2008 Woodie Awards
Friars Skate to Tie, Loss with No. 4 Wildcats
Ryan Holt '09
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Sports
The weekend began with excitement and it stayed that way throughout the two-game series between PC and UNH Wildcats. The No. 14 Providence College Men's Hockey team played last weekend's home-and- home match-up against Hockey East leader No. 4 New Hampshire. While the Wildcats took three of four points this weekend, the Friars played well, further proving they can play with the best.
On Friday, Feb. 15, a decent-sized crowd entered Schneider Arena. Though the place was not completely sold out, there was a good amount of energy in the building. The Friars responded, playing a tough, hard-fought game against one of the nation's best. The two teams battled for 60 minutes, but it was not enough. After three periods, regulation ended in a 1-1 tie. Five minutes of overtime couldn't decide it either; the game ended in a 1-1 deadlock.
Special teams were a factor early on in the contest. In the first period, UNH took advantage of a power play when Danny Dries scored off a rebound. Both sides had their opportunities in the first, but no more would be converted.
The Friars evened things up at 13:39 in the second. Sophomore John Cavanagh scored on assists from junior John Mori and freshman Ian O'Connor. This would end up being the final goal of the game.
In the extra frame, both sides again had their chances, but nothing got past either goalie.
The play of New Hampshire goalie Kevin Regan was certainly the story of the game. He stopped all but one of the Friars' 53 shots, en route to a career-high 52 saves. The Friars had some great chances and really opened up the play, but they could not get past Regan. His performance earned him Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Friar senior goalie Tyler Sims played a good game as well. He stopped 28 of the Wildcats' 29 shots, including several on the breakaway.
On Saturday, Feb. 16, the Friars traveled to one of the most difficult places to play, New Hampshire's Whittemore Center. UNH started off strong, taking a 2-0 lead.
On Friday, Feb. 15, a decent-sized crowd entered Schneider Arena. Though the place was not completely sold out, there was a good amount of energy in the building. The Friars responded, playing a tough, hard-fought game against one of the nation's best. The two teams battled for 60 minutes, but it was not enough. After three periods, regulation ended in a 1-1 tie. Five minutes of overtime couldn't decide it either; the game ended in a 1-1 deadlock.
Special teams were a factor early on in the contest. In the first period, UNH took advantage of a power play when Danny Dries scored off a rebound. Both sides had their opportunities in the first, but no more would be converted.
The Friars evened things up at 13:39 in the second. Sophomore John Cavanagh scored on assists from junior John Mori and freshman Ian O'Connor. This would end up being the final goal of the game.
In the extra frame, both sides again had their chances, but nothing got past either goalie.
The play of New Hampshire goalie Kevin Regan was certainly the story of the game. He stopped all but one of the Friars' 53 shots, en route to a career-high 52 saves. The Friars had some great chances and really opened up the play, but they could not get past Regan. His performance earned him Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Friar senior goalie Tyler Sims played a good game as well. He stopped 28 of the Wildcats' 29 shots, including several on the breakaway.
On Saturday, Feb. 16, the Friars traveled to one of the most difficult places to play, New Hampshire's Whittemore Center. UNH started off strong, taking a 2-0 lead.