (duh, Trademark!) with an even-strength goal, a powerplay goal and shorthanded goal on the night.

Jaime Fritsch would tally the second goal of the night a mere 37 seconds later on a nice wrister set up by a beautiful drop-pass from Phil DeSimone who created space for Fritsch to find the twine from the left face-off circle making it 2-0 'Cats on the first two shots of the night.

But that would do it for our offense for the next 39 minutes and 50 seconds! I'll say it, the middle part of the game was a bust. It became a penalty laden affair after the two quick goals and the game took a turn for the lackadaisical and monotonous. The monotony was hardly broken by the Brown goal in the middle of the second period off of a scrum in front (I'll admit my attention had wandered and I can't really account for either of the Brown goals) to make it a one goal game until 4:44 of the third period.

Brown would come down on the wrong side of the whistle twice and the ensuing 5-on-3 powerplay would see James vanRiemsdyk, reunited with Radja and Fornataro for the man advantage, find the afore mentioned Radja at the goal-line to the left of the net, from behind the net himself, where Mike banged it off the skate and in on the moving Brown goaltender, Rosen.

James himself would turn the red light on again five minutes and twenty-nine seconds later at 10:13 of the third on a incredible tip that had everyone fooled except for the goal judge with the puck hiding under the padding at the base of the net - good enough for a 4-1 UNH lead on another powerplay goal.

Radja wrapped up the UNH scoring at 12:31 of the third collecting a loose puck in front and burying the wrister for the 5-1 lead off the shorthanded tally.

Brown would add their second goal of the night on another broken play at 14:09 and that would do it - 5-2 'Cats.

You can go directly to the Hockey East Online box score through the title-link of this post.

But the good news doesn't stop there. Yours truly lucked out tonight and scored in the jersey raffle to bring home the senior class signed, Brad Flaishans' number 19 away jersey tonight! It actually went home with my brother whose favorite number, and the number he used to wear in high-school, is 19. Ain't I nice?

In all a great night of hockey!

Hope everyone has a great ending to their holiday weekend!

As always tune in here for as much Wildcat news as I can muster!

Go 'Cats!



Pre-Game:

Our University of New Hampshire Wildcats will host the Brown University Bears in a post-Thanksgiving non-conference match-up - what better way to work off that turkey dinner!?

See you at the game! If you're not able to attend your only way to experience tonight's game will be online. You can view the game on UNHWildcats.tv or listen on the internet through the UNH Sports Network.

I'll let you know what I've seen as soon as I return to TUMHB Headquarters.

Go 'Cats!

Happy Thanksgiving

Maine is in last place in Hockey East.

Happy Thanksgiving!

No, really - Happy Thanksgiving to all the bloggers and readers, players and coaches and the fans out there in the college hockey community.

I hope you all enjoy your holiday!

For Wildcat Nation - our 'Cats return to action this Saturday versus Brown, so don't shop till you drop - save some to stand and the game!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Go 'Cats!

Then And Now

There's talk in the college hockey world of sick goals and as UNH fans we've seen our fair share.

There's Colin Hemingway then.

And Colin Hemingway now.

We've seen James vanRiemsdyk then. (56 seconds in - you'll see it)

James vanRiemsdyk now.

Darren Haydar then. (last year - couldn't find any Wildcat then!)

And Darren Haydar now!

Steve Saviano now.

If you've got any leads on any let me know.

Go 'Cats!

HHM

I can't help but to be happy this Monday after the performance of the Thompson - Fortney - vanRiemsdyk line. Freshman Paul Thompson leads his University of New Hampshire Wildcats (I almost said Monarchs!) over a tough Providence Friars team - who had come off of a weekend sweep of Maine, in Orono, the week before - with three goals and two assists including the tying goal and the game-winner in overtime.

Paul Thompson IS the Player of the Week and in my opinion has probably already wrapped up Player of the MONTH for November! After being held scoreless in the horrible losses to Northeastern, Paul immediately jumped back into the fray and scored the first Wildcat goal in BOTH subsequent games! This guy's supposed to be a FRESHMAN!

Speaking of which, this team is also being led in scoring by a freshman, James vanRiemsdyk. While everyone has been expecting the world of him and utterly disbelieving that this Wildcat team could tie a game much less lose one and erroneously persecuting certain individuals as the cause of such, James has taken over the lead in scoring with his efforts alongside Thompson and Fortney in this last game - as a freshman. While Paul had three goals and two assists, James picked up a goal and three assists for a team leading twelve points! Second in scoring is now a tie between yet another freshman, none other than Paul Thompson himself, and senior Captain Matt Fornataro who each have ten. For his contributions this past weekend James vanRiemsdyk is the Rookie of the Week.

Lastly we come to our Unsung Hero, Thomas Fortney. Quiet and unassuming Fortney carried the line with a three assist scoring line. Always a solid two way player I expect that Tom's experience will translate into an asset that this line cannot do without and I expect his point totals to climb alongside these two freshmen scoring machines.

With all that said the 5-4 overtime victory over the Friars will surely raise some questions - like what happened to the rest of the team? The only forward outside that line to register a point was FRESHMAN, Phil DeSimone. Phil assisted on the overtime game-winner on a nice feed to James who found Paul for the goal. The only other player to record a goal outside the forward line of Thompson-Fortney-vanRiemsdyk was Craig Switzer who was set up by the play of Thompson-Fortney-vanRiemsdyk!

Coach Umile, I definitely do not envy your position right now!

