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University of New Hampshire Athletics
Freshman Robert Cronin scored UNH's first goal of the season on Friday night. (Rick Wilson photo)
Photo by: Rick Wilson
The Fun Has Begun: 'Cats Look to Keep The Whitt Loud
10/9/2021 11:36:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey, UNH Insider
Engaras & Co. Face Union in Saturday Night Rematch
DURHAM, N.H. – Now that's a fun way to start a season.
The University of New Hampshire men's hockey team gave up an early goal and then roared back with four straight to earn a 4-1 win over Union on Friday night at the Whittemore Center in front of 3,409 masked fans.
The teams close out their season-opening series back at the Whitt on Saturday night at 7. Tickets are available at www.unhwildcats.com and by calling the Whittemore Center Box office at 603-862-4000. The ticket office opens at noon today, two hours before the Wildcat women's hockey takes on Providence College.
Head coach Mike Souza found much to like about Friday night, including the crowd.
It was the first time the Wildcats had played in front of fans in 580 days – thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic that kept people away from the rink last season. A high percentage of the opening night crowd was made up of a large and boisterous student section.
"I want to give a huge shoutout to our student body tonight," Souza said in the opening remarks of his postgame media session. "They were incredible. The energy was awesome. They were as excited to be here, I think, as we were to play in front of them. They played a huge part in what playing at the Whitt is all about. It's always fun to play in front of our student body and our loyal fans. It wasn't 6,000 people here, but at times it sounded like it was."
The fans had plenty to make noise about.
There was a balanced scoring attack that was led by senior Filip Engaras with his goal and an assist: the assist on a goal by senior Eric MacAdams that turned out to be the game-winner and the goal on the power play to cap off the scoring in the third period. Each of UNH's top three lines had at least one goal.
Senior goalie Mike Robinson gave up the early score and he and the defensemen shut the Dutchmen down after that.
There were the goals by freshmen Robert Cronin – the team's first of the year on the power play to tie the score at 1-1 in the first period – and Liam Devlin, both making their early marks on the scoresheet. Senior Tyler Ward had assists on both of the UNH power play goals.
"We've been very pleased with our freshman class all through training camp, the month of September," Souza said.
Cronin and Devlin were the freshmen forwards in the lineup and Alex Gagne was the first-year player on defense.
"I thought Liam Devlin was physical all night long," Souza said. "We knew he'd bring some speed and physicality. Robert's a cerebral player. It's great to get one on the power play and get it started. I thought Alex was real solid in his first time out as well. It was nice to have the freshmen contribute, but it was especially nice to have some of the upper classmen leading the charge."
The Wildcats scored on two of their four power play chances and kept Union off the board on its four power plays.
"I thought we did a real good job possessing the puck in the offensive zone," Souza said. "I thought when we were moving the puck and putting the puck to the net we were able to create a lot of chaos in and around the goal."
Puck possession played a role in a couple of super-impressive statistics.
The Wildcats had a whopping advantage in two areas in particular: They had 41 shots on goal to Union's 11. And they won 70 percent of the faceoffs in the game with a 42-18 advantage.
"Myself and all of our centers take pride in winning faceoffs and we work on it a lot," Engaras said.
He led the way in that category, too, and won 13 of his 16 opportunities.
Five Wildcats took faceoffs in the game and all won more than they lost. Senior Jackson Pierson was 13-3, junior Harrison Blaisdell 9-7, junior Lucas Herrmann 7-3, and sophomore Cam Gendron 1-0.
Souza was thrilled with the team's effort and energy and noted everyone in the lineup contributed. He stressed that more of the same will be needed in the Saturday night rematch.
"That (Union) is a team that's coached by a guy (Rick Bennett) that's won a national championship and understands how to flip a switch and reprogram his team and they're going to be ready to go tomorrow night," Souza said. "We've got to make sure we exceed the effort and energy that we had tonight."
Engaras & Co., excited to be back in front of people, will be out to complete the sweep.
"We've been waiting a long time to have fans back in the building and tonight the student section was electric," Engaras said. "I feel like I hear them all the time. When you're in the offensive zone or defensive zone you have them in front of you or behind you. You can always see them and always hear them. Obviously, we love when they get loud and we hope to keep it that way."
THE ROAD AHEAD
Allen Lessels
@UNHInsider
Allen.Lessels@unh.edu
The University of New Hampshire men's hockey team gave up an early goal and then roared back with four straight to earn a 4-1 win over Union on Friday night at the Whittemore Center in front of 3,409 masked fans.
