Preview

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) Wildcats head to Hartford playing their best hockey of the season. They’re winners of their last four and have outscored their opponents 20-6 during that stretch. Last weekend, the ‘Cats dethroned the Boston College Eagles from the No. 20 spot with a series sweep. Due to their second-half surge, the Wildcats received a single vote in the USCHO.com Division I Poll this week.

The University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies enter this weekend’s series with a two-game losing streak. This comes on the heels of losses Tuesday, Jan. 11 against the American International Yellow Jackets and on Friday, Jan. 14 to the Boston University Bulldogs. In total, the Huskies enter the weekend series perfectly balanced with a .500 record as well as a .500 record at home and on the road.

Friday, Jan. 21, 2022

University of New Hampshire Wildcats (11-10-1, 5-7-1) at UConn Huskies (9-9-0, 6-5-0)

When: 7:00 p.m.

Where: XL Center, Hartford, Conn.

Watch: College SportsLive.

Listen: iHeartRadio 610 AM, 96.7 FM, 930 AM

Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022

New Hampshire Wildcats (11-10-1, 5-7-1) at UConn Huskies (9-9-0, 6-5-0)

When: 4:00 p.m.

Where: XL Center, Hartford, Conn.

Watch: NESN+ & College SportsLive.

Listen: iHeartRadio 610 AM, 96.7 FM, 930 AM

UNH lines vs. No. 20 Boston College (Jan. 15)

Forwards

#26 Liam Devlin, #11 Jackson Pierson, #19 Eric MacAdams

#14 Tyler Ward, #16 Filip Engarås, #12 Eric Esposito

#29 Joseph Cipollone, #15 Chase Stevenson, #24 Robert Cronin

#9 Connor Sweeney, #6 Lucas Herrmann, #21 Cam Gendron

Defensemen

#5 Will MacKinnon, #8 Nikolai Jenson

#3 Ryan Verrier, #27 Luke Reid

#8 Alex Gagne, #20 Colton Huard

#10 Kalle Eriksson

Goaltenders

#31 Mike Robinson, #41 David Fessenden, #35 Rafe Gaughan

Key Players

UNH first-year defender Colton Huard is beginning to make a name for himself. The reigning Hockey East Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week carries a four-game point streak into this weekend’s series with three goals and five assists during this streak.

On the other end of the ice, UConn sophomore forward Jachym Kondelik is one to look out for. Kondelik’s 17 points are tied for first on the Huskies. The Nashville Predators prospect has a four-game point streak with three goals and two assists.

UConn graduate student goaltender Darion Hanson has started 17 of the Huskies’ 18 games will presumably be in this weekend. Through his 17 starts, Hanson sports a 2.58 goals-against-average, and a .913 save percentage which is sixth-best in Hockey East.

Series History

All-Time: UConn leads series 11-6-1

At UNH: UConn leads 6-4

At UConn: UConn leads 5-2-1

Last Matchup: UConn defeated UNH 8-3 in Durham, N.H. (1/16/2021)

Photo courtesy of Jack Bouchard