BOSTON -- The Northeastern men's ice hockey team embarks on its first two-game road trip of the season this weekend when the Huskies travel to North Country to battle St. Lawrence, in Northeastern's first trip to Appleton Arena since 2002.
The Huskies are 4-0-0 on the young season, reaching the mark for the first time since the 1993-94 season. Northeastern is one of five remaining undefeated teams in the nation, and one of four undefeated squads that have played at least four games.
Sophomore forward
Kevin Roy has recorded multi-point efforts in three of four games this season, and is tied for second in the nation in both points per game (2.25) and goals per game (1.25) on five goals and four assists. Roy has been aided by the play of freshman
Mike Szmatula, who leads all rookie skaters with 2.00 points per game. The reigning Pro Ambitions Co-Rookie of the Week picked up his first collegiate goal last weekend against Holy Cross, and is tied for third in the nation with eight points (one goal, seven assists).
NU has received solid goaltending from
Derick Roy and
Clay Witt, with both netminders owning similar stats in goals against average (1.50), saves (53) and save percentage (.946).
The all-time series with St. Lawrence
Northeastern and St. Lawrence will meet for the second time in as many seasons after not facing off for nearly a decade prior. NU holds a slight edge in the all-time series at 14-13-2, and is looking to avenge a 5-2 loss last season at Matthews Arena.
The Huskies haven't defeated the Saints since Northeastern's last trip to Canton, N.Y. on Nov. 29, 2002 when NU earned a 2-1 win at Appleton Arena. The Huskies are 5-4-1 all-time on the road against the Saints.
A look at St. Lawrence
The Saints got off to a hot start this season with three straight wins against Maine (twice) and Ferris State, but fell in their most recent contest against Ferris State on Oct. 19 (5-3). The 3-1 St. Lawrence squad is a perfect 2-0-0 at home so far this year.
Sophomore forward Brian Ward has potted a team-leading three goals this season, while adding an assist for four points. Senior forward Greg Carey is the overall scoring leader with six points off two goals and four assists, while first-year defenseman Gavin Bayreuther has 2-2-4 totals from the blue line.
Senior netminder Matt Weninger has started all four games for the Saints this season, collecting a 3-1 record. He has posted a 2.63 goals against average with a .907 save percentage.
Last time out
Northeastern received goals from five different skaters, and went 3-of-7 on the power play, en route to a 5-2 victory against Holy Cross on Saturday night at Matthews Arena.
John Stevens and
Mike Szmatula both notched a goal and an assist, including their first collegiate tallies, while junior
Clay Witt made 27 saves in goal.
Josh Manson,
Braden Pimm and
Kevin Roy also scored for NU, while
Zach Aston-Reese contributed three assists.
Northeastern outshot the Crusaders 53-29 in the game and received eight points from rookie skaters (two goals, six assists). Holy Cross won 41-of-76 face-offs and was 1-of-5 on the man advantage.
Out of the gates
Northeastern's hot start to the season has given the Huskies a 4-0-0 beginning to the year for the first time since the 1993-94 season. That year, NU went 19-13-7 and reached the NCAA tournament.
Northeastern's two victories against Alabama-Huntsville last weekend gave the Huskies a 2-0-0 start to the season for the second straight year. It's the first time since 1993-94 and 1994-95 that NU has begun consecutive seasons at 2-0-0.
A win on Friday would give the Huskies five straight wins to start the season for the first time since 1988-89. Northeastern has begun the season 5-0-0 just three times in program history (1988-89, 1980-81, 1952-53).
Down to five
Northeastern is one of five remaining squads that have yet to lose a game this season, and one of three teams undefeated after playing at least four games. Lake Superior State (4-0-0), Minnesota (3-0-0), Notre Dame (4-0-0) and Providence (3-0-0) all have yet to lose this season.
Huskies crack USCHO.com poll at No. 20
After its hot start to the year, Northeastern entered this week's USCHO.com poll at No. 20, receiving 99 points. It's the first time NU has been in the top 20 since Oct. 29, 2012 when the Huskies were ranked 15th. Northeastern is also receiving votes in this week's USA Today poll for the first time this season.
