Bowdoin at Wesleyan 4:30 PM Sunday 2/10/13

Preview by Benet Pols
Who:Bowdoin College Polar Bears (17-2-1; 11-2-1)at Wesleyan University Cardinals (9-8-3; 5-6-3)
Where: Spurrier-Snyder Rink  Middletown, CT
When: 4:30 PM Sunday 2/10/13
Video/Audio: NA

Offense: 4.45 G/GM scored (1st in NESCAC; 5th in Nation)

Defense: 2.35 G/GM allowed (4th in NESCAC; 18th in Nation)

Power Play: 24/88 - 27.27% (1st in NESCAC; 5th in Nation) 

Penalty Kill: 88/104 - 84.6% (4th in NESCAC; 22nd in Nation)

         

Offense : 3.75 G/GM scored (2nd in NESCAC; 12th in Nation)

Defense : 2.65 G/GM allowed (5th in NESCAC; 24th in Nation)

Power Play : 23/87 - 26.44% (2nd in NESCAC; 8th in Nation)

Penalty Kill: 63/76 - 82.9% (5th in NESCAC; 26th in Nation)

The Lowdown: Dodging Nemo

After much juggling of the NESCAC schedule due to Nemo, Sunday afternoon finally sees the  anticipated rematch between Bowdoin and Wesleyan. Since the Cardinals ended Bowdoin’s quest for an unbeaten season on January 11^th, the squad from Wesleyan has blown hot and cold going 4-2-2 and just 1-2-1 in the last two weeks.  Their high scoring offense has been just as erratic managing just 20 shots against Amherst two weeks ago, but netting 11 goals the following night at Hamilton. Last weekend Wesleyan managed just three goals. Bowdoin has gone 5-2 over the same stretch. 

 Wesleyan’s sniper Keith Buehler (F, Jr.) had a great game in Brunswick four weeks ago figuring in all six goals and completing his hat trick in overtime. But the performance he’ll be most remembered for was strutting straight to Bowdoin bench. It made an indelible impression on fans at The Sid. We’ll see what sort of impression it made on the Bowdoin team.

Key(s) to the game: Goaltending

Both teams have followed a regular Friday/Saturday rotation with their goalies, but there’s plenty of chatter this time of year about going with the hot hand. In Middletown the hot hand unquestionably belongs to Frosh Nolan Daley (G, Fr.) after his 46 save shutout at Williams. Daley also got the win at Hamilton. Meanwhile, Senior Glen Stowell (G, Sr.) has been tagged with losses on each of the last two weekends, including a 15 save effort against Amherst.

After a rough start against Amherst last week—four goals on the first six shots--the Polar Bears’ Junior Steve Messina (G, Jr.) was pulled after the first period for sophomore Max Fenkell (G, So.). Fenkell also took his regular Saturday start against Hamilton. However, Messina’s prior two starts were solid one-goal efforts, including a 35 save gem at Williams.

Players to watch 

Daniel Weiniger  (F, Sr.) was hot last weekend for Bowdoin, picking up a hat trick against Hamilton and notching a goal and an assist against Amherst in a losing effort. The Co-Captain’s 111 career points (54-57-111) in 93 games puts him 22^nd on the all time Bowdoin scoring list. Last week’s effort earned him NESCAC player of the week honors.

 Connor Ryan  (F, So) The Freshman from Minnesota had three helpers on all three Wesleyan goals last weekend.