Notebook: Filip Sitar could make debut this weekend

After serving a seven game suspension to begin his collegiate career, UConn forward Filip Sitar could make his debut this weekend against Vermont.

“I definitely see him playing a game this weekend,” head coach Mike Cavanaugh said on Wednesday.

The Ljubljana, Slovenia native had to sit after playing 11 games in the SHL — a professional league — with the Malmo Redhawks last season. The Huskies appealed for a shorter suspension, but the seven-game ban was upheld by the NCAA.

Sitar was initially committed to Northern Michigan but flipped to UConn after a coaching change. The Huskies expect the freshman to play a big role this season, though they’ve fared well without him. They currently rank 16th in the nation with 3.4 goals per game and 18th with 31.6 shots per game while getting contributions from all four lines. Still, Sitar should provide a boost.

“He's looked very good. Now, it's still hard to tell. Playing in Hockey East games is a lot different than playing in practice, so it'll be interesting,” Cavanaugh said. “But he's a very good player. He's a 200-foot player and I think he's certainly going to add some depth to our lineup.”

Spetz remains questionable

After missing last weekend’s games with a dislocated shoulder, John Spetz has a chance to play against Vermont. The fifth-year blue liner practiced with a non-contact jersey on Tuesday, but still needs to go through contact in order to be cleared for game action.

“He’s probably 50/50 for the weekend,” Cavanaugh said.

Spetz missed more contests last weekend than he did in his first four years at UConn. Prior to this season, he’d suited up for 129 of 130 possible games.

Percival claims conference honor

Amid a breakout junior season, Jake Percival was named Hockey East’s Player of the Month for October. Through seven games, he has has six goals — which is tied for first in the nation and is just one off of his career high.

Percival opened the season with a four-point, 16-shot weekend against Colgate and hasn’t let up since. He’s recorded a goal or an assist in five of seven contests while also serving as UConn’s best penalty killer with two shorthanded goals — tied for second-most nationally.

Speaking of Hockey East honors, Tyler Muszelik was named the league’s goaltender of the week after stopping 57 of 62 shots in an 1-0-1 weekend against UMass.