Northeastern is one of seven Hockey East teams either ranked or receiving votes in this week's USCHO.com poll, and also appeared in the poll during the first nine weeks of last season, highlighted by a No. 14 ranking on Oct. 15, 2012.
Ahead of the game
Thanks to an onslaught of offense, as well as strong defense and goaltending, the Huskies have yet to trail in any game this season. NU is one of two teams in the country (Notre Dame) who have not have to play from behind at any point this year.
Offensive explosion
After scoring 81 goals all of last season, Northeastern has already logged nearly a quarter of that total in just four games. NU is tied with Miami (Ohio) and Minnesota for the nation's lead with 20 goals this season, and its 5.00 goals per game average is tied for third in the country.
The Huskies' 12 goals on opening weekend were the most goals scored in the team's first two games of the season since NU scored 13 in the opening two games of the 2002-03 season.
Going streaking
A trio of Huskies is off to a torrid start to the year, recording a point in each of their first four games of the season.
Kevin Roy has a point in every game this year, including three multi-point nights, and leads the team with five goals and four assists.
Braden Pimm's third period goal on Saturday gave the senior a goal in all four games this season, the longest goal scoring streak of his career. A point on Friday night would give him the longest point streak of his career.
Mike Szmatula also has a point in all four contests this year with one goal and seven assists, while
Colton Saucerman also had a career-long three-game point streak with one goal and three assists through the first three contests.
Anything you can do ...
Head coach
Jim Madigan has utilized a pair of goaltenders so far this season. Junior
Clay Witt and redshirt-freshman
Derick Roy have each started two games, and have identical goals against averages (1.50), saves (53), save percentages (.946) and wins (two).
The two have combined to allow just six goals in four games, which is tied for the fifth-fewest goals allowed in the country so far this season, while their 1.50 goals against average is tied for second nationally.
Shots, shots, shots
For the second time this season, NU generated more than 50 shots on goal against Holy Cross on Saturday night. Opening night against Alabama-Huntsville saw the Huskies pepper the opposing goaltender with 52 shots on goal. It marked just the second time in the last five seasons that NU has generated at least 50 shots on goal.
Lending a helping hand
Northeastern has tallied 33 assists through four games this season, sparked by seven helpers from freshman
Mike Szmatula (second in the nation). Szmatula has an assist in every game this season, including a career-high three helpers on opening night against Alabama-Huntsville. Three of his assists have come on the man advantage, leading NU to 16 power play assists, the most in the nation.
Szmatula named Pro Ambitions Co-Rookie of the Week
Freshman
Mike Szmatula, who leads the nation in rookie scoring, was named the Pro-Ambitions Co-Rookie of the Week on Monday. Szmatula had a goal and two assists last weekend, helping lead the Huskies to a pair of wins against Holy Cross.
Szmatula, who shares the honor with Notre Dame's Vince Hinostroza, is averaging two points per game this season, 0.25 points better than the freshman field. He has one goal and seven assists on the young season, and is fourth in the nation in points per game among all skaters and tied for fifth in the country in assists per game (1.75).
This is the second straight conference honor for the Huskies after sophomore forward
Kevin Roy was named the HEA Player of the Week last Monday.
The Commerce Township, Mich. native picked up the secondary assist on
Torin Snydeman's game-winning goal at Holy Cross on Saturday before recording his third multi-point effort of the year on Saturday night at Matthews Arena. Szmatula buried his first collegiate goal in the series finale on a wrist shot over the crossbar in the first period. He also added an assist on
Braden Pimm's power play goal in the third period.
Hello, my name is ...
Northeastern houses 12 freshmen (eight forwards, three defensemen, one goaltender) on its 2013-14 roster, which is the most in Hockey East and tied with Sacred Heart for the most rookies in the nation.
Eight freshmen have seen playing time so far this season, and have accounted for four goals and 20 assists, which is 45% of Northeastern's total scoring.
