Enough

Mike Sislo bags the long-distance empty-netter, as the Wildcats scrape together enough for the 4-2 win.

Led by James van Riemsdyk who opened the scoring in the game with his fourth goal of the year, on the powerplay, six minutes into the second period, with a strong move to the net banging home the rebound from Peter LeBlanc. Then the game winner on a DeSimone, van Riemsdyk, DeSimone combination off the faceoff with DeSimone beating Northeastern netminder Thiessen on the rebound from van Riemsdyk's shot after DeSimone's faceoff win.

Most important to the outcome of the game though was the Pollastrone-LeBlanc-Butler line clicking for an even-strength goal just two minutes and twenty-six seconds after van Riemsdyk's powerplay tally for the two-to-nothing lead. This upperclassmen line has been sorely snake-bitten so far and their production will be a crucial barometer to our 'Cats' success this year.

Penalty troubles were mildly alleviated during this game but there is still room for improvement - as the first opposition goal came on the five-on-three penaltykill.

Overall, a respectable win. They battled back from the disparaging loss to St. Lawrence and fought this one to the end. Phil DeSimone said after the game that they knew they were going to win and that he especially was looking for redemption after his own missed assignment cost the game-tying goal. I would say he redeemed himself. The upperclassmen got on the board and Philly-V took control of the game when it mattered, which we'll have to see more of if they're to pull out the weekend sweep at Matthews Arena Saturday night.

So, let's see if the 'Cats are ready to make this early season statement by taking the now defeated Huskies on hostile ice and pick up their first road win of the season in the process before heading into a six game road trip that will see them come full circle back to Matthews for the final regular season match-up between our two clubs just three weeks from now.

Bon voyage les hommes!

Go 'Cats!

Trick Or Treat

In a rare occurrence, our Wildcat hockey team will lace'em up for an All Hallow's Eve game tomorrow night, at home in Durham, where hopefully they'll be playing the tricks and taking the treats.

I wonder if they'll be sporting costumes? Third jerseys?

Union, the last team to face the 'Cats on Halloween, faced a revved up Wildcat offense in a 9-2 victory for the Blue in White - way back in 2003. We could use some of that scoring tomorrow night.

With the undefeated Northeastern Huskies coming to town, the guys will have to be at the top of their game if they want redemption for the 4-1 shaming handed to them by the Saints. The Huntington Ave crew owns one of the best offenses in the land, a 3.5 goals per game average through six games, and are equally good in their own zone with a 1.33 goals against average. Their best test came from hosting Boston College who they stared down, 4-3.

Game time is 7:00pm and will be on CN8(Comcast).

Go 'Cats!

Behind The Scenes

No, unfortunately, I'm not in a position to go behind the scenes with the UNH Men's Hockey Team.

I'm talking about behind the scenes here at The UNH Men's Hockey Blog.

I've been pretty busy outside of the blog lately and thus the fewer posts than usual that many of you have noticed. But even with the appearance of little going on there is a lot happening here that probably largely goes unnoticed.

Tweaks to programming (I'm still working on the sortable stats tables - having trouble with that one). Keeping links updated and adding new from time-to-time. Updating stats and information for alumni playing pro and the Future 'Cats. I'm constantly looking to improve both the functionality and appearance of the blog when I have time.

And it's all for the University of New Hampshire Men's Wildcat Hockey Team and you, my fellow fans, who I would be remiss to not send out a huge thanks to all those who have helped this blog along with comments, suggestions and leads on stories. And also my family who support the time and money that I put into this endeavor. Thank you all!

So, don't hesitate to contact me or comment with opinions or suggestions and hopefully some day we'll get that insider look with the UNH Men's Hockey Team!

Go 'Cats!

Tangents

Chalk it up to a bad game...

Coach Marsh's birthday...

Or the Saints having our number right now...

... but it wasn't a pretty game for Wildcat Nation.

That said, I was fortunate enough to have some company in watching the first period of the game (before I had to leave to get to my own hockey game - we lost 3-2, bad bounce off the inside of my blocker on a jumpy puck from the side of the net squirted through in the closing minutes... anyhow) where was I, oh yes, I was fortunate to have some company at my favorite Irish pub, Cu Na Mara in Bristol, NH (you've got to try the chicken fingers with their whiskey-mustard dipping sauce and a basket of fries - throw in a Smithwicks ('Smith-icks') or another favorite choice Irish beverage and you're in business! Ahem! As I was saying, I was fortunate to enjoy the first period in the company of the parent of one of our very own UNH Men's Hockey players. Good conversation about the game and what-not that I was disappointed to have to cut short. Thanks for coming out!

