Sports Insider by Frank Coppola: UNH blanks BC, closes in on Hockey East title

February 22, 2008

UNH blanks BC, closes in on Hockey East title

Don't look now, but the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team can clinch the Hockey East regular-season title with a victory over Boston College on Saturday at the Whittemore Center.

The first-place Wildcats moved one step closer with a 2-0 win over the second-place Eagles on Friday night at Conte Forum.

By Roger Brown
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — High-scoring left wing Nathan Gerbe was kept off the scoreboard Friday night — and so were his teammates.

In what may have been the team’s most impressive defensive performance of the season, the University of New Hampshire handed Boston College its first shutout loss in 2007-08 by skating to a 2-0 victory at BC’s Conte Forum.

Gerbe, who is Hockey East’s leading candidate for the Hobey Baker Award, entered the weekend as the league’s leading scorer (44 points). He had a game-high seven shots on goal.

“We didn’t give them any space to make a play,” UNH coach Dick Umile said. “Defensively it’s as well as we’ve played. Right now everybody on our team is playing with a whole lot of confidence.”

Right wing Bobby Butler and defenseman Brad Flaishans provided the UNH offense. Butler handed the Wildcats a 1-0 lead 5:02 into the second period, and Flaishans added a power-play goal with 6:36 to play.

That was more than enough support for senior goaltender Kevin Regan, who turned aside 28 shots. BC entered the game with the No. 3 offense in Division I (3.70 goals per game).

“We played unbelievable defensively,” Regan said. “We did a great job bottling them up and not giving them any Grade-A opportunities. Credit to our coaching staff — they really prepared us well.”

It was Regan’s third shutout of the season and the ninth of his career.

“That’s what he’s been doing for us all season,” Umile said. “He’s making the saves he should make and he’s taking away the great scoring opportunities. That’s what makes him special.”

UNH, which is 7-0-1 in its last eight games, raised its record to 20-7-2 overall and 16-4-2 in Hockey East. The Wildcats are 11-0-1 in their last 12 league games.

BC remained in sole possession of second place, but dropped eight points behind UNH. The Eagles are 16-8-7 overall and 10-6-6 in the league.

BC goaltender John Muse made 27 saves.

Butler was cutting toward the net from the middle of the right faceoff circle when he gained possession of the puck and took a shot that hit the left post and bounced into the net. Flaishans scored on a slap shot from above the left circle.

“Both goalies were very good,” BC coach Jerry York said. “The power-play goal was a big turning point. It was hard to fault John on that one. Before that it was 1-0 and we were battling.

“New Hampshire started the game sharper and crisper than we were. Certainly we were impressed with New Hampshire.”

BC put one shot on goal during its two power-play opportunities. The Eagles began the night with the top-ranked power-play percentage in Division I (24.5 percent).

“I’m really, really pleased with how the team played tonight,” Umile said. “We didn’t give them a whole lot of space to create offense, which they can do very well.”

The teams will meet again tonight in Durham. UNH can secure the regular-season championship with a victory tonight.

“I think our intensity has picked up a little bit (in recent weeks),” Regan said. “As you could see tonight we’re playing playoff-type hockey.”

’CAT NOTES: Freshman defenseman Matt Campanale replaced junior Jamie Fritsch in the UNH lineup. Fritsch was serving a one-game suspension he received for fighting in Saturday’s 4-3 triumph over Providence. … James vanRiemsdyk and Jerry Pollastrone assisted on Butler’s goal. Matt Fornataro and Mike Radja assisted on Flaishans’ power-play goal. … Regan’s victory was the 47th of his collegiate career. He’s tied with Northeastern’s Bruce Racine for second on the league’s all-time victory list. BC’s Scott Clemmensen holds the league record with 52 victories.

Posted by Frank Coppola at February 22, 2008 11:05 PM

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