Hopefully the upcoming game versus Brown this Saturday will see the return of Greg Collins to the line-up after suffering hip pointer-like symptoms from receiving a heavy hit in the loss to Northeastern and missed the game in Providence. But that means more line shifting!

So, if you are Coach Umile you are incredibly happy that you can almost totally shift lines and still find production but it is troubling that all the production came from one line (largely from freshman which makes you happy and nervous all at once!) and you want to give the lines at least a second game to click but have a very good player returning to the line-up in Collins... what to do!? Well, we all know one thing he WON'T be doing - breaking up the Thompson-Fortney-vanRiemsdyk line!

Good luck Coach!

Happy Hockey Monday!

Go 'Cats!

November 17, 2007 - @ Providence

UNH 5 PC 4

OVERTIME VICTORY

PAUL THOMPSON SCORES THE HAT-TRICK, INCLUDING THE OVERTIME WINNER, AND ADDS TWO ASSISTS ON TOP OF IT! - PLAYER OF THE WEEK RIGHT THERE! I guess he was trying to let me know he was displeased with me passing him up in last week's honors (though I did give him honorable mention - at least in my head).

JAMES VANRIEMSDYK SCORES AND ADDS THREE ASSISTS AND THOMAS FORTNEY ADDS FOUR HELPERS ON THE NIGHT.

CRAIG SWITZER HAD THE OTHER GOAL AND PHIL DESIMONE HAD THE ONLY OTHER POINT WITH AN ASSIST!

UNH WINS!!!

STRIKE THAT!

UNH FRESHMEN WIN!!!

Lines Tonight:

Peter LeBlanc - Jerry Pollastrone - Matt Fornataro
Mike Radja - Phil DeSimone - Bobby Butler
James vanRiemsdyk - Thomas Fortney - Paul Thompson
Dan Dries - Greg Manz - Mike Sislo

Brad Flaishans - Craig Switzer
Jamie Fritsch - Joe Charelbois
Kevin Kapstad - Matt Campanale

Goalie: Brian Foster

*Greg Collins is recovering from a heavy hit he took - whiplash perhaps? (Hip Pointer)

Game time is 7:00pm and is available to those who get COX-TV out of Rhode Island. As usual the game is available for your listening pleasure(or recent displeasure) on the UNH Sports Radio Network including the Yahoo! Internet Broadcast.

I hate the Sopranos but Gandolfini is a great actor - maybe Coach Umile needs to give Tony a call.

*Just discovered the Providence Live Stats which includes a link to the new and improved GAMETRACKER! It's sweet.

Go 'Cats!

November 16, 2007 - vs. Northeastern

Northeastern 4, UNH 1

Flat out beat by the Huskies. Nothing more to say.

It's just a game, right. I don't know why we care or pay so much to see them play it. Oh well, caveat emptor I guess.

The only thing worth noting was that Peter LeBlanc scored the only two goals for our 'Cats at home versus the Huskies.

Go 'Cats!


Tonight we wrap up the season series with the Northeastern Huskies.

Last time out against the Huskies you all know we witnessed a despicable performance from our 'Cats who acted like they merely needed to show up in order to get the win - and we know how that turned out. But we all make mistakes. It is whether we learn from our mistakes that determines our ability to rise above and achieve victory - and this year's team has shown that ability. I think our 'Cats learned a valuable lesson in defeat and the less than favorable tie with Lowell and I think they showed it when BC came to town. So, it falls to tonight to see whether our 'Cats can truly earn redemption and show what they are made of.

So, did anyone else catch Mike Radja as he intensely pointed to the camera before rushing onto the ice for the BC game? It is clear that he knows the way and the fact that he got the first goal in that game speaks volumes to the importance of attitude. You can see what he and Coach Umile had to say after the aforementioned loss in Al Pike's Fosters.com article - Wildcats Anxious to Atone for Lone Loss.

Your viewing options are limited to UNHWildcats.tv but you can always listen to the game on the radio or the Yahoo! Internet Broadcast. I believe Live Stats will also be available tonight. You can find all the links here on your UNH Men's Hockey Blog.

The day of atonement has arrived. Game time is a mere 8 hours away.

Go 'Cats!

Union Reinforcements

It seems the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets (USHL) are going to get some much needed reinforcements in a reverse move that occurs from time-to-time, from the University of New Hampshire Wildcats.

The Jr. Blue Jackets will tap the talents and effort of UNH's Dan Rossman. Rossman, who came from the Valley Jr. Warriors of the EJHL has played a total of 19 games for our 'Cats with 18 of them occurring his freshman year seeing him tally one goal and three assists and was a +3 with six penalty minutes. After having played just one game this year it would seem that the move was made in order to give him more game time - hopefully he has not parted ways with us for good, though the move often does precipitate such an event.

For the Jr. Blue Jackets the move could not have come at a better time. They currently sit with a league worse, two wins, tied for a second-to league worse goals-for with 31 and are tied for fourth worse goals-allowed with 43.

Good luck, Dan!

Hope to see you return to Wildcat Nation!

Go 'Cats!

US, Russian Under-17's Get Ugly

See the title linked video from a Russian site, dug up by USHR.

I hadn't heard about this until now and this video is one of the ugliest finishes to a hockey game that I've ever seen - consider yourself forewarned.

It seems that this will essentially be swept under the rug but there also seem to be serious concerns on the part of USA Hockey Director of Hockey Operations Jim Johannson. Details updated as available.

An unfortunate end to an otherwise excellent tournament from our Under-17's.

Go USA!

Go 'Cats!