As for recapping this game I think anyone could break this one down. Still heading to the box far too often. Not converting on the powerplay. And from what I saw just getting flat-out outworked. St. Lawrence played a disciplined and stingy trap defense with all five defenders (five defenders!? that's what it seemed like!) collapsing and they sent guys to the net in the offensive zone where our defense was weak for the first time this year. If there is one thing that I think our 'Cats absolutely needed to do in this game it was get bodies to the front of the net - I just didn't see it. The Saints surrendered the perimeter of their defensive zone but our 'Cats were shooting before anyone got to the net. Let's just write it all off to the first away game of the season that was on a small ice sheet on top of it all.

Next up, the third Hockey East game of the season, Northeastern - back on home ice.

Go 'Cats!

On Tap: UNH vs. St. Lawrence

On ESPNU - 7:30pm start.

On the ice for our Wildcats:

Goal - Brian Foster

Defense:

Jamie Fritsch - Joe Charlebois
Kevin Kapstad - Blake Kessel
Nick Krates - Mike Beck

Forwards:

Greg Collins - Thomas Fortney - Danny Dries
Jerry Pollastrone - Peter LeBlanc - Bobby Butler
James van Riemsdyk - Phil DeSimone - Mike Sislo
Kevin McCarey - Alan Thompson - Paul Thompson


I'll be back after the game to recap!

Go 'Cats!

UNH 1 - UMass 1

Stalemate - I hate it.

Not much to say about this one.

Philly-V torches the UMass-D for the lone Wildcat goal.

Brian Foster surrenders just his third goal of the year - two of them on the 5-on-3 penalty kill.

Will Danny Dries ever wear the Blue and White again?

It seems like sophomores Vranek and Manz put in admirable performances tonight and freshmen defenders Kessel (coming to be expected already) and Kipp (second game for him) held up their end of the bargain.

The penalty woes continue as the boys take 9 for 29 minutes but that includes Dries' five-minute + ten for the game-misconduct. Unfortunately, Co-Captains Joe Charlebois and Greg Collins would take two apiece accounting for four of the other seven penalties, though they each had a matching, adding eight minutes to the UNH special-teams play.

There's good hockey being played here but plenty to improve on - let's see what you've got.

Go 'Cats!

Hockey East Online Doing Bang-Up Job

And snatching two stories from under the nose of yours truly!

Two great Wildcat related articles this one on alum Matt Fornataro and another on Future 'Cat, Ryan Bourque.

Keep up the good work HE Online!

and

Go 'Cats!

Future 'Cats Burke, White Selected for US Junior A Challenge

Both Greg Burke and Matt White were selected for the US Team in the upcoming World Junior A Challenge being held in Camrose, Alberta, Canada less than two weeks away.

Burke has been injured (shoulder) and has only played in one game this season after a fantastic preseason in which he paced the league in scoring. I have contacted the RoughRiders for an update on his status but have not heard from them as yet.

White has two goals in three games for his Omaha Lancers.

See the title-linked USHL post for the complete roster and tourney details.

Way to work, guys!

Go 'Cats!

Just A Minute...

... then we're outta here.

You guessed it, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst Minutemen will be catching a bus to Durham, New Hampshire tomorrow for their first match-up with our Wildcat Men's Hockey Team this season - the puck drops at 7pm.

The Maroon & Silver (PLEASE leave those shorts in Amherst!) are 2-1-0 this season after a 6-0 shellacking of Rensselaer and squeaking by the Univeristy of North Dakota Fighting Sioux 3-2.

Of note is their extremely disciplined play averaging just twelve minutes in penalties per game (we've averaged twenty-two!). They like to come out strong and finish hard but they seem to let up in the middle of the game - I suggest the 'Cats take advantage of it.

