Men's Hockey Heads to Providence College (Wed. - 7 p.m.)
Game Notes
DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of New Hampshire men's hockey team (6-11-2, 4-8-1 HE) looks to get back on track when it travels to Hockey East foe Providence College (8-8-2, 6-4-1 HE). Puck drops on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. from Schneider Arena.
SCOUTING THE FRIARS: Providence College enters Wednesday night's game with an 8-8-2 record and a 6-4-1 mark in Hockey East. Providence is winless over its last three (0-2-1) with a 4-4 overtime tie with Massachusetts, most recently. The Friars swept than top-ranked Merrimack in a home-and-home series prior to this recent three-game skid. The Friars are led by freshman forward Ross Mauermann, who has 15 points (6g, 9a) in 18 games, while Tim Schaller has 14 points (10g, 4a) in 17 games. In net, PC looks to senior Alex Beaudry, who is 7-7-2 with a 2.98 GAA and a .896 save percentage.
Series History vs. PC: The Wildcats and Friars have met 143 times in the all-time series history dating back to Feb. 12, 1927, with UNH leading the series at 79-50-14. Coach Umile owns a 48-21-7 all-time mark vs. Providence. New Hampshire is unbeaten in its last 14 games (12-0-2) against the Friars dating back to Feb. 24, 2007. UNH has won a series-best seven-straight including a sweep of the last two season series. Senior Stevie Moses is UNH's active scoring leader against the Friars with three goals and eight assists for 11 points in nine games played. Senior Matt DiGirolamo is 4-0-0 with a 2.25 GAA and a .933 save percentage.
SCORING LEADERS VS. THE FRIARS:
Player GP G-A-P
Stevie Moses 9 3-8-11
Damon Kipp 7 0-3-3
Mike Borisenok 5 2-1-3
Brett Kostolansky 6 0-3-3
Dalton Speelman 5 2-3-5
Nick Sorkin 3 2-0-2
John Henrion 6 1-1-2
Jeff Silengo 3 1-0-1
Kevin Goumas 2 0-1-1
Greg Burke 5 1-0-1
Austin Block 5 1-0-1
Connor Hardowa 4 0-1-1
Scott Pavelski 2 0-0-0
Kevin McCarey 3 0-0-0
Goaltending Stats
Player GP/Min GA GAA W-L-T SV SV%
Di Girolamo 4/240:11 9 2.25 4-0-0 126 .933
Di Girolamo Game-by-Game vs. the Friars
Date Min Res. Svs. GA Shots
12-11-09 60:00 W 32 3 35
1-21-11 64:14 W 22 3 25
1-28-11 59:57 W 35 2 37
1-29-11 60:00 W 37 1 38
Totals 240:11 4-0-0 126 9 135
LAST TIME THESE TEAM MET (JAN. 9 VS. PC): Paul Thompson, John Henrion and Dalton Speelman all recorded a goal and an assist and Matt Di Girolamo made 37 saves to lead the seventh-ranked University of New Hampshire men's hockey team to a 5-1 Hockey East victory against Providence College at the Whittemore Center. The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal at 8:55 of the first period. Thompson carried the puck down the left wing and circled behind the net. Speelman, cutting through the right circle, one-timed a shot past PC netminder Alex Beaudry (26 saves).UNH broke the game open by scoring four second-period goals for the second time in as many nights against the Friars. PC tied the game, however, at 1-1 just 59 seconds into the second stanza when Kyle MacKinnon's shot from the right circle went between DiGirolamo's leg pads. Ian O'Connor, with the drop pass, and Matt Germain were credited with assists. The 'Cats regained the lead, 2-1, with a 5-on-3 power-play goal at 7:35 on Thompson's 20th goal of the season, which was set up by Mike Sislo, then extended the advantage to 3-1 less than three minutes later (at 10:22). Beaudry stopped Henrion's initial shot from the slot, but a diving effort by Austin Block at the top of the crease pushed the puck across the goal line. UNH then scored goals 2:05 apart to quickly build a 5-1 lead. Greg Burke carried the puck down the right wing and stuffed a shot inside the right post to put the 'Cats ahead 4-1 at 14:48. Stevie Moses and Connor Hardowa set up the goal. Henrion made it 5-1 at 16:53 when he curled behind the net to the left circle and wristed a shot into the cage. Damon Kipp and Matt Campanale were credited with assists. PC generated a 14-9 shot advantage in the scoreless third period. Their best scoring opportunity in the third came in the closing minutes on a power play when Derek Army wristed a shot from the right doorstep off the near post.
