Cavanaugh Thanks Fans As Huskies Close Out Home Slate w/4-0 Win
Just as quickly as it came, it is already over. The inaugural home slate of Hockey East at the XL Center for the UConn men’s hockey team has ended, as has the regular season. Was it a success?
The Huskies played eleven games in Hartford (5-3-3), ten conference games, which had an average attendance of 6,008. That figure would be good for 8th in the nation and tops in the conference.
By official numbers however, as the two games at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport and the lone game at the Taft School counted as official home games, the final numbers on the year were 5,396, which still puts them 11th highest in the nation. Not bad for a first season with the big boys.
After the Huskies dismantled UMass 4-0 during senior night on Friday, head coach Mike Cavanaugh could only celebrate and thank the fans who came out to show their support for the up-and-coming Huskies.
“I have to credit this crowd,” he said proudly. “6,298. With the games played here at the XL, we lead Hockey East in attendance. I have to commend the crowd here and the fans of Hartford for the support we’ve had all season long. For our first year in Hockey East to be able to lead the conference in attendance for games here says a lot about where this program is going in the future.”
UConn’s success can be attributed to the play of sophomore goalie Rob Nichols, who led the conference in shutouts, with four. He also finished the season second in the nation with 982 saves.
On the offensive end, freshman Spencer Naas had five game-winning goals on the year, four coming in conference play, which led Hockey East.
Nichols also had some help. Derek Pratt (44) finished 3rd and Jacob Poe (36), 10th in blocked shots throughout the conference season.
The Huskies hit the road this weekend in their first ever Hockey East Playoff appearance, a best-of-three series in New Hampshire, against a team that has defeated UConn twice, both games just two weeks ago. The Olympic size rink at UNH will pose a problem, but with the way this season has gone, expect the unexpected.
“It’s playoff season and the whole slate is wiped clean right now,” Cavanaugh said. “Whoever can win two games first next weekend will advance.”
Game 1 is Friday night in Durham, NH with the puck dropping at 7PM.
by 