Then our guys will take to the road for the first time this season, traveling to Canton, NY - nearby Potsdam, NY, hometown to Captain Joe Charlebois - where they will face the St. Lawrence Saints led behind the bench by UNH alum Joe Marsh. Their record sits at 2-2-0 and our Wildcats are their only opponent on the slate this weekend for their home opener.

Always a good contest, this one makes two consecutive Sunday contests on ESPNU for our UNH squad - game starts at a delayed 7:30pm puck drop.

Look for a little revenge from Foster and Co. for the wild 6-5 win that the Saints took on the Whittemore Center ice last season.

If anyone has any recommendations, for or against, UNHWildcats.tv or the ESPNU channel number for your local cable provider please comment to this post and I'll be sure to pass it along - for what it's worth, ESPNU is Metrocast channel 224 which came in handy as I sat at my favorite Irish pub (Cu Na Mara, in Bristol, NH) last weekend to catch the game! Anyone else have a favorite locale for catching the good ol' Blue and White?

Go 'Cats!

HHM

Happy Hockey Mondays are back Wildcat Nation.

Does Brian Foster have liquid nitrogen in his veins or what!?

The lone rubber biscuit that beat him yesterday evening came on a five-on-three powerplay, one of five in the game for the two teams, that the 'U', ESPN that is, couldn't even get on camera. He racked up thirty saves before dinner for the two-to-one Wildcat victory.

It was great to see the 'Cats on the tele again in the absence of the NHPTV broadcasts whose loss has been roundly condemned in the new poll here, with many harking for their return - we've really got to do something about this, Nation.

The line-up was back to what we expected, similar to the Wisconsin game, but with Danny Dries on the milk carton this week. I've heard rumors that he was seen at the game and of a broken wrist - though not the two in conjunction. If we don't see him this Friday then we know that something is up. Greg Manz stepped up to play on the Thompson&Thompson line.

Now it's time to get the ugly part out of the way. ONE SHOT!? IN THE ENTIRE SECOND PERIOD!? Are you kidding me!? Sure, Philly-V took it in all alone and roofed it on a sick shot over the Rollheiser kid's blocker - but one shot!? I know BU has a good defense and all this year... BUT ONE SHOT!? Sorry guys, but I hope Coach makes you pay for this one - uh! ONE SHOT!

I also didn't like the dump and chase, which I think was completely ineffective - that and the unease of some of the younger guys - settle down boys and play hard, you'll be fine.

Otherwise I think this team is really looking good right now and I was really appreciating the tough defense down low - made a huge difference and without it I doubt the result would have been the same. And though, obviously, there was a degree of shoddy reffing (I won't mention the tripping call against UNH for the BU player who fell completely alone tripping over his own skates), clean up the discipline problem and we're good to go.

Keep up the good work, guys!

Go 'Cats!

Bring On The Terriers

The defense-first mentality was in full effect Friday night despite a young 2008-2009 UNH squad on the ice to defeat the Engineers.

With the 1-0 victory our 'Cats secured the lowest goals-against-average in all of Divison-I hockey for the early, early part of the season. Of note is a line-up that included five freshmen and was missing key returnees like Danny Dries, Alan and Paul Thompson, and defensemen Matt Campanale and Mike Beck out of the line-up. But what concerns me the most is the number of upperclassmen penalties through the game - Blake Kessel being the only Wildcat younger than a junior to receive a penalty. Four of the seven penalties came from the senior class.

So, what do our 'Cats face when Jack Parker's club takes to the Whittemore Center ice tonight? One that owns the lone winning record at Towse Rink among Hockey East teams? A challenge for sure. This is not the BU squad that our 'Cats shutout in the season series last year. The Terriers are as yet undefeated through three games and owns a four goal-per-game average offense and a stingy one-and-a-third goals-against-average.

The big question. Will it be as Phil DeSimone said last season to taking down the rest of the Big Four? "Yes, it will, coach." - we will find out in just a few short hours.

College hockey at its best. UNH. BU. On ESPNU. Puck drops @ 5:00pm.

Go 'Cats!

The Engineers are Coming!

With the Terriers nipping at their heels.

First up, tomorrow, the Engineers of RPI are coming off of a tough, 5-4 loss to the USNTDP Under-18 team that sports two Future 'Cats, Ryan Bourque and John Henrion, who figured for three assists, two and one respectively. This loss came after being handled by the University of Vermont, 4-1, in the first ever NCAA game held in Quebec City as part of the city's 400th Anniversary - funds raised went to cystic fibrosis.