Pimm on the power play
The Northeastern power play, currently ranked in a tie for second in the nation with eight goals on the man advantage, has received three from senior
Braden Pimm in four games, already matching his total from last season.
Pimm recorded two PPG in each game against Alabama-Huntsville, becoming the first Husky since
Garrett Vermeersch on Oct. 9-10, 2009 to net a power play goal in each of his team's first two games of the season. Pimm was one of six players in the nation to net two power play goals in his first two contests.
Did I catch a niner in there?
Northeastern fans got a good look at the Huskies' offense on opening night as NU notched nine goals for the first time since Dec. 3, 2012 against Notre Dame.
It also marked the first time since Oct. 25, 1988 against Vermont that the Huskies netted nine goals in the opening game of the season.
Oh brother
Northeastern's 28-man roster features two sets of brothers in Cody and
Nathan Ferriero, as well as Derick and
Kevin Roy. The Huskies are one of just two teams in the nation to have two pairs of brothers on its roster, joining Quinnipiac's Connor and Tim Clifton and Conner and Kellen Jones.
O Captain, My Captain
Northeastern head coach
Jim Madigan announced this spring that junior defenseman
Josh Manson will serve as the Huskies' captain in 2013-14. Manson will be joined by classmates
Dax Lauwers and
Adam Reid as assistant captains.
Manson, a 2011 sixth-round NHL draft pick by the Anaheim Ducks, emerged as a leader during his sophomore season with seven points (three goals, four assists). Lauwers and Reid, meanwhile, contributed five (1-4-5) and 12 (6-6-12) points, respectively, during their sophomore seasons in 2012-13.
Da na na, da na na
Freshman
Mike Szmatula's first collegiate goal caught the attention of the nation this week when it was included in the NCAA's Ice Hockey Plays of the Week. The forward took a pass from
Nathan Ferriero and flew into the attacking zone. Szmatula then quickly cut into the slot before firing a shot across his body into the top right corner for a 2-0 Husky lead.
Show dogs
Northeastern has four NHL draft picks on this year's squad. Sophomore
Kevin Roy is NU's highest draft pick after the Anaheim Ducks took him in the fourth round (97th overall) last year.
San Jose selected senior
Cody Ferriero in the fifth round (127th) in 2010 while junior
Josh Manson was an Anaheim sixth rounder (160th) in 2011. Newcomer
Matt Benning was selected by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round (175th) at the 2012 Entry Draft.
At the helm
Head coach
Jim Madigan enters his third season as head coach at Northeastern. Huskies' coaches have amassed a win-loss total of 104-107-14 (.493) in their third seasons.
Madigan looks to break the streak of NU coaches posting a losing record in their third season and to become the first since Ben Smith recorded a 19-13-7 mark in 1993-94.
Stiff scheduling
Eleven of Northeastern's 17 opponents this season are either ranked or receiving votes in the first USCHO.com poll, which was released on Sept. 30. UMass Lowell is the top-ranked squad in the country, followed by Boston College (No. 4), Notre Dame (No. 8), New Hampshire (No. 13), Providence (No. 14), Western Michigan (No. 18), Boston University (No. 19), Harvard (RV - 18), Air Force (RV - 14), Dartmouth (RV - 2), Merrimack (RV - 2). Northeastern is 18-31-7 against ranked opponents dating back to the 2010-11 season.
Taking it outside
The Huskies will make their anticipated return to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, as the Huskies face UMass Lowell on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 as part of Frozen Fenway 2014 festivities. The City of Boston, the Boston Red Sox, Hockey East Association and Fenway Sports Management (FSM) announced the return of Frozen Fenway in a press release on Apr. 25.
"The entire Northeastern family, from our student-athletes, to our coaches and to our fans, is truly gracious for another opportunity to play hockey at Fenway Park," head coach
Jim Madigan said. "I'll never forget my first experience outdoors at Fenway and everyone is very excited to make some new memories. We are also excited to take on a worthy opponent in UMass Lowell."
