Durham N.H.- Alabama Huntsville had a strong first period against New Hampshire, but the Wildcats flew past the Chargers with seven goals in the final two periods, for a 9-1 final score. In the game, Stevie Moses scored 4 goals and sophomore center, Nick Sorkin had 5 assists in the onslaught against a team playing their third game in four nights.

What I saw

-UNH continued to allow Hunstville to stay in the game giving the Chargers turnover after Turnover early in the game but Huntsville could not convert those opportunities. UNH would then run away with four second period goals and go on to score another three in third period for a total of nine in the game.

-The UNH offense performed at a high octane, often dangerous pace. UNH was often careless in passes but the ones that did connect were pretty in nature and caught Alabama Huntsville off guard. UNH used its speed to convert odd man rushes on many occasions. The nine goals that UNH scored was their highest total since December 11, 2008.

What I thought

-Huntsville, in their last year, had trouble handling the puck in key situations. UNH often gave them chances for odd man rushes, especially early, but they only converted on a Sebastian Geoffrion shorthanded breakaway. This goal was Alabama-Huntsville’s first on a three game tour of Hockey East, which spanned only three days.

-UNH converted every opportunity given to them, as they scored nine goals. The game wasn’t the prettiest game that New Hampshire has played this season but they will take the result. Turnovers continue to be an issue for them and must be fixed. The 2-1 score after one could have easily been tied or been a UNH deficit going into the second period. The turnovers have cost UNH in the past few games and could have easily cost them a couple of goals tonight.

What they said

“Our guys were fresh tonight and Huntsville came in playing there third in five,” said Dick Umile. “We needed to play a 60 minute game and we did.”

“This was my first hat trick in college,” said Stevie Moses. “This was a definite step in the right direction for us.”

Don’t let the score fool you,” said Nick Sorkin. “They deserved a better score than that tonight. The shorthanded goal we allowed was my fault and I need take more shots, as I had none tonight.”

What they didn’t say

With a struggle last weekend, one must be wondering the psyche of a UNH defense that has struggled on the road this season. While UNH is 6-1-0 at home on the season they are also 0-5-2 on the road. With a road game on Friday the defensive issues that have been the nemesis for UNH needs to improve, but how and what is being done to fix them?

What else you should know

New Hampshire returns to action on Friday night making the short 45 minute trip down to Lowell, to play UMass-Lowell at the Tsongas Center. The last time these teams met UNH took advantage of a Lowell team riding a high and defeated them 5-0 at the Whittemore Center. UNH will need another solid performance from Matt Di Girolamo to get its first road win. This is UNH’s last road game before the break so UNH will be looking to get back on the right track, on the road.

Sunday, November 27th, 2011 - 1:30 am | Hockey East, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings