TOCT2: UNH 1 - MC 0

That Old College Try 2:

I'm going to be trying a new live blog format tonight after seeing my fellow blogger, Merrimack's Mike McMahon, using it. Let's hope it works! Brought to you by CoverItLive.



Time to give it that old college try once more in the final home game of the regular season!

It's Senior Night.

Captain, Greg Collins. Defenseman, Kevin Kapstad. Forward, Jerry Pollastrone. Forward, Alan Thompson. Defenseman, Jamie Fritsch. Forward, Thomas Fortney.

Unfortunately we will not likely see Senior Defenseman and Co-Captain, Joe Charlebois, whose Rockford IceHogs are due in San Antonio, Texas to face the Rampage.

TUMHB Senior Review.

Greg Collins. Our Senior Captain has played in 139 games to date for the Blue and White. He has 19 goals and 23 assists through his four years saving the best for last, a career best, 6 goals and 8 assists this season.

Kevin Kapstad. This Senior Defenseman has saved the best for last as well, having a breakout season to the tune of 1 goal and 20 assists this season - the first UNH defenseman to eclipse the 20 assist mark since Brian Yandle did it back-to-back in the 04-05 and 05-06 seasons. Playing in his 111^th game tonight Kevin owns a career total of 8 goals, 31 assists.

Jerry Pollastrone. Not having had the best first half of the season, this Senior Forward has recorded 5 goals and 9 assists in the last fourteen games - a pace just above that which he had maintained throughout his sophomore and junior seasons. His career totals stand at 33 goals and 59 assists through 143 career games, just eight points shy of the 100 point plateau.

Alan Thompson. This Senior Forward has been plagued by injury for years but has persevered through it all to emerge as a key cog in this year's team. Having played in just 33 career games, 26 of them this year, Alan still maintains one year of eligibility which he could put toward increasing his career totals of 2 goals and 4 assists.

Jamie Fritsch. Recording his first goal of the season last night, this Senior Defenseman has been a little off of his career pace which spans 139 games where he has accumulated 11 goals and 26 assists from the blueline with 10 points, 11 points, and 10 points respectively for his first three seasons. He currently has his 1 goals and 5 assists but the season's not over yet and all of Jamie's points have come since January 10^th, 2009.

Thomas Fortney. Another Senior Forward who is just a little behind his career numbers this season but continues to be a steady hand for the Blue and White after 145 career games for the Wildcats. His 15 goals and 28 assists, 13 points, 13 points and 14 points in his first three seasons, are likely out of reach in his final season where he stands at 2 goals, 1 assist - but it's not over yet.

And lastly, Joe Charlebois. This Senior Defenseman had been a mainstay of the Wildcat Defensive corps since his 2005-2006 freshman season where he posted 2 goals and 3 assists. A prototypical defensive defenseman for which he was awarded the 2008 Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman award, Joe only ever amassed 18 points through his first three seasons while playing 109 games. Before his season was cut short, due to academic ineligibility, at 18 games, a career mark of 127 matches, he had already totaled 9 assists.

These are your Class of 2009 University of New Hampshire Senior Men's Hockey players!

Live Online Stream (w/ pre-game show at 6:30pm)

Official Site

CHN's Tale of the Tape

Go 'Cats!

TOCT: UNH 4 - MC 3 Final

That Old College Try!

Just getting in late here tonight but I've been tuned into the radio call by Dan Parkhurst and Pete Webster...

It's 2-1 'Cats!

Second Period

Underway!

Goals by Sislo to start at 4:20 of the First and then the answering goal by Collins just 32 seconds after the Warriors had tied the game at one.

First Wildcat Powerplay of the game.

Unable to open shooting lanes it doesn't sound as if the guys were able to get the puck on net with the extra-skater.

14:38 to play in the Second.

@ 11:50 Danny Dries goes for slashing.

and Greg Collins goes on a matching call just a little later

But they're back to full-strength.

8:36 to go in the middle period.

Seems as if McCarey is still in the line-up replacing the injured Stevie Moses.

A lot of neutral ice hockey right now with the play flowing back and forth with no real chances.

Before I forget I wanted to pass it along that I have it on good authority that WMUR will feature highlights from tonight's game on the eleven o'clock news!

4:29 to go in the Second.

Jerry Pollastrone just getting out of the box and less than a minute to go in the period and Jamie Fritsch picks up his first goal of the season!

3-1 'Cats!

Pete Webster calling Fritsch a goal scorer for his move and for putting the puck coolly into the top shelf!

Two down and one to go!

End of the Second

What I'm looking to hear in the next twenty minutes of play:

The 'Cats are going to have to come out and play a strong and complete third period to earn the two points. Let's hear it!

Third Period

16:33 to play and the pace of the game continues to remain elevated but with no real dangerous chances until now when Sislo walks into the slot but the opportunity is lost in the shuffle.

Paul Thompson steals the puck and feeds Greg Collins the puck but he is stopped by Merrimack's goaltender, Joe Cannata.

13:20 to go and play is turning a little chippy. Kapstad and Ricci go to the box. 4-on-4 hockey.

Tipped in by the Captain! Greg Collins tips Blake Kessel's hard shot who received the pass from Nick Krates for the goal!

4-1 'Cats!

Collins at the 12:56 mark of Third Period as another matched-pair goes to the box - big surprise, it's Dries for the 'Cats at 12:15.

11:20 to play. Shots are 24-21 in favor of the Blue and White.

Foster stops Merrimack's Barton with the blocker on a breakaway chance!

Wildcat Powerplay!

Just the second opportunity as LeBlanc is tripped up. 8:10 to play.

Still not setting up well on the powerplay and they go offside with about half of the powerplay gone.

Dries nearly goes for 5 minutes hitting from behind but awarded the two-minute minor with less than five minutes remaining and Merrimack scores.

4-2 'Cats!

4:29 to play.

Dries has three minor penalties in the game.

Shots stand at 27-25 UNH.

3:35 to go!

Merrimack net is empty with two minutes to play!

And they score!

4-3 'Cats!

1:46 to play. Merrimack timeout.

Play resumes and Cannata leaves the net once more.

Kapstad misplays the puck and the Wildcats escape another MC chance before the Warriors go offside and Cannata is back in his crease.

Gone once more...

about 30 seconds to play.

Final.

That will make you nervous! Other than getting close at the end a well played game!

To tomorrow night, Senior Night, in Durham, New Hampshire!

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Let's get the links in here:

Live Stats

Official Site

CHN's Tale of the Tape

Go 'Cats!

WWAW *UPDATE*

Yeah, so Thursday has arrived before I was able to get this post out. I beg your forgiveness.

It's Wednesday's Wildcat Alumni Weekly... on Thursday.

Darren Haydar champions The Weekly this week after a six point performance over his last three games. In response to having yet another scoring streak snapped, this latest one at seven games and four goals/seven assists, the Grand Rapids Griffins Captain touched off a 5-1 win with four assists over fellow alum, Jason Krog and his Manitoba Moose. Garrett Stafford, the offensive blueliner for the Griffins scored once and assisted once in the game. Sorry, two assists, which totaled with his other recent games amounts to three goals and three assists through four games out of five. Jason Krog was held scoreless but came back with an assist in the two subsequent games and a two goal outing Tuesday night. You can see Krog score the game-tying and go-ahead goal on AHL Live. Krog ranks fourth in AHL scoring, Haydar ninth. Stafford is eighth in defensive scoring in the league.

