Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

[UML]

Has anyone heard if they are going to put single day tickets on sale?

I can only make Saturdays games so I'm hoping they do.

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

The curiosity to me isn't where they are playing...it's when. I thought the #1 seed gets the early game (in other words, more time to rest before the next day's game).

I think this is totally out the window anymore. All 12 games are probably assigned times in close consultation with ESPN, so they can get the match-ups at the times they want them.

[UNHhockey29]

Re: Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

Has anyone heard if they are going to put single day tickets on sale?

I heard Friday morning but call the Verizon box office to check.

[billb]

Re: Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

I think all of the talk here about BC getting shafted is crap: it won't matter where BC plays, they'll be kicking butt and taking names, and especially in the western venue, it should be nice for the fans there to see what eastern hockey is all about.
Back here in Manchester, it's business as usual, and, while I'll be happy to see UNH prevail, Merrimack is scary good. They can beat Miami, too.
I do like UNH because they don't goon it up, although there is the propensity to take the stupid penalty. They'll get the usual good game out of DiGirolamo, but it remains to be seen which team will show up in front of him. TV?

[Chris_NH]

Re: Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

I watched Merrimack-BC the other night, and my sense is that Merrimack is a New England version of North Dakota. I can see a Miami-Merrimack final at The V, which would be a terrific game. Merrimack, sensing 'Their Moment,' and Miami staring down the barrel (yet again) at another Hockey East opponent.

Indeed, I suggested earlier that if Merrimack > UNH this year, there will be more than the usual amount of 'Hell To Pay' with respect to Umile. This Regional could be his Waterloo. His team can't evaporate into the ether yet again without serious repercussions. I think the coach of Lowell was bounced, in part, because of the meteoric success of Merrimack. One might argue that one had nothing to do with the other. I'm here to suggest that it did.

[billb]

Re: Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

I watched Merrimack-BC the other night, and my sense is that Merrimack is a New England version of North Dakota. I can see a Miami-Merrimack final at The V, which would be a terrific game. Merrimack, sensing 'Their Moment,' and Miami staring down the barrel (yet again) at another Hockey East opponent.

Indeed, I suggested earlier that if Merrimack > UNH this year, there will be more than the usual amount of 'Hell To Pay' with respect to Umile. This Regional could be his Waterloo. His team can't evaporate into the ether yet again without serious repercussions. I think the coach of Lowell was bounced, in part, because of the meteoric success of Merrimack. One might argue that one had nothing to do with the other. I'm here to suggest that it did.

As you may be aware, the consensus here is that Mr. Umile will be leaving on his own terms. The early post-season swoon will never cost Mr. Umile his job.

[WildShawn]

Re: Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

As you may be aware, the consensus here is that Mr. Umile will be leaving on his own terms. The early post-season swoon will never cost Mr. Umile his job.

nope, but certainly his wardrobe and the school's traditions will.

[5IslandsWildcat]

Re: Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

Back here in Manchester, it's business as usual, and, while I'll be happy to see UNH prevail, Merrimack is scary good. They can beat Miami, too.
I do like UNH because they don't goon it up, although there is the propensity to take the stupid penalty. They'll get the usual good game out of DiGirolamo, but it remains to be seen which team will show up in front of him. TV?

UNH penalties, stupid or otherwise, seem a key to this game. Miami has a 25.4% PP and UNH a 82.1% PK. The low PK hurt UNH little during the season because they are the lowest penalized team in HE. (Didn't look up nationally, but they are among the least penalized.) But in a single game, time in the box that would be normal for many teams could mean Redhawk goals. Not sure the opposite is true. Miami has an 88.1% PK and UNH only a 19.9% PP.

Also might need more than the "usual good game" from DiGi. Miami's first line is super while late in the season UNH's first line defense dropped off. Umile split up the first line several months ago, I suspect to improve the defense more than to spread out the scoring across lines. Miami is the #1 seed, so should be able to control when its lines are on the ice and against whom.

[C-H-C]

Re: Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

Indeed, I suggested earlier that if Merrimack > UNH this year, there will be more than the usual amount of 'Hell To Pay' with respect to Umile. This Regional could be his Waterloo. His team can't evaporate into the ether yet again without serious repercussions.

I think the coach of Lowell was bounced, in part, because of the meteoric success of Merrimack. One might argue that one had nothing to do with the other. I'm here to suggest that it did.

Ya, Coach Umile's record of success is comparable to Blaise MacDonald's record at UML.

[Snively65]

Re: Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

Indeed, I suggested earlier that if Merrimack > UNH this year, there will be more than the usual amount of 'Hell To Pay' with respect to Umile. This Regional could be his Waterloo. His team can't evaporate into the ether yet again without serious repercussions. I think the coach of Lowell was bounced, in part, because of the meteoric success of Merrimack. One might argue that one had nothing to do with the other. I'm here to suggest that it did.

