BOSTON -- Despite entering the season picked to finish last in the conference in the Hockey East preseason coaches poll, the Northeastern men's ice hockey team caught the attention of the league and the nation in 2013-14. After going 19-14-4, reaching the Beanpot title game for the third time in four seasons and returning to the Hockey East playoffs for the first time in three years, the Huskies have reinstalled a standard of expectations for NU teams in the future.
Northeastern finished the season ranked 19th in the USCHO.com poll, and was ranked as high as ninth on two occasions this year, NU's highest ranking since the end of the 2008-09 season. The Huskies were also 18th in the final PairWise ranking, narrowly missing an at-large bid to the national tournament.
Northeastern was backstopped throughout the season by the play of redshirt junior goaltender
Clay Witt. In his first year as the starting netminder, the Brandon, Fla. native set single-season team records in both goals against average (2.37) and save percentage (.932). His 17-12-4 record, meanwhile, are fourth on the NU single-season list for wins by a goaltender.
Senior
Braden Pimm has saved his best for last in 2013-14, and was third on the team with 37 points (20 goals, 17 assists). He had 10 points (four goals, six assists) in his last eight games, including four assists during the Hockey East quarterfinals at New Hampshire. The Fort St. John, British Columbia native was the first Husky since Wade MacLeod in 2010-11 to tally at least 20 goals in a season, and was also tied for fifth in the nation in special teams goals this season (eight power play, three shorthanded).
Sophomore forward
Kevin Roy was the go-to point producer for NU in 2013-14, leading the team with 19 goals and 26 assists. Roy was one of 14 players in the nation with at least 45 points this season, and the most points for a Husky since Jason Guerriero (17-31-48) in 2004-05. For his efforts, he was named a Hockey East Second Team All-Star and to the New England Hockey Writers All-Star Team.
Mike Szmatula led all Northeastern rookies with 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists), the most for an NU rookie since Mike Taylor (11-31-42) in 1990-91 and three points shy of tying the team record for points in a season by a freshman. He was also a Hockey East All-Rookie Team selection. Szmatula, a two-time Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week honoree, was second in the nation and first in Hockey East in rookie scoring with 1.05 points per game this season. His 39 points were tied for ninth in the league in scoring, while his 24 assists were tied for 10th.
2013-14 Northeastern men's ice hockey highlights:• Northeastern recorded 19 victories this season, the most since 2008-09, marking the first season above .500 in five years.
• The Huskies' 19 wins in 2013-14 were tied for the sixth most in program history.
• NU's 10-win turnaround from last year's 9-21-4 team was tied for the fourth largest turnaround in the nation.
• Northeastern reached the Hockey East playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Back to the postseasonThe Huskies returned to the Hockey East playoffs for the first time since 2011, and 22nd time in program history. It also marked the eighth time in 22 playoff appearances that Northeastern entered the playoffs as the No. 5 seed or higher.
Northeastern and the Wildcats met in the playoffs for the first time since 2005, with New Hampshire holding a 4-3-1 edge in the all-time postseason series. Seven of the eight meetings have occurred in the quarterfinal round, with the lone tie coming in the consolation game in 1994. Northeastern's Game Two win for the first for NU against UNH in the playoffs since 1989.
#WinningThe victory against Maine on Feb. 22 guaranteed the Huskies a winning season for the first time since the 2008-09 season (25-12-2). The Huskies' 19 victories this season were tied for the sixth most in program history, while their 10-win differential from last season's 9-21-4 record was tied for the fourth biggest turnaround in team history, and tied for the fourth largest in the nation.
In league play, NU secured 10 wins against Hockey East foes for the first time since 2010-11 (10-10-7).
Road warriorsNU was 12-8-2 away from Matthews Arena this season. It was the most wins away from home since Northeastern went 13-9-2 on the road during the 2008-09 season. NU's 12 wins away from home were tied for the sixth most in the nation and third in Hockey East, while the Huskies' 74 goals on the road were fourth in the country.
Century clubWith eight goals in the weekend series against Maine, the Huskies reached the 100-goal mark for the season for the first time since 2010-11. It was the sixth time since the 2000-01 season that NU has accomplished the feat.
