UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

In all this last year wasn’t bad for a one I figured to be down. If you told me at the beginning of the year UNH ends back in the NCAAs win their 1st game and be down 1-0 with 10 minutes to go in the 2nd NCAA game I would have taken it based on what I thought would happen. It is a bummer such a good chance slipped past, but I honestly think they will be better next year – enough better who knows.

That's the spirit!

As for Captain Knodel seems a steady hard worker and from where I sit I would give him the C but I don’t sit in the room…

Co-captain with Goumas?

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

Co-captain with Goumas?

For me NO.

Again all I know is what I see from the stands. In Knodel I see a self aware, hardworking, disciplined player. He seems to know he is slow so his positioning is excellent so he seems faster than he is. Puck gets on his stick and game slows down. I don't see panic. Appears to see the game and have a high hockey IQ again making up for the lack of speed.

In Goumas I see a talented player but one who via creative free lancing can cause problems. For me I want the leader to be more like Knodel.

Now for a captain there are a bunch of off ice qualities that need to be considered. Leadership is tough to see while watching the games, that is from off ice, weight room, and practice. I don't seeany of that stuff. I would plan on a couple alternates.

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

For me NO.

Again all I know is what I see from the stands. In Knodel I see a self aware, hardworking, disciplined player. He seems to know he is slow so his positioning is excellent so he seems faster than he is. Puck gets on his stick and game slows down. I don't see panic. Appears to see the game and have a high hockey IQ again making up for the lack of speed.

In Goumas I see a talented player but one who via creative free lancing can cause problems. For me I want the leader to be more like Knodel.

Now for a captain there are a bunch of off ice qualities that need to be considered. Leadership is tough to see while watching the games, that is from off ice, weight room, and practice. I don't seeany of that stuff. I would plan on a couple alternates.

I think talent on the ice is overrated when it comes to being captain. Otherwise, why would have Pat Foley been a two time captain. I think it is more about how the guy is perceived in the locker room and, just as important, how he is judged by the coach. I have no idea who is going to be captain, I guess Knodel is a good bet as any. For a guy who didn't dress as a freshman, he has come a long way. Maybe Speelman? Paid his dues, that's for sure. Is it really that important who one, or two guys are. I think it is more about overall senior leadership, setting a tone way before the season starts, that we are all in this together. I'd like to think that those returning burn to get beyond the regional final. They've been pretty close over the past few years. If the goal is instilled to the entire team, particularly the incoming freshmen, who knows, maybe they can make it.

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

"UNHHockey Notes: NCAA Northeast Regional and Costly Concussions"

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

According to Mike Morreale of NHL.com (@mikemorrealeNHL), David Gregory of NHL Central Scouting provided this description of Brett Pesce:
"He's one of the best defenders I've seen in his draft age in a long, long time"

[New Hampshire 'Cats Fan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

"UNHHockey Notes: NCAA Northeast Regional and Costly Concussions"

Great piece, Mike. Just a minor comment...it's not Denver University even though they are called DU. It is the University of Denver. It's a weird thing they do for the schools in that area (e.g., University of Colorado = CU, University of Kansas = KU, University of Oklahoma = OU, etc.)

[RockTheWhit]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

While I hope they all stay, it's also worth considering Toronto signing Knodel (drafted back in 09) as well as whichever team drafts Pesce pushing him toward the ohl route. If those two (and Tvr) are back, could be a heck of a blueline.

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

Great piece, Mike. Just a minor comment...it's not Denver University even though they are called DU. It is the University of Denver. It's a weird thing they do for the schools in that area (e.g., University of Colorado = CU, University of Kansas = KU, University of Oklahoma = OU, etc.)

Thanks 'Cats Fan. I went back and made the correction. We'd never say "New Hampshire University" so the "University of Denver" sounds right - in addition to being the official designation. The "DU" does make it confusing - Go "NHU"?

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

While I hope they all stay, it's also worth considering Toronto signing Knodel (drafted back in 09) as well as whichever team drafts Pesce pushing him toward the ohl route. If those two (and Tvr) are back, could be a heck of a blueline.

Speaking of the Ontario Hockey League, two UNH recruits were selected in the OHL Draft yesterday.
Patrick Grasso drafted #216 in Round 11 and
Joe Masonius #237 in Round 12.