Wildcat Woes and Woahs

Well, after a long absence from the blog I am still unsure of how to characterize the weekend's games.

Obviously the tie with Lowell was less than pleasing and the next night's victory over BC couldn't have been better - or could it?

Taken alone I thought that our 'Cats played a complete game versus BC. The only detractions from Saturday's game was an 0-for-5 powerplay and taking 11 penalties to BC's 9.

It's when it is taken in light of the lost to Northeastern and the tie with Lowell that the win becomes troubling. It seems as if the lack of effort dissipated with the presence of a perceived worthy opponent in BC. I can only hope that this will be an early lesson to take every team with the same gravitas and effort that they took to both Colorado and Boston College.

What this game did show us is that every line is up to the task of contributing against top ranked teams and this is going to be a crucial factor down the stretch.

What I would like to see:

I want to see more creativity with the play. I'm seeing a lot of repetition of play that is not effective and is seemingly being picked up upon by our opponents.

Keep up the effort! 60 minutes! Keep checking and keep skating - and have some fun! Enjoy your time here!

Lastly, get those quality scoring chances! Work that puck, win the one-on-one battles and get open and put the puck on net - try not to let a single shot go wide unless you see a good bounce coming from it. And shoot for the rebound!

Player of the Week: Brad Flaishans. Just edging out Craig Switzer. Brad(2-1-3) had one goal on Craig(1-1-2) for the weekend but his goals were absolutely critical in both games - the tying goal against Lowell and the go-ahead game-winner to defeat BC. Craig edged Brad +4 to +3 in plus-minus but the goals are just too much to ignore. Brad has played incredibly thus far and surely earns the P.o.t.W. honors.

Rookie of the Week: Dan Dries. Drawing penalties, working hard and playing excellently. Two assists on the weekend and has been central to the success of the Freshman Line.

Unsung Hero: Greg Collins - Greg really turned it on, both against Lowell and playing against his brother's old team and it really showed. It seemed that he should have had more just one goal on the Eagles but his outstanding play showed over the entire ice surface and with Thomas Fortney stepping it up as well I think the Collins-Fortney-Sislo line is really coming into its own. So with Greg finding his stride and the way Mike Sislo has been playing it is only a matter of time before this line is contributing goals game in game out.

Pro 'Cats:

Too much good stuff to report on right now I'll get the news out as I have time but for now I'll report on the Deutschland Cup where both Steve Saviano and Eric Nickulas picked up assists during the tournament. Savi's came in the third game to help send them to the championship game and Eric's came in the championship game where the US fell to Switzerland earning the silver medal.

Future 'Cats:

Kevin McCarey scored his lone goal and point in the final game of the USNTDP U-18 Team's Four Nations Tournament effort where they fell to host Switzerland 2-1 in a shootout.

Ryan Bourque was held scoreless in the U-17 Team's Four Nations Tournament bid for the Tournament Championship as they fell to Russia 2-1. Ryan started the tournament by notching an assist in the exhibition game and followed it with a two goal effort in the second game of the tournament for which he was recognized as the best player of the game in a 6-3 win over Slovakia.

Blake Kessel had an impressive tournament at the World Jr. A Challenge scoring two goals and five assists in four games as the US took bronze in the contest. He did not take a penalty in the event.

Greg Burke had goal and two assists on Friday night as his New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs trounced the Boston Jr. Shamrocks, 9-0. Greg has five goals and four assists in thirteen games and leads in team scoring for his birth-year. Greg is a '90 birthdate and most of his team are either '87s or '88s.

Go 'Cats!

Weekend Match-Up

Luckily for everyone you will be spared my live-blogging tonight versus Lowell and most likely tomorrow versus Boston College. I have prior engagements and will not be able to be at a computer although I will certainly be watching the games with the rest of Wildcat Nation!

The games will both be on NHPTV so there should be plenty of options for coverage including NHPTV.org and the Live Stats (look below the Recent and Upcoming Games for the link) from the Official UNH Athletics site.

If anyone misses the live-blogging let me know and I would be happy to continue once my schedule returns to normal.

As for the games this weekend. I say throw everything out the window! Forget the tales-of-the-tape! Come in, play hockey, battle and defeat your enemies as a team! As Marshall Mathers says, 'Look, if you had one shot, one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted - One moment. Would you capture it or just let it slip? You better lose yourself in the music, the moment, you own it, you better never let it go. You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow this opportunity comes once in a lifetime.'

Go 'Cats!

Take Note Wildcat Nation *Nov 8th UPDATE*

This post is title-linked to the USHL's website where you can submit questions for a Question and Answer with Future 'Cat, Blake Kessel!

I'll post a link to his responses when published.

So, fire away!

and

Go 'Cats!

*And it appears that Blake is causing the World Juniors to take note after having scored 6 points consisting of 2 goals and 4 assists at the World Junior A Challenge where he leads all scorers! The US team has pulled off the OT victory in each of its first two games off of Barry Almeida's(BC recruit) stick in each match. Kessel assisted on the US's first goal in the first game and assisted again before scoring the third goal for a 1-2-3 point line and would reverse the order in the second game scoring the first goal of the game and then assisting on another and then getting the assist on Almeida's OT game winner. Blake has also not made a trip to the sin bin during either game.

See the World Junior A Challenge Stats

Way to go Blake!

Go USA!

Go 'Cats!

Happy Anniversary... To TUMHB!

One year ago today I launched the mere concept of this place as a leap pad to a more permanent and better written UNH Men's Hockey blog - and somehow I'm still here!

