University of New Hampshire Athletics
The 'Cats are coming off a successful "White Out The Whitt" weekend.
Insider Report: Saluting The Fans
3/1/2023 9:40:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey, UNH Insider
'Cats Host Vermont on Thursday Night to Close Out Regular Season
DURHAM, N.H. – "White Out the Whitt" was a rousing success the last time the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team played at home: a couple of sellout crowds of 6,501 packed the place and the Wildcats delivered the goods, playing Maine to a tie each night and then picking up extra points in the Hockey East standings with shootout wins.
The team then delivered post-game, too.
After gathering at center ice for their tradition stick salute to the Whittemore Center gathering, the Wildcats took part in a new tradition – an instant classic? – and skated towards the student section in the arena and saluted them with sticks high against the glass boards, much to the delight of their fans.
"It's obviously been an up and down year and this fan base is so passionate and they've stuck with us and the student section is no different," said senior forward Harrison Blaisdell, an alternate captain. "It's our way of showing them that we do this for you, and you've stuck it out with us. Now let's get on a roll and you guys are right there with us. . . . You see the look on their faces. It's so much fun."
UNH will be out to celebrate one more time this season with the home fans.
The Wildcats face Vermont on Thursday night at 7 at the Whitt to close out the regular season on Fan Appreciation Night presented by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
The rest of the Hockey East teams finish up the regular season this weekend.
UNH will end up either ninth or tenth in the standings and play a first-round game Wednesday, March 8 at the home of the seventh or eighth place team.
The idea for Thursday night is to bounce back from a 6-1 loss at UConn last Saturday night and get back to the solid, detail-oriented and winning hockey the Wildcats have been playing since the beginning of January, providing a lift into the playoffs.
"Our goal is to play well on Thursday," said coach Mike Souza. "I told the kids let's see how we respond to the loss on Saturday. We want to be playing well going into next week."
From the first of January on, the Wildcats responded very well to a tough first part of the season.
UNH has gone 7-3-2 since the calendar turned.
The Wildcats had a six-game unbeaten streak snapped with the loss at UConn. They were 4-1-2 in February and the wins were all over ranked teams in No. 19 UMass Lowell, No. 15 Merrimack and two over No. 13 UConn.
Freshman defenseman Damien Carfagna had four goals in February – two of them game-winners – and was named the Hockey East Defender of the Month for his efforts.
Sophomore forward Liam Devlin leads the team with 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points and freshman forward Cy LeClerc has 13 goals – second-best among freshman in the league – and seven assists for 20 points.
Senior forward and captain Chase Stevenson has 12 goals and seven assists for 19 points. Sophomore defenseman Colton Huard is at 3-16-19 and Carfagna at 6-9-15.
Goaltenders David Fessenden, a senior, and Tyler Muszelik, a freshman, played key roles as well.
Fessenden was in net for five of the seven victories since Jan. 1.
Muszelik was 2-0-1 in February and in his last two games made 23 saves in a 3-2 overtime win over UConn and in a 0-0 tie with Maine had 29 saves for his first career shutout.
UNH will be out for a little revenge against Vermont. The teams played a couple of close games in mid-November in Burlington and the Wildcats lost the first 2-1 in overtime and the second, also 2-1.
Blaisdell looks for the team to rally after Saturday's loss to UConn.
"Obviously, you never want to lose a game," he said. "But I think in this case it came at a good time. We've been rolling here and I don't think it will really effect what we're doing"
Hockey East is tough game in and game out, he noted, and there are going to nights when a team gets the better of you.
"The biggest thing is we kind of realize we've been on this hot streak, but we're still human and we've got to bring that mentality we had when we were scrapping to find those first few wins," Blaisdell said. "This team kind of has the confidence where we've built something good here and now it's keeping that mentality that's got us to this point."
The Wildcats bring an 11-19-3 overall record into the game and are 6-14-3 in Hockey East. Vermont is 9-18-5 overall and 4-15-3 in the league.
Next week is about extending the season as long as possible in the playoffs.
Thursday is about playing well and a final thanks to the fans, students and otherwise.
The new salute grew out of a meeting a month or so ago between Stevenson and the Cat Pack Captains group about how to get students even more engaged with the team.
Max Carpenter, president of the Cat Pack Captains, suggested the end-of-game recognition, Stevenson said.
"It just kind of shows our appreciation for them because they've stuck with us all year, even when it wasn't always easy," Stevenson said.
The team then delivered post-game, too.
