UNH went 0-2 yesterday, losing their NC** I-AA football playoff game to Samford (29-13), then running up against Chris Rogles and losing to Clarkson, 5-4. This was definitely Rogles' game, as he made 50 saves, while his teammates only fired 19 shots on UNH's Jeff Levy. Wildcat Domenic Amodeo had three goals and an assist in a losing cause, while Clarkson's Scott Thomas had two goals and Patrice Robitaille added three assists. UNH had a huge advantage in powerplay opportunities, going 3-12 to Clarkson's 1-5. That partially accounts for the huge difference in shots on goal, but not completely. Clarkson didn't seem to be into the game for much of the evening, but they made their opportunities pay off, unlike New Hampshire. And, unlike New Hampshire, Clarkson's defense didn't make glaring mistakes that cost them the game. New Hampshire's two freshman defensemen each made bad mental errors in the first period, directly leading to Clarkson's goals. Ted Russell, while playing the point on the powerplay, dove across the blue line in an attempt to foil a clearing attempt. He was unsuccessful, leaving Clarkson's Patrick Theriault all alone to shoot on Levy. McGrath, UNH's other defenseman, got back enough to bother Theriault, but in the confusion he was able to chop the puck by Levy. Later, freshman Scott Malone made the mistake of playing the puck instead of the body as Thomas rushed in. Thomas made Malone look very bad as he slipped by and fired on Levy. Levy did not appear to be prepared for the shot at all, and he really never made a move as he was very off-balance. Domenic Amodeo picked up his first goal on the powerplay with 10 seconds left in the period, giving New Hampshire a lift. In the second period, UNH continued to pour on the shots, but could not beat Rogles. Clarkson picked up a powerplay goal when Steve Dubinsky received a pass from Robitaille and fired it home from the slot. Nobody to blame on this one, just a good PPG. Again, nobody to blame on Clarkson's fourth goal, as Marko Tuonainen looked like a pure goal scorer as he redirected a Craig Conroy pass from the left corner. The shot caught the top corner, short side, and Levy never had a chance. A very pretty goal. Thomas got his second of the night courtesy of some shoddy New Hampshire backchecking when he came down the slot, took Robitaille's pass and fired by Levy, who again didn't look good. As you'll see in the box score, things started to get ugly now, as it seemed the game was over. Four matching penalties later, with the teams skating three a side, Amodeo went from end to end and put a short shot by Rogles. Less than a minute later, things got really ugly. In a scene that happened many times during the game, Rogles dove on the puck in his crease as UNH was pressuring. A lot of pushing and shoving ensued, along with some pretty ugly cross-checking by Clarkson's Sanderson. Two fights broke out, and eventually referee Fowkes ejected two players from each team (Sanderson and Thomas for Clarkson, Morrow and Cooper for UNH). Soon after Dubinsky picked up a slashing minor and UNH had a 5-3 powerplay. They took only ten seconds to score, with Amodeo blasting from the left circle to get the hattrick. Thirteen seconds later, still on the powerplay, Savo Mitrovic stuffed a short one by Rogles to get UNH to within a goal. Unfortunately, despite two more powerplay chances, the Cats couldn't get another by Rogles, who was just amazing. I saw Jim Love at the game, and I know he's going to disagree with me, but I really wasn't impressed with Clarkson, except Rogles of course. I can't imagine that coach Morris could be happy with the kind of effort they put in. What Clarkson does have is some talented scorers who made the best of their opportunities. But depending on Rogles for that many saves doesn't seem like a good strategy. Despite the powerplay difference, New Hampshire simply outplayed the Golden Knights for most of the game. UNH simply made some really bad mistakes and didn't get a Rogles-like game from Levy, who again did not look very good. Of course, it's hard to stay sharp when you're seeing 6 shots a period. UNH travels to Maine for two games next weekend, where they very likely will extend their losing streak to four games. Both Morrow and Cooper will be lost for both games with their stupid fighting penalties, and Greg Klym may not be available as well. Klym was injured in the second period when he crashed into the boards, and seemed to be favoring his left knee as he left. Losing Cooper is very bad, since UNH's defense is spotty to begin with, and Morrow will be missed in front of the net, clogging up the slot and screening opposing goaltenders. ------------------ at Snively Arena, Durham, NH Saturday, November 30 Clarkson (8-1)............2 2 1 - 5 New Hampshire (8-2).......1 0 3 - 4 First period Penalty: CL, Guy Sanderson (cross-checking), 1:28. Penalty: CL, Martin d'Orsonmens (hitting after whistle), 2:09. Penalty: UNH, Glenn Stewart (hooking), 2:09. Penalty: CL, Scott Thomas (interference), 7:21. CL 1, UNH 0: Patrick Theriault (unassisted), 7:78 (SHG). Penalty: CL, d'Orsonmens (cross-checking), 9:29. Penalty: UNH, Mark McGinn (tripping), 11:33. CL 2, UNH 0: Thomas (Steve Dubinsky, Patrice Robitaille), 17:14. Penalty: CL, Sanderson (slashing), 18:42. Penalty: UNH, Rob Donovan (roughing), 18:42. Penalty: CL, d'Orsonmens (holding), 19:02. CL 2, UNH 1: Domenic Amodeo (Scott Morrow, Joe Flanagan), 19:50 (PPG). Second period Penalty: CL, Craig Conroy (tripping), 5:06. Penalty: UNH, Scott Malone (tripping), 7:38. Penalty: UNH, Jesse Cooper (hooking), 9:29. CL 3, UNH 1: Dubinsky (Robitaille, Mildo Tavi), 10:03 (PPG). Penalty: CL, Dubinsky (holding), 13:44. CL 4, UNH 1: Marko Tuonainen (Conroy, Hugo Belanger), 16:31. Penalty: CL, Todd Marchant (tripping), 17:31. Third period CL 5, UNH 1: Thomas (Robitaille, Brian Mueller), 5:10. Penalty: CL, Jeff Torrey (roughing), 5:16. Penalty: UNH, Savo Mitrovic (slashing, slashing), 5:16. Penalty: CL, Marchant (roughing), 5:52. Penalty: UNH, Frank Messina (roughing), 5:52. CL 5, UNH 2: Amodeo (unassisted), 6:52. Penalty: CL, Sanderson (cross-checking, cross-checking), 7:47. Game Disqualification: CL, Sanderson (fighting), 7:47. Game Disqualification: CL, Thomas (fighting), 7:47. Game Disqualification: UNH, Morrow (fighting), 7:47. Game Disqualification: UNH, Cooper (fighting), 7:47. Penalty: CL, Dubinsky (slashing), 9:43. CL 5, UNH 3: Amodeo (Messina), 9:53 (PPG). CL 5, UNH 4: Mitrovic (Amodeo, Flanagan), 10:06 (PPG). Penalty: UNH, Donovan (high-sticking), 10:17. Penalty: CL, Mueller (hooking), 15:11. Penalty: CL, Conroy (interference), 18:33. Saves: CL, Chris Rogles (15-19-16=50), UNH, Jeff Levy (3-7-4=14). Officials: R. Fowkes (ref), Baker, and B. Fowkes. Attendance: 3530 (sellout #3)