The last year has seen ever increasing loads of visitors and an ever increasing amount of my time poured out here at The UNH Men's Hockey Blog - it is truly a labor of love with a more than one post per day average for the first year.

The past month saw well over 100 visitors per day and more than twice that number in the times the page was viewed during the day. The totals combined for the busiest month here at more than 3,500 visits and more than 5,500 page views with stat totals for the first year at more than 20,000 visits and over 32,000 page views!

The Wildcat Nation Frappr Map currently stands at 3778 members! Outstanding!

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to make this place what it is today and here's to the year ahead and many more!

Cheers!

The news of the day: Two Former Wildcats Selected to the United States Men's Select Team to play in the 2007 Deutschland Cup Tournament.

Eric Nickulas and Steve Saviano were selected to the team for their excellence of play and perhaps their familiarity with the European game and region. This year's Deutschland Cup is being held in Hannover, Germany which is where Wildcat, Eric Nickulas, plays his professional hockey for the home team Hannover Scorpions where he has 37 points in 65 games played over this season and last. Steve Saviano has played his European hockey a bit north of there, first in Sweden and now Finland, where he has a total of 26 points in 44 games.

US Men's Select Deutschland Cup Roster - PDF

You can find their current stats and links in the 'Cats Playing Pro section further down in the right-hand column of your UNH Men's Hockey Blog!

Go 'Cats!

HHM

It is completely unnecessary of me to write a new post for this week as the exact same problems as last weekend have actually worsened and we found ourselves defeated at home by an unranked team that played like an unranked team. The problem is not having been defeated, and at home at that, but the fact that there is no excuse for the breakdowns and complete lack of effort displayed Saturday night except possibly a great deal of cockiness. Lets hope this result serves as a lesson toward eliminating this problem which has obviously come to include a great deal of problems defensively.

Otherwise I am going to hold off judgment for the coming weekend which brings an odd weekend series at home in which we will host the UMass Lowell Riverhawks on Friday night followed by the Boston College Eagles on Saturday night.

Here's last week's post - slightly modified for this week.

Monday, October 29, 2007
HHM
Well, it's *not* nice to be able to be critical of a couple games when you've just beat an unranked team 7-4 then lost to them at home 2-1.

The TigersHuskies came into Towse Rink and played some greatpoor hockey *although they* really looked like they left it all on the ice. They should be called the Flying Tigers Omega Dogs with the speed that they showed on the ice this weekend. Aside from a couple players the TigersHuskies were consummate sportsmen (neglecting the perceived slight when they failed to shake hands after the first game as they were merely following normal WCHA protocol) and while the penalties on the weekend were nearly even the Tigers Huskies seemed to commit far fewer offenses than did our 'Cats and when they did, the penalties were often drawn by the hard work of a couple of our Wildcats.

So, how 'bout them 'Cats.

Number one criticism - effort. The lackluster effort and play of the first period of the first three five games of the year is totally unacceptable. In three five games, out of thirteen twenty-one goals scored, we have exactly ONE four first period goal(s) - and are being outscored in the first 7-4. Second period goals, THREE SIX. And that's right, NINE ELEVEN third period goals - three in each game thus far. Now it is nice to see that we are beating teams by working progressively harder through the game but it should not come at the expense of poor play early on. I think this factor, that our team is outlasting the competition, speaks volumes to the early conditioning of this team which undoubtedly extends from our extremely fit, point leading Captain, Matt Fornataro. Regardless of the fact that our guys have beaten good opponents thus far it will bite us in the future if, no when, they run up against an equally fit team that puts in a sixty minute effort.

*There was, of course, no extra effort late in Saturday's game.

Number two - special teams. This goes hand-in-hand with number one in that a lack of effort most often leads to a special teams situation. At best our special teams have been weak. It is obviously an area that they will work on and improve but it should just reinforce the emphasis on effort - especially skating and reducing stick work to the body. I noticed an interesting feature to these two games - that the more experienced guys, our upperclassmen, were called most often for this obstruction penalty. The main difference that I noted was that our younger players are already used to this emphasis from their junior leagues and they tend to use their sticks like a limp noodle as compared to an ax or a shepherd's crook. When you factor in the penalty the limp noodle approach was much more effective and it actually works to legally disrupt the puck carrier. Hopefully you can teach an old 'Cat some new tricks because it seems like these youngsters have a number of them. And that brings me to point three.

Number three - scoring chances. Quite simply our men were not getting to the prime scoring areas. In stark contrast to this was the first career goal (which showed that there will be many more) of Paul Thompson! As I mentioned from my live-blogging of the game, Paul seemed very Hemingway-esque in that he found a weak back door on the right post and banged in the near perfect Dan Dries pass - for Dan's first point as well! The only other player to have created or found any space in front was Matt Fornataro, who collected the brilliantly redirected puck off of James vanRiemsdyk's skate, all alone in the paint of all places! (there is almost no chance that James did not mean to redirect that puck as it caromed off of the back boards from the wide Flaishans' shot, the puck coming off of James' angled skate almost right to tape of the wide open Fornataro, behind the recovering Bachman) But! It was on the powerplay. So, get open in the high-percentage scoring areas and remember that when the play turns to offense it is all about putting the puck in the back of the net.

Synopsis: Effort, Special Teams, High-Percentage scoring areas *and Defense!*

If our 'Cats buckle down in these areas and execute they will be unstoppable.

