Norwich full of Mass. appeal
Having a proverbial bull’s eye on your back isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s something No. 1-ranked Norwich embraces with relish.
“We’ve had a good run,” said Cadets coach Mike McShane, who earlier this season became one of eight coaches all-time to amass 700 career wins.
Senior forward William Pelletier has been a cornerstone with 114 points in 77 career games. Pelletier had two goals and an assist to key Saturday’s 4-1 road win at UMassBoston as the Cadets improved their record to 20-1-3 off a threepoint weekend. Norwich, which tied 2-2 at Babson a day earlier, is riding an 18-game unbeaten streak (16-0-2) dating to mid-November.
Yet, the real backbone of Norwich has been the contributions of eight Bay State products, led by senior co-captain Tyler Piacentini (13-11-24) of South Weymouth, who has posted four game-winners. Junior forward Kevin Salvucci (1314-27) of Plymouth has notched a team-best seven power-play goals. Senior Anthony Flaherty (10-16- 26) of South Boston has chipped in with four power-play markers. Senior Cody Smith (2-26-28) of Hudson anchors the blue line.
Wakefield junior Connor Evangelista (1-12-13) has provided support to Smith on the back line. Other key contributions have been turned in by senior Paul Russell (7-7-14) of Andover, senior defenseman Brian Rowland (4-48) of Waltham, and freshman Jack Griffin (0-1-1) of Duxbury.
“We’ve gotten a lot of good kids from the Boston area over the past few years,” said McShane, a Wakefield native and ex- New Hampshire star. “There are a lot of kids that the Division 1 schools don’t take, so you have to grab them.”
McShane, who has guided Norwich to three national titles (2000, ’03, ’10), knows there is a lot more hockey to be played.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “The parity in Division 3 is unbelievable and especially in how it changed. Eight or so years ago you might say, ‘Well, Norwich could win the (NCAAs), or Middlebury could win it, or St. Norbert (Minn.) could win it.’ Now, there’s about 40 teams that can win it and we have about 80 schools playing college hockey.”
Quiz of the week
There have been five penalty shots taken in the Beanpot. Which of the four entrants has never attempted one? Answer below.
Brand recognition
Northeastern junior McKenna Brand leads the country in goals with 23. Only two other women have reached the 20 mark. . . .
When sophomore center Adam Gaudette of Braintree posted a pair of power-play goals in Friday’s 6-4 loss to UMass-Lowell, it gave Northeastern 41 extra-man goals, the first time since 200102 NU has clicked for 40 or more power-play tallies. Gaudette (17 goals, 24 assists) also joined junior Dylan Sikura (17-29-46) and senior Zach Aston-Reese (22-2244) with 40 points, the first time since 1993-94 that NU has had three players hit that mark. . . .
Kudos to Bentley skaters Kyle Schmidt and Brett Orr on being selected Atlantic Hockey’s Player and Rookie of the Month, respectively, for January. . . .
Boston University junior winger Nikolas Olsson, who was hurt in a home loss against Merrimack on Jan. 27, underwent surgery Tuesday for a broken right leg and appears to be gone for the season.
“He plays a heavy game and he’s very skilled and very important to our lineup,” BU coach David Quinn said. “Hopefully, we can extend our season a few days and get him back, but we’ll miss him.” . . .
Condolences to the family of former Colorado College and Wisconsin coach Jeff Sauer, who passed away at age 73. Sauer, who guided Wisconsin to the NCAA title in 1983 and ’90, was one of the good guys in the game. He will be missed.
City pride on line
Don’t forget the championship (7:30 p.m.) and consolation (4:30) rounds of the 39th annual women’s Beanpot, which take place tomorrow at Northeastern’s Matthews Arena.
Defending champion Boston College meets host NU for the title. BU and Harvard will meet in the early game.
Quiz answer
BU. Drop the puck!