Last Time Out (Jan. 7): The University of New Hampshire men's hockey team netted back-to-back goals early in the third period to force overtime, but it would not be enough, as the Wildcats fell to rival Maine, 5-4, in the 2012 Sunlife Frozen Fenway on Saturday night at Fenway Park. After sophomore Kevin Goumas and freshman Grayson Downing posted consecutive goals in the span of 1:33 to pull UNH even at 4-4 and eventually force overtime, Maine's Brian Flynn scored at 1:29 in extra time, deflecting a pass by Joey Diamond to lift the Black Bears to victory. Casey DeSmith stopped 28 shots in net for UNH, while Dan Sullivan posted 20 saves for the Black Bears. Goumas led UNH with a pair of tallies in the contest. UNH struck just 1:05 into the contest as John Henrion scored on the rebound of a Downing backhanded. Jeff Silengo also assisted on the goal. The Black Bears answered with a power play goal at 4:10 as Mark Anthoine scored with an assist from Kyle Beattie. Maine held a 10-7 shot edge and went 1-1 on the power play, while UNH was 0-2 in the man advantage. Despite a 5-on-3 advantage by Maine midway through the second period, New Hampshire reclaimed the lead at 11:27 as Goumas picked off a pass in Black Bear territory and scored a shorthanded goal in right side of the net, pushing the Wildcats on top, 2-1.UNH's lead did not last long, however, as Maine netted back-to-back power play goals over the next 50 seconds. Joey Diamond scored first at 11:44, assisted by Spencer Abbott and Will O'Neill, while Anthoine posted his second tally of the contest less than a minute later at 12:34. Shemansky and Kyle Beattie were credited with assists on the second goal. Maine added another goal 13 seconds into the third stanza as Diamond netted his second of the game, giving the Black Bears the 4-2 lead. Facing a two-goal deficit early in the third frame, New Hampshire responded with a pair of goals over the next 4:20 of action, scoring consecutive goals in the span of 1:33. Goumas began the rally at 3:00 with his second tally of the game as he fielded a backhanded pass by senior Stevie Moses and hit the timely shot to trim the lead to one at 4-3. Freshman Trevor van Riemsdyk was also credited with an assist on the play. UNH kept up the attack with another goal at 4:33 as Downing deflected in a shot by Silengo to even up the score at 4-4. The teams then skated into overtime as UNH held a 13-8 shot advantage in the third period. Flynn went on to score his 11th goal of the season in overtime, flipping in Diamond's pass for the win, while Abbott earned a helper on the play.
Power Play Goals Key to Wildcat Success: UNH is 0-16 on the power play over the last five games and are 1-8-0 when they failed to score on the power play compared to 5-3-2 when scored a power play goal. UNH's last power play goal came in the team's 9-1 win over Alabama Huntsville on Nov. 26.
UNH Looks to Build on 14-Game Unbeaten Streak against PC: UNH is 12-0-2 in its last 14 games against PC with its last loss coming in a 7-1 defeat on Feb. 24, 2007. In addition, New Hampshire is 15-0-1 in its last 16 games at home against the Friars with the last loss at home coming on March 12, 2004 in the Hockey East quarterfinals.