As for BU, our Wildcat Men's Hockey Team will look to continue the march towards lumping them with the rest of the Hockey East teams - by putting them one game closer to owning a losing record on the Olympic sized, Towse Rink after having gone three-and-'O' against the Commonwealth Ave squad last season. In BU's first two games, freshmen goaltenders, Kieran Millan and Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Grant Rollheiser, recorded a combined total of 34 saves on 36 shots - each allowing one goal - to help their team to a 2-0-0 record.

This game will be televised on ESPNU on Sunday with the puck drop at 5pm.

Go 'Cats!

Wildcats 5, Badgers 1

With goals from van Riemsdyk, Paul Thompson, Sislo, Collins and LeBlanc the University of New Hampshire Men's Hockey Team has kicked off its season with a 'W' for who knows how many years? I do.

The faithful, those who are so assured of victory that they leave before the end of the game, missed a highlight-reel goal from Peter LeBlanc making it 5-1. But let's start from the beginning.

I must say - I was worried. Much of the first period saw a very tentative Wildcat club that was weak on the puck eventually leading to the first goal of the game, a nice three pass tic-tac-toe play by Wisconsin where freshman defenseman, Mike Beck, failed to neutralize the Wisconsin forward with a body play allowing the feed to an uncovered Badger to Foster's left across the crease - 1-0 Badgers.

But that early second period goal would be the first and last Badger offense of the night. The Wildcats seemed to find their groove through the middle of the penalty-laden, official-mismanaged match. And I don't say this lightly or idly. I'm sure that the officiating squad is unhappy with their performance for the first half of the game where they committed numerous, onerous errors that were plain to see and for which they took an inordinate amount of time to process and apologize for. But the game plodded along regardless and our 'Cats put five unanswered goals on the board making the Badgers look almost entirely outmatched.

Hold up. Let's backtrack and layout the Wildcat line-up. Starting the game was the line of:

Jerry Pollastrone - Peter LeBlanc - Bobby Butler
James van Riemsdyk - Phil DeSimone - Mike Sislo
Danny Dries - Thomas Fortney - Greg Collins
Steve Moses - Alan Thompson - Paul Thompson

Defensive pairings

Fritsch - Charlebois
Kapstad - Kessel
Krates - Beck

In net, Brian Foster, of course.

So, with the Badgers on the board the 'Cats would get a(nother) powerplay opportunity. This time Blake Kessel (Wisconsin native who I believe never came off the ice all night and played a very good game) would feed the puck to Kapstad on his left who hammered a shot wide right of the Wisconsin netminder who lazed in said net while the puck caromed with seemingly magnetic properties to a wide open James van Riemsdyk who, not believing the wide open net still in front of him, practically paused to scratch his head and wonder before putting forth the easy game-tying goal and kicking off the scoring for the 2008-2009 season.

They wouldn't waste much time getting back on the board and taking the first lead of the season just forty seconds later when Paul Thompson would get a nice feed from linemates Alan Thompson and Steve Moses going top shelf, 2-1 'Cats!

So, blah-blah-blah, more penalties... lots more penalties... and Mike Sislo (easily the most improved Wildcat this year) just off the bench with a Badger powerplay expiring, collects the puck on the half-boards from another lazy Wisco netminder play and fires it into the empty net to close the second period, 3-1.

Third period, more 'Cats.

Danny Dries would come to life, in the midst of a penalty parade (four for eight minutes) that is sure to cost him in next week's practices, with some nifty dangling leaving the puck for first Captain, Greg Collins and then Peter LeBlanc who would both find the high-strength polyester nylon with lasers to the top shelf.

And through it all Brian Foster was sharp as a diamond-honed fishing hook snagging pucks and handling rebounds with ease, turning aside 30 of 31 on the night.

I can't stress how frighteningly skilled and speedy this team is - scary. If the coaches can get them settled down and playing tougher on the puck then I'll be one happy Wildcat fan.

Go 'Cats!

Required Reading

The College Hockey (& Other Stuff Blog) is back in action with a nice article about the upcoming season for our 'Cats.

A great read!

Go 'Cats!

