Umile's quote in the UNH Preview certainly makes it sound like the expect to ride DeSmith again this season.
“We’re very, very comfortable with our goaltending,” Wildcats coach Dick Umile says. “Casey looks great. He’s in great shape and he’s competing hard. I expect him to [play] with an awful lot of confidence and pick up hopefully where he left off the beginning of last season.”
Read more:
http://www.uscho.com/2013/10/10/sta...hire-figures-to-be-a-contender/#ixzz2hLW69kjc
Two years ago Sorkin averaged nearly a point-per-game and Speelman was 3-3--6 in 11 games before injury. Those two are the key to the season for me. If they can each knock in 10+ goals and round out the top-six UNH will be in good shape. I'd also like to see much more scoring from Thrush & Correale, specifically.
It will be interesting to see if Goumas & Downing continue to play together into the regular season. Paired with Kelleher, I think they could be one of the most dangerous lines in the country - they'd really need the above players to step up to run out that combination consistently, however.
If they don't, I think we may see something like this instead:
Correale - Downing - Kellher
Speelman/Thrush - Goumas - Sorkin/Willows
Speelman/Thrush - Silengo - Sorkin/Willows
Gaudreault - Smith - Camper
(If needed, I'd move Goumas off the line, because I think his dynamic ability and skill-set really allow him to raise the level of play of whoever he's lined up with.)
Disappointing news on Maller. Sounds like Cleland will give them good minutes right away, while Quast picks up the sixth spot. I know he only played in two games last season, but if I recall correctly board reaction was pretty positive to his game in those two appearances? Hopefully, he'll be much better against Clarkson, and beyond, than he was against Acadia.