WHAT: ECAC East Men's Ice Hockey Quarterfinals

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010

TIME: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Kreitzberg Arena | Norwich University | Northfield, Vt.


TEAMS: #8 UNE (3-21) at #1 Norwich (20-1-4)

ALL-TIME SERIES: Norwich, 1-0

LAST MEETING: Nov. 20, 2009 (Norwich 4, UNE 2)

MEET THE NOR'EASTERS: Head coach Brad Holt's Nor'easters have had their share of ups-and-downs in their first season as a varsity program. Playing in one of the nation's premier leagues - the ECAC East - UNE dropped its first eight games before picking up a win Jan. 2 at Plymouth State. A league win over Skidmore and a 6-1 regular-season-ending triumph over Wesleyan give Big Blue some positive momentum heading into the playoffs.

Offensively, the Nor'easters are led by first-year right wing Jake Moscatel and junior center Jack Nolin. Moscatel has a team-leading seven goals, including one each in the last two games. Nolin leads the team with 14 points (5 goals, 9 assists). 

Goaltenders Dallas Ungurian and Mike Roper have shared playing time between the pipes. Ungurian has made 15 starts and owns a .900 save percentage, while Roper has started nine games and carries a .877 save percentage.

MEET THE CADETS:  The nation's top-ranked team was unbeaten until dropping a 2-1 decision to Williams on Feb. 6. Since that time, Norwich has outscored its opponents 24-7 in reeling off four consecutive wins. Veteran head coach Mike McShane collected career win No. 300 earlier in the season.

The Cadets feature a very balance offensive attack, with 14 players accumulating 10 more points during the regular season. First-year Kyle Thomas has scored a team-best 20 goals, while classmate Blake Forkey and junior Chad Anderson pace the team with 32 points apiece.

In goal, Norwich boasts one of the nation's top goaltenders -- senior Ryan Klingensmith. He has seen action in all but 200 of the team's 1,520 minutes played. Klingensmith has a 1.36 goals against average and .927 save percentage.

TICKETS: Norwich University officials expect a possible sell-out. UNE fans traveling to the game should reserve tickets ahead of time with the UNE Sports Information Office. Ticket requests will be taken until noon on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Please contact Curt Smyth at csmyth@une.edu to reserve tickets.

VIDEO STREAM: The game can be seen live on Northeast Sports Network. Click here for a link to the game