Close Calls Against the Friars: While UNH is riding a 14 game unbeaten streak against the Friars, the series has been close of late. During the 14-game unbeaten streak, the teams have gone to overtime five times (3 UNH wins, 2 ties). Including the overtime games, eight of the 14 games have been decided by one goal or less.
Goumas Nets Two: Sophomore forward Kevin Goumas scored two goals, including a 5-on-3 shorthanded tally. His shorthanded tally gave the 'Cats a 2-1 second-period lead, and Goumas scored the first of two UNH goals 1 minute, 43 seconds apart early in the third period to help the Wildcats pull into a 4-4 tie.
Second Career Start on Big Stage for DeSmith: In his second career start, freshman goaltender Casey DeSmith made 28 saves in the Frozen Fenway game.
When Falling Behind:UNH is 1-4-1 when its opponent scores first. They are 0-4-2 when trailing after one period and 0-10-0 when trailing after second periods.
Streaky 'Cats: The streaky Wildcats have dropped seven of their last eight. UNH opened the season with four-straight loses before a seven-game unbeaten streak, which preceded the latest 1-7-0 stretch.
Youth Served: Three freshmen rank in the top seven in scoring for New Hampshire. Grayson Downing is the leader in rookie scoring with 15 points in 17 games. Here is a look at recent successes among UNH freshmen compared to this year's top trio.
Players Year G-A-P
Grayson Downing 2011-12 6-9-15 (17 gp)
Trevor van Riemsdyk 2011-12 2-8-10 (19 gp)
Casey Thrush 2011-12 2-7-9 (17 gp)
Kevin Goumas 2010-11 6-12-18 (32 gp)
Brett Kostolansky 2009-10 0-12-12 (28 gp)
Stevie Moses 2008-09 5-8-13 (33 gp)
Blake Kessel 2008-09 6-7-13 (37 gp)
James van Riemsdyk 2007-08 11-23-34 (31 gp)
Danny Dries 2007-08 11-17-28 (37 gp)
Darren Haydar (record) 1998-99 31-30-61 (41 gp)
Home vs. Away: UNH is 6-4-0 at home compared to 0-6-2 on the road. Here is a look at some of the breakdown of home vs. away.
Home Away Neutral
Record 6-4-0 0-6-2 0-1-0
Goals For 38 (3.8) 21(2.6) 4 (4.0)
Goals Against 26 (2.6) 36 (4.5) 5 (5.0)
GMs w/ 5+ goal 4 2 0
Power Play 21.2% 7.4% 0.0%
Penalty Kill 88.4% 78.7% 60.0%
Wins vs. Losses: UNH is averaging over five goals a game in wins and allowing just 1.5. Here is a look at stats in wins versus losses.
Wins Losses
Record 6-0-0 0-11-0
Goals For 31 (5.16) 25 (2.1)
Goals Against 9 (1.5) 52 (4.7)
GMs w/ 5+ goal 4 2
Power Play 30.0% 10.0%
Penalty Kill 94.4% 69.4%
Top Scorers Goumas (2-9-11) Dowing (3-6-9)
Sorkin (1-10-11) Henrion (2-5-7)
Moses (7-2-9) Moses (3-4-7)
TO THIS POINT LAST YEAR: A comparison through 19 games between this season and last season.
09-10 10-11 11-12
Record 8-7-4 12-3-4 6-11-2
HE Record 8-2-3 10-1-2 4-8-1
Goals scored 61 66 63
Goals scored/PG 3.21 3.47 3.32
Goals Allowed 66 44 68
Goals Allowed/PG 3.47 2.32 3.58
Shots 536 672 664
Shots Allowed 627 586 560
Power Play 15.3% 20.2% 17.6%
(13-85) (18-89) (12-68)
Penalty Kill 77.5% 83.6% 79.7%
(62-80) (56-67) (51-64)
Top 3 Scorers Butler Thompson Moses
13-12-25 15-16-31 11-10-21
Kessel Sislo Sorkin
5-14-19 8-18-26 6-15-21
Thomp. DeSimone Goumas
8-9-17 5-18-23 6-11-17
Protecting the Lead: The Wildcats are 6-1-0 when leading after two periods.
