All I can say is thank goodness UNH took care of business last weekend and
did not have to win this game to clinch third place.  This was a very strange
game that saw the following: after surrendering 12 goals in the game, goalies
Bell (PC) and Cavicchi (UNH) stoned all but 1 of the shootout shooters (Green
of PC with the lone tally); PC scored TWO shorthanded goals; UNH surrendered
its first power play goal since January 6; PC's 5th goal was scored after the
puck was covered up by Cavicchi for at AT LEAST 2 seconds, but referee Rich
Fowkes failed to blow the whistle.
 
Once again the Wildcats allowed the opposition to roar out of the gate at
JFK, and found themselves down 3-0 after less than 12 minutes of play.  They
managed to pull within 1 on a beautiful goal by freshman Rob Gagnon at 2:17
of the second period, only to have the Friars go back up by 2 on a goal by
Jay Kenney 39 seconds later which Cavicchi just plain should have had.
 (That, combined with PC's first goal, which was also of the soft variety,
made it a rough night for Cavicchi.)  PC then went up by 5-2 on the goal that
should have been whistled dead.  The Wildcats roared back to take a 6-5 lead
with 4 straight goals by Royal, Pleau (great pass from Boguniecki from the
right corner with his back to the play), Sullivan and Flinton.
 Unfortunately, the incomparable Chad Quenneville tied it up for the Friars
with 5:41 left.
 
In a scary moment, with seconds remaining in the third period, super-freshman
Mark Mowers was streaking up the right wing when he had to turn around to
receive a pass from the UNH zone.  He was checked head-first into the boards
by a PC player (sorry, can't remember which one).  He lay still face-down for
what seemed like 2-3 minutes before getting up and moving groggily to the
bench, where he remained until the end of the shootout.  After the game, he
was examined by a doctor.  We saw him walking back to the locker room alone,
and he appeared to be all right.  However, I believe he was going to be taken
to a local hospital for observation.  That's all I know as of this morning.
 Hopefully, someone will be able to update us on his status.
 
I am happy with 2 points out of this one, considering that for a while it
looked like UNH wouldn't get any.  I am also happy to say goodbye to JFK,
where the 'Cats struggled all year.  Providence played very well,
particularly the goalie Bell, who made a number of outstanding saves.  UNH
looked vulnerable on defense on several occasions, particularly the Tim
Murray/Dean Woodman tandem, who surrendered goals on their first two shifts.
 Bryan Muir continues to ride the pine after being on the ice for all 5 of
Lowell's goals 2 weeks ago.  Freshman Erik Johnson has taken Muir's place
with Todd Hall.
 
UNH now plays Maine in its final 2 games, Thursday night at Portland, and a
non-conference game Friday night at Orono.  I am hoping for a split to
solidify UNH's RPICH rank heading into post-season play.
 
Karen Ambrose, UNH '72
GO BLUE!!
Eric Flinton for Hobey Baker!!