Volume CXXXIII, Number 14 February 1, 2002 f

Men's hockey still undefeated
ALISON L. McCONNELL
ORIENT STAFF

It's difficult to remain objective when talking about the men's hockey team this week. The Bears (13-0-3, 10-0-3 NESCAC) are cleaning up the league this season, and currently siting at #4 in national Division III rankings as the only undefeated team in ANY division of college hockey.

The men have remained unbeaten in all 16 games they've played this season. Bowdoin record books haven't ever seen this kind of success-and men's hockey has been a varsity sport since 1919.

Tonight, the Bears will attempt to extend this successes against Norwich, a team that promises to bring some stiff competition.

However, head coach Terry Meagher refused to make more of Norwich's #2 spot in the national rankings than he usually would. "I think that every game is big," he said. "We're still taking it one practice, one game at a time."

OK, all right, fine. No need to get excited here, one game at a time.

The men visited Trinity last Friday, and came away with a 2-1 win after a tight matchup. "I'm very proud of our team and how we played that game," Meagher said. "We saw some adversity, but were patient and poised during those times."

Senior Bill Busch found the back of the Bantam net at 12:36 in the first period. He was followed by junior Albert Mayer's goal at 8:34 in the second, and the Bowdoin lead stood at 2-0 until Trinity's Thomas Pierandi netted one, bringing the total to 2-1.

"Trinity was not only crucial, but it was a very good game," Meagher said. "To be tested this time of the year is very important."

A trip to Wesleyan on Saturday ended in Bear victory as well, this time by a much larger margin. However, Meagher said that the 11-1 final score didn't quite reflect the game's early dynamics.

"It was a very good game in the first period; it could have gone either way," he said. "After a while, it started to go for us and we got into the rhythm of the game."

Senior captain Mike Carosi and sophomore Chris Pelletier each had a goal and three assists, and a number of other Bowdoin players contributed to the 11-1 score. Healey and Dave Sandals '05 combined to make 23 saves for the Bears.

Junior Brian Shuman was selected as NESCAC Player of the Week after his defensive and offensive efforts over the weekend, which included two goals and two assists at Wesleyan.

Several factors seem to be tipping the scales in Bowdoin's favor against recent opponents like Williams, Trinity, and Wesleyan. Offensive production, a part of the game that the men have struggled with in past years, was cited by Meagher early on in the season as important to the team's development. According to him, the men have improved in this area.
"We're not a natural goal-scoring team," he said. "Our goals have to come from the fundamentals-shots on net, positioning, mindset…It's something [the players] are still working on, and we're doing well with that."

Meagher also said that predictions about the Bowdoin defense have proved true. "The defense was cited as the strength of our team going into the season, and they've certainly lived up to that," he said. "Collectively, everyone's game has improved."

As the Bears' last line of defense, sophomore goaltender Mike Healey has been steady in net all season. "Mike's playing a very quiet goal; he settles the team," Meagher said. "In any goal sport, you've got to have that kind of play. [The men] enjoy playing in front of him; they believe in him."

Meagher said that he was looking forward to tonight's 7:00 p.m. matchup with Norwich. "They're special in a way, because there are some programs that Bowdoin has connected with over the years, and they're definitely one of them," he said.

St. Michael's College, a new member of the Bears' league, visits Dayton tomorrow for an afternoon game. According to Meagher, they may bring some tough play as well. "They're very well-coached, very strong in goal, and they have some impressive wins in their results," he said.

One thing the men seem to be looking forward to is the chance to play at home for the first time in a long while. "We're home in front of the student body for the first time since December 1, so that's exciting," Meagher said.
So put down the reading that you "should" do, get out to Dayton tonight and tomorrow, and support your undefeated Bears!