Cam Reid in '09

Cam Reid, 6'2" 183 pound center for the BCHL's Victoria Grizzlies, has chosen the University of New Hampshire Wildcats to help him to his goal of playing in the National Hockey League.

Cam, recently turning seventeen, has two goals and four assists in eleven games this season and had ten goals, sixteen assists in fifty-five games last season, his rookie BCHL campaign, in which he also scored two goals and three assists through eleven playoff games.

Adding to his resume are his four assists in six games at the 2007 World Junior Under-17 Hockey Championships.

Welcome aboard, Cam!

Go 'Cats!

Filling In

I've got nothing new for you this week folks as it's awful quiet on the Wildcat front.

Waiting for pro rosters to be finalized - where many of our 'Cats have been on the cusp of cracking the big time only to have, one-by-one, fallen short.

Recruit Greg Burke is off to a blazing start in the USHL preseason, scoring four goals and an assist to lead the league in the 2008-2009 three game season prelude - with his Cedar Rapids RoughRiders winning the 2008 USHL Fall Classic.

It's fire prevention week! And I take it seriously folks. Many of you probably remember the near destruction of TUMHBG's headquarters that took place around this time last year. Be safe!

Hope you have your tickets for this weekend's game! It's going to be a great college hockey game for sure. You've seen the Official write-up, right? I'll be there after having run in the Homecoming 5K in the morning and catching the football game in the afternoon. If you're around and notice the shirt feel free to stop by and say hi!

Go 'Cats!

The Ayes Have It

With 50% of the preseason polling of Wildcat Nation coming in for an exhibition victory, the majority was not let down last night.

Wildcats 8, St. Francis Xavier 4.

It was never close.

Junior Bobby Butler sent our 'Cats to a 1-0 lead at 1:17 of the first period on the sweetest breakaway backhander to the top shelf and they never looked back. Before the night was over Butler would come within inches of the hat-trick and fellow junior Peter LeBlanc (1-2-3) along with sophomores Phil DeSimone (2-1-3) and James van Riemsdyk (0-3-3) would finish with three points apiece.

Brian Foster and the defense had a strong showing despite the four goals on the board even with a low shot total from the opposition. The 'Cats spent around six minutes on the five-on-three penalty kill and did not allow a goal. Two of the four goals - two of three scored on Foster - were powerplay goals though and the final goal, scored on freshman Matt DiGirolamo (It's Dee-Jir-o-la-mo), a perfect cross-ice one-timer on the rush, was no fault of his own.

What stood out?

What a team! From the warm-ups I was seeing an incredible amount of communication and even anticipation of each other's moves. They are bringing new and diverse looks on offense and defense - it is something to see. They are flat out DANGEROUS. van Riemsdyk hit the top post corner twice on very hard shots with little to shoot at and under pressure. You know what, I'll say it right now - the way James van Riemsdyk is playing, the rest of college hockey can breathe a sigh of relief because, James van Riemsdyk will not return for his junior year. He was owning the ice last night. Though I didn't see it, the X-Men's own number 21 took van Riemsdyk hard into the boards to hoots from the Nation in attendance. Not a good idea. van Riemsdyk became Philly-V. He shifted into a brutal power role - absolutely leveling opposing players. All night long he drew attention to himself and dished to his linemates, DeSimone and Mike Sislo. Man they all looked so good!

Best newcomer - hands down, Blake Kessel. Kessel was awesome. The only freshman to record a point, Kessel was everywhere. Though he predictably showed his youth a couple times he was a force on the ice. Watch out upperclassmen!

Looking to next week's regular season opener.

Though this was a tough Xavier team they just could not compare to the 'Cats this night, so I say bring on Wisconsin and we will start to see what the 2008-2009 Wildcat Men's Hockey Team is made of!

Go 'Cats!

Season Preview Part V: Let's Get It Started

I'm always so pumped for a new season! And tomorrow, as if you haven't been keeping track, is the 2008-2009 exhibition game that will see the St. Francis Xavier X-Men - who handed the 2006-2007 squad a 3-2 loss - hosted by our 'Cats once more.