SCORING BY CLASS: 2011-12 breakdown of scoring by class.
Class G-A-P G-A-P %.
Seniors: 20-20-40 32%-18%-23%
Juniors: 17-30-47 27%-27%-27%
Sophomores: 15-36-51 24%-33%-29%
Freshmen: 11-24-35 17%-22%-20%
Wildcats Among National Leaders (Thru 1/9): Below is a list of where UNH players and team rank nationally.
Individual Rank Stats Points Per Game:
Stevie Moses 32nd 1.11 ppg
Nick Sorkin 42nd 1.05 ppg
Goals Per Game:
Stevie Moses 23rd 0.58 gpg
Assists Per Game:
Nick Sorkin 27th 0.74 apg
Power Play Goals:
Nick Sorkin 31st 4 ppg
Short Handed Goals:
Kevin Goumas 4th 2 shg
Nick Sorkin 18th 1 shg
Rookie Scoring
Grayson Downing 11th 0.88 ppg
Team
Scoring Offense 12th 3.32
Scoring Defense 54th 3.58
Scoring Margin 41st -.26
Power Play 34th 17.6
Penalty Kill 41st 79.7
Combined Special Teams 45th 47.7
Among the League Leaders (Thru 1/9): Where some of the Wildcats rank in Hockey East.
Player All Games HE Games
Points Stevie Moses 8th (21 pts) 16th (12 pts)
Nick Sorkin 9th (20 pts) 45th (8 pts)
Goals Stevie Moses 4th (11 g) 14th (5 g)
Assists Nick Sorkin 7th (13 a) 24th (6 a)
Kevin Goumas 16th (11 a) 24th (7 a)
PP Points Stevie Moses 16th (7 pts) 32nd (5 pts)
Nick Sorkin 16th (7 pts) 44th (3 pts)
PP Goals Nick Sorkin 6th (4 ppg) 14th (2 ppg)
Stevie Moses 16th (3 ppg) 14th (2 ppg)
SH Points Kevin Goumas 4th (2 shp) 5th (1 shp)
Nick Sorkin 13th (1 shp) n/a
Stevie Moses 13th (1 shp)
T. van Riemsdyk 13th (1shp)
SH Goals Kevin Goumas 1st (1 shg) 3rd (1shg)
Nick Sorkin 7th (1 shg) n/a
Def. Scoring T.van Riemsdyk 14th (10 pts) 21st (4 pts)
Damon Kipp 17th (8 pts) 21st (4 pts)
Freshman Scor. Grayson Downing 2nd (15 pts) 11th (6pts)
T. van Riemsdyk 10th (10 pts) 15th (4pts)
Casey Thrush 13th (9 pts) 8th (7 pts)
Plus-Minus Casey Thrush 22nd (+8) 6th (+6)
GAA Matt Di Girolamo 9th (3.41) 9th (3.23)
Save % Matt Di Girolamo 9th (.883) 9th (.888)
Where UNH is Ranked in Hockey East (Thru 1/9):
Overall HE games
Goals/per game 3.32/5th 2.77/6th
GAA 3.58/9th 3.38/8th
Power Play 17.6/7th 14.0/9th
Penalty Kill 79.7/7th 83.0/5th
Special Teams Net 0/6th -2/6th
1st Period Scoring 22/2nd 13/3rd
2nd Period Scoring 20/2nd 12/4th
3rd Period Scoring 20/4th 11/6th
Overtime Scoring 1/3rd n/a
All in the Family: Junior forward Scott Pavelski is the younger brother of Joe Pavelski of the San Jose Sharks while freshman defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk is the younger brother of former wildcat and current Philadelphia flyer James van Riemsdyk. Freshman forward Jay Camper is the brother of Miami standout Carter Camper, while Associate Head Coach Jim Tortorella is the brother of Rangers head coach John Tortorella.