Kevin Regan and Colin Hemingway were recalled from the ECHL's Alaska Aces to play for the Bruins' AHL team, the Providence Bruins. Hemingway was released today after four games in which he tallied an assist and a +2 rating. Regan won in his lone night of tending the nets since his recall.

Joe Charlebois played in his first professional game last night, suiting up for the Rockford IceHogs alongside fellow alum Mike Radja. Charlebois recorded one shot. Radja was held scoreless.

Matt Fornataro had two assists over the weekend for the Worcester Sharks as did Trevor Smith with his Bridgeport Sound Tigers, both picking up single helpers in back to back games.

Eric Boguniecki had a goal and an assist over the week.

In the competing story of the week for Men's Wildcat Hockey, Ty Conklin has been superb for the Detroit Red Wings and talk is beginning to surface that the reigning Stanley Cup Champions will look to the former UNH netminder to be the starting goaltender as they make their way to and through the playoffs. Last night Conklin backstopped his team to a 4-1 win over this year's vicious San Jose Sharks. Ty is undefeated in his last six games and his save percentage places him eleventh in the league with his goals against average even better at seventh. He still ranks second in shutouts with six perfect games recorded.

*UPDATE* Forgot to add another NHL.com article on Conklin! Here it is.

And that's all for this week's "Wednesday's" Wildcat Alumni Weekly!

Go 'Cats!

Regan, Hemingway in Manchester

Kevin Regan and Colin Hemingway should be with the Providence Bruins when they visit the Manchester Monarchs tonight right here at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.

I can't say for sure if you'll get to see the duo play as Regan played in the last P-Bruins game and I'm unsure of Hemingway's status with the team though he has played well since getting the call-up which you'll hear more about in tomorrow's Wednesday's Wildcat Alumni Weekly!

Additionally, look forward to an AHL ticket giveaway in the near future and the winner of a $20 gift certificate to Hayden Sports will be announced soon!

Go 'Cats!

WHM

Listening in to the The Coach's Show on the flagship online stream from WTSN-1270 AM.

THE DICK UMILE SHOW ON RADIO: The Coach’s Show featuring UNH men’s hockey head coach Dick Umile, with hosts Andy Schachat and D. Ellis is broadcast on Mondays live from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on WTSN-1270 AM (Dover, N.H.), simulcasted on WGIR- 610 AM (Manchester, N.H.) and on www.wtsn1270.com from Libby’s Bar and Grill on Main Street in Durham.The show will start the Monday following the end of the UNH football season.The Coaches Show features Coach Umile as well as a selected student-athlete each week from the men’s ice hockey team.

-from the Official Site of UNH Athletics

Talking about the upcoming series with Merrimack with senior defenseman, Jamie Fritsch.

Back later with my WHM.

And now, Wildcat Hockey Monday!

This past weekend our University of New Hampshire Men's Hockey Team earned four crucial Hockey East points, leaving just eight more on the table up for grabs.

The opponent was BC and this year's Blue and White squad jumped out to an early lead in both games scoring just 3:17 after the opening faceoff on Friday night and at the 2:27 mark of Saturday night's contest. That early goal Friday night would tally as the first of three biscuits in the basket on the weekend for sophomore standout, James van Riemsdyk.

And that was just the start of the weekend!

Bordering on unbelievable though, the 'Cats would conclude their scoring - at least with the opposing goalie between the pipes - by the 4:48 and 5:22 mark of the second periods respectively! You read that right. They began and ended the scoring each night within one minute's time.

What happened after that though was enough to put a collective, cold lump of fear in the pit of Wildcat Nation's stomach. The Eagles would go on to surge back both nights to make it a 3-2 game at some time beyond the halfway point of the game. That fear though was borne not necessarily of the score as much as the Wildcats' seemingly sudden loss of focus. But, ultimately, they stoically regained their composure, keeping their slim lead intact to secure the win with a lot of help from junior goaltender, Brian Foster.

So, on to the coming weekend!

The Merrimack College Warriors are ready to host our Wildcats this Friday then will make the short trek to Durham, NH where they'll be welcomed into Towse Rink for a 7:30pm start on Saturday night. It will be the last televised game of the 2008-2009 regular season for our 'Cats, brought to you by the New England Sports Network and through their partnership with Rogers Sportsnet shown across Canada as well.

The Warriors are 3-1-1 in their last five after breaking an eight-straight losing skid. Their three W's have come against Brown, Providence most recently, and most impressively, defeating our final week's opponent, the University of Vermont Catamounts. And let's not forget who the Warriors beat just after Thanksgiving.

Merrimack stands in the way of four points. Four points that could decide whether the UNH Men's Hockey Team will take to the ice in a chorus of raucous cheers or jeering boos for their Hockey East Quarterfinal match-up and the honor of skating in front of their hometown fans one more time for the seniors.

Seniors, this is your last chance to give it that old college try!

What do you say, guys?

Go 'Cats!

The NHL on NBC

A great weekend of hockey is not over yet!

Catch the NHL on NBC today, where the Pittsburgh Penguins will take on the Washington Capitals in one of hockey's most star-studded match-ups under banner of the NHL Game of the Week!

Just tune in to your local NBC station at 12:30 EST and enjoy the NHL in all its high-definition glory!

Hockey Rocks!

*The Sidney Crosby Star Cam*

*The Alexander Ovechkin Star Cam*

Did I mention hockey rocks!?

TCOB2: UNH 4 @ BC 2 Final

First Period

Game on!

Dries from the forecheck of Bobby Butler!

1-0 'Cats!

A large contingent of Wildcat fans in attendance and very vocal.

Dries goal was 2:27 into the game and there is 16:40 to play in the first.

'Live' Stats for tonight's game.

Stats currently suggest that UNH is controlling play with the majority of faceoff wins and leading in shots.

10:12 to go in the first period.

7:42 remaining in this frame after van Riemsdyk splits the defense but can't escape the defenders to get a shot on goal.

Kucharski gets loose in front and the centering pass from behind the net finds its way past Foster's blocker.

1-1.

About a minute and a half to play in the period.

Dries is broken up but the puck goes to Butler who finds DeSimone late in the period who dekes Muse out of the BC net to regain the lead with just four seconds left on the clock!

2-1 'Cats!

End of the First

Incredible! This is what I was talking about! These guys are finally realizing that they can play the Wildcat system administered by Coach Umile and his staff and yet individually put this team on their back and carry them to victory!

Second Period

First powerplay of the game will go to BC with DeSimone going for slashing the stick out of a BC player.

Penalty killed and it's back to even-strength.

van Riemsdyk pushes away the BC defender and tosses the puck by Muse for the goal!

3-1 'Cats!

And the Wildcats are on the prowl drawing a powerplay with some intense offensive pressure.

UNH Powerplay!

Just don't seem quite hungry enough to make them pay for taking the penalty but playing well with the man advantage.

Even-strength.

Almost to the halfway point of the game, 11:43 left in the period.

Another powerplay as Paul Thompson is knocked into the net by BC's Brian Gibbons.

