![\"Co-Captain](\"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/images\/colorscans\/20062007\/wesl_w_bennett.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTrinity’s travel partner hosts the other half of the pairing on Friday night as Wesleyan opens its season with high hopes against Amherst. No doubt the Cardinals will be strong on defense boasting outstanding goaltending from last year’s record performance from Dave Scardella. The key for the Cardinals is going to be scoring goals and if some of the newcomers can support the efforts of co-captains Will Bennett and Ryan Hendrickson, Wesleyan may send an early season message to the rest of the league that they are for real.<\/p>\n
“We have had a couple of good weeks of practice,” said coach Chris Potter. “We’re looking for some offense from our young guys no doubt. Out first couple of years we built the defense up and this year we focused on bringing in some scoring so hopefully that will work out for us.”<\/p>\n
Freshman forwards Jeff Beck, Ryan Zemel, Sam Robinson and Woody Redpath all figure to be a part of the improved offense but this line-up has much better depth than in recent past seasons. Look for the Cardinals to still play things tight and try to cash in on being more opportunistic with their scoring chances and an improved power play.<\/p>\n
“We definitely have some guys that can make our special teams better,” said Potter. “It’s an area that we hope to be better and while we look good in practice you really need to see it against another team to know how effective or how much better we will actually be.”<\/p>\n
With a lot of teams apparently in the same class as to talent and youth, these conference match-ups will be an important barometer in creating the expectations for the rest of the season. Wesleyan isn’t going to sneak up on anyone this season and they aren’t likely to beat themselves so look for a good opening weekend in Middletown.<\/p>\n
Game of the Week<\/h4>\n
So what’s the thriller on opening night between the two conferences? It would be tough to argue the Babson at Colby match-up on Friday night in Waterville, Maine.<\/p>\n
![\"Junior](\"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/images\/colorscans\/20062007\/colby_tj_kelley.jpg\")
<\/p>\n“It’s going to be a great test for us,” said Babson’s Rice. “Playing Colby and Bowdoin (Saturday’s opponent) are long-term rivals with Babson and they are tough places to come away with W’s. They waxed us at our place last season (4-1 win over Babson) and even though we don’t pick the schedule it’s great to get right into it against the iron of the league right away.”<\/p>\n
Babson looks to be young as well with eleven freshmen and a total of nineteen freshmen and sophomores on the roster. “None of these guys have played at Colby or Bowdoin so it will be a new experience. We have the chance to go on the road and get away from all of the distractions on campus and come together as a team to start the season,” Rice said. “I am sure we will have some jitters but that’s a good level of excitement to have. We’re all anxious to get started so let’s get it going — we only have 25 games so they are all important.”<\/p>\n
Babson will hope to be able to contain the high-flying duo of TJ Kelley and Josh Reber who were the top two scorers for the White Mules last season. It’s a baptism of fire for the young Beaver squad who should be happy if they can come away from the trip to Maine with a split.<\/p>\n
Something Old, Something New<\/h4>\n![\"Captain](\"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/images\/colorscans\/20062007\/umb_a_ward.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCaptain Andrew Ward leads a young and excited Beacons team to Bowdoin for opening night.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIn his last collegiate game as a player, Peter Belisle ended his playing career at UConn in the ECAC playoffs playing at Bowdoin. In his first game as the head Coach of the UMass-Boston hockey team, Belisle returns to open the season at Bowdoin on Friday night.<\/p>\n
“Yeah, it’s a little ironic,” noted the new Beacons head man. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge to start the season against two teams with the talent and history of a Bowdoin and a Colby. We have practiced well and look to be making progress in all areas of the game and the kids feel better about where we are as a team coming into this season as compared with last year. Like everyone else we need to play someone with different colored shirts in more than a scrimmage to see how our players react.”<\/p>\n
In addition to a first line comprised entirely of freshmen, Ryan Donovan has earned the start as the goaltender opening night after some good competition in the first two weeks of practice. “He’s earned the start,” said Belisle. “No doubt we are going to need excellent goaltending to compete in this league and Ryan can give us that. If we can get some offense going and play our special teams like we have in practice, we can surprise some teams. Our captain Andrew Ward has done a great job with this young group of players and they are really coming together as a team. I just hope that I can get some sleep before Friday night — I am so excited about getting started and you can see it in the players and around campus. It’s great!”<\/p>\n
Fan of the Week<\/h4>\n
Yes, I know you are out there. Some of the most passionate hockey fans in the country can be found at D-II\/D-III rinks all over New England. Nothing like an excitable student body to cheer your team on to victory against dreaded arch-rivals each weekend now through the end of February — and for some beyond into March.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nIn his last collegiate game as a player, Peter Belisle ended his playing career at UConn in the ECAC playoffs playing at Bowdoin. In his first game as the head Coach of the UMass-Boston hockey team, Belisle returns to open the season at Bowdoin on Friday night.<\/p>\n
“Yeah, it’s a little ironic,” noted the new Beacons head man. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge to start the season against two teams with the talent and history of a Bowdoin and a Colby. We have practiced well and look to be making progress in all areas of the game and the kids feel better about where we are as a team coming into this season as compared with last year. Like everyone else we need to play someone with different colored shirts in more than a scrimmage to see how our players react.”<\/p>\n
In addition to a first line comprised entirely of freshmen, Ryan Donovan has earned the start as the goaltender opening night after some good competition in the first two weeks of practice. “He’s earned the start,” said Belisle. “No doubt we are going to need excellent goaltending to compete in this league and Ryan can give us that. If we can get some offense going and play our special teams like we have in practice, we can surprise some teams. Our captain Andrew Ward has done a great job with this young group of players and they are really coming together as a team. I just hope that I can get some sleep before Friday night — I am so excited about getting started and you can see it in the players and around campus. It’s great!”<\/p>\n
Fan of the Week<\/h4>\n
Yes, I know you are out there. Some of the most passionate hockey fans in the country can be found at D-II\/D-III rinks all over New England. Nothing like an excitable student body to cheer your team on to victory against dreaded arch-rivals each weekend now through the end of February — and for some beyond into March.<\/p>\n