This article appeared on the New England Hockey Journal
web site on Jan. 10, 2008, and was written by Chris Carlson.
It's only January, but Norwich may have already survived its
toughest week of the season.
While the ECAC Championship weekend and possible NCAA tournament
games lie ahead, Norwich proved it's plenty ready for that road
with consecutive wins over two of New England's best, and a
one-goal loss to SUNY-Plattsburgh, all within a five-day span.
The Cadets served as hosts for The Times-Argus Tournament, where
the two wins over the New England rivals arrived. And it's clear
that's how Norwich coach Mike McShane likes it.
Norwich (8-3, 4-1) toppled UMass-Dartmouth one of the best teams
in the ECAC Northeast, 4-2, in the tournament's first game, and
then handed ECAC East-rival Babson its first loss of the season,
5-3 in the championship. Norwich's six-game win streak ended
Tuesday night in a 3-2 loss to Plattsburgh, which beat Norwich for
the second time this year.
Prior to Tuesday night, the Cadets had scored at least three
goals in every game and now have six players averaging at least one
point per game. Perhaps most impressively, Norwich has shown no
signs of slowing down - even without its best players for periods
of time this season.
Senior forward Rick Cleaver, who leads the team with 11 goals
and seven assists, missed both of last week's wins due to recurring
headaches. Against UMass-Dartmouth (5-4-1, 4-0-0), the Cadets were
also without No. 2 scorer Nikita Kashirsky and No. 4 scorer Raphael
Robitaille, who were both serving one-game suspensions for their
involvement in a fight the previous game with Wentworth.
Eric Lauriault returned from an ankle injury to score two goals
during the Times-Argus Tournament. And Cleaver returned on Tuesday
- scoring a goal in Norwich's loss and bringing the club closer to
full strength.
Norwich's one weakness has been its opponents' occasional
ability to put up big numbers. Southern Maine started the season
scoring eight goals against Norwich, including four against
goaltender Chance Gieni, who didn't return to the ice until
Tuesday's loss, when he made 18 saves against Brian Hince's 31.
Both of Norwich's other goalies, David Thompson and Ryan
Klingensmith, have maintained a goal-against average of less than
3.00, a mark which should allow Norwich the opportunity for another
run through the gauntlet, next time during the postseason.