If UNH beats Miami this weekend, it will be a bigger upset than when UNH ambushed Nodak two years ago. UNH is a fourth seed, and many fans did not expect them to be in the NCAAs at all this season. Few fans have any expectations for UNH winning even one game this weekend. Umile certainly had a lot more confidence in his goaltender coming into the season than I did, and if it were not for DiGi, the Cats would not have been even close to a post-season appearance this year. Umile's situation is nothing like MacDonald's, not even close. Umile gets UNH into the post-season every year despite having much less talent on the ice than do Jerry York and Jack Parker. Simply compare the number of NHL draftees year after year after year amongst these three schools. As a UNH fan, I will be happy if our seniors leave it all on the ice and we are simply not blown out by a Miami team that is much, much stronger than when we visited them in Ohio at the beginning of the season. But, there is always the possibility of an upset or two, which happens just about every year.

[GoUNH]

If UNH beats Miami this weekend, it will be a bigger upset than when UNH ambushed Nodak two years ago. UNH is a fourth seed, and many fans did not expect them to be in the NCAAs at all this season. Few fans have any expectations for UNH winning even one game this weekend. Umile certainly had a lot more confidence in his goaltender coming into the season than I did, and if it were not for DiGi, the Cats would not have been even close to a post-season appearance this year. Umile's situation is nothing like MacDonald's, not even close. Umile gets UNH into the post-season every year despite having much less talent on the ice than do Jerry York and Jack Parker. Simply compare the number of NHL draftees year after year after year amongst these three schools. As a UNH fan, I will be happy if our seniors leave it all on the ice and we are simply not blown out by a Miami team that is much, much stronger than when we visited them in Ohio at the beginning of the season. But, there is always the possibility of an upset or two, which happens just about every year.

So true, whenever a team that has made the Tournament for 10 straight years wins a game its a huge upset. Right. And you're a UNH fan. Right.

[thecomicbookguy]

Re: Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

So true, whenever a team that has made the Tournament for 10 straight years wins a game its a huge upset. Right. And you're a UNH fan. Right.

You do understand that an upset is determined by the relative abilities of the two teams involved, correct, and not how many consecutive times they've made the tournament? While seedings aren't always the best indicator, I think in this case, they're pretty accurate. I'm predicting a UNH victory, but I agree that it would be a pretty big upset.

If consecutive appearances were a determining factor in ranking the teams, UNH and Michigan would be the favorites to meet in the finals every year.

[Chris_NH]

Re: Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

Ya, Coach Umile's record of success is comparable to Blaise MacDonald's record at UML.

I wasn't trying to equate Umile and MacDonald; I was simply trying to suggest the possible ascendency of Merrimack as reasons why there might be a more harsh light shed on the coaches of those two programs. It couldn't have pleased the leadership at UMass Lowell to see a fellow Merrimack Valley school nine miles away suddenly 'Get Good.' But I sense that IF Merrimack outlasts UNH in Manchester (either beats them outright, or wins the first game while UNH loses theirs), the hue and cry for Umile's scalp will be more pointed than it's ever been.

That is my sense anyway. Hey, I live in NH and would love to see the Wildcats win it all.

On a related note, I am pleased to see an overall Regionals TV package that allows us to see most if not all the games!!

[chickod]

Re: Northeast Regional: Miami, Merrimack, Notre Dame, UNH

So true, whenever a team that has made the Tournament for 10 straight years wins a game its a huge upset. Right. And you're a UNH fan. Right.

But he IS right. Making the tournament is one thing - winning is another. Just look at the Bruins. They have enough talent to get to the dance, but when the other teams "step it up" a level, the Bruins are always left behind. There is such a thing as "elevating your game" in the post-season. That's a lot easier to do when you have more talent. There is a reason that BU and BC have nine National Championships between them; their talent level is consistently higher. And although it is disappointing to get there and lose, it is better than not getting there at all. I'm not going to try to say that I "understand," because UNH has never won a NC and BU has, so I wouldn't have much credibility in that regard. And neither am I taking sides in the whole Umile "controversy" (if there is one)...just be careful what you wish for. You may get someone who you regret.

[GoUNH]

You do understand that an upset is determined by the relative abilities of the two teams involved, correct, and not how many consecutive times they've made the tournament? While seedings aren't always the best indicator, I think in this case, they're pretty accurate. I'm predicting a UNH victory, but I agree that it would be a pretty big upset.

If consecutive appearances were a determining factor in ranking the teams, UNH and Michigan would be the favorites to meet in the finals every year.

Oh boy. He plays a cowbell and dances like a school boy and now he's a hockey expert. Air Force beating Miami would be an upset. UNH beating BC in the tournament would be an upset. UNH beating Miami on Saturday would probably surprise a lot of people outside of the Hockey East circle but it wouldn't exactly be an upset. Have you ever played any type of organized hockey?