After gathering at center ice for their tradition stick salute to the Whittemore Center gathering, the Wildcats took part in a new tradition – an instant classic? – and skated towards the student section in the arena and saluted them with sticks high against the glass boards, much to the delight of their fans.
"It's obviously been an up and down year and this fan base is so passionate and they've stuck with us and the student section is no different," said senior forward Harrison Blaisdell, an alternate captain. "It's our way of showing them that we do this for you, and you've stuck it out with us. Now let's get on a roll and you guys are right there with us. . . . You see the look on their faces. It's so much fun."
UNH will be out to celebrate one more time this season with the home fans.
The Wildcats face Vermont on Thursday night at 7 at the Whitt to close out the regular season on Fan Appreciation Night presented by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
The rest of the Hockey East teams finish up the regular season this weekend.
UNH will end up either ninth or tenth in the standings and play a first-round game Wednesday, March 8 at the home of the seventh or eighth place team.
The idea for Thursday night is to bounce back from a 6-1 loss at UConn last Saturday night and get back to the solid, detail-oriented and winning hockey the Wildcats have been playing since the beginning of January, providing a lift into the playoffs.
"Our goal is to play well on Thursday," said coach Mike Souza. "I told the kids let's see how we respond to the loss on Saturday. We want to be playing well going into next week."
From the first of January on, the Wildcats responded very well to a tough first part of the season.
UNH has gone 7-3-2 since the calendar turned.
The Wildcats had a six-game unbeaten streak snapped with the loss at UConn. They were 4-1-2 in February and the wins were all over ranked teams in No. 19 UMass Lowell, No. 15 Merrimack and two over No. 13 UConn.
Freshman defenseman Damien Carfagna had four goals in February – two of them game-winners – and was named the Hockey East Defender of the Month for his efforts.
Sophomore forward Liam Devlin leads the team with 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points and freshman forward Cy LeClerc has 13 goals – second-best among freshman in the league – and seven assists for 20 points.
Senior forward and captain Chase Stevenson has 12 goals and seven assists for 19 points. Sophomore defenseman Colton Huard is at 3-16-19 and Carfagna at 6-9-15.
Goaltenders David Fessenden, a senior, and Tyler Muszelik, a freshman, played key roles as well.
Fessenden was in net for five of the seven victories since Jan. 1.
Muszelik was 2-0-1 in February and in his last two games made 23 saves in a 3-2 overtime win over UConn and in a 0-0 tie with Maine had 29 saves for his first career shutout.
UNH will be out for a little revenge against Vermont. The teams played a couple of close games in mid-November in Burlington and the Wildcats lost the first 2-1 in overtime and the second, also 2-1.
Blaisdell looks for the team to rally after Saturday's loss to UConn.
"Obviously, you never want to lose a game," he said. "But I think in this case it came at a good time. We've been rolling here and I don't think it will really effect what we're doing"
Hockey East is tough game in and game out, he noted, and there are going to nights when a team gets the better of you.
"The biggest thing is we kind of realize we've been on this hot streak, but we're still human and we've got to bring that mentality we had when we were scrapping to find those first few wins," Blaisdell said. "This team kind of has the confidence where we've built something good here and now it's keeping that mentality that's got us to this point."
The Wildcats bring an 11-19-3 overall record into the game and are 6-14-3 in Hockey East. Vermont is 9-18-5 overall and 4-15-3 in the league.
Next week is about extending the season as long as possible in the playoffs.
Thursday is about playing well and a final thanks to the fans, students and otherwise.
The new salute grew out of a meeting a month or so ago between Stevenson and the Cat Pack Captains group about how to get students even more engaged with the team.
Max Carpenter, president of the Cat Pack Captains, suggested the end-of-game recognition, Stevenson said.
"It just kind of shows our appreciation for them because they've stuck with us all year, even when it wasn't always easy," Stevenson said.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Ice Hockey
D
/ Men's Ice Hockey
F
/ Men's Ice Hockey
G
/ Men's Ice Hockey
D
/ Men's Ice Hockey
F
/ Men's Ice Hockey
G
/ Men's Ice Hockey
F
/ Men's Ice HockeyUNH Men's Hockey vs Boston College Highlights 3-1-25
Sunday, March 02
UNH Men's Hockey vs UMass Highlights 2-21-25
Saturday, February 22
UNH Men's Hockey vs Merrimack Highlights 2-8-25
Sunday, February 09
UNH Men's Hockey vs Boston College 2-7-2025
Saturday, February 08