The teams close out their season-opening series back at the Whitt on Saturday night at 7. Tickets are available at www.unhwildcats.com and by calling the Whittemore Center Box office at 603-862-4000. The ticket office opens at noon today, two hours before the Wildcat women's hockey takes on Providence College.
Head coach Mike Souza found much to like about Friday night, including the crowd.
It was the first time the Wildcats had played in front of fans in 580 days – thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic that kept people away from the rink last season. A high percentage of the opening night crowd was made up of a large and boisterous student section.
"I want to give a huge shoutout to our student body tonight," Souza said in the opening remarks of his postgame media session. "They were incredible. The energy was awesome. They were as excited to be here, I think, as we were to play in front of them. They played a huge part in what playing at the Whitt is all about. It's always fun to play in front of our student body and our loyal fans. It wasn't 6,000 people here, but at times it sounded like it was."
The fans had plenty to make noise about.
There was a balanced scoring attack that was led by senior Filip Engaras with his goal and an assist: the assist on a goal by senior Eric MacAdams that turned out to be the game-winner and the goal on the power play to cap off the scoring in the third period. Each of UNH's top three lines had at least one goal.
Senior goalie Mike Robinson gave up the early score and he and the defensemen shut the Dutchmen down after that.
There were the goals by freshmen Robert Cronin – the team's first of the year on the power play to tie the score at 1-1 in the first period – and Liam Devlin, both making their early marks on the scoresheet. Senior Tyler Ward had assists on both of the UNH power play goals.
"We've been very pleased with our freshman class all through training camp, the month of September," Souza said.
Cronin and Devlin were the freshmen forwards in the lineup and Alex Gagne was the first-year player on defense.
"I thought Liam Devlin was physical all night long," Souza said. "We knew he'd bring some speed and physicality. Robert's a cerebral player. It's great to get one on the power play and get it started. I thought Alex was real solid in his first time out as well. It was nice to have the freshmen contribute, but it was especially nice to have some of the upper classmen leading the charge."
The Wildcats scored on two of their four power play chances and kept Union off the board on its four power plays.
"I thought we did a real good job possessing the puck in the offensive zone," Souza said. "I thought when we were moving the puck and putting the puck to the net we were able to create a lot of chaos in and around the goal."
Puck possession played a role in a couple of super-impressive statistics.
The Wildcats had a whopping advantage in two areas in particular: They had 41 shots on goal to Union's 11. And they won 70 percent of the faceoffs in the game with a 42-18 advantage.
"Myself and all of our centers take pride in winning faceoffs and we work on it a lot," Engaras said.
He led the way in that category, too, and won 13 of his 16 opportunities.
Five Wildcats took faceoffs in the game and all won more than they lost. Senior Jackson Pierson was 13-3, junior Harrison Blaisdell 9-7, junior Lucas Herrmann 7-3, and sophomore Cam Gendron 1-0.
Souza was thrilled with the team's effort and energy and noted everyone in the lineup contributed. He stressed that more of the same will be needed in the Saturday night rematch.
"That (Union) is a team that's coached by a guy (Rick Bennett) that's won a national championship and understands how to flip a switch and reprogram his team and they're going to be ready to go tomorrow night," Souza said. "We've got to make sure we exceed the effort and energy that we had tonight."
Engaras & Co., excited to be back in front of people, will be out to complete the sweep.
"We've been waiting a long time to have fans back in the building and tonight the student section was electric," Engaras said. "I feel like I hear them all the time. When you're in the offensive zone or defensive zone you have them in front of you or behind you. You can always see them and always hear them. Obviously, we love when they get loud and we hope to keep it that way."
THE ROAD AHEAD
- UNH hits the road to play at Arizona State next Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15 and 16.
- The Wildcats return to the Whittemore Center to begin Hockey East play against Providence College on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m.
- Fans can purchase tickets at UNHWildcats.com/Tickets or by calling the UNH Wildcats box office at 603-862-4000 (Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm).
- Every home game and away Hockey East game will be livestreamed for free on College SportsLive.
- The Providence game starts a string of nine consecutive Hockey East games, the first three of which are against the Friars.
- UNH plays at Providence on Friday, Oct. 29.
- The Wildcats play the Friars again at home on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
Allen Lessels
@UNHInsider
Allen.Lessels@unh.edu
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/ Men's Ice HockeySunday, March 08
Tuesday, March 03
Tuesday, February 24
Sunday, February 22