UNH-Providence- Playoff game 2- Onto the Boston!!!

Well to anyone who was concerned about how the Cats would step up for the playoffs, I am hoping the 2 shut out game sweep of Providence (4-0, 6-0) help make you believe again. I do understand why some people were concerned going into the playoffs. But the Cats did respond to there late season let down with 120 minutes of solid hockey, and neither game was ever in doubt. The 2 shut outs for Regan were nice to see, had a total of 82 saves for the weekend. Though only had to come up with a few big saves, probably had more Friday night as Providence came out and played hard and made some better chances for themselves. Have to give the UNH’s D a lot of credit to. They forced the Friars to take a lot of shots form the out side and really played some tight D in front of the net. Can count the mistakes by the D for both games on 1 hand, they really stepped it up for the series. What can be said about the offense, they didn’t have a lot of shots on net in the 2 games, but have to say a high percentage of them were very quality shots. The moved the puck around good all series and really set up the back door shot by forcing the Friars to play to one side of the ice then hit the good pass to the guy sitting on the back door. Seemed to also have quite a few break outs Friday night, which came from aggressive checking. Also was very impressed with the play along the boards, seemed UNH was winning the battle for the puck along the boards. The scoring was also very balanced as every line scored over the weekend. Was happy to see Fortney get 2 goals Friday night. The thing that probably impressed me the most was the physical play, especially on Friday night. Was happy to see Charblois and Fornataro step up for the teammates. Both got right after 2 Friars players who took a few cheap shoots on the Cats. It did lead to a could of 4 minute power plays, as Gravellese totally missed the Providence penalties, but it showed the Friars, and everyone else, that the Cats would not be pushed around. To me that is huge in playoff hockey. Overall a great 2 games for the Cats, their best 2 games in a couple of month. Not sure who they will play next Friday, but 99% sure it will be the 5pm game. We will find out Saturday or Sunday who they will face, either Vermont, Umass or Maine, at this point have no favor to choice from that bunch.
So here are my 3 stars for the weekend.
1) Regan- 82 saves, 2 shut outs
2) Radja- 5 assist on the 10 goals
3) Fortney- 2 goals, McFlicker- 1 goal and 3 assist