The New Hampshire

Issue date: 3/27/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Associated Press The Red Hawks were living the dream Saturday night as they upset the number one seeded Wildcats.

With under a minute to play and goaltender Kevin Regan pulled, the University of New Hampshire Wildcats had a six-on-four man advantage. They needed one goal to tie.

It wouldn't be enough though as the Miami Red Hawks would hang on for a 2-1 upset win Saturday at the first round of the NCAA tournament at Manchester's Verizon Wireless Arena.

Bad Luck? Tough breaks? Words that were echoing from members of the UNH squad as Miami's winning goal in the third period bounced off defenseman Chris Murray's skate.

"It was disappointing losing the game, but I was very proud of the way the team competed today," said UNH Coach Dick Umile. As I told them in the locker room, sometimes the puck just doesn't bounce your way."

Both goals Regan said were similar in that they had "fluky bounces."

"The first one -- I think I hit it off the side of the net," said Regan. "I thought the puck was still behind the net. The next thing you know it's in the back. The second one was the same deal. It was a wrap around, I'm playing the player, and he throws it out front and it hurts one of our guy's skates and I couldn't close my pads quick enough. It's just tough luck."

The ending result was hard to swallow for UNH captain Josh Ciocco.

"I think they stole one," said Ciocco. "They should know we were the better team. They sat back and we took it to them but their goalie stole it for them. They played well but I think if you're watching this game we're the better team."

Ciocco also credited the Red Hawks goaltender sophomore Jeff Zatkoff.

"They had a hot goalie," he added. "That's what you need to win this time of year. We outmatched them tonight. It [came] down to a hot goalie and bounces. Upsets happen and that's what happened here."

The Wildcats didn't start the game on a strong note. Miami would find the back of the net in just 1:47 of the first period on the team's first shot as Nathan Davis gave the Red Hawks a 1-0 lead.

UNH came out firing to start the second and the trend would continue as they out shot the Red Hawks 44-25. Miami's defense combined with strong goaltending put a hold on the Wildcats offensive attack. Zatkoff, a third round pick of LA Kings, had 30 saves entering the third and 43 overall.

Continued...

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