UNH played their eight and ninth overtime games of the year this past weekend against Vermont, the most they have played since 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, when both seasons saw 10 games go to an extra five minutes. The last time the Wildcats won three games in OT in a season was in 1999-200. The next year the ‘Cats had two of their 10 ties end 0-0…
With their win and tie vs. Vermont, UNH clinched a Hockey East playoff spot for the 21st straight season, going back to 1989. They also became the first team in the league to clinch home ice this season, something they have done for 14 straight years. The last time the Wildcats traveled for the Hockey East quarterfinals was 1996 when they lost two straight at the University of Maine.
Befitting their status as the first place team in Hockey East, it comes as no surprise that UNH also are up there in several statistical categories. Offensively, their 86 goals and 3.74 goals per games are tops in the league, while their 66 goals allowed are second only to Boston College. The Wildcats are also the least penalized team, averaging just nine minutes per game.
After a four point weekend (two goals, two assists), Bobby Butler is ranked fourth nationally with 1.47 points per game. His 38 points in Hockey East play are the most since BC’s Chris Collins had 39 in the 2005-2006 season. Butler is the first player to score 20 goals in league games since former Wildcat Colin Hemingway had 23 in the 2001-2002 season. Butler now has 112 career points at UNH, tied with David Aiken (‘90) for 59th all time…
Is it any wonder that, according to Inside College Hockey, Butler is now on the short list for the Hobey Baker Award? “He’s having a fabulous season,” Coach Umile said of Butler. “He should be considered for the Hobey Baker. He’s up there, leading the country in goals (ed. note, actually second). I’m obviously biased, but he’s a terrific hockey player.” Butler has already been nominated for the Walter Brown Award as the best American player in New England, and for the Hockey Humanitarian Award, for contributions outside of hockey , so why not the Hobey? Don’t forget to vote!
Not to be outdone, Butler’s linemate Phil DeSimone now has at least one point in 12 straight games, a league best. DeSimone has 16 points (6 goals, 10 assists) during the streak. Overall, the line of Butler, DeSimone and Paul Thompson has scored at least one in goal in 12 straight games and are averaging two goals per game since the line was put together back in November.