I've given my take on the upcoming season for the past four days so I just want to conclude my 2008-2009 Season Preview by saying that I really hope that this year's Wildcat Men's hockey team will bring excitement to, and form a real connection with, the fans throughout Wildcat Nation, throughout the entire season. When the fans send up a cheer I want to see a big hit or a great push in the offensive zone. When the game is over I want to see a heartfelt, coordinated salute to the crowd. More than that I just want to go out there and see 20 guys giving it their all in our alma mater's Blue and White. Let's make this a season to remember.

Go 'Cats!

Season Preview Part IV: The Best Defense...

... Is a good offense.

Yeah, cliche and patently untrue, but it sounds good.

Ah, offense. If there is one thing that a University of New Hampshire men's hockey team is known for it is unrelenting offense. In the past two seasons the team has been ranked no lower than fifth nationally in offensive production and have been in the top five, three of the last four seasons.

And you don't have to look further than sophomore sensation, James van Riemsdyk, to see that this year's team is going to put a whole lot of pucks in the back of the opposition's net.

This Philadelphia Flyers' 2^nd overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft had big shoes to fill last season and he surely did. Relied upon to fuel the second scoring line as a freshman he did so in a big way, scoring thirty-four points in thirty-one games.

I think that there is just no predicting what van Riemsdyk may accomplish this year - players like this come along so rarely - but truly, the sky's the limit. If a good line chemistry has developed between him and, say, Pollastrone and Butler, or classmates DeSimone, Dries and Thompson - I could see almost any combination of these guys on his line - then we could seriously be looking at a single season Wildcat scoring record even in today's age of trap defense and incredible goaltending. I would not be surprised if his point production approaches two points per game.

In that vein, we are going to see improvements from all of these guys. With a summer's seasoning behind them these 'Cats, many of them unused to the sting of defeat, look for them to return with redoubled effort and skills honed in preparation for a year of redemption and another shot at that elusive title.

One thing we won't see much of is this year's freshman forwards, barring injury or one of them stepping up in a big way. The 2008-2009 Wildcat forward squad is returning thirteen upperclassmen. The only ones who didn't see significant playing time last season are senior, Alan Thompson, who has recovered from knee surgery to partake in his final year at UNH, and sophomores Greg Manz and Danny Vranek. Don't expect any of these guys, including our new freshmen, to make it an easy decision for the coaching staff as to who will get the final spot with Alan Thompson almost surely a lock for one of the two spots opened up by the departures of Matt Fornataro and Mike Radja.

And not to belabor the point but don't forget - this team is going to be defense first minded. Line by line each one of these skillful forwards is going to be focused on taking care of their own zone before taking care of business in their preferred end. Count on it.

Wrapping up the 2008-2009 Season Preview tomorrow, it's Part V: Let's Get It Started.

Go 'Cats!

Season Preview Part III: The Last Line of Defense

Ah, a subject near and dear to my heart. Goaltender. Goalie. Netminder. The last line of defense. The puck stops here.

Starting goaltender. Junior, Brian Foster - Pembroke, New Hampshire native. Brian is perhaps the most cool, calm and collected goaltender I have ever seen in the Blue and White. A goalie who epitomizes the discipline of butterfly goaltending with a superb dedication to form with the size and skill to employ it. The only reason we didn't see a lot more of this 5^th round choice of the Florida Panthers is one guy - Wildcat alum, goaltender extraordinaire, Kevin Regan. And after waiting his turn for two years, this is his time so, don't expect to see much of these next two guys for a couple years! Look for Foster to put up Regan like numbers but, with the emphasis on defense, without seeing so many shots. Hey Foster! We're all behind you!

The other guys. I don't want to give these newcomers, Matt DiGirolamo (Penilyn, Pennsylvania) and Tyler Scott (Ridgefield, Connecticut), short shrift but I don't think we'll see either of these two promising freshmen much at all this year. Matt is coming off of back-to-back Runners-up campaigns with the USHL's Waterloo Blackhawks, where he played with fellow freshman, 2008 USHL Defenseman of the Year, Blake Kessel in front of him. Tyler had a fantastic season with the New England prep school league's, South Kent Cardinals leading them to the New England semi-finals after having led the league in saves and putting up very good numbers. I look forward to seeing both perform in this Saturday's exhibition game versus St. Francis Xavier though - the season has arrived nation!

But, before we get there, the final two installments of my 2008-2009 Season Preview - Part IV: The Best Defense... and Part V: Let's Get It Started.

Go 'Cats!