Two shorthanded goals late in the second period propelled UNH to 5-0
shutout win vs. Boston University, Friday, Nov. 14.  An early winter storm
forced BU to endure a 3 hour bus ride from Boston to Durham and caused a
half-hour delay in the start of the game.
 
The first period was fairly evenly played as both teams appeared to be
feeling the other out.  The only goal of the period was scored by junior
Derek Bekar at 11:05.  Bekar, who had missed the previous three games due
to a hip pointer, was left uncovered in front of the net and was able to
convert Tom Nolan's shovel pass from the right face off circle.   Both
goalies - Matile and Noble - made 8 saves apiece as the teams were unable
to convert on a total of five power plays.
 
The second period started inauspiciously (sp) for BU as they were called
for delay of the game at 0:00 for failing to come out of the locker room
promptly.
My understanding from UNH coach Umile is that timely starts to the game and
each period is a point of emphasis this year in the NCAA.  Despite the
controversy that ensued, BU was able to hold off this power play for unh
and another that the Wildcats had midway through the period.  This period
was played at a more wide open pace, with both teams having numerous
scoring opportunities, some of which went wide of the net and others that
required steady. if not spectacular work, by the goaltenders.
 
When Mike Souza took an ill-advised hitting-after-the whistle penalty at
16:38 (coupled by  two double minors which did not affect the on-ice
playing strength of either team), things looked bad for the Wildcats, as BU
had been handling the puck very well.  However, the tables turned quickly
as Bekar scored his second of the night 17:07 when he kept banging away at
a puck that Noble appeared to have smothered and finally  put it home.
Noble and the rest of the Terriers protested mightily that the goalie had
the puck frozen, but to no avail.  With the sellout crowd in a frenzy, UNH
stormed into the BU zone after the next faceoff, with Jason Krog putting
home a rebound of a Bekar slapshot from in front of the net to give the
Wildcats two shorthanded goals on the same power play.  Mark Mowers
stretched the lead to four with just 44 seconds left in the period when he
converted a Tom Nolan pass.
 
The third period was played at a much slower pace as it was clear that the
life had gone out of the Terriers.  A total of 10 penalties were called and
play got a little chippy on both sides.  Souza scored the final goal at
18:36 of the period when he directed a Christian Bragnalo shot from the
right point as he was cruising unmolested through the slot.
 
UNH's victory was its first against BU since their 6-5 overtime win in the
inaugural game of the Whittemore Center, Nov. 10, 1995.  BU had defeated
UNH 6 times in a row, 11 out of the last 13.  It was also UNH's first
shutout of BU since Feb. 6, 1934.
 
 
This was clearly UNH's best game of the season as all four lines skated
with a purpose, not only on offense, but defense as well.  In other games
this year some of the forwards seemed to be slow in getting back when the
play turned out of the offensive zone.  Last night, the team bottled up BU
fairly well at center ice, something they did not do in the games vs. BC
last week.  I also thought the defensemen were solid, as there was not much
running around in their own end, an affliction that led to the two killer
goals from BC last week in Durham.  While it also goes without saying that
Matile had a good game - his first shutout of the year - he was called on
to make some pretty tough saves, especially in the second period when the
game was still 1-0.  The guy gets maligned a lot by some UNH folks however
he is capable of some great goaltending, as he showed last night.
 
On to Walter Brown tonite.  The house will be rocking and I expect BU to
come out flying and take the game to us right away.  I think Matile will
have to make some good saves at the beginning of the game.  If he does, and
the game settles down, UNH has a chance, even though they will probably be
facing Laroque. Walter Brown has been a house of horrors (to use a Jim Love
phrase) over the years (no road win since 1993), so win here and sweep a
weekend series will be tough.  I am looking forward to the game.
 
 
Greg Ambrose
GO UNH BLUE!!
 
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