The 1926–27 New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey season was the 3rd season of play for the program. The Wildcats represented the University of New Hampshire and were coached by Ernest Christensen in his 2nd season.
Season
With decent weather in December, the newly rechristened 'Wildcats' were able to get a jump on the season and set up their rink in time for a game with Bates in early January. Howard Crins, a new addition to the team, combined with captain Percival to make a potent offensive duo. The two combined for 3 goals in the opening game with Reinhart netting the other. The constant offensive pressure brought by the Wildcats prevented the Bobcats from doing much damage, allowing the new setup on the back end to ease into the season.[1] A few days later, Bowdoin was in town and gave New Hampshire a fight for most of the 60-minute match. After surrendering the first goal, the Wildcats used their speed to generate two goals off of the rush in the first period. Ide added a pair late but, with Rogers making 27 saves on 28 shots, they weren't needed for the team to get its second victory.[2]
After a solid start, the team had several weeks off before their next match. It wasn't until early February that YMCA College arrived but the team didn't appear to have lost any of its edge. The defensive wall put up by Vatter and Chandler was very effective throughout the match and allowed the Wildcats to dominate the shot totals. It was only due to the brilliant goaltending of the Springfield netminder that the score remained close. However, with Percival and Ide combining for three goals, the team got enough offense to carry the day.[3]
Prior to the winter carnival, the Wildcats went on a jaunt through New England, playing 3 games in 4 days. First, they met YMCA College for a return game and opened with a flurry. After Chandler scored his first of the season, the home team tied the match. Percival put UNH back into the lead before the end of the first but the rest of the game was a defensive struggle. No more goals were scored by either side and the Wildcats remained undefeated. Two days later, the team faced Brown for the opening leg of a home-and-home series. Percival and Crins each scored twice to topple the Bears in one of the best games UNH played all season. The squad remained in town for another day to face Providence. The first period was a tightly fought battle but the Wildcats took over in the final two innings. Percival continued to lead the offense with two goals on the night while Vatter (2) and Dearington each provided their first markers of the year.[4]
The team returned home for the winter carnival and eagerly awaited Brown's arrival. Though the brunos made the trip the game had to be cancelled when the ice was covered by nearly a foot of snow.[5] Instead, the team wrapped up its season a few days later with an exhibition match against an alumni team.[6] By finishing the year with an undefeated record, the Wildcats had a claim on the small school intercollegiate championship. This unofficial crown was ostensibly available for colleges or universities that were not in direct competition with the likes of Harvard and Yale.