The matchup between the Huskies and the River Hawks will mark the second time Northeastern has participated in the Frozen Fenway festivities. On Jan. 14, 2012, in front of an audience of 29,601 in frigid temperatures and brisk winds, the Huskies dropped a contentious 2-1 battle to Boston College, the eventual national champions.
All eyes on me
When Northeastern takes the ice at No. 4 Boston College on Nov. 1, it will do so in front of a national audience. The Huskies and Eagles will square off on NBCSN at 8 p.m. as part of a two-year contract extension between NBCSN and Hockey East, the league announced Oct. 8
In addition, NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group's live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets, will stream all league games telecast on NBCSN. All games will be live streamed via "TV Everywhere," the media industry's effort to make quality content available to authenticated customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra.
Huskies participate in Hockey East Media Day
With the start of the regular season fast approaching, the 2013-14 season officially got underway on Sept. 24 at Legends Restaurant inside the TD Garden for Hockey East Media Day.
In addition to the media opportunity, NU was picked to finish 11th in the league in the 2013-14 Hockey East preseason poll. Defending league champion and 2013 Frozen Four participant UMass Lowell was tied with Boston College for the top spot in the league with 104 points. The River Hawks received seven of the possible 11 first place votes while the Eagles collected four. New Hampshire and league newcomer Notre Dame tied for the third slot with 84 points apiece, while Providence was cast into fifth at 79 points.
Boston University was selected sixth ahead of Merrimack and Maine in seventh and eight place, respectively, while Vermont, Massachusetts and NU rounded out the field in ninth, 10th and 11th.
Poile named GM of U.S. Olympic Team
Alumnus David Poile has been named general manager of the 2014 United States Olympic men's hockey team, USA Hockey announced on Jun. 28.
"Being chosen for this position is a tremendous honor," said Poile. "When you get to represent your country, it's a special feeling. I look forward to working with our management team in fulfilling our ultimate goal of bringing home the gold medal."
Poile, currently the general manager of the NHL's Nashville Predators, played three seasons of varsity hockey at Northeastern from 1967 to 1970. He is 26th on the Northeastern all-time scoring list with 118 points, and he still holds the program record for hat tricks with 11. He was inducted into the Northeastern Hall of Fame in 1987.
"We couldn't be more pleased than to have David as our general manager," said Ron DeGregorio president of USA Hockey. "He continues to have a remarkable management career in the National Hockey League and the vast experience and expertise he brings to the table will serve us well in our goal to bring the gold medal back to the United States."
Season and individual game tickets now on sale
Season and individual game tickets are now on sale for the Northeastern men's ice hockey team. Starting at just $100, fans can secure a great seat to see the NU men's team take the ice for all of its 14 home games during the 2013-14 season, including nine Hockey East games. Individual game tickets start range from $10 to $20. Log on to
GoNU.com/tickets for more information.
Huskies hockey in high definition
GoNUxstream will broadcast each and every home men's hockey game free, in high definition, live at www.GoNU.com/xstream. Northeastern University was the first school in Hockey East to broadcast a live, HD stream over the internet. The broadcast is complete with live stats, live chat, commentating and sideline reporting.
Hang out with the Huskies
Be sure to connect with Northeastern athletics and Northeastern men's hockey on Facebook and Twitter to receive scores and information, interact with fellow fans, access photos and videos, and receive exclusive promotional and ticket offers. Follow NU Athletics, @
GoNUathletics, and 'Like' us atÂ
facebook.com/GoNUathletics. To get live, in-game updates of Northeastern men's hockey, follow @
GoNUmhockey, and 'Like' us atÂ
facebook.com/GoNUmhockey.
The road ahead
Hockey East play gets underway for the Huskies next weekend when Northeastern squares off with No. 5/5 Boston College in a home-and-home set.
Friday's game at Conte Forum will be a nationally televised game on NBCSN (8 p.m.) before the teams meet again on Saturday night at Matthews Arena at 7 p.m.
