Cat Scratch: Previewing UVM Vs Miami

Credibility and respectability are on the line this weekend as the 7th ranked Miami University RedHawk Ice Hockey team comes to Burlington. Over the past three seasons no hockey program has won more hockey games than the Miami RedHawks, who have 84 wins since 2005-06.

The University of Vermont Catamounts, now in their fourth season of Hockey East, will seek to prove they are a national power and deserving of their top 20 ranking with a strong showing.  

Last year Vermont opened their regular season with two loses at Miami.  The Cats were outscored 6-2 on the weekend.  The defeats sent Vermont tumbling to a 0-4-1 start.  A performance they hope not to repeat in 2008/2009.

Miami returns11 forwards from a record setting 2007/2008 season, including one of the top scoring lines in the country in Carter Camper, Jarod Palmer and Justin Mercier. Camper, who, with 43 points in 33 games, will look to become the fastest Miami player in history to reach the 50-point mark.

Arguably the best goalie in Miami history,  Jeff Zatkoff, left school early to sign with the Los Angeles Kings.  His backup, the very capable Charlie Effinger graduated leaving the pipes to junior Jon Whitacre and freshmen Connor Knapp and Cody Reichard.  Knapp saw his first game action last Saturday in a 7-3 win over Ohio State. Knapp, who was named best goalie in the Empire Junior Hockey League in 2007, will be one of the biggest players on the ice for the RedHawks at 6-5, 215 pounds.

Vermont struggled early and then cruised to victory last week in Quebec City against RPI. Sophomore Justin Milo, who sat out last season after transferring from Cornell, scored twice and junior Mike Spillane stopped 20 shots.  The win extended the Catamounts winning streak to 39, in games in which they score four or more goals.

If Spillane can hold down the fort, if the Catamounts can use their speed and if the defense can slow down Camper, Palmer and Mercier it should be a good weekend at the ‘Gut.’  

Head Coach Kevin Sneddon and his staff have pulled Vermont up to new levels in terms of national awareness and prestige.  A program that was once just a regional success is now close to becoming a national power.  Three or four points this weekend could go along way towards claiming a spot in the upper echelon of collegiate hockey.