Time to satisfy the hunger with another goal...

UNH Powerplay!

Sislo makes a move and gets the puck on net but denied by Muse.

The Dries - DeSimone - Butler line dangerous again on the powerplay but just broken up.

It's even-strength with 6:51 to play in the period.

Fortney goes for hooking giving BC their second powerplay of the night.

Wildcats seeming much more composed and solid through the second period after an uninspiring performance in the middle stanza last night.

But a good rush by Dries and DeSimone feeling the confidence and making the play on the shorthand draw the call bringing 4-on-4 hockey for a short while.

Wildcats on the powerplay.

But it's BC who generates a shorthanded chance of their own with Foster up to the task.

Wildcats moving the puck in the offensive zone with the extra-attacker as Petrecki goes putting UNH back on the powerplay.

Oh they were close on that one with Kapstad feeling the hunger with another BC penalty for crosschecking Dries giving them :33 of 5-on-3 powerplay near the end of the period.

They've got to want to make them pay for these infractions.

End of the Second

For real this time :-)

Third Period

18:41 to go.

Back and forth play through the early part of the period.

13:14 to go in the game.

Pete Webster is actually mentioning that the ice is tipping in favor of BC with them hemming the Wildcats in but Foster is holding strong.

The pressure leads to a Greg Collins penalty with twelve minutes and some change left on the clock.

Score on the powerplay.

3-2 'Cats!

10:55 to go with the 'Cats generating some chances now after the powerplay goal.

9:12 to go and BC goes back on the powerplay as they continue to pour on the pressure.

Time for the 'Cats to take care of business.

Big save by Brian Foster!

We could really use a goal from Bobby Butler right now.

Kapstad sacrifices the body and comes up with a big blocked shot!

We could use a goal from any of the Blue and White!

6:36 to go!

Hard to believe that they have the 'Cats out-shooting the Eagles as Brian Foster ties up another puck.

Under four minutes left.

As Dan says it, "3:14 remaining."

Finally some strong defensive play down low and around the net by the Wildcats.

Foster is just holding the fort with 2:21 to play as the Boston College onslaught continues.

1:16 to go.

Timeout Eagles.

BC net empty.

Sislo clears.

:26 and the save by Foster!

18.2 seconds with the faceoff in the defensive end and timeout 'Cats!

van Riemsdyk scores on the empty net!!!

4-2 'Cats!

James van Riemsdyk CRUSHES the Eagles!

Brian Foster was HUGE!!!

This is the hockey I was talking about!!!

And takin' care of business!!!

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Pre-Game

Just heard that Stevie Moses is out with a shoulder injury and will be replace by Kevin McCarey in the line-up tonight.

Pollastrone - van Riemsdyk - Sislo
Collins - LeBlanc - P.Thompson
Dries - DeSimone - Butler
A. Thompson - Fortney - McCarey

Kapstad - Kessel
Fritsch - Campanale
Krates - Kipp

After some vacation induced technical difficulties I return tonight and will be blogging from the audio call by Dan Parkhurst and Pete Webster brought to you by Learfield Sports and the UNH Wildcat Sports Network with obligatory dinner impediment early on!

Go 'Cats!

TCOB: UNH 3 vs. BC 2 Final

Takin' Care of Business

Since no one took me up on my challenge to present their take of the weekend and the season to date, mine will follow here. I know, I'm the one who's supposed to be doing the writing and you the reading, right!? Too bad. I've got more giveaways coming up! But without further ado.

Any given weekend.

One of the great things about hockey, and maybe one of the most difficult to deal with as hockey fans, is that anything can happen once the puck is dropped on sixty minutes of hockey - or sixty plus minutes of hockey as the case may be. It's the combination of speed and toughness. Of finesse and strength. Drive and determination.

Sometimes a bit more inequity creeps into college hockey given the variety of schools in size, location and how valued hockey is at a particular school. You've got recruiting and the resultant team chemistry which can lead to a miracle on ice, just ask Herb Brooks and the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team.

Our Wildcats' season has been as any other season in college hockey, a constant battle. A battle that has left them battered at times and nearly beaten. But they refused to surrender. They have refused to let injury or loss beat them. And currently they are getting the best of a season that has been uncharitable to them to say the least.

Now, these factors will not disappear but I feel as if this team has turned a corner. That they welcome the battle. They've recommitted to the team's system yet have also rediscovered that individually they can all make a difference on any given night, any given weekend.

Bring on BC. Coming off of a tough Friday night in which they were handled by Lowell 6-0, the Eagles bounced back to a come-from-behind 4-4 tie on the Riverhawks' home ice. That tie granted both teams striking distance on the University of New Hampshire Men's Hockey Team for the fourth and final home ice slot for the Hockey East Tournament.

Additionally, these games are critical to not-so-distant NCAA Tournament hopes for which opportunities to secure crucial comparisons are dwindling. But I have to say, I like the way this team plays under pressure. It's on boys.

Time to take care of business.

Live Online Stream (w/ pre-game show at 6:30pm)

Official Site

Tale of the Tape

Go 'Cats!

Charlebois Signs with Rockford

There are very few details available at this point but University of New Hampshire senior, Joe Charlebois, has signed a standard player contract with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL where he will join fellow Wildcat Alum, Mike Radja.

More to come.

I've just added a title-link (click on the title of this post) to the Rockford IceHogs' website release. They mention that Charlebois will join the team for tomorrow's game versus the Milwaukee Admirals.

Congratulations Joe!

Go 'Cats!

Wednesday's Wildcat Alumni Weekly

A truncated version today with just one story really catching my eye, oh I'll probably run on and mention Kevin Regan at the end, but this week's show will center around Daniel Winnik.

The lone UNH alum forward to play a considerable amount of time in the NHL this season, Winnik has perhaps found it a lonely place. The defensive minded, speedy big guy made an immediate impact in his rookie NHL season scoring in his first NHL game and then adding ten more and fifteen assists over 79 games. He was 17^th in rookie scoring in the NHL. Turn the page to his sophomore year for the Phoenix Coyotes and you find an entirely different story and real evidence of sophomore slumps. It would take Dan 12 games to record his first point and 16 more to record his second point of the season just one week ago today, both assists. The course of his season was not looking good - the scoring drought, an injury in late November/early December and being sent down to the San Antonio Rampage, the Phoenix Coyotes AHL affiliate, where he also failed to record a point in 5 games. But injuries and lackluster play throughout their NHL squad would force his recall and he seemed to have come back with the focus and determination to fulfill the hope that he would recapture some of last year's magic. But once again the puck just would not bounce his way. At one point he would find a loose puck in the low slot and he cut loose an absolute blast at near point blank range, beating the goaltender and moving the net, the entire cage, because it hit the post and bounced out.

Then four days ago, Valentine's Day rolled around, and maybe you could say Daniel Winnik had a change of heart. Though his Phoenix Coyotes would ultimately fall to a surging Calgary Flames team, Winnik would record not just his first goal of the season and the first of the game but he added another to bring his team to within one just past the halfway point of the game after they had fallen behind 3-1. But he wasn't done yet. Some hard work by Winnik down low would lead to another Phoenix goal late in the game but would be the final goal of the game which the Flames won, 7-5 (boxscore plus highlights). That last play would give Winnik a total of two goals and an assist, good enough for the second star of the game. It would also bring his season total to two goals and three assists through 31 games.