*UPDATED - Although not much changed*

Player of the Week - Paul Thomspon - really the fourth line as a whole but I feel that this line is undoubtedly being led by Paul although Dan Dries was very impressive on the weekend.*new*

Rookie of the Week - Paul Thompson - I was very impressed with Paul's play and you can see him quickly adapting. He skated well and learned to get the puck to the net quickly already and was excellent in using his body for physical play throwing a number of great finishing checks.
*same as last week*

Unspoken Hero - Jerry Pollastrone - really proved his effectiveness over the weekend when many had doubts - I never did.
*still getting it done alongside Butler and LeBlanc.*

Great job team. You cannot tell me that that was your best effort or even a modest effort.

Overall a lot of some great *individual* play throughout the line-up. When these guys are full out it is just a joy to watch. If they give us sixty minutes *and bring it together as a team* the Whitt will be pumping at mega-watt levels as these boys can really electrify the crowd. *And if the defense shuts-down we will look like a much more complete team out there.

Go 'Cats!

1 ECHL Game - 4 Wildcats REMATCH - 'O' WINS

The Fresno Falcons and the Phoenix Roadrunners squared off again, pitting offensive 'Cats on the Falcons' side and defensive 'Cats (that's a relative term, defensive) on the Roadrunners' side. Josh Ciocco and Brett Hemingway vs. Brian Yandle and Chris Murray.

The first dust-up saw Brian and Chris emerge the victors but on this night Brett and Josh would turn the tables.

Scoring first, in what would amount to a four unanswered goal streak through the first two periods and the start of the third, was Brett Hemingway. His second goal of the year. The streak would end with Josh Ciocco notching his first goal of the season at 2:20 of the third period giving the Falcons a 4-0 lead. But Phoenix would rally back with three straight goals in just one minute and ten seconds starting just two minutes and four seconds after Josh's goal, before a fifth Fresno goal would end the scoring at 13:57 to a final score of 5-3.

Chris and Brian were held scoreless.

In a remarkable feat that Andrew Leach and his Trenton Devils would be the unfortunate victims of, not only witnessing what must be history but also being at the receiving end of, Chanse Fitzpatrick of the Dayton Bombers scoring FIVE GOALS in one game but also in ONE PERIOD - THE THIRD PERIOD! Of what was a 1-0 Trenton lead going into the third. The Devils lost by a score of 5-1. Four of Fitzpatrick's goals were powerplay goals, tying a 1996 record by Matt Oates. The five goals in one period by a single player is believed to be an ECHL record. The lone Trenton goal came off the stick of former Hockey East standout, Providence's, Stephen Wood. The goals were Chanse's first points on the year, in his fourth game of the year! Congrats Chanse!

Go 'Cats!

November 3, 2007 - vs. Northeastern

1-2 loss to Northeastern.

What a horrible game.

Northeastern was horrible but we were far worse.

ANOTHER HORRIBLE CALL! 20 seconds to play - it's over.

1:15 to play - pp UNH

3:21 and a HORRIBLE holding call on Radja - was called holding for putting his hand on the NU players shoulder and pushing and checking him down - now an appropriate call for tripping drawn by Fortney putting on pressure shorthanded.

I think I even saw some skating!

Whoa! A hit!

6:14 to play

UNH just had an odd-man rush and totally blew it with a bad pass that had no chance of getting through.

7:30 to play and literally nothing has happened at all

15:00 to play

Another odd-man rush shorthanded by NU and we didn't make them pay!

Defense has been absolutely porous at the offensive blueline.

LeBlanc draws a penalty! Chisholm(holding)

Sislo finally gets a good shot on net!

Start of Third

Keys to the third period - play hockey?

Josh Prudden is back in action with the Worcester Sharks but has not recorded a point yet - playing in his fourth game of the season.

That was painful to watch! I'm not kidding.

End of Second - THANKFULLY!

ONE MINUTE!

PA guy just said 'great hockey, guaranteed!' I want my money back!

No skating, no passing, no hitting, no shooting, no fight, no batting for the puck, no puck control, no good scoring chances, no good defensive play in any part of the rink, no forecheck, no discipline, no effort... nothing.

I apologize for suggesting that people watch this debacle - this is not hockey.

Hate to say it but this is pathetic. They are doing EVERYTHING wrong. I can't find one good thing about their game tonight.

4x4 hockey

Charlebois (trip)

This is ridiculous! Another shorthanded break on our powerplay!

5x3 Liotti(hitting from behind)

UNH POWERPLAY as the freshmen and Switzer decide they want the puck and want to put it in the back of the net. Silva (tripping)

Guys just don't want the puck and they don't want to put it in the back of the net. Finally it looks like Flaishans actually puts the puck on net from the point and Theissen holds it up.

11:20 to play in the second

5x5

On the penaltykill at 13:00

Continued poor transition to defense and Switzer takes another penalty (high-sticking)

GET THE PUCK ON NET!!!

Top line is looking great on this powerplay except that they could not generate quality scoring chances.

UNH POWERPLAY! Guzior(hitting from behind on Kapstad)

Collins has been wheeling behind the opposing goal line but cannot get it to the back of the net.

Beginning of the Second

Lets see a new beginning to this game in the second!

The broadcast guys are saying that Rob Gagnon('98) has landed the head coaching job of prep hockey mecca Cushing Academy. Congrats, Rob!

For those who are interested in seeing the nasty CC defender Nate Prosser get laid out see this Goon's World post.

No discipline, no drive = losing score in front of the home crowd faithful.

End of First

Broken play - loose rebound - weak defense in front after UNH's seconds long powerplay came to an end


1-2 17:17 Vitale[Donovan, Chisholm]


4x4 - Vitale (hooking)

Penaltykill - Fritsch (crosscheck) where is the discipline guys?