The Feb. 3 win against Harvard saw the Huskies score at least six goals for the fourth time this season. It was the first time since the 1997-98 season that NU has recorded at least six goals in four games. NU opened the season with a 9-1 win against Alabama-Huntsville before also accomplishing the feat at St. Lawrence on Oct. 25 (W, 6-3), at Dartmouth on Dec. 30 (T, 8-8) and vs. Harvard on Feb. 3 (W, 6-0).
Overall, NU was tied for 20th in the nation with 117 goals this season (fourth in Hockey East), while its 3.16 goals per game was tied for 16th in the country.
Trifecta reaches triple digitsWhile 21 different skaters recorded at least one point this season, three members of the Huskies shouldered much of the burden in 2013-14.
Kevin Roy (19-27-46),
Mike Szmatula (15-24-39) and
Braden Pimm (20-17-37) combined to produce 39.7% of Northeastern's scoring this season.
On Feb. 22, the trio became the first group of Huskies to combine for 100 points since 2010-11 (Wade MacLeod, Tyler McNeely, Steve Silva). This season, 23 teams in the nation had three players who have already combined for at least 100 points.
Hot SauceSophomore defenseman
Colton Saucerman had eight points (two goals, six assists) in his last seven games, and finished fourth on the team with 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) this season. It was the highest that a Northeastern defenseman has finished in team scoring since Steve Birnstill was tied for second on the team with 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 2005-06.
Saucerman was tied for sixth in Hockey East in points per game among defensemen (0.62), and had the most points for a Northeastern blueliner since Jake Newton tallied 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) during the 2009-10 campaign.
Killing it on the PKBraden Pimm's shorthanded goal at Boston University on Feb. 28 brought the Northeastern total to six this season, the most since the 2008-09 campaign (eight). NU was tied for 10th in the nation in shorthanded goals this season, while Pimm's three were tied for fourth in the country and tied for tops in Hockey East.
Despite being 13th in the country and first in Hockey East with 13.8 penalty minutes per game, the Northeastern penalty killing unit stepped up its play in the second half of the season. In the final 25 games of the year, NU killed off 92-of-103 penalties (89.3%), which was third in the country in that span.
That was closeNortheastern found itself in tight games several times throughout the season, going 8-3 in one-goal games so far this year. The last time NU finished the season above .500 in one-goal games was 2009-10 when the Huskies went 7-5. Northeastern's eight one-goal victories were tied for 15th in the country, and they were one of four Hockey East schools with at least eight one-goal wins.
At Witt's endClay Witt was named a finalist for the Mike Richter Award on Mar. 19, which is given to the top goaltender in the nation. Witt, along with eventual winner Connor Hellebuyck of UMass Lowell, were the lone Hockey East finalists.
Witt appeared in 32 games for the Huskies so far this season, posting a 17-12-3 record and a .932 save percentage that was third the nation. His 2.37 goals against average, meanwhile, was seventh in the league and 21st in the country.
He finished fourth on the NU single-season record list for wins in a season (17). His four shutouts were tied for eighth in the country, tied for third in Hockey East, and tied for third on the NU record list with Brad Thiessen (2006-07), one shy of tying the school record.
Witt also became the eighth goaltender in program history to record at least 1000 saves in a season, and first since Brad Thiessen in 2008-09. Witt finished the year with 1043 saves, which was fifth in the country and third in NU single-season history.
Point menThree Northeastern defensemen consistently jumped into the offensive attack this season for the Huskies, marking the first time since the 2010-11 season, and third time in the last decade, that NU had three blueliners with double-digit points.
Colton Saucerman (6-17-23) was tied for sixth in the conference in points per game among defensemen (0.62) while
Matt Benning (3-10-13) and
Josh Manson (3-7-10) also had strong seasons from the point.
Quality, not quantityNortheastern averaged 30.27 shots on goal per game this season, which was 34th in the nation, while allowing 34.57 (eighth most in the nation). Among teams with at least 17 victories this season, the Huskies had the fourth largest shot differential (-159), and third largest shots per game differential (-4.3) in the country. NU's .104 shooting percentage, however, was 10th in the nation. NU was held under 30 shots on goal in 18 games this season. The Huskies were 9-8-1 in those games.