'Cats Selected in the NHL Draft: Two current UNH players have been selected in the National Hockey League draft. Greg Burke (Washington) and Eric Knodel (Toronto) have all been drafted.
UNH, Verizon Wireless Arena Awarded 2013 NCAA Northeast Men's Hockey Regional: The NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee announced Oct. 5 that the University of New Hampshire and Verizon Wireless Arena have been awarded the 2013 NCAA Division I men's hockey Northeast Regional. Game dates and times have not been finalized, but will be held between March 29-31. 2013 will mark the fifth time UNH and Verizon Wireless Arena have hosted this event, all since 2004. Last season, UNH advanced to the regional finals against with a 3-1 win over top-seeded Miami at the NCAA Northeast Regional in Manchester. New Hampshire also hosted in 2007 and 2009. In addition to the Northeast Regional, the East Regional will be held at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. and hosted by Brown University, the Midwest Regional will be held at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio and hosted by Bowling Green State University and the West Regional will be held at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. and be hosted by the University of Michigan.
Wildcats Tabbed Third in Hockey East Preseason Poll:
2011-2012 Hockey East Preseason Coaches Poll
Rk. Team (FPV) Pts
1. Boston College (7) 88
2. Boston University (3) 83
3. New Hampshire 72
4. Maine 64
5. Merrimack 61
6. Vermont 44
7. Massachusetts 42
8. Northeastern 33
9. UMass-Lowell 27
10. Providence 26
Where is UNH Ranked?: Here is a week-by-week look at the 'Cats in the national polls and the HE standings:
Date USA TODAY USCHO HE
9/27 12th 12th 3rd (pre)
10/3 NP NP 3rd (pre)
10/10 RV 15th 6th
10/17 NR RV 8th
10/24 NR NR 8th
10/31 NR NR 7th
11/7 NR RV 4th
11/14 NR RV 4th
11/21 NR RV 4th
11/28 NR NR 4th
12/5 NR NR 7th
12/12 NR NR 8th
12/19 NR NR 8th
12/26 NP NP 8th
1/2 NR NR 8th
1/9 NR NR 9th
THE NATIONAL POLLS:
USCHO.com Division I Men's Hockey Poll (Jan. 9)
Rk. School (FPV) Record Points Lst Wk.
1 Minnesota-Duluth (50) 14-3-3 1000 1
2 Ohio State 14-4-3 928 2
3 Notre Dame 13-6-3 907 5
4 Boston College 13-7-1 846 4
5 Minnesota 15-7-1 806 3
6 Boston University 11-6-1 698 10
7 Merrimack 11-4-4 656 7
8 Colorado College 12-7-1 632 6
9 Cornell 9-4-2 525 13
10 Western Michigan 10-7-5 493 8
11 Massachusetts-Lowell 12-5-0 473 12
12 Colgate 12-6-2 392 9
13 Ferris State 13-8-1 370 17
14 Union 10-5-6 357 14
15 Michigan 12-8-4 343 16
16 Denver 11-8-3 293 11
17 North Dakota 11-8-2 160 19
18 Michigan State 11-9-2 157 15
19 Lake Superior 12-9-3 125 18
20 Northern Michigan 10-7-4 121 NR
Others receiving votes: Miami 108, Northeastern 48, Yale 33,
Nebraska-Omaha 11, Harvard 7, Maine 6, Quinnipiac 2, Air
Force 1, Mercyhurst 1, St. Cloud State 1.
USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's Hockey Poll (Jan. 9)
Rk. Team, Points (FPV) Last Poll Record Weeks
1 Minnesota Duluth, 510 (34) 1 14-3-3 14
2 Ohio State University, 456 2 14-4-3 8
3 University of Notre Dame, 450 3 13-6-3 14
4 Boston College, 402 4 13-7-1 14
5 University of Minnesota, 378 5 15-7-1 13
6 Boston University, 288 11 11-6-1 11
7 Merrimack College, 285 6 11-4-4 13
8 Colorado College, 236 8 12-7-1 14
9 Cornell University, 215 14 9-4-1 4
10 UMass Lowell, 205 12 12-5-0 2
11 Western Michigan, 150 9 10-7-5 14
12 Ferris State University, 120 NR 13-8-1 9
13 Union College, 112 NR 10-5-6 12
14 Colgate University, 108 7 12-6-2 8
15 University of Michigan, 62 13 12-8-4 10
Others receiving votes: University of Denver, 58; Northern Michigan University, 15; University of North Dakota, 13; Miami University, 9; Michigan State University, 7; Lake Superior State University 1.
UNH Hockey on Television(Subject to change or additional):
DATE GAME Channel RES.
Oct. 21 at St. Cloud Charter L, 5-7
Oct. 22 at St. Cloud Charter T, 3-3 OT
Nov. 12 at Vermont WCAX T, 4-4 OT
Nov.18 Mass.-Lowell WBIN W, 5-0
Dec. 8 Boston Univ. WBIN L, 1-2
Jan. 7 vs. Maine (Frozen Fenway) NESN L, 4-5 OT
Jan. 21 Merrimack WBIN 7 p.m.
Jan. 27 at Boston College NESN 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 Boston College WBIN 7 p.m.
Feb. 3 Providence CBS Sports 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 Northeatern WBIN 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 at Merrimack NESN 7 p.m.
Feb. 17 Vermont WBIN 7 p.m.
NESN FLEX GAMES WILL BE DETERMINED TWO WEEKS OUT
Feb. 18 Vermont at New Hampshire NESN-FLEX 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 New Hampshire at UMass NESN-FLEX 3:30 p.m.
Mar. 3 New Hampshire at Maine NESN-FLEX 4 p.m.
WILDCAT AWARDS: Here is a list of awards that Wildcat players have won to date this season:
Player Award Date
Matt Di Girolamo USCHO's Top 10 Goalies #1 9/26
Stevie Moses USCHO's Top 10 Forwards #4 9/30
Matt Di Girolamo HE Defensive Player of the Week 10/31
UNH Wildcats HE Team of the Week 11/7
Casey Thrush HE Rookie of the Week 11/21
Stevie Moses HE co-Player of the Week 11/28
UNH HOCKEY ON THE RADIO: In the summer of 1999, the University of New Hampshire Athletic Department formed the "UNH Sports Network" — the largest network ever to broadcast UNH sporting events.In 2009, Wildcats Sports Properties has added WGIN-AM 930 (Rochester) and WQSO-FM 96.7 (Portsmouth) as affiliate stations on the Wildcat Sports Network, joining flagship WGIR-AM 610 (Manchester), which was added in 2008. All three stations are part of the Clear Channel family. These three aforementioned stations -- along with WSMN-AM 1590 (Nashua), WNTK-FM 99.7 (New London) and WASR-AM 1420 (Wolfeboro) -- will carry the following: all UNH football & men's hockey broadcasts, a select number of men's basketball, women's basketball and women's hockey broadcasts. Dan Parkhurst will be handling the play-by-play for the fifth-straight season, while Pete Webster will once again be doing the color commentating. Webster has been announcing Wildcat hockey since the 1993-94 season.
LISTEN LIVE ON THE INTERNET: UNHWildcats.com via Stretch Internet Broadcast will carry all of the UNH men's ice hockey action again this season. If you can not attend Wildcat hockey, you can still tune into the game from anywhere you can gain access to the internet. Fans can get to the UNH men's ice hockey broadcast site by going to the men's hockey schedule page at www.unhwildcats.com.
GRANITE STATE CONNECTION: The Wildcat hockey team features three players from New Hampshire with Greg Burke (Lee), Ryan Randall (Durham) and Casey DeSmith (Rochester) all hailing from the Granite State.