They were pretty far down the list - the OHL Draft goes 15 rounds. For comparison, Ryan Bourque was drafted #117 in Round 7 of the 2008 QMJHL Draft. He's the only UNH recruit in recent memory to give up a UNH scholarship to play major junior.

[smitre]

According to Mike Morreale of NHL.com (@mikemorrealeNHL), David Gregory of NHL Central Scouting provided this description of Brett Pesce:
"He's one of the best defenders I've seen in his draft age in a long, long time"

Pesce's skills were evident early in the season but it was not until later in the season that I saw him consistently play with more confidence and an attitude that helped make him stand out.

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

It goes without saying that no Division I head coach would instruct his players to go out and target the head of an opposing player. Did Coach Gwozdecky say to his players something like "Downing and Goumas are killing us. Someone's got to slow them down."? Possibly.

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

It goes without saying that no Division I head coach would instruct his players to go out and target the head of an opposing player. Did Coach Gwozdecky say to his players something like "Downing and Goumas are killing us. Someone's got to slow them down."? Possibly.

I deleted my post because I figured it wasn't worth it. But in response, you're speculating, and even that speculation is laced with innuendo. Are you saying he encouraged illegal hits couched in "proper" speak, or are you simply saying that that he did what 100% of hockey coaches might do, which is to say that good players on the other team need to be contained? It's a thin reed you're hanging onto there. Especially when Downing's injury had little to do with a headshot, and was merely a legal check.

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

I deleted my post because I figured it wasn't worth it. But in response, you're speculating, and even that speculation is laced with innuendo. Are you saying he encouraged illegal hits couched in "proper" speak, or are you simply saying that that he did what 100% of hockey coaches might do, which is to say that good players on the other team need to be contained? It's a thin reed you're hanging onto there. Especially when Downing's injury had little to do with a headshot, and was merely a legal check.

For Denver to win, they needed to slow down and contain Downing and Goumas. I assume that Coach Gwozdecky instructed his players to do so within the rules. It could be argued that the Paul Phillips' hit to Downing was his attempt to contain a player who was blowing by him into the low slot. As for Shore's hit on Goumas, it occurred at the redline. It's not obvious why Shore chose to "contain" Goumas at that location and at that juncture in the game.

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

For Denver to win, they needed to slow down and contain Downing and Goumas. I assume that Coach Gwozdecky instructed his players to do so within the rules. It could be argued that the Paul Phillips' hit to Downing was his attempt to contain a player who was blowing by him into the low slot. As for Shore's hit on Goumas, it occurred at the redline. It's not obvious why Shore chose to "contain" Goumas at that location and at that juncture in the game.

I have nothing to say about Downing's injury because I didn't see it. But I saw the shot that Goumas took. He and Shore were trailing the play. And while I can't deny the possibility that Goumas might have engaged in a little stick work prior, Shore, who was bigger, popped him pretty good in the head. My immediate reaction was "cheap shot." How it turned out that they reviewed the tape to make the call, was it the linesman informing the ref, or Umile have to take a time out in order for them to review, I don't know. But I do know that justice was served. As to whether the shot was premeditated, again I don't know. But well coached teams don't have players going around and giving head shots in open ice to opponents. One of my BU friends said that DU gooned it up back in October when the teams played in Denver. I don't know that to be true either but it has seemed to me over the decades I have watched college hockey that the WCHA has always had a subset of players who seem to operate on the edge. This season I watched several North Dakota games and in some of them there were all out scrums that, if allowed to escalate, would have resulted in NHL style brawls. Not something often seen in Hockey East games.

The Goumas hit, and the Downing injury as well, were very disturbing to me because, intentionally or not, the loss of those two players basically robbed UNH of any chance they had of defeating Lowell the next night.

[e.cat]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

"UNHHockey Notes: NCAA Northeast Regional and Costly Concussions"

Good piece Mike. Regarding whether Gwoz told his players to, I'll say, pay attention to Downing and Goumas, he would be remiss not to mention it. Having said that, competitive players wouldn't have to be told to pay attention to them. I've seen it first hand, even when my boys played at young ages. There's no question in my mind that the University of Denver players played Downing and Goumas heavy. Was there an intent to injure? I can't say with any certainty. It's unfortunate what happened stealing UNH's chances against Lowell. I'm excited about next season though because I think UNH will be good.

Regarding UNH captains; Knodel gets my vote. I had a chance to speak with him at a Friends event later in the year and liked him very much. He was humble and polite. Seems like a quiet leader. JMHO