ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (10:38 AM)

Hellooooooo! The experts from Inside College Hockey will be here at 5:30 ET and they are bringing a special guest .. Vermont scoring machine Scott Mifsud! They'll be here to take your questions and help celebrate the launch of ESPNU! ESPNU is available on DirecTV Channel 609, or you can call your cable operator and tell them you want ESPNU on your local system.

mike (il)

Buzz, you working ot on a friday ??

Buzzmaster

  (5:26 PM)

You know it!

Buzzmaster

  (5:26 PM)

OK, the INCH guys will be here shortly!

Nate Ewell

  (5:29 PM)

Hey everybody ... Scott is just wrapping up practice -- his team has a bye, but doesn't get the time all to themselves.

Nate Ewell

  (5:30 PM)

I'll field some Catamount or college hockey questions in the meantime, if you have them ...

Bill ((BC))

Has Torrey Mitchell been the difference between this year's success for the Catamount hockey program and last year's squad? Or was it the change in net?

Nate Ewell

  (5:32 PM)

Good question -- and I'll be interested to get Scott's take on this as well.

Nate Ewell

  (5:33 PM)

And without further ado ... he's fresh off the ice. I'm gonna turn it over to the guy you're waiting for,

Scott Mifsud

  (5:33 PM)

We had a good, up-tempo practice today. I'm fresh off the ice and ready for your questions.

Steve Burlington, Vermont

How far do the Hockey Catamounts have to go in the playoffs for you to consider this year a successful one? The teams' recent success has opened a lot of eyes throughtout the country, was an NCAA tournament bid a realistic goal at the beginning of the season?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:35 PM)

Right from the beginning of the year, we set a goal of getting to Albany. Knowing our personnel, we knew that was a realistic goal. The way we've looked at it recently, anything less than taking home the championship in Albany and getting to the tournament would be a disappointment. We know we have the ability.

Peter Gordon (South Burlington)

What do you think is the best part of getting the bye, the week off or getting the quarter finals at home?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:36 PM)

I'd have to say getting the quarterfinals at home. As important as it is to get the week off for rest, getting that quarterfinal series at home -- two wins and you're in Albany just like that. I'd have to pick that as the most important.

Hurley (New York, NY)

Scott, congratulations on a fine season. What was the biggest difference between this year and last that you think accounted for the turnaround?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:38 PM)

This year I think, top to bottom, we're a much deeper team. We've got five or six guys who don't even dress every night who could really contribute. Obviously the way we finished last year was a big high for us, and we have had a full year under Coach Sneddon now. We've been a resilient, consistent team this year.

Geoff (St. Louis via Ithaca)

Which team (besides Vermont) do you think is the toughest in the ECAC right now and why?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:39 PM)

Obviously Cornell has got a great team. They play great team defense, they're well coached, and have a very solid goaltender. Any time you play them, you know you aren't getting a lot of chances and have to capitalize. They are where they are for a reason.

Bill (Boston College)

Hey Scott, great season! As a native of Burlington I just wanted to say that... Are you guys at UVM looking forward to moving into Hockey East... and do you think you can compete each night with the likes of Maine, BU, BC, and UNH?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:40 PM)

It's a great move for the program and the school. Obviously Hockey East is one of the top leagues in the country. Definitely, I know we can compete with them right away. We've done well against Hockey East this year. We've got a great bunch of guys returning and a great incoming class. We're going to do what we did this year and turn a lot of heads in Hockey East.

Rob (Chicago)

Have any of your players shown a lack of motivation because of the uncertainty regarding the future of the NHL?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:42 PM)

Definitely not. It's kind of fun for us right now at the college level. The fact that there is no NHL, we're getting a lot of exposure and attention. I don't think it effects our motivation at all, although I will say it's too bad we don't have anything to watch on TV.

Peter Gordon (South Burlington)

You guys did a great job after losing Brady if he hadn't got hurt would this team be a top 5 team?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:43 PM)

You can only improve when you throw in a top-level player. That hurt our team, but the way we rallied around it, every guy on the team stepped up. Her'd be a huge help right now, but we've done well without him.

Darshak

Scott, who's the toughest goalie to score on that you've played against this season?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:43 PM)

Good question. I guess you've got to give Dave McKee the nod. He's a very good goaltender, very technically sound, and with the defense in front of him you're not going to get many good looks at him. He's put up some impressive numbers.

Dan, Burlington, VT

What's it been like playing at Vermont and why did you choose UVM?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:45 PM)

Jeff Miles, who played here last year, was a good friend of mine. Any hockey player who watches a game at the Gutterson would be crazy not to want to come here. The fans are the most loyal fans you could ask for. Burlington's a great town to live in, I've enjoyed the coaching staff -- it's just a great university to be at.

