The Odd Weekend That Was in Hockey East

Lowell Still Truckin', Vermont Re-Gaining Form

Let's start off this weekend wrap with some honors.

First off, there were two players of the week this time around.

Brian Gibbons of BC had an outstanding weekend, recording a goal and four assists in two games for the Eagles.  His efforts also earned him first star of the game in BC's 5-1 romp over NU on Saturday.

Gibbon's will be sharing the honors this week with Nick Shaus of UML who registered two goals and two assists this weekend for Lowell.  He too earned the number one star on Saturday night.

Earning the rookie of the week award, courtesy of BU, was Northeastern goalie Chris Rawlings.  Despite getting completely spanked by Newton U on Saturday, Rawlings' 26 save effort against BU was enough for the win, the shutout, and the rookie of the week.

Rounding out the honors this week is Vermont goalie Mike Spillane, winning defensive player of the week.  He saved all 33 shots he faced in a 3-0 defeat of Providence on Sunday.

Now let's get you caught up on the status of the teams.

VERMONT:
The Catamounts bounced back from two tough losses with a solid showing agains Lowell Friday night.  They scored a goal midway through the third and skated to a scoreless OT with the Riverhawks.  Big point for Vermont against one of the best teams not only in Hockey East, but in Division I.  They followed up that strong performance by vanquishing Providence on Saturday, defeating the Friars easily in front of strong goaltending by defensive player of the week Mike Spillane.


PROVIDENCE:
Unfortunately for the Friars, their disappointing loss to Vermont was their only action of the weekend.  Despite a 1-2 record in Hockey East, Providence isn't off to a bad start overall, having won 5 of 8 games, and outscoring their opponents by 4 goals.  They'll have some time off to think about their loss, however.  They're not in action again until they face Brown on Tuesday the 17th.

NORTHEASTERN:
The Huskies were up and down this weekend.  We know all about their big win over BU at the "new' Matthews Arena on Friday.  But the Huskies used up all their good fortunes for the weekend in one night, as they came out flat on Saturday on the road at Conte Forum.  Northeastern's lone win in Hockey East so far this year was Friday night against BU.  They'll host Maine for two in the shoebox this weekend.

MAINE:
The Black Bears' lone game of the weekend was their big win over BU in Orno on Sunday.  The monster Gustav Nyquist led the way for Maine with a goal and an assist.  The win was their second of the year in conference play.

BOSTON COLLEGE:
BC registered a 3 point weekend against New Hampshire and Northeastern.  First, on the road at The Whit on Friday, BC and UNH skated to a 4-4 tie.  The Eagles tried to collapse down the stretch, surrendering three third period goals, including the tying goal in the final minute.  They held on for the tie, and bounced back in a big way by slaughtering Northeastern at home on Saturday.  John Muse turned away 16 shots including a penalty shot to get the win.

NEW HAMPSHIRE:
The Wildcats fought furiously to register their tie at home on Friday, but the momentum did not carry over to Saturday night's game against Lowell.  The Riverhawks hosted the Wildcats, and blew them out of the water, 6-3.  UNH Goalie Brian Foster gave up a whopping 10 goals on the weekend.  The Cats were lucky to escape the games with one point.

LOWELL:
As seen above, the Riverhawks tied Vermont, and defeated UNH for a three point weekend.  That's 7 Hockey East points for Lowell already, not to mention their vault to #5 in the National Polls.  The Riverhawks just won't go away.  They're at Alabama Huntsville for two this weekend.

AMHERST:
Easy weekend for the Minutemen, who defeated Niagra twice for a couple of confidence boosting wins.  They're now 3-1 in Hockey East and 6-1 overall.  Do not by any means sleep on UMass.  James Marcou already has 13 points, Casey Wellman has 11, and defender Matthew Irwin has 9 including 5 goals.  They have some serious firepower.  They'll host UNH twice this weekend.

MERRIMACK:
No games this weekend for Mack, letting them bask in the glory of their 5-3 win over BC from a week ago.  Stephane de Costa was named Hockey East rookie of the month.  You'll hear his name a few times this weekend when BU has to find a way to stop him two nights in a row.