VanRiemsdyk shines in debut

James vanRiemsdyk of the University of New Hampshire is one of this season's most highly touted prospects. At 6 feet 3 inches and 190 pounds, he has size and strength, and his abilities were on display last Friday night in the Wildcats' season opener against Hockey East rival Boston University.

Late in the third period, with UNH up, 3-1, vanRiemsdyk turned his former US Under-18 teammate Kevin Shattenkirk inside out and beat BU goalie Karson Gillespie for his first collegiate goal to account for the 4-1 final. VanRiemsdyk, who was taken No. 2 overall in the 2007 NHL draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, is playing on UNH's first line at left wing with a pair of seniors - center Mike Radja and right wing Matt Fornataro.

"His goal was, it's probably why he was No. 2 in the draft," said UNH coach Dick Umile. "It was sick, what he did. There's no question that James, playing on that first line, has fit in well with Matt and Radja. They all work well together. He had the opportunity to make great plays and that's what he does. But he works hard, he kills penalties for us. He works hard in the defensive zone. Those are the things I've been most impressed with."

VanRiemsdyk, an 18-year-old freshman from Middletown, N.J., said he enjoyed his first outing.

"It was definitely real exciting out there," said vanRiemsdyk. "It's something you just want to get off your back so you can just start going. I was up against Shattenkirk, and he's a great defenseman. With great defensemen, you have to kind of go a little off the board with your move to make a move around them. I was fortunate to get around him and get a shot on net."

Even though he beat Gillespie on the unassisted score, vanRiemsdyk seemed unimpressed with his efforts.

"Nothing planned," he said with a shrug. "Just shoot low blocker, that's where I like to go on that."

He admitted to a few butterflies before the game.

"But playing with two linemates like Matt and Mike, it makes it a lot easier to play," said vanRiemsdyk, whose team hosts Colorado College for games tomorrow and Saturday. "They've been through three seasons already of college hockey and they've been through the ups and downs, so I'm sure they'll be able to help me out a lot."

BU coach Jack Parker was more focused on evaluating his own freshmen - Shattenkirk, Nick Bonino, Colin Wilson, Colby Cohen, and Joe Pereira - than on UNH's.

"I didn't notice [vanRiemsdyk] until the goal," said Parker. "The goal was fabulous."

Parker said despite the loss, he was pretty happy with his newcomers, the vanRiemsdyk goal notwithstanding.

"Shatty got beat on that one-on-one, and obviously he doesn't want that to happen, so that ruins his night," said Parker. "But he played pretty well."

Merrimack merrier

Last season, Merrimack won three games. The Warriors have played three games this season and already have equaled that total. Merrimack started the season with a 4-2 victory over Niagara. Last weekend, it swept Bemidji State on the road, 3-2 and 2-1. Leading the team are freshman Francois Ouimet, and sophomores Justin Bonitatibus and Rob Ricci, with 3 points apiece. In goal are junior Patrick Watson, who is 2-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .939 save percentage, and sophomore Andrew Brathwaite (1-0, 1.00 GAA, and .966 save percentage). The Warriors open their Hockey East schedule this weekend with a home-and-home series against Boston College. They play at Conte Forum tomorrow night, with the rematch at Merrimack at 1 p.m. Sunday. The second game was rescheduled from Saturday night . . . The Maine Black Bears are in town to face Northeastern twice at Matthews Arena, beginning tomorrow night. Maine dropped two games on the road to Denver to start the season, but rebounded last week against Mercyhurst, sweeping the two-game series at Alfond Arena by a combined 8-3. The Black Bears outshot the Lakers, 87-41, over the two victories.