Pimm put up the pointsPrior to the Huskies' Citi Frozen Fenway 2014 game against UMass Lowell, NU head coach
Jim Madigan announced that senior
Braden Pimm was named an assistant captain. Pimm earned the 'A' for his leadership both on an off the ice. Pimm joined captain
Josh Manson and assistant captains
Dax Lauwers and
Adam Reid who wore letters for Northeastern for the remainder of the season.
Pimm was third on the team with 20 goals and 17 assists this season, which was good for 12th in Hockey East. Eleven of Pimm's 20 goals this season came in special teams situations (eight power play goals, three shorthanded goals), which was tied for the fifth most special teams tallies in the nation.
Pimm's 11 special teams tallies were the most for a Husky since J.F. Aube had 13 power play goals during the 1993-94 season. Pimm's three shorthanded goals, meanwhile, are the most from an NU skater since Mike McLaughlin in 2010-11.
Pimm's eight power play goals were tied for 16th in the country and tied for third in Hockey East. It was the most power play goals for a Husky since Wade MacLeod scored 10 in 2010-11. Pimm more than doubled his goal total from a season ago after posting six goals and 11 assists as a junior last season. He also set a career-high with 17 helpers this season.
Head of the classThe Northeastern rookie class tallied 42 goals and 83 assists in 37 games this season, which was third in the nation in points for a freshman class. Eight different NU rookies tallied a point this season. Freshman
Mike Szmatula was second on the team with 39 points this season (15 goals, 24 assists), and was second in the nation in rookie scoring with 1.05 points per game. He was also one of just five rookies to have at least 35 points this season.
Three Husky rookies tallied at least 20 points this season (Szmatula, 15-24-39; Hedges, 8-14-22; Stevens, 7-15-22), making NU one of five schools in the nation (Boston College, Minnesota, Union and Sacred Heart) to have three rookies with at least 20 points. The NU rookies also tallied 11 game-winning goals, tied with Vermont for the most in the nation.
Help me, help youKevin Roy turned into a playmaker for the Huskies since returning from the holiday break with 16 assists in his last 19 games, which was tied for the 12th most assists in the country in that span. Roy was tied for 19th in the nation with 27 helpers this season, highlighted by a career-high tying four on Feb. 22 against Maine. He was the first Husky since Jason Guerriero in 2004-05 to record at least 25 assists in a season.
Not too far behind was freshman
Mike Szmatula, who was tied for 35th in the nation with 24 assists this season, and also tied for fourth in the country in assists among rookie skaters. Szmatula was the first Husky since Wade MacLeod in 2007-08 to record at least 20 helpers in his freshman campaign.
Szmatula recorded multi-assist games seven times this season, highlighted by a three-assist night against UAH. NU was 11-3-2 this season when he recorded an assist.
Winner, winner, chicken dinnerNortheastern had several skaters step up when the team needed them most in 2013-14, with 12 different players recording game-winning goals for the first time since the 2008-09 season and tied for the sixth most in the country. NU was one of 15 teams in the country to have at least 12 players with GWGs.
Four of freshman
Dalen Hedges' eight goals this season proved to be game-winners, which was tied for seventh in Hockey East. Hedges was also tied for third in rookie game-winning tallies, and bested
Kevin Roy's 2012-13 team-leading total on Feb. 3 against Harvard. It was the most game-winning goals for a NU freshman since Jay Schiavo in 1988-89.
In addition,
Zach Aston-Reese's four game-winners made the Huskies the only team in the nation with have two freshmen with at least four game-winners.
The duo's eight combined game-winners are the most for two Huskies since the 2001-02 season.
30/30Sophomore forward
Kevin Roy reached the 30-point plateau for the second straight season on Jan. 18 against Vermont. The Lac-Beauport, Quebec native led the team with 19 goals and 27 assists, and was the first Husky since Wade MacLeod (2009-10, 2010-11) to log at least 30 points in consecutive seasons. Earlier this season, Roy became the first Husky since Jason Guerriero (2004-05) to eclipse 45 points in a season.
Roy finished the season as the team's leading scorer, marking the 18th time in program history that a player led the team in scoring in consecutive seasons, and the first to do it in his first two seasons with the team since Les Chaisson in 1970-71 and 1971-72.
On Nov. 22, Roy became the 56th player in program history to record at least 50 points in their first two seasons in college hockey, and first since Wade MacLeod and Tyler McNeely in 2008-09. NU was 18-7-4 when he tallies a point, and 11-1-2 when he scores.
