Scouting No. 6 New Hampshire

Three things to keep in mind this week as CC heads into a two-game set at New Hampshire:

1. Kevin Regan The senior goaltender, who saved 30 of 31 shots in the Wildcats' 4-1 win over Boston University, has an impressive career save percentage of .928 and 2.28 goals-against average in 61 games. Regan, named Hockey East defensive player of the week, is a big reason UNH was picked to finish first in its conference.

2. Big corners UNH's Whittemore Center, which features an ice sheet with the same dimensions as the World Arena (200' x 100'), is rumored to have nearly square corners (I'll be pulling out my measuring tape). That means more space for the CC forwards to work with, but conversely, a tougher defensive task for the Tigers' young defensemen.

3. Formidable top line The combination of LW James VanRiemsdyk, C Mike Radja, and RW Matt Fornatero will need some special attention. In the Wildcats' first outing against Boston University, each had a goal and an assist. VanRiemsdyk might be "just a freshman," but he's already drawing comparisons to Minnesota's Blake Wheeler. CC coach Scott Owens said the matchup between CC and New Hampshire should resemble last weekend's games against Minnesota.

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Notes:
Right wing Jimmy Kilpatrick (hip) will travel and is "very close," coach Scott Owens said Tuesday, after he put Kilpatrick with center Chad Rau and left wing Scott Thauwald to test his progress...Stephen Schultz (undisclosed leg injury) and Dan Quilico (right ankle) did not make the travel roster but both are back to full-contact practicing...Read Owens' Tuesday at the Rink chat transcript here...Elliot Olshansky puts his foot in his mouth after CC's season-opening sweep of Minnesota.

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Recruiting Round-up:
One of CC's recent commitments, Tim Hall, who is slated to join the Tigers next season, was named to the U.S. Junior Select team, which will compete Nov. 5-11 in Trail and Nelson, British Columbia, at the World Junior A Challenge. Nick Dineen, another forward recruit for 2008, is also on the 21-player roster.

Hall was also named a 'B' list of NHL Central Scouting's Player To Watch list, released today. A 'B' rating indicates a potential third- to fifth-round draftee. Rylan Schwartz, who committed to join CC in 2009 but could enroll next fall, was given a 'C' rating, meaning he is a potential late-round selection. Central Scouting will release a midterm and final ranking before the NHL draft in June 2008.

Andrew Hamburg has endured quite a journey this fall. After being released from the Waterloo Black Hawks (United States Hockey League), Hamburg was picked up by the Texas Tornado (North American Hockey League), where he had one goal and one assist in two games. As pointed out by Ryan of the USHL blog, the Tornado traded Hamburg to the St. Louis Bandits of the NAHL, where he now appears on the roster but not in the stats.

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Tiger Tracks:
In net for the Charlotte Checkers (ECHL), Matt Zaba stopped 29 of 30 shots in his first professional victory, a 5-1 win over the Augusta Lynx.. The lone goal for the Lynx was scored by Aaron Slattengren. Trevor Frischmon, who joined the Checkers Tuesday, had two assists.

Toby Petersen was named captain of the Iowa Stars (AHL).

Shortly after he allowed one goal on two shots in his NHL debut, Curtis McElhinney was sent packing to the Calgary Flames' AHL affiliate.