I'm sure his breakout play on Valentine's Day earned him some good-natured ribbing from his teammates about perhaps being a lover not a fighter though he has represented himself well when dropping the gloves.

Nice to see the hard work paying off.

Keep it up, Dan!


And though I said I wouldn't I have to throw a bit in about Jason Krog. The second place all time leader in Wildcat scoring has moved into fourth place in the American Hockey League scoring race with a stellar week. Last Wednesday night Krog collected three assists and over the weekend added a couple goals and three more assists for a total of eight points through four games since we last checked in.

Darren Haydar is eleventh in the league and currently has a seven game scoring streak in which he has netted four goals and seven assists.

Trevor Smith is holding steady at 34^th and is in the midst of a four game scoring streak himself with a goal and three assists in that span.

Garrett Stafford is 17^th in defensive scoring, picking up goal in his last outing.

Jacob Micflikier has a goal and an assist in his last two matches as does Eric Boguniecki.

And finally, Kevin Regan has been outstanding for the ECHL's Alaska Aces with fellow alums Colin and Brett Hemingway paving the way in offense on the team. Kevin is two-and-two with a .918 save percentage and a 2.48 goals against average recording the shootout win in his last performance which included a 1.85 GAA and a .944 save percentage.

Don't forget to check out the AHL's AHL Live (link over there =>) and until next week...

Go 'Cats!

WHM

Coming in way late this Monday and a bit under the weather so we're going to do this a bit differently.

Overall a good weekend for our 'Cats. Could have been better, could have been worse but we're definitely seeing the pieces of the puzzle come together.

But this is just one blogger's opinion!

I turn this week's Wildcat Hockey Monday over to Wildcat Nation at large.

What do you think about this past weekend and even the season to this point? The remainder of the season?

Comment to this post!

Go 'Cats!

I ♥ Wildcats!: UNH 4 @ PC 2 Final

First Period

From the audio call by Dan Parkhurst and Pete Webster.

And the rubber meets the ice!

Providence taking possession of the puck early with some broken chances but an offensive zone penalty will leave the Wildcats with the early powerplay.

UNH Powerplay!

Even-Strength.

Only weaker chances on the powerplay from outside and not creating the time and space to set up.

15:24 to go in the First.

The Wildcats are scrapping for some chances off of rebounds but the collapsing defense by Providence assures that they are low-percentage chances.

Paul Thompson driving to the net like he's supposed to but stopped by Beaudry.

And after DeSimone puts the puck on Beaudry who held on, another Providence penalty, this time for slashing.

UNH Powerplay!

And even-strength. 10:30 left in the first. No real chances.

7:30 to go in the opening period with play back and forth.

I just added the GameTracker link below.

The Blue and White set it up for a minute in the offensive end but could not generate a good chance before the puck came back the other way.

3:23 to play in the period.

SCORE!!!!!! Jerry Pollastrone! Seemingly out of nowhere after a rush by the top line with van Riemsdyk carrying then losing the puck. But a moment later he recovers the puck and feeds Pollastrone in front who slips it between Beaudry and the post.

Now van Riemsdyk goes for interference in the first penalty against a Wildcat all weekend to close out the first period.

1-0 'Cats!

And Providence is all over this penaltykill, spending the entire allotment in the Wildcats' zone.

End of the First

Phew! That was intense but our guys weathered the storm!

That last barrage by the Friars left them with a 10-7 shot advantage after one.

Sislo added as an assist to the lone first period goal.

Second Period

Right now Massachusetts, Merrimack and Lowell all have two goals and BC is the only team with a goal on the board on the losing side of the score.

Foster racking up saves early on in the second period.

UNH falling behind almost two-to-one in the shots column on the stat sheet.

Five minutes into the period and the Wildcats have yet to put a significant chance on net and Providence gets down the ice with PC's O'Connor collecting his own rebound to tie the game.

1-1.

Providence controlling play now looking for their first lead on the weekend after seeming to have a firm grip on the Wildcats' tail since last night - the boys just can't shake these Friars.

Shots are 20-9 PC.

And now Moses goes for hooking which brings the dangerous shorthand crew of van Riemsdyk and Sislo to put the Friars back on their heels. But Providence's Matt Taoramina takes James van Riemsdyk to the box which is right where the Rhode Islanders would love to keep him.

It's even-strength and before James van Riemsdyk gets back out there I just want to say that it is beyond time the kid puts this team on his shoulders and lifts them up as far as he can. There's just no more time for this team to pretend that they're not looking for him to part the sea and lead them forward. If he's got it in him, the time is now.

9:30 to play as we pass the halfway point of the game where we started - tie game.

Moses! Again, out of nowhere, cuts off of the boards, moving the feet and lets the shot go as he throws it to the top shelf while moving across the slot in front.

2-1 'Cats!

I take back what I said about van Riemsdyk. Each one of these guys needs to do what they can to put the team on their shoulders, just like Stevie Moses just did!

5:32 to go in the period.

Kapstad and Fortney get the assist on Moses' goal.

Collins takes Taoramina down giving PC another man advantage.

van Riemsdyk sends Sislo in on the shorthand but he shoots it wide. Come on guys, it's got to be on!

Just one minute to play in the period.

The Wildcats have begun to close the gap in shots as the end of second stanza sounds ending the same as the first, Wildcat up by one.

End of the Second Period

Lowell leads by two after two, it's 4-2 Riverhawks. Massachusetts leads by a score of 3-0 but is not safe after league leader Northeastern came back from a two goal then a one goal deficit to win last night. Vermont has come back to take a 4-3 lead on the Merrimack Warriors. And Maine has managed to keep the potent BU offense quiet where it is 0-0 in Orono.

Third Period

SCORE!!! STEVIE MOSES! Gets on the rebound off of Thomas Fortney's shot!

3-1 'Cats!

PAUL THOMPSON!!! Rings the death knell for Alex Beaudry's night with a goal just 16 seconds later from Greg Collins!!!

4-1 'Cats!

We're just 3:36 into the third period.

Wildcats are hammering away as Greg Collins fires one that is deflected out of the rink!

15:25 to go.

Mazzolini gets one through traffic as Providence finds a little left.

4-2 'Cats!

Foster frustrating the frenzied Friars!

Approaching the 10:00 mark.

Dries goes to the box giving PC another powerplay, holding at 9:48.

It's even-strength.

Kessel's shot from the point goes in but the play is whistled dead thanks to a Danny Dries cross checking call that will send the Friars on their fifth powerplay of the game with 6:41 to play.

Matching penalties with 5:32 to play.

4:05 to go as they skate 4-on-4.

Full-Strength. 3:10 left.

The Friar Norton goes for taking a shot at van Riemsdyk hamstringing any decent chance for his team to mount any offense late in the game.

UNH Powerplay!

1:00 to play!

Providence gets the man back.

Empty net PC.

And the clock expires!

4-2 'Cats!

Brian Foster stops at least 31. Wildcats score 4 on 24 shots.

No powerplay goals in the game.

Stevie Moses makes the difference netting the go-ahead goal and the eventual game-winner.

