UNH's Faber elevates game in key moments
January 15, 2008
By Mike Scandura
Special to USAHockey.com
Is there any question why University of New Hampshire junior forward Sam Faber (Mt. Sinai, N.Y.) is a Patty Kazmaier Award candidate?
Not in the eyes of coach Brian McCloskey, whose Wildcats began the week undefeated in Hockey East (10-0-0) and 19-3-0 overall.
One of his reasons is Faber, a member of the 2007 U.S. Under-22 National team, puts up points when they count the most.
"We played Harvard (on Dec. 14) and Sam scored two huge goals (one on a short-handed breakaway)," McCloskey said of UNH's 4-1 victory over the then-undefeated Crimson, who had started the season with 11 wins in a row before running into a roadblock versus the Wildcats. "The goals were momentum killers for Harvard. It took the wind out of their sails.
"That's the kind of talent Sam possesses. It can change the complexion of the game."
Faber is changing the complexion of games into an art form, considering she leads the nation with eight game-winning goals. Through 22 games, Faber has 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) and a plus-25 rating.
The Wildcats have played a schedule that has included teams ranked at one time or another in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll like Wisconsin (UNH beat the then-No. 1 Badgers in back-to-back games), Harvard, St. Lawrence, Boston College and Mercyhurst (twice).
"One thing that's overlooked a lot is how a schedule can play into your numbers," said McCloskey. "I don't know if we've ever played a tougher schedule than we have this year. Sam's not putting up good numbers. She's putting up outstanding numbers."
After posting 51 points (22 goals, 29 assists) in 27 games as a freshman (replete with a mind-boggling plus-46 rating), Faber "slumped" as a sophomore and "only" notched 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) in 33 games to go with a plus-32 rating.
"Sometimes when players have a great freshman year, it's almost impossible to follow that up the second year," said McCloskey. "She might have been pressing too hard. It also happens to teams. Sometimes it's hard to live up to your own expectations."
True, perhaps, but how many coaches would like to have a player who put up sophomore numbers like Faber?
But there's more to her play this year than offensive numbers.
"I think Sam certainly is a much more consistent performer than she was as a freshman," said McCloskey of a player who participated in the 2006 and 2007 U.S. National Women's Festivals. "She still has the tell-tale signs of an outstanding player - a game-breaker. But she's become much better defensively and much more consistent shift to shift than she was as a rookie."
That's one reason why UNH is third in the nation in scoring defense (1.27 goals-per game).
But for some players, even like those the caliber of Faber, learning to play at both ends of the ice doesn't necessarily happen overnight.
"It's a big adjustment when anybody comes in from high school or prep school hockey," said McCloskey. "They've been focused on playing with the puck and not paying attention to the other side of the game. It's a challenge for everybody.
"Sometimes the players who are the most skilled coming from high school are the most challenged. They haven't had to pay attention to defense. They're still going to put up points in college. But in college, you're going to be accountable.
"If you're scoring two," continued McCloskey," and giving up three, it's not an acceptable tradeoff."
Faber also makes "acceptable" contributions on UNH's special teams (the Wildcats rank second in the nation on the power play at 27.4 percent and third nationally on the penalty kill at 92.4 percent).
"Sam's also one of our best penalty killers because she's a very intelligent player," said McCloskey. "There are a lot of penalty killers who are great offensive players. Sam's a very dangerous player whether we're one up or one down."
Given Faber's performance, is there any question why UNH is "up" this season?
Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
UNH's Faber elevates game in key moments
January 15, 2008
By Mike Scandura
Special to USAHockey.com
Is there any question why University of New Hampshire junior forward Sam Faber (Mt. Sinai, N.Y.) is a Patty Kazmaier Award candidate?
Not in the eyes of coach Brian McCloskey, whose Wildcats began the week undefeated in Hockey East (10-0-0) and 19-3-0 overall.
One of his reasons is Faber, a member of the 2007 U.S. Under-22 National team, puts up points when they count the most.
"We played Harvard (on Dec. 14) and Sam scored two huge goals (one on a short-handed breakaway)," McCloskey said of UNH's 4-1 victory over the then-undefeated Crimson, who had started the season with 11 wins in a row before running into a roadblock versus the Wildcats. "The goals were momentum killers for Harvard. It took the wind out of their sails.
"That's the kind of talent Sam possesses. It can change the complexion of the game."
Faber is changing the complexion of games into an art form, considering she leads the nation with eight game-winning goals. Through 22 games, Faber has 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) and a plus-25 rating.
The Wildcats have played a schedule that has included teams ranked at one time or another in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll like Wisconsin (UNH beat the then-No. 1 Badgers in back-to-back games), Harvard, St. Lawrence, Boston College and Mercyhurst (twice).
"One thing that's overlooked a lot is how a schedule can play into your numbers," said McCloskey. "I don't know if we've ever played a tougher schedule than we have this year. Sam's not putting up good numbers. She's putting up outstanding numbers."
After posting 51 points (22 goals, 29 assists) in 27 games as a freshman (replete with a mind-boggling plus-46 rating), Faber "slumped" as a sophomore and "only" notched 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) in 33 games to go with a plus-32 rating.
"Sometimes when players have a great freshman year, it's almost impossible to follow that up the second year," said McCloskey. "She might have been pressing too hard. It also happens to teams. Sometimes it's hard to live up to your own expectations."
True, perhaps, but how many coaches would like to have a player who put up sophomore numbers like Faber?
But there's more to her play this year than offensive numbers.
"I think Sam certainly is a much more consistent performer than she was as a freshman," said McCloskey of a player who participated in the 2006 and 2007 U.S. National Women's Festivals. "She still has the tell-tale signs of an outstanding player - a game-breaker. But she's become much better defensively and much more consistent shift to shift than she was as a rookie."
That's one reason why UNH is third in the nation in scoring defense (1.27 goals-per game).
But for some players, even like those the caliber of Faber, learning to play at both ends of the ice doesn't necessarily happen overnight.
"It's a big adjustment when anybody comes in from high school or prep school hockey," said McCloskey. "They've been focused on playing with the puck and not paying attention to the other side of the game. It's a challenge for everybody.
"Sometimes the players who are the most skilled coming from high school are the most challenged. They haven't had to pay attention to defense. They're still going to put up points in college. But in college, you're going to be accountable.
"If you're scoring two," continued McCloskey," and giving up three, it's not an acceptable tradeoff."
Faber also makes "acceptable" contributions on UNH's special teams (the Wildcats rank second in the nation on the power play at 27.4 percent and third nationally on the penalty kill at 92.4 percent).
"Sam's also one of our best penalty killers because she's a very intelligent player," said McCloskey. "There are a lot of penalty killers who are great offensive players. Sam's a very dangerous player whether we're one up or one down."
Given Faber's performance, is there any question why UNH is "up" this season?
Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
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