Huskies for HobeyNU's
Kevin Roy and
Clay Witt were two of 68 players nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, which honors an elite NCAA men's ice hockey player who exhibits both athletic talent and strong sportsmanship.
Roy led the team with 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) and was tied for 12th nationally among top scoring leaders. He averaged 1.24 points per game through 37 games this season and was named the Warrior Hockey Player of the Week three times (Feb. 24, Dec. 23 and Oct. 14) while also earning the title of National Player of the Month in October.
In goal, Witt has backstopped 32 games for NU while posting a 2.37 goals against average and a .932 save percentage, good for third in the nation. He earned the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week accolade five times this season and has made a total of 1043 saves this season (fifth in the nation).
Poll positionThe Huskies finished the year at No. 19 in the USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll. The Huskies were one of seven Hockey East squads either ranked or receiving votes. Northeastern was ranked in each of the last 17 USCHO.com polls, and has been either ranked or receiving votes for 24 straight weeks dating back to Oct. 14, 2013. The Huskies also received three votes in the final USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine top 15 poll.
Success through 30NU picked up its 17th victory of the season on Feb. 15 at UMass, giving it a record of 17-10-3 through 30 games this season. NU's 17 victories were tied for the fifth most wins through 30 games in program history, and marks the first time since the 2008-09 season that NU won at least 17 of its first 30 games.
Madigan through 100Jim Madigan coached in his 100th career game at Northeastern on Feb. 22 against Maine, leading the Huskies to a 4-3 victory. Madigan is 41-51-13 (.452) in two-plus seasons at his alma mater, and owns the second best winning percentage through 100 games in team history (.465). Here's a look at NU's coaches through 100 games behind the bench:
Two Huskies sign pro contractsAt the conclusion of the season, captain
Josh Manson chose to forgo his final season of eligibility and sign a two-year entry level contract with the Anaheim Ducks (NHL). Manson reported to the Norfolk Admirals, the American Hockey League affiliate, to finish the season.
"
Josh Manson changed the culture of our hockey program and had a lot to do with the success of Northeastern hockey," said head coach
Jim Madigan. "It's a bittersweet moment where we're losing a fine young man, a very good student and a very good hockey player, but I know that he's ready for the next challenge. I wish him all the best as he pursues his lifelong dream of playing in the National Hockey League, and I thank Josh for his commitment to Northeastern University."
In addition, senior
Braden Pimm signed an amateur-tryout contract (ATO) with the Milwaukee Admirals, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Nashville Predators.
Lending a helping handNortheastern tallied 190 assists this season, which was 22nd in the country and fourth in Hockey East, sparked by 27 helpers from
Kevin Roy (tied for 19th in the nation) and 24 from freshman
Mike Szmatula (tied for 35th in the nation).
Szmatula, who was tied for fourth in the nation in assists among rookie skaters, had an assist in 16 of the team's 37 games this season, including seven games with multi-assist efforts.
No defense for thatWhen
Matt Benning was hauled down on a breakaway in Game Two of the Hockey East quarterfinals at New Hampshire, Northeastern was awarded a penalty shot for the first time since Alex Tuckerman on Nov. 7, 2009. The Huskies sent out
Kevin Roy, who beat Casey DeSmith for the first NU conversion on a penalty shot since Steve Quailer on Jan. 9, 2009.
Cardiac caninesNU made a habit of doing their damage in the third period this season, scoring 39 of its 117 goals in the final 20 minutes of play. NU was 23rd in the country in third period goals. NU also made use of pulling the goaltender this year, and was tied for second in the country with five goals with the extra attacker, highlighted by two at Dartmouth on Dec. 30 to force overtime.
Hello, my name is …Northeastern housed 12 freshmen (eight forwards, three defensemen, one goaltender) on its 2013-14 roster, which was the most in Hockey East and tied with Sacred Heart for the most rookies in the nation. Nine freshmen saw playing time this season, and have accounted for 42 goals and 83 assists, which was 40.7% of Northeastern's total scoring.
Oh brotherNortheastern's 28-man roster featured two sets of brothers in Cody and
Nathan Ferriero, as well as Derick and
Kevin Roy. The Huskies were 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.
Show dogsNortheastern 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.
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