5:50 to play in the first

Our 'Cats are looking very flat-footed and are getting beat to the puck and are losing every battle for the puck.

Penaltykill - Switzer (hitting from behind)

11:30 to play in the first

But is answered immediately by Northeastern.


1-1 5:45 Macleod[Vitale]


But it's the line of Butler-Pollastrone-LeBlanc that creates a turnover in the offensive zone and some nice passing finds LeBlanc open on the right-wing side of the crease with a wide open net.


1-0 'Cats! 5:36 LeBlanc(2)[Pollastrone(4),Butler(5)]


DeSimone-Dries-Thompson line putting on some great pressure!

Advantage UNH

Oh, penaltykill - Collins-Pollastrone-Sislo line is having a lot of trouble defensively and have one of the lowest +/- of any line thus far especially considering their scoring contribution.

Great to see the Blue and White after a week! But if you can't see this game there is a full docket of hockey games around the country over the next couple hours slated to start at just about every level of hockey.

Start of First!

The puck gliding guys... puck gliding...

I'm checking out the NHPTV online feed for the first time - very nice. If you have a broadband connection and do not get the NHPTV broadcast or on cable it is definitely worth a look. It's free! Except it encourages more coverage to donate to NHPTV and mention UNH Men's Hockey when you do!

Matt Campanale will get a shot tonight in the place of Nick Krates who will not skate tonight.

It will be Kevin Regan in goal again tonight.

Warming Up! Stay tuned.

Go 'Cats!

Leach Leads - Pro Roundup

Andrew Leach led his Trenton Devils to a comeback against Sean Collins and the Wheeling Nailers.

The Nailers got out to a three goal lead scoring twice in the first, with a helper from Collins, and again just 25 seconds into the second before Andrew led the comeback. He notched his first goal of the season on the powerplay at 10:19 of the second and then a helper at 5:46 of the third to tie the game with their second goal coming late in the second.

But the Nailers would rally just four minutes and ten seconds later on the powerplay and Sean would get his second helper of the night about six minutes later to put the scoring at an end - Wheeling 5, Trenton 3.

Great game guys!

Jacob Micflikier helped his Stockton Thunder to a 4-0 shutout with three helpers on the night - a feat equaled by Jason Krog who had three of his own in a 7-1 rout handed to the Quad City Flames by his Chicago Wolves but in the AHL of course. Where Ty Conklin stopped just enough to see his W-B/Scranton Penguins to victory after seeing a 33 save effort go to the shutout, to beat Bryan Muir and the Toronto Marlies - Muir whose plus minus continues to climb (a +8 with three assists). A lastly on the night the Captain of the Grand Rapids Griffins, Garrett Stafford, scores for the second time in as many games but the Rochester Americans would rally and pull out the 5-3 victory.

Go 'Cats!

Scoring in Game 1 @ NU - UNH 7 - NU 4

First Period

1-0 @ 2:53 UNH goal - Flaishans(2)[Dries(2),Thompson(1)]

2-0 @ 17:04 UNH goal - Thompson(2)[Kapstad(1),DeSimone(1)]

2-1 @ 18:05 NU goal - McCauley[Guzior,Ginand]

Second Period

2-2 @ 11:09 NU goal - Guzior[McCauley,Costa]

3-2 @ 13:00 UNH goal - Radja(2)[Fornataro(3),vanRiemsdyk(4)] - PP

4-2 @ 13:42 UNH goal - Pollastrone(3)[Butler(3),LeBlanc(3)]

5-2 @ 18:33 UNH goal - Fritsch(2)[Bulter(4),Pollastrone(3)]

Third Period

6-2 @ 5:32 UNH goal - Fornataro(5)[Radja(4),vanRiemsdyk(5)] - PP

6-3 @ 13:26 NU goal - MacLeod[Vitale,Chisholm] - PP

6-4 @ 14:08 NU goal - Costello[Guzior,Strathman]

7-4 @ 19:59 UNH goal - vanRiemsdyk(2)[Fornataro(4)] - EN

Saves

UNH - Regan - 33 saves, 4 goals against and a .892 save percentage - win(3)

NU - Theissen (40min) - 17 saves, 5 goals against and a .773 save percentage - loss
- Binnington (20min) - 13 saves, 1 goals against and a .929 save percentage
- Empty net - 1 goal

November 2, 2007 - at Northeastern

7-4 'Cats!

vanRiemsdyk gets an empty-netter as time expires

Poor BC-Maine fans a seemingly boring 1-1 game in OT

2:30 to play, 5x5 hockey - timeout NU

3:00 to play

According to the call, Regan is just having a tough night with the puck - that combined with the lazy play brought on by a 6-2 lead and trying to be fancy and not run up the score = two late goals by Northeastern.

Penaltykill - it's just getting stupid. UNH is playing a lazy as a lounge chair.

5:52 left to play

6-4 'Cats! Costello

6-3 'Cats! MacLeod[?]

Powerplay goal - no chance for Regan

*In the AHL Jason Krog has two assists and his Chicago Wolves lead 3-0 and the Grand Rapids Griffins Captain, Garrett Stafford got the first of two late first period goals, 27 seconds apart but they are behind 2-3. Last night saw Darren Haydar pick up another assist in a four goal third period outburst from the Thrashers which couldn't account for the five goals from the Ottawa Senators through the first two.

Butler heads to the box for holding with 7:26 to play for holding

5x5 hockey

9:34 to play in the game!

