UConn Takes One Giant Leap

by Joshua Seguin/Staff Writer

Connecticut chose to take the big step into Hockey East just two seasons ago. It could be forgiven if it took a while to climb up the standings of one of college hockey's top leagues.

But unlike last season, when the Huskies struggled down the stretch, this season the team has improved as it's gone along, and got the job done for a home-ice spot in the first round of the playoffs for the first team, earning the No. 8 seed this past weekend with a sweep of New Hampshire.

"It feels great and it feels like we are making progress," UConn coach Mike Cavanaugh said. "I knew it was going to be a tough road coming into Hockey East, because I have been in this league a long time.

"Everyone has their opinions, but I think if its isn't the toughest it is one of the toughest leagues in the country. There aren't many nights off."

It didn't seem likely that UConn would get a home ice series as it struggled on an eight-game losing streak in November, but it was able to right the ship.

"It says a lot about our senior leadership," Cavanaugh said. "We have been carried all year long by Shawn (Pauly), Pat (Kirtland), Joey (Ferriss) and Kyle (Huson). Not only do they give everything on the ice, but they are all good students and they do things the right way. When the top guys do things the right way, it is easier for the younger guys to follow suit."

When UConn entered the weekend it was 10th in Hockey East, two points back of UNH for eighth, a point back of Merrimack and three points behind seventh-place Vermont. Because Merrimack and Vermont also played over the weekend, it meant a UConn sweep was needed to give it a chance.

"We knew it was going to be a difficult task heading into the weekend," UConn captain Patrick Kirtland said. "We knew that if we brought our game both nights, we could accomplish it."

In the Huskies' way was a team that in 15 tries since 1929, they had zero wins against. It was also one of the teams that they were fighting for the last home ice spot, UNH.

"Last year we had the same six-game run and we lost all six," Kirtland said. "This year was different. We wanted to make a statement, we wanted it to be different than last year."

They won game one, at home, which was the first part of the task.

But the next night at the Whittemore Center, things didn't start well, as UNH took a 2-0 lead in the first period, then increased it to 4-1 at the end of the second period. The Huskies, however, weren't to be denied. First it was senior Joey Ferriss, then sophomore Spencer Nass, and finally Ferriss tied it with the extra attacker. But a tie wasn't going to cut it, UConn needed a win.

As luck would have it, UConn got its win off the stick of sophomore Corey Ronan on a great individual effort, where Ronan was able to get off a backhander for the win and thus clinching home ice advantage.

The weekend showed just how far the Huskies have come.

UConn has built itself over the past two seasons and has progressed. This season has been trying at times and its record only boasts one more overall win.

"Our older guys continued to get better," UConn sophomore Corey Ronan said. "Our freshmen last year to sophomores got better. Everyone really progressed and we got some really good recruits which has helped."

AS UConn grows in Hockey East it will get better. Talent will go up, depth will get better and its young guys will have bigger impacts. In year two, that is how the Huskies have built and grown.

"Each year more talent comes in," Kirtland said. "Just to see where it was when I got here and to see where it is now, it has been special to be a part of. I think the program is headed in the right direction.

Led by its seniors, UConn were willed to get another home game, which it was able to accomplish. It is 12th in the country in attendance, playing at the XL Center in Hartford.

"I am really excited that we were able to make that jump, to host a home playoff series." Cavanaugh said. "I think it is great for our fans. Last year we led the league in attendance and this season we have been first or second all year long. Now we give our fans a chance to watch some playoff hockey."

Playoff hockey is always fun and one should expect a raucous crowd at the XL on Friday night but for the Huskies just being able to do this is a step forward, so quickly in its Hockey East membership.