Pete gets Moses to comment that Coach Umile really motivated the team to come out and play the second and third periods as two of the most important of the season to this point and indeed they needed the points and needed this win. Now they've got to build on it.

Nine Wildcats posted a point tonight with Moses the only one to get two per the scoresheet at this time though it may change as it's finalized.

------------
Pre-Game

Line-Up

Pollastrone - van Riemsdyk - Sislo
Collins - LeBlanc - P.Thompson
Dries - DeSimone - Butler
A. Thompson - Fortney - Moses

Kapstad - Kessel
Fritsch - Kipp
Krates - Campanale

Foster

I had no idea our Wildcats were related to the Friars but how else do you explain the sister-kissing going on last night?

Maybe they were just feeling a little amorous on the eve before St. Valentine's Day?

Providence proved very dangerous, scoring four very good goals on just twenty four chances and you've got to think that they'll close that seam in their defense tonight that our 'Cats exploited so effectively.

On the other hand those Wildcats can play a little more tightly defensively, watching the line changes, and being a little more aggressive on the defensive zone faceoffs.

Then throw in the smaller ice surface. It shores up some of UNH's defensive lapses but pressures them to make quicker passes in the offensive zone.

Whatever happens they've got to maintain the discipline that they exhibited last night - though a more tightly called game may have resulted in a shorthand situation or two for the Blue and White even so - and keep the offense clicking.

GameTracker

Live Online Stream

Official Site

Tale of the Tape

Wildcats! Will you be my Valentine?

I Love Durham: UNH 4 vs PC 4 OT Final

First Period

I'm a little late getting in tonight and the stream from 1270 is not working for me tonight. I want to pass along that I am currently reprising my evaluation of UNHWildcats.tv. I watched the UNH/Maine game in Durham and my only qualm is that there is a ringing to the audio - video was great for the product offered and had none of the problems I spoke of earlier.

The puck has dropped!

And Pollastrone is in the line-up on a line with Sislo so I suspect van Riemsdyk is not in the line-up.

And good pressure by the second line of LeBlanc - Thompson - Collins!

Just heard that van Riemsdyk is on the ice - I've got to open a new window so I can watch and type!

I'm also eating my dinner right now so I won't be able to type as often but right now the Friars are out-shooting and our Wildcats look a little shaky defensively but are pressing well offensively though PC's defense is stifling them and Providence goaltender, Beaudry, is sound.

11:00 to go in the first.

Alan Thompson scores a goal-scorers goal by pulling the puck back in front of the defender in the middle of the slot and he snapped it off between both the defenseman's and Beaudry's wickets!

1-0 'Cats!

And my UNHWildcats.tv feed has frozen and now jumped ahead leaving me missing nearly a minute of play.

Anyway, Alan Thompson's second goal!

Time of the goal, 9:42. From Kapstad and Butler.

We're under the three minute mark now and the Friars have just tied the game on a good bounce play that saw a redirect of a puck thrown on net giving Foster no chance.

And a good play that saw Dries undress a PC defenseman and their goaltender and slide it under, across the crease to Butler who couldn't find the empty net as he drove past the other side of the net.

And a UNH Powerplay to close the period, drawn by Greg Collins working down low.

Wildcats pull Foster with less than two seconds to play and the powerplay faceoff to the left of PC's Beaudry. DeSimone won the faceoff to Butler who slid it to LeBlanc who banged it home for the 2-1 lead!

Amazing play! It's a goal with no time left on the clock!

End of the First

The guys FOUGHT for that goal and pounced on that puck! Just incredible tenacity, mostly borne from fear of the empty net at the other end I believe, but it shows that they are capable and watching the replay it almost looked like a set play. Unbelievable!

Watching the replay further and knowing that there were 1.9 seconds on the clock it is clear that it took less than 2 seconds to complete the play.

Shots tilted in favor of the 'Cats, 15-8.

I wouldn't be too excited that this was a powerplay goal as they had the extra-attacker on the ice with Foster out of the net. But Pete Webster IS the Swami of the Wildcats, with a history of calling such keys to the game - tonight, Peter LeBlanc. Unreal.

Best wishes to referee, Scott Hansen, who was seriously injured by a slapshot in a recent game. Your wishes can be passed along to Scott through the Hockey East website from this week's Weekend Preview.

Get well, Scott! We'll buy you some glasses so you can see that shot next time! Just kidding! He is expected to fully recover.

Once again looking at that replay with the clock included it is clear that the puck is in the net with .1 seconds.

Second Period

More sketchy play defensively by the 'Cats leads to another Friar bid on Foster but stopped coolly and another by the goalie with liquid nitrogen in his veins!

Tonight's game has got to seem like a family reunion for Wildcat sophomore, Paul Thompson, as Providence is just LOADED with players from the multiple EJHL championships New Hampshire Junior Monarchs teams that Paul was a part of.

WOW! van Riemsdyk drops it to Pollastrone on the half-boards who, looking like Darren Haydar reincarnated, FIRES a pass across the PC defensive zone to a streaking Blake Kessel who reached back and smoothly swept the release forward beating Beaudry short-side before he could get all the way across!

3-1 'Cats!

WOOO!

The 'Cats are at full throttle now!

Oh! They just showed a replay of that Kessel goal... so pretty!

And the discipline!!! The Wildcats have yet to be whistled for a penalty!

Almost at the halfway point of the game!

Our guys are moving the puck very well, very decisively and smartly.

7:30 to go in the second as play mellows out a bit.

And Providence scores after winning the faceoff in the Wildcat defensive zone.

van Riemsdyk makes the play, draws the penalty and shrugs off the shoulder injury.

UNH powerplay!

Sislo too soft on the loose puck in front did not back it home!

van Riemsdyk leaves THREE Providence defenders staring at their laces but doesn't have enough room to finish as the powerplay expires.

Providence dangerous but stopped with two periods in the book.

End of the Second.

Shots 26-15 in UNH's favor.

Third Period

van Riemsdyk draws another penalty after getting his stick tangled up in James' legs, UNH powerplay!

DeSimone finds the seam in the Providence penalty kill! And Bobby Butler slams it home. It was Danny Dries that handed the puck off to DeSimone.

Powerplay goal!

4-2 'Cats!

Just 1:09 into the period.

Now 17:30 to play.

And great play by the fourth line!

More good play from each of the Wildcat lines brings us to the 15:00 mark but Providence forward, Mickinnon finds some space on the wing and snaps the top corner over Foster's glove.

11:30 to play and the 'Cats are still skating well and maintaining discipline.

Friars pressing dangerously again and Brian Foster ties the puck up through traffic after another oddman rush.

Blake Kessel practically looks like an NHL defenseman out there. Incredible movement of the puck and play decision.

8:21 to play.

Kevin Kapstad lets the shot go just a little too quick as the puck comes to him on an oddman rush in favor of our 'Cats.

Kessel just steps up and intercepts a breakout pass.

5:10 to play.

Another offensive zone faceoff win and Norton walks into the slot and beats Foster.

4-4.

Greg Collins catches his leg on Mike Beck as they passed each other and he goes to the locker room.

3:12 to play.

1:00 to play.