4x4 hockey will probably still give way to UNH Powerplay but only briefly.

5-on-4 and they are all over it but LeBlanc gets a call after having lost control of the puck.

Sounds like they're trying to be cute about it with a ton of rubber coming from the point.

UNH 5-on-3 for a full two minutes with three more minutes of 5-on-4 afterwards due to the fighting major on McCauley (it is actually a 'Punching Major' that also comes with an automatic next-game disqualification)

NOW. McCauley is escorted from the ice for fighting after Jacques Perreault got nasty on Greg Collins who was viciously crosschecked into the boards and then thrown to the ice and the ensuing scrum caused by the lack of a call by Benedetto, Dennis McCauley threw a punch and was removed for fighting.

6-2 'Cats! Fornataro(5)[vanRiemsdyk(5)]

They're saying that James looked up and saw just one defenseman in front of him and decided to 'toast' him, which he did and then put the biscuit on net creating the rebound for Fornataro who keeps his scoring streak alive.

Fornataro scores on a vanRiemsdyk play that the radio guys are calling as having toasted the defense one-on-one!

UNH POWERPLAY (they're saying it's a bit of a phantom call) for wrapping up Danny Dries who cruised into the post

More great saves by Regan at to start the third - NU has pulled Brad Theissen for Mike Binnington the freshman

Third Period coming up

Regan 25 saves / Theissen 17 saves

More break talk - The radio guys are talking about the freshmen and the young guys on the team. And when you think about it, it's incredible. Everyone talks about how young certain teams are but no one is saying that about our 'Cats (that I've heard) and we have 5 freshman skating night-in-night-out at this point! And then you think about the kids who aren't playing yet - Greg Manz, Danny Vrank and sophomore Danny Rossman who was a +3 last year and had a goal and three assist in 18 games! Then you add in who are by all accounts great defensemen in Matt Campanale (who impressed me in this years exhibition game) and Mike Beck who is supposed to be ready to skate any day now.

Nice job guys! Watch those odd-man rushes.

A little intermission reading for Wildcat Nation from Roger Brown of Seacoast Online
'UNH Preview' - to Matt Fornataro, better late than never! Better late than never.

End of Second

UNH should still close the period on the powerplay


5-2 'Cats! 18:33 Fritsch(2)[Butler(4),Pollastrone(3)]


It will go to a UNH POWERPLAY but before it can Jamie Fritsch picks the far post

Radja works hard on the shorthand to draw a penalty to bring it to 4x4 hockey

And the call goes the other way at the end of the powerplay as Charlebois takes down Ginand so back to the penaltykill

4:15 left in the second

UNH POWERPLAY!

I'm still hearing Sislo all over the ice collecting the puck - still waiting for him to score though.


4-2 'Cats! 13:42 Pollastrone(3)[LeBlanc(4),Butler(3)]


SCORE POLLASTRONE ON THE LEBLANC REBOUND FROM BUTLER!


3-2 'Cats! 13:00 Radja(2)[Fornataro(3),vanRiemsdyk(4)]


- the puck crossed the line before James got wood on it.

Great save by Regan on another 2-on-1 shorthand and then Radja comes the other way and drags the toe and puts it to James vanRiemsdyk who wacks it home!

UNH POWERPLAY

The Thompson-DeSimone-Dries line comes right back but couldn't score and Fornataro now on the ice draws the penalty with some hard effort on his part.

2-2 UNH&NU 11:09 Guzior[?]

It is 1-1 BC&Maine

Another chance on Regan where the puck squirts loose but the defense has been there each time

Gave up a shorthanded 2-on-1 rush then turned it only to have Fornataro and JVR stopped by Theissen

UNH Powerplay - a real one (the first ended before the second goal, very brief)

Benedetto is being called out by the radio guys for putting his whistle away on some questionable plays both ways.

I thought that break seemed long... BC and Maine are halfway through the period while we are at 14:21 - BC has taken a 1-0 lead.

Northeastern is buzzing a bit but more like one of midges that hardly ever bites and the 'Cats continue to control play but Northeastern is getting the puck to the net now and then a seemingly more than we are - that's something that our guys HAVE to work on.

Start of Second

What more could you ask for?

End of Period

Hey, it's this Wildcat Team's best first period ever!

After the 5-on-3's HE Online is now reporting NU outshooting 11-8


2-1 'Cats! McCauley[?]


Shot from outside the blueline... beats Kevin Regan trickling through his pads.


2-0 'Cats! 17:04 Thompson(2)[Kapstad(1), LeBlanc(3)]


Paul Thompson - Can you say goal scorer!?

Paul Thompson on a Kevin Kapstad rebound! In the right place at the right time with the skill to get it to the back of the net.

Fornataro tried a breakout on the shorthand and draws a penalty as Pollastrone's comes to an end so 4-on-4 hockey

Oh, a penalty on Collins (highsticking) more 5-on-3

5-on-4

According to Dan Parkhurst NU is playing their checking line, list as their number two line playing against our top line of vanRiemsdyk(who's headed to the box)-Fortnataro and Radja. A little asymmetrical warfare from Cronin? And Pollastrone goes for an extended 5-on-3 penalty kill

Dries and the freshman line generating some more opportunities - sounds like they are playing great out there.

From the radio call it seems that the 'Cats are dominating play but not necessarily playing an especially intense or sharp game.

Goalies are Kevin Regan and Brad Theissen


1-0 'Cats! Flaishans(2)[Dries(2)]


Great set up by Dries

Start of First

It's game time!

Go 'Cats!

