UNH Plays of the Game: UNH 6 CC 3

UNH's Max Gildon
1st NCAA Hat Trick

UNH's 6-3 victory over Colorado College (CC) last night marks the first time the program has won their first 5 games since the 1993-94 season. That team was captained by current Associate Head Coach Glenn Stewart. Freshman defensemen Max Gildon, a third-round draft pick of the Florida Panthers, lead the team with his first NCAA hat trick.

Many ingredients go into a win - goals, saves, team defense, coaching decisions, etc. Here's a video review of what I believe were the key plays of the game.

Play of the Game: Max Gildon

Every hockey game has a turning point, often several. It's a key play at a critical moment which shifts the momentum toward the win. In the UNH win over CC, I think the key play of the game came early in the third period. UNH was leading 4-2 but CC had outshot them 32-25 and was pressing to get to within one goal. The Tigers broke out of their zone on a 3-on-2 break but Gildon stole the puck in the neutral zone, carried it back into the CC end, and dumped it off to the UNH forwards. Moments later, Brendan van Riemsdyk set up Liam Blackburn for UNH's 5th goal and a 3 goal lead.

Goal of the Game: Max Gildon

With under 6 minutes remaining in the second period, freshman Max Gildon completed his first NCAA hat trick. Less than 2 minutes before, he had scored his second goal of the game. Gildon joined a 4-on-2 UNH rush through the neutral zone, glided down the left wing, and snapped a wrist shot into the top corner. It was Gildon's fifth goal of the season. He leads UNH in goal-scoring.

Assist of the Game: Chris Miller

Junior forward Chris Miller made an outstanding lead pass to send Brendan van Riemsdyk off on a breakaway. BvR buried a wrister to put UNH ahead 2-0.

Save of the Game: Danny Tirone

Senior goalie Danny Tirone made a season high 45 saves in Game 1 in the Colorado College series. The most outstanding happened early in the second period. At the time, UNH was only ahead 1-0 and was being outshot 20-12.

Hits of the Game: Cefalu & MacAdams

UNH has made good on their preseason goal of playing a more physical game. Two of the best examples from last night happened in rapid succession early in the second period. UNH's fourth line of Frankie Cefalu, Eric MacAdams, and Justin Fregona pressured CC with aggressive forechecking. Cefalu then MacAdams through these checks into the end wall behind the Tigers' goalie:

Loss of the Game: Anthony Wyse

In the press conference after the 6-3 win, Coach Umile said that sophomore defenseman Anthony Wyse left the game in the second period and is undergoing the concussion protocal. Here's the collision which may have contributed to Wyse's condition:



UNH will seek to win the sixth consecutive game of the season tonight. They face Colorado College at the Whittemore Center beginning at 7:00.