End of Regulation

Overtime

4-on-4 start to the overtime with Dries in the box for the 'Cats, surprise!

It's full-strength. 2:50 to play.

Just before this stop Jerry Pollastrone dipsy-do'd the Providence defense but couldn't finish from in tight down low near the side of the net.

Wildcats putting on the pressure to finish the game put cannot put it home.

4-4 Final.

Shot 39-24 Wildcats who now find themselves in a fourth place tie with UMass Lowell who dominated BC, 6-0. UNH does win any tie-breaker with Lowell.

But one point closer to Vermont after Merrimack edged them 3-2.

We'll see how the weekend sorts out after tomorrow night's games.

Until tomorrow, good night Nation!

------------
Pre-Game

If you've never heard the Los Angeles King's entrance song, I Love L.A. by Young Dre, then you're missing out. But we know how he feels because, we love Durham!

When our Wildcat men's hockey team takes to the ice tonight in arguably the best entrance in college hockey they'll soon see the the black jerseys of the Providence Friars at the other end of the ice.

With PC in town expect a physical game and a clogging defense to complement their rejuvenated goaltending which will likely give our 'Cats trouble especially since we shouldn't expect to see James van Riemsdyk or Jerry Pollastrone. I know that I've said the next six games are critical to the fortunes of this team but I would not have them chance further injury and more time out should the season continue and I don't think that they'll risk that or worse injury either.

One thing is for sure. The UNH team that takes the ice tonight is going to have to bring it if they want the points this weekend and I have just one thing to say about that - let it rock, boys!

Official Site

Tale of the Tape

Go 'Cats!

Wednesday's Wildcat Alumni Weekly

Good Wednesday to you, Nation.

Where do we start!?

How about Darren Haydar's jump to eleventh in AHL scoring, just behind Jason Krog who is ninth?

Grand Rapids Griffins' Captain, Darren Haydar has touched off another five game scoring streak dating back to last Wednesday night during which he has scored once in four of those games and assisted in two of them totaling four assists and eight points. The game that he didn't score? Three assists against his former teammates (VIDEO), the Chicago Wolves.

Haydar's teammate and fellow alum, Garrett Stafford, got a goal in that one and has gone on a bit of a tear himself lately. Stafford managed at least a point in each of the first four games of the five game set, and that is a LOT of hockey in eight days! His totals for the streak amounted to two goals and three assist for the blueliner, with a goal and assist in this game (VIDEO).

To recap the rest: Jason Krog had just one assist in two games. It came in his Manitoba Moose's win in Manchester, New Hampshire the night after Jason watched his alma mater fall 1-0 to Maine the previous night in the same rink. Worcester Shark, Matt Fornataro, had an assist in two of three games. Iowa Chops' Assistant Captain, Eric Boguneicki, had a goal last night and an assist over the weekend through three games. And Trevor Smith had two assists in one of his three games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Oh, I finally got around to adding that AHL Live link, over there => in the link section, can't miss it.

Now on to Ty Conklin who is backstopping the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. Last year's Stanley Cup Champions are undefeated in their last five games where three of those wins have come with Ty in net. Last night he improved to 19-7-1 on the season with a .915 save percentage and a 2.34 goals against average. The highlight of the his three game win streak has to be shutting out his former teammates, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in Sunday's NHL on NBC game. The shutout, his sixth, puts him in a second place tie for the number of perfect performances and he ranks eighth in GAA and fifteenth in save percentage in the world's greatest hockey league.

That's all for this Wednesday, February 11^th, 2009! As always be sure to comment if you think there was a notable performance by a Wildcat alum out there!

OH! I completely forgot to get this story on Colin Hemingway in from the NHL.com website which was also promoted through the Hockey East website - though I found it first!

Hemingway plays for the Alaska Aces of the ECHL alongside two fellow alums, younger brother Brett and goaltender, Kevin Regan.

Go 'Cats!

Future 'Cat, Justin Agosta

Help me extend a warm welcome to Future 'Cat, Justin Agosta, who will bring big D to Durham and I don't mean Dallas.

Agosta, a 6'3" 190 pound defenseman out of Berkshire Preparatory school, committed to the Blue and White on February 8^th, 2009.

A long time roller hockey player who has taken to the ice most recently for the Berkshire Bears, he scored seven goals and twenty-two assists in twenty-six New England Preparatory School Athletic Council games last season as a junior according to the trusty UNH Hockey Prospects and Recruits Blog which lists him as a 2010 recruit.

Justin is featured in the February 2009 New England Hockey Journal and you can see him roughhousing with now Berkshire Alum and freshman forward for Colby College, Matt Rappaport, who I'm sure doesn't want this video getting out. Sorry, Matt, though I give you props for even taking on the big man while giving up twenty pounds and half-a-foot in height!

On behalf of Wildcat Nation, welcome, Justin!

And don't forget, you can find current Wildcat stats and standings in sortable tables, a spread detailing Wildcat Alumni playing pro as well as info and links for Justin and his fellow Future 'Cats, all by scrolling down the right-hand side of The UNH Men's Hockey Blog!

Go 'Cats!

WHM

Six straight wins.

I believe that the only sure route to the NCAA Tournament is to win the next six games on the schedule or the University of New Hampshire Men's Hockey Team will likely fail to make the Tournament for the first time since the 2000-2001 season.

You may say that it is self-evident that if they win the next six from here then they're in but I'm not sure there is much room for error. It may be THE only route to the tournament from here. Let's see why.

Coming off of the weekend's split with Maine, the Wildcats find themselves in a tie for twelfth place in the pairwise rankings - a precarious position. For the uninitiated, the top sixteen team get in, right? Wrong. The top sixteen teams are awarded preliminary positions within the tournament but are eliminated starting at sixteenth and working up the ranking from there with their spot awarded the the league tournament champion autobids. Most years there are two autobids, usually from the AHA and the CHA, but it could easily be more. And an autobid may even be a route that our guys might explore but we'll get to later. So, that twelfth place tie, which UNH falls on the thirteenth side of, is definitely within reach of one of those autobids. Making the spot so dangerous to postseason aspirations are teams like Boston College, who the 'Cats will face next weekend, that are just behind the team though the Wildcat squad currently wins the comparison with BC. Meanwhile Dartmouth has slid slightly but are still under consideration, which is a plus for us, and UMass Lowell has slipped into the final TUC (Teams Under Consideration) spot which is favorable as well for the Blue and White's PWR (Pairwise Ranking) though Lowell's position too is tenuous. Should Dartmouth and/or Lowell fall out of the TUC bracket I think the the results would be a significant downward trend for this UNH team and ultimately hitting the links instead of the NCAA Northeast Regional which they're slated to host.

As for the Hockey East autobid, of course, all of this is null should UNH win the Hockey East Championship. Which brings us back to a proper league-first mentality but there's the rub, the Hockey East Championship will be much harder to obtain should our 'Cats not secure home ice. How do they do that you ask? Again, the only answer I'm left with is that they must win the next six. Boston College, who we'll play next weekend, is just one point behind and they're tied with UMass Lowell. See the quandary? Without winning at least the next six games, even securing home ice will be left to the chances and fortunes of other teams' wins and losses.