1 ECHL Game - 4 Wildcats: D Wins!

Chris Murray returned to action last night alongside fellow Wildcat Brian Yandle on the blueline of the Phoenix Roadrunners and they kept fellow Wildcats Josh Ciocco and Brett Hemingway scoreless as the Roadrunners edged out their Fresno Falcons by a score of 3-2.

Yandle was the only one of the four to score points on the night, a two assist game for Brian. That accounts for five points, a two goal and three assist scoring line, in his last two games making Wildcat Nation proud. Brian had been quoted recently as saying that his goal is to join his brother, Keith, in the NHL as they are both entrenched in the Phoenix Coyote organization along with Wildcat, Daniel Winnik. Add to that the fact that Chris Murray is making a strong case for himself it's possible that we could see as many three Wildcats joining Wayne Gretzky's squad.

Go 'Cats!

Hockey is Hot - Thai Hot!

According to the title-linked NHL news article hockey has become 'cool' in the hot climate of Thailand of all places.

Hey I love hockey, I love spicy food - REALLY SPICY (everyone should try my salsa), and I even like Muay Thai - actually training Muay Thai, not just watching. The world must truly be getting smaller when some guy sitting in New Hampshire shares so many interests as someone on the other side of the globe.

Thai Hockey = hot! Hope to hear more!

Go 'Cats!

Barn Burner *A Public Service Announcement*

No, I'm not talking about the high-scoring hockey game variety.

While this is not a 'true' public service announcement I consider it such after the events which took place at The UNH Men's Hockey Blog Headquarters last night.

With November having already rolled around and October is traditionally fire prevention month, I hope you were paying attention, because last night the HQ of The UNH Men's Hockey Blog nearly went up in smoke.

Late last night, just after I had settled in to relax after perusing the webwaves for UNH Men's Hockey info, my reprieve was disturbed by the fire alarms in my house - what an awful, but life and property saving, cacophony (so make sure that you have fresh batteries in yours if they are not hardwired like ours). We quickly searched the house for the source but could smell no trace of smoke nor find any signs of fire. We continued to search for almost a minute, about which time a snap or sharp crack was heard but still no sign of danger other than what the alarms already knew and what we would discover with a shout of 'Fire!' from my wife approximately twenty seconds later.

Some may already recognize that that distinct snap was no less than an electrical short which our alarms had whiffed the mere early ions of almost a full two minutes before it burst into flames. The source - a small fish tank whose pump had malfunctioned, burned out and subsequently shorted out. By the time we found it flames had touched the wall which was nearby with a small shower of hot sparks and melted plastic and filled the interior of the small two and a half gallon tank. I pulled the dresser, upon which the tank sat, away from the wall in order to get the flames away from a wooden framed mirror and pictures above it and in order to access the power strip below and behind the dresser. I flipped the switch and unplugged the power strip. And then carefully removed the lid containing the electronics from the water at which point they vanished and then scooping everything up marched it outside and away from the house. This all took place in a matter of seconds as I yelled for my family to get out of the house and which left me following them out the door with the reeking, ruined tank. Having seen no other signs of a fire but fearing the worst I rushed back in to investigate but that seemed to be the extent of it - no sign of further smoke, burning or heat. For the sake of the rest of the animals in the house and the hopes of not having to spend the night elsewhere I began the process of ventilating the smoke and called the fire department - those guys are awesome. They came in accessed the situation and reassured us that there was no further danger in their professional opinion and much to our relief.

So, what have we learned. Try to never place any readily burnable materials near an electrical source or electrical device - had there been a calendar on the wall above it we would probably all still be alive but I would probably not be typing this from TUMHBG HQ right now. If a piece of electrical equipment malfunctions at all unplug it and bring it to a professional to repair. Our pump had stopped working a number of times during power outages but always seemed to work after being unplugged and refilled with water before restarting but it was not working well after the latest outage. If the equipment has outlived its expected lifetime, replace it. While our pump was not at this point age-wise it might have been due to its course of life but especially replace those power strips. Even a cheap one, as long as it is GFI (Ground Fault Interrupt) equipped should prevent the problem that we had. Ours had been around for 10 years, too long in my eyes now, and at some point had become ineffective - in our estimation, most likely from too many power surges where we live or possibly damage in moving over the years.

And finally, most importantly, just try to remember all of the fire safety tips that you hear. Keep your head. Safety of everyone in the house comes first. Everything else is secondary. Get a fire extinguisher!!! We are getting one today. While I was able to defuse the fire in this case my actions are not advisable and I fully understood that I risked being burned, electrocuted and possibly making the situation worse by doing so even though I have some training in electrical wiring and fire safety. Visit your fire house once a year during their BBQ's and open houses and such and be friendly to the men and women who are going to be dragging themselves out of their beds, literally, in the middle of the night to make sure that you and yours are safe. Not only are they almost always nice people but usually they have fire prevention and safety material on hand and are always willing to answer any questions you might have on the subject - speaking of which I will leave you with this link

Good Fire Prevention/Safety Tips (it's meant for seniors but good for everyone)

And did I mention that the Volunteer Fire Department in my town roasts a real mean pig? Mmmnn.

Take care out there everyone.

TUMHBG signing off, as always,
Go 'Cats!

PS - I also want to let you all know that I will be a little preoccupied with fixing the damage over the next 24-48 hours in order to get HQ back to snuff but hope to be in full presence come game time tomorrow at 7pm when our Wildcats head to Matthews Arena to start our home-and-away, weekend series, against the Northeastern Huskies.