Peter Gordon (South Burlington)

You got only one more weekend to play at the Gut, what are you going to miss most and what was your favorite game/moment?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:46 PM)

I'd have to say it's going to be bittersweet leaving the Gutterson. What I'm going to miss most is the fans -- the support through good times and bad is second to none in college hockey. My favorite moment had to be when we clinched the bye against Harvard last Saturday. For the last minute and a half of overtime, the whole place was standing. I was on the ice and I couldn't even hear myself think. It was incredible.

Monte (Ridgewood, NJ)

No question here, just wanted to let you know that UVM alumni appreciate you guys bringing us back to prestige.

Scott Mifsud

  (5:47 PM)

That's nice. It's been good putting Vermont back on the map this year.

B. Tommy, Buffalo NY

Hey Miff congrats on the year so far. How do you feel you guys match up against Darthmouth, whom you will most likely face in the 2nd round? They have beaten you 2 out of 3 this year

Scott Mifsud

  (5:48 PM)

I think we match up well against them. Every time we play them it's an up-and-down, exciting brand of hockey. They're an excellent team, and it would be a great series, but obviously having it on home ice would be a big lift for us. It would be a great series.

Al (St. Albans Vt)

Scott, i am an young hockey player and i wanted to see what you did for summer training. I do alot of plyos and running. I have read that swimming helps a hockey player.Do you know anything about this?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:49 PM)

Here at Vermont we focus a lot on plyo and leg workouts, but a good recreational swim never hurt.

Jon Pringle (Essex, VT)

Hi Scott, I want to commend you, the entire team and coaching staff for the excellent level of play this season. I have been attending most home games since 1975. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. This year's team has the most consistent level of pace, drive and never give up of any. My question for you: did you always believe what has happened for you as a key contributor could happen or has coach Sneddon instilled some some new beliefs in his players? JMP Class of '66

Scott Mifsud

  (5:51 PM)

I think we believed in ourselves all along. To go back to it again, the way we finished last year reemphasized our ability. The coaches showed confidence in us, and this year we've really shown confidence in ourselves. We're a group that never gives up, and I think that's been our biggest key.

Peter Gordon (South Burlington)

Jamie Sifers has to be the toughest SOB I have ever seen play D in college, but in person he is as nice as you could be. Do you have the same switch that goes on when you play.

Scott Mifsud

  (5:52 PM)

I think I definitely do. I think 99 percent of hockey players do. The intensity on the ice, sometimes what happens on the ice it doesn't reflect your personality. Hockey players, whatever happens on the ice, you're friends off the ice, and just a regular, easy-going, kind-hearted person.

Chris (UVM)

Hey Scott, Congrats on having such a great season this year. Do you think that there's good future for you in the pro's?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:53 PM)

I think with the play of Martin St. Louis lately and a lot of other smaller players, I think the future for players like myself is brighter than ever. You can't thank guys like Marty enough -- really paving the way for guys who five or 10 years ago would have been viewed as too small.

Geoff (St. Louis (via Ithaca))

How do you think the ECAC teams will do in the NCAA tournesy. A lot of people think that it is one the weaker conferences despite Cornell, Harvard and Dartmouth.

Scott Mifsud

  (5:55 PM)

You look at our league thie year, I think there are at least four or five teams can make some noise. I'd be surprised if one of our teams doesn't make the Frozen Four or even the final game. We've proven in non-conference games that we can compete with teams in any division.

Nate Ewell

  (5:55 PM)

One more for Scott, then we've got to let him hit the showers.

Vandy (Wilmington)

Hey Scott, do you think you guys will make the Frozen Four, and who is your biggest competition?

Scott Mifsud

  (5:56 PM)

As tight as the ECACHL is this year, getting out of the ECACHL is the biggest challenge. I definitely believe in our team and that we can make the Frozen Four. We've seen what's out there, we know our own ability, and we know that we can compete with anybody. Obviously it's going to be a long, hard-fought road, but we expect ourselves to get there.

Scott Mifsud

  (5:57 PM)

Thanks very much for having me today, and thanks to all the Catamount fans out there who have been loyal and supportive over the years. We look forward to seeing you next weekend at the Gut.

Nate Ewell

  (5:58 PM)

Thanks everybody ... now get ready to flip on the TV for ESPNU!

Buzzmaster

  (5:59 PM)

Thanks, Nate! Thanks, Scott!

Buzzmaster

  (6:01 PM)

Whew! It's been a long day! It's been a blast talking to all you college sports nuts! The day has come .. ESPNU is here! Turn it on at 7 ET on ESPN2 ... from then on you can find ESPNU on channel 609 on DirectTV. Otherwise, call your local cable operator and tell them you want to go to ESPNU! Thanks for another great day in The Show! We'll see you all back here tomorrow starting at noon ET for College GameDay from Stillwater, OK!