Ultimately, this does not even take into account the final weekend series versus Vermont and is entirely presumptive as there are still many possible outcomes. Not something to lose sleep over but certainly something to think about.

Looking at the more immediate future, a lot of good stuff on the slate for this week! A new recruit look tomorrow! Many happenings to report for this Wednesday's Wildcat Alumni Weekly. And the weekend series with the Providence Friars!

Time to let it rock!

Go 'Cats!

TGGT2: UNH 0 vs Maine 1 Final

Well, the going got too tough tonight.

Obviously, sustaining the loss of Joe Charlebois, Jerry Pollastrone AND James van Riemsdyk, who it seems was a game time deletion, is asking a lot! Though you lose some games, tonight our Wildcats did a lot that allowed that to happen and I was one of the 8,811 in attendance, a last minute decision myself, to witness it.

First and foremost they absolutely, totally and completely failed to penetrate the Maine defense and this is no credit to the Maine defense though that was the best aspect of their game. Maine looked horrible and played completely undisciplined.

But the Wildcat lapses were severe with a second breakaway opportunity given to the Black Bears leading to the only goal of the game.

One of the worse moments for the 'Cats came when, late in the game, the jumbotron prompted the crowd to get loud and the UNH coaching staff had to wave their boys back from an attempted timeout in the midst of the cheer. I guess the guys weren't feeling the love we were sending them. Ouch.

And I can't go without rubbing a little salt in the wound of the 0-for-13 powerplay on the weekend. That's really gotta sting.

Time to file this one away and look forward to the next weekend.

Goodnight Nation!

Go 'Cats!

-------------
Pre-Game

These guys know that tough enough is not a title you gain but a status you earn each and every time out.

It's round two at our home away from home, the Verizon Wireless Arena.

Tale of the Tape

Official Site

Go 'Cats!

TGGT: UNH 4 vs Maine 1 Final

The Going Gets Tougher

First Period

Early play is up and down the ice with our Wildcats playing fiercely and physically and DANNY DRIES SCORES!!!

1-0 'Cats just under two minutes in!

An absolute snipe of a shot over Maine goalie Dave Wilson's glove hand shoulder and the 'Cats have a whole bunch of jump!

Wildcat powerplay! As Krates is crosschecked (more of a hitting from behind).

James van Riemsdyk is not looking like himself.

Paul Thompson ALMOST had the second...

And now the 'Cats are 0-1 on the powerplay.

Stevie Moses makes it 2-0 with a nice wrist shot that absolutely sieved Wilson!

2-0 'Cats!

As Sislo is denied on a partial breakaway after stripping the puck from a Maine defenseman.

The 'Cats are on fire!

Borisenok made the sweet drop pass to set up the Moses goal! Dangerous!

Don't forget to turn your mic off on the Wildcats.tv feed Dan!

12:33 to go in the first.

DeSimone with some strong hustle!

van Riemsdyk just ineffective once more.

Quiet play for a minute before Paul Thompson takes the puck from a Maine d-man and walks in leaning on the remaining defender with his shot turned aside has he was brought to the ice.

They're calling it no shots on goal for Maine as the Wildcats are simply controlling play and dominating with their intensity.

Dries driving to the net and piled on in the crease!

Foster makes a near perfect save on a Maine 3-on-2!

7:35 to go in the First Period.

I miss the NHPTV Broadcasts.

Collins-LeBlanc-P.Thompson hemming Maine in for a bit with some nice three man fore-checking.

6:10.

Maine is trying to duplicate the play that BU used successfully but the Wildcats seem to be counteracting it.

4:05 with play quieting down as adjustments are made.

Some 4-on-4 with Kapstad and O'Neil going - 3:37

Jamie Fritsch clearly punched in the face and forced to retaliate with no call coming from Bunyon or Shay. All Fritsch did was holding the Maine player's stick then a little shove when the Maine player threw himself on the ice with Fritsch holding the stick and they'll be even more generous than letting Maine get away with a vicious punch to the head - they give them the powerplay!

Collins tries to break with Fortney on the shorthand and forces Denis-Pepin to haul him down and the call comes at the last second.

And with the buzzer sounding mysterious forces continue to knock down Black Bears but with no penalty coming.

End of the First Period.

Dries scored 1:45 in from LeBlanc and P.Thompson.

Moses scored at 5:17 from Borisenok and Fritsch.

Brian Foster saw just 3 recorded shots.

Second Period

As the Wildcat powerplay commences, an inaccurate pass from JVR throws the play off-kilter. Trying to reset now but they're standing around too much to be effective.

Another gimme powerplay for Maine as those mysterious forces give an Academy Award to the best actor and Foster robs them on their first opportunity.

Screen shot score on the powerplay exactly what the referees wanted.

2-1 'Cats!

Butler gets called for the hook and another Maine powerplay.

van Riemsdyk from Sislo on the shorthand!!!

3-1 'Cats!

Excellent penaltykilling from Captain Collins!

Dries and Fortney put together a 2-on-1 shorthand opportunity but Fortney's shot is turned away and Dries crashes the net sending it off the pegs.

Watch out for JVR now! I have the feeling that that is all it will take to get him back in the groove.

Dries goes on another severely questionable call for contact to the head on the goaltender as he spun-o-rama. The fans are incensed! No call on Maine even after Dries was hooked on the spin and cross-checked to the ice.

Another Maine powerplay as their only hope is for the refs to keep them in this one.

A slow, SLOW whistle with Foster clearly covering the puck while being hacked at by a Maine player.

Dan and Pete are bemused by the antics.

Steve Moses goes flying around the Maine end and strips the puck for a moment on the penaltykill. How can you not like this kid!?

It's even-strength.

Paul Thompson going to the box for checking! Um, er, contact to the head roughing according to the refs which is hard not to do when your target folds like a lousy lawn chair.

Four straight Maine powerplays with the Wildcats leading. Hmmm...

van Riemsdyk rushing and knocked down in a little confrontation with Maine's Duffy and sure enough he goes with Duffy. No chance they'll let this game be played with the Wildcats at full-strength.

Maine is now 1-5 and UNH is 0-2.

7:14 to go in the Second Period.

Another 'Cat hauled down in from of Maine's Wilson with no call and all semblance of referee control and fairness are gone in the minds of the players.

4-on-4 as Fritsch goes after a scrum in front of Foster.

Maine is just dropping Wildcats with impunity and the Wildcats are looking over their shoulders for the refs every time they touch a Maine player.

Mike Sislo from James van Riemsdyk!!!

Sislo snipes it! Same spot as Dries but from a different angle!

4-1 'Cats!

The Wildcats are flat-out FLYING!!!

They're hitting.

They're shooting.

They're scoring.

1:02 to go in the Second Period.

They're intercepting pucks.

They're winning battles.

They're skating.

More penalties coming at the end of the period because of the poor officiating.

End of the Second Period.

Four different Wildcat scorers with special teams goals from

van Riemsdyk from Sislo and Fritsch on the shorthand at 5:07

and Sislo from van Riemsdyk and DeSimone actually on the even-strength just after 4-on-4 play at 16:04

Third Period

UNH Powerplay!

0-for-3 with little in the way of chances but with good intensity.

Chance for LeBlanc and Paul Thompson with LeBlanc taking the shot and rebound turned away.

