Penalty Kill: NCAA Tourney

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Mar 29, 2009 5:34 PM PDT in Armchair Scout

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

The NCAA tournament opened this weekend. If you haven't been glued to ESPN2, ESPNU and even the Notre Dame game on ESPNC then I'm sorry, but I just don't know what you're doing with your life. Anaheim had four prospects in the tournament. I thought we'd take a brief look .

JUSTIN VAIVE
Vaive isn't a featured forward for the Redhawks, but his size (6'6") could prove valuable in DC, so tune into the Frozen Four if you can.

Vaive took an undisciplined holding penalty against the Bulldogs that Mercier converted into a shorthanded goal. As good as Stalock was playing, I'm going to give Vaive an honorary assist on that one.

MARK MITERA and STEVEN KAMPFER
Kampfer has become more famous for his off ice injury and a vicious on ice hit than for his playing ability. Hopefully, he will stay for a senior year in Michigan to show he can still play hockey.

Michigan senior captain, Mitera spent most of the year holding a clipboard and a crutch after ACL reconstruction. He looked good coming back in late February, making only the occasional mistake. He didn't look great against Air Force, but none of the Wolverines really did. Expect to see Mitera in the upcoming preseason.

NICK BONINO
Against Ohio State, Bonino had a goal and two assists in a one-sided blowout, and in my opinion, Bonino and Yip have provided more energy and scoring chances for the Terriers this postseason than Wilson and the other forwards.

Today, this kid completely blew me away. A tenacious UNH team traded chances with BU for three periods, locked in a 1-1 tie. With under a minute to go, the Terriers established play in the UNH end. Bonino came streaking into the zone calling for the puck in the slot. He got it, and skated it forward into a gauntlet of blue jerseys. After two dekes, he was hauled down with 45 seconds to play, drawing the penalty that sent Boston to the Frozen Four. What more can I say about a kid, playing for the best team in college hockey, who wants the puck when the game is on the line...