Last weekend I had the pleasure of covering the 2011 NCAA Men’s Hockey Northeast Regional for the University of Notre Dame. The regional was hosted by the University of New Hampshire and played at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire. This post is a big longer than my normal entries as I am bundling 3 days worth of experience in one post.
The UND team wastes no time getting into a grove as they practice Friday afternoon
Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson holds court center ice at the Verizon Wireless Arena during Friday’s practice session.
Saturday- Regional Semifinal versus Merrimack College
The University of Notre Dame kicked off the regional tournament by facing off against a tough Merrimack College team
Notre Dame Senior Calle Ridderwall (#22) fights for the puck against Merrimack College’s Karl Stollery (#7). Ridderwall scored a goal in the first period.
Ben Ryan (#19) gets ready to riffle in a shot on goal
Tempers flared between both sides during the game
Sophomore goaltender Mike Johnson (#32) had a busy night stopping 29 of 32 shots
Notre Dame Head Coach Jeff Jackson addresses his players including Bryan Rust (#21 added and assist), T.J. Tynan (#18added an assist), Sean Lorenz (#18) and Calle Ridderwall (#22 added a goal) during a break in the actions.
Notre Dane’s Nick Larson (#26) gets driven into the boards by Merrimack College’s Adam Ross (#26)
Notre Dame’s Ben Ryan (#19) takes a shot against Merrimack College goalie Joe Cannata (#35)
Freshman T.J. Tynan (#18) takes a shot at net
The two teams played a hard fought game each seizing opportunities along the way
Freshman Anders Lee (#9) celebrates after his game winning goal in overtime to give Notre Dame a 4-3 victory and send them to the Northeast Regional final.
Sunday- Regional Final versus University of New Hampshire
Opening face off for the 2011 NCAA Division 1 Men’s Ice Hockey Northeast Regional
UNH’s Mike Borisenok (#14) and Ben Ryan (#19) of Notre Dame get ready to face off
Senior Ben Ryan (#19) keeps an eye of the game as he awaits a line change
Notre Dame struck first scoring in the first and second periods
Sophomore Sam Calabrese (#8) keeps an eye of the puck in front of him
Freshman Stephen Johns (#28) scored Notre Dame’s first goal of the night versus UNH
Notre Dame Head Coach Jeff Jackson mulls over his thoughts
UNH’s Blake Kessel (#20) and Notre Dame’s Riley Sheahan (#4) fight for the puck. Sheahan had two assists during the game
Sophomore Nick Larson (#26) looks on as the Fighting Irish take control against the Wildcats
Notre Dame Senior Captain Joe Lavin (#33) skates past UNH’s John Henrion (#16)
Billy Maday (#17) and UNH Mick Beck(#25) jockey for the puck. Maday scored the second Notre Dame goal on the evening
Sophomore Sam Calabrese (#8) gets into position
Riley Sheahan (#4) watches as his attempt hits the goal area
Sophomore Mike Johnson (#32) made 37 stops against a very tough Wildcat offense
Notre Dame’s Billy Maday (#17, goal) and Anders Lee (#9, assist) vs both had a big weekend being named to the All Northeast Regional Team
Sophomore Mike Johnson #32 was named the Northeast Region tournament MVP
The University of Notre Dame defeated UNH 2-1 in front of 5900 fans
The University of Notre Dame men’s hockey team celebrates on the ice after winning the Northeast Regional championship
With the victory the University of Notre Dame will now move onto the Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minnesota. They will play The University of Minnesota Duluth on Thursday, April 7th.