13:57 to play.

The puck just being bandied back and forth now as the clock ticks down past the 13:00 mark.

van Riemsdyk collides with a Maine player awkwardly along the boards and goes off of the ice obviously with a lot of discomfort in his right arm.

9:19 to go!

van Riemsdyk is back out on the ice to give it a go.

8:26 left.

Stevie Moses turns on the afterburners out there in a nice display of speed.

Too many men on the ice for Maine. Hey, it's the only way they have a chance!

UNH Powerplay!

6:21 to play with the extra man for the next two minutes.

van Riemsdyk seems to be clearly favoring that arm leaving him with some odd hitches in his play. Hopefully van Riemsdyk's injury is shortlived. I don't know how much more this team can take and I really don't care to find out!

It's even strength and the clock has ticked down below the 3:00 mark.

Down to 1:35 with a bit of pushing and shoving leading to the 4-on-4.

Just seconds to go as Foster sees a few more shots to pad the stats.

Brief UNH powerplay to finish the game - token really.

4-1 'Cats!

Final.

------------

Pre-Game

Live Stream is coming on now, link below.

Tonight's roster to follow and there will be some changes. I think Danny Dries will be moved into Pollastrone's spot but we may be surprised.

The call by Dan Parkhurst and Pete Webster.

Collins - LeBlanc - P.Thompson
van Riemsdyk - DeSimone - Sislo
Dries - Fortney - Butler
A.Thompson - Borisenok - Moses

Kapstad - Beck
Fritsch - Campanale
Krates - Kessel

Brian Foster

So, we go back to the starting sophomore line of JVR-Desimone-Sislo, a very effective combination early in the year and hopefully what it will take to spark James van Riemsdyk back into production.

------------------------------

The Going Gets Tougher:

The home crowd wears white. Signs, towels and thundersticks abound - the din is amazing. It's dark. Spotlights weave around the ice. The crowd of more than six thousand, four hundred clap in unison to Dave Matthews' Band's, Two Step, nearly drowning out the music. You make out a climactic change in the tune and the crowd roars as the UNH flag streams out onto the ice, highlighted by the now fixated spotlights and the UNH Men's Hockey Team bursts into the rink.

This is the Whiteout at the Whitt. The opponent is Maine. Bitter rival. Captured by NESN for thousands more to see.

This is college hockey.

This is Wildcat Hockey.

Now for the tough part. Our Wildcats lose their second senior this season. First they lose Co-Captain, Joe Charlebois to academic ineligibility in January. Now to start February they are without senior, Jerry Pollastrone, who went hard into a corner and fell awkwardly after a collision with a Vermont player resulting in a dislocated shoulder.

The loss is staggering. But of all the Wildcat teams I've seen this one has perhaps the best ability to continue on in their quest toward the postseason. They're deep and I'm sure they're going to be looking to win all the more to prove themselves and honor these seniors.

The tough get going. Let's see if you're tough enough boys.

Enjoy the latest addition to my 2008-2009 UNH Mens Hockey Playlist, an oldie but goodie.

Live Online Stream

Tale of the Tape

Official Site

Wildcat Nation Sends Love To The Troops

Go 'Cats! Beat Maine!

Wednesday's Wildcat Alumni Weekly

It's Wednesday once more Nation and that brings yet another installment, albeit a bit tardy, of Wednesday's Wildcat Alumni Weekly brought to you courtesy of yours truly, The UNH Men's Hockey Blogger Guy.

Mike Radja will take top billing this week for our assessment of Wildcat Alumni in the pro hockey ranks. Mike, playing for (say it with me now) the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, had an excellent week. Nay, a terrific week or weekend if you insist. Starting with Friday night's game versus Jason Krog and his Manitoba Moose, Radja picked up two assists in a 4-1 win in which the IceHogs wisely kept Jason Krog off of the scoreboard. But that was just the start of Mike's weekend and he would tack up a goal and two more assists the following night against the Toronto Marlies with that game ultimately ending up 6-3 in the IceHogs favor. Highlights, you say!? Yeah, we've got those. Hurray for AHLLive! I'll have to add their link permanently and soon.

Now, it wasn't an easy feat to take the top slot today. As a matter of fact I'm having second thoughts. You see, Kevin Regan, recalled from a couple game stint in the ECHL since Tuuka Rask was called up to Boston, started in back-to-back games for the Providence Bruins upon his return and played like the first and second coming. Those would be the highlights though I'm a bit critical of the lack of goaltender highlights in the first, the second shows a lot more of Regan who made 68 saves on 70 shots, 34 both nights, allowing just one goal each night. On Sunday, Kevin was just :57 seconds shy of the shutout. As a reward, he was sent to Alaska! Thanks P Bruins!

Those two stories mark the highest points of the week for our Wednesday's Wildcat Alumni Weekly and that is all the time I have this time. Be sure to comment if I've missed something significant. Until next time...

Go 'Cats!

WHM

It seems like forever since Friday night!

And what a night it was.

Gilford, NH native, Alan Thompson, nets his first goal in the Blue and White after a career filled with injury and rehab. The marker comes in his 26^th game through four years and three seasons as a Wildcat. Way to go, Alan!

Derry native, Paul Thompson, fights his way back into the lineup, first playing well last weekend in the second game against BU and finding his scoring touch against Vermont on the first line with upperclassmen Peter LeBlanc and Captain, Greg Collins - though it was the Captain's fellow senior Jerry Pollastrone out in Collins' place at the time.

Both scored go ahead goals with the game deadlocked, Alan's breaking the 1-1 tie early in the third period and Paul's coming early in the second period when the game was still 0-0.

And who gets two assists on the night but Kevin Kapstad who picks up right where he left off after having his scoring streak broken during that tough weekend against BU. Kevin's stats stand at one goal, twelve assists over the last twelve games. This is a senior playing with his heart on fire and he seems to have ignited the rest of the team.

Way to go, guys!

Now a look back before we look forward.

UNHWildcats.com held a fan-vote poll asking Wildcat Nation to pick their favorites across the various positions from the past 25 years of Hockey East and the results are in.

Goalie: Ty Conklin
Defense: Jayme Filipowicz, Garrett Stafford
Forwards: Jason Krog, Darren Haydar, Mark Mowers and Mike Radja (whose name will certainly come up in this week's WWAW!)

and

The Unquestionable, Indisputable, Irreplaceable Fan-Favorite: Steve Saviano.

Just looking at the list gives me goosebumps! Narrowing the list down so much is almost a travesty to all the Wildcat greats who did not garner quite as many votes but these are certainly worthy picks, now if we can just get them all back to this year's Alumni Game!

One thing I am sure of is that any of the alums that can make it for this weekend's games will be looking forward to the next installment of the UNH vs. Maine rivalry. This year's home-stand doubleheader will be split between the Whittemore Center on Friday night, televised on NESN, and the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester on Saturday night.

Our Wildcats will have to fight and win to further improve their postseason prospects as Maine has recently dropped out of the pairwise rankings. Taking care of business this weekend would go a long way toward building momentum from the Vermont game down the remaining ten game slate.

I'd be remiss not to link to this great Al Pike article, Thompson savors timely goal.

Here's to a great week!

Go 'Cats! Beat Maine!