UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

[Scott]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Gawd, this thread makes me laugh every day!! I haven't seen this many cases of "one-upsmanship" since the gaudy 90's!!

And since I've been hitting the sauce a bit early tonight....()....A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!!!

Enjoy some demented yuletide humor from Denis Leary......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4G_qTwgzmk

[HockeyRef]

Gawd, this thread makes me laugh every day!! I haven't seen this many cases of "one-upsmanship" since the gaudy 90's!!

And since I've been hitting the sauce a bit early tonight....()....A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!!!

Enjoy some demented yuletide humor from Denis Leary......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4G_qTwgzmk

Hahaha same to you and yours Scott! Yep the board has been rockin'..
Been worth the price of admission to be sure! 😉

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

I don't know what I found more comical Wednesday night. The UNH-DW game, or the fact that Boston College hosted a game at the Mohegan Sun Arena

Someone at The Heights must've dug deep into the WIS playbook for inspiration, and recalled how Da Godfaddah was largely set at the former Wonderland Greyhound Park (RIP). Doesn't Flutie have his own place at the converted greyhound-to-casino site down in Plainfield or wherever? The CHB's just can't help themselves, it's in their blood.

[Dan]

http://www.si.com/olympics/2016/12/21/win-losing-book-ralph-cox-1980-olympics-miracle-on-ice

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

http://www.si.com/olympics/2016/12/21/win-losing-book-ralph-cox-1980-olympics-miracle-on-ice

Ralph speaks about his life regarding his experiences with Herb Brooks. Thanks for this history lesson for me Dan!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_LH...uz6x4vSjvH-ZEu

[Felger]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Word on the street is that a few Patriot and Ivy basketball teams bailed out at the last moment .... and fill-ins had to be found??

I read that as well and perhaps that is the case. However the reality is that the basketball team played two D-III opponents last season, as well as two D-III foes the year before that. (Fact, not opinion.)

Far be it for me to accuse anyone in the Field House of being disingenuous. Just pointing out that the schedule this season is not that much of an anomaly from the last two.

My bigger concern is that they are going to get fat on this junk food over the holidays and not be ready for conference play after the first of the year.

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals!!! 😉 (You all know this is just a joke line from the movie Home Alone ). See ya Friday!!!

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Whose the best team in HE this year? BC, correct? How does this team stack up to, you said it, the 2010 team which was a wagon? Not very well I would guess, but you tell me.

When this year's team has played some important games I'll let you know.

But I like that you think this is the way to measure a league's strength; kind of played to the point I made in the last post no? Maybe a little too much egg-nog this holiday season?

[norbert]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

I hear you Snively - but just as there were better options last season (in my opinion) than Correale as long as the line is producing Umile won't consider making a change. And one could easily argue that he's right not to. I might argue that.

I do however think this team needs more scoring to compete with the better teams they'll see in the second half - and just like last year - more scoring depth. Right now the second line just isn't doing the job. If I was going to make a change to the first line - I'd drop McNicholas down in hopes his playmaking ability would jumpstart Vela. Grasso has played center, but the likely candidate to get McNicholas' spot would be Blackburn.

I think the much more likely scenario, however, is the first line stays intact. So, I'd like to see them jumble the remaining groups. I think a second line of Grasso, Vela and Blackburn should be experimented with. If Vela can get going and Grasso/Blackburn continue to adjust and perform that could be a good group.

I'd love to see a third line of Eiserman, Nazarian and Hill. I think this would be a fast group that plays with an edge, can be physical and provide some occasional pop.

Mille/BVR/Cefalu/Sacco/Fregona can mix and match on the fourth line...

With the real schedule approaching scoring is going to become more of a problem. My prediction is that TK endures the same fate that Poturalski suffered last year, cleaned up against the weaker schedule and then disappeared.

While not the best player, I believe Hill deserves more credit and opportunity to have a more on-ice leadership role. Though he has taken a few dumb penalties over the years, he is consistent with both the forecheck and backcheck, while not being afraid to get into the dirty areas. I'd give him a shot with TK on the first line along with a bigger body like Vela or Eiserman. My sanity could be questioned but looking at the Blackhawks, first line is Hartman (rookie), Toews, and Motte (rookie).

With the remaining schedule (17 games), I think 5-10-2 is as realistic as it gets. I would continue the effort to win games but see if you can find line combinations that work for the future. But in true DU fashion, I can not imagine he experiments and continues with the same old.

[ClOuD 9]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

2,167 seats left in the lower bowl about 24 hours before puck drop - upper deck not being sold.
What... is... the... point...?

(blue dots available, grey sold)

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

"Midseason Review with Mike Souza, UNH Associate Head Coach"

[Felger]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Well if he doesn't get the post as agriculture secretary perhaps there is a job for him at the Field House.

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/1...etables-233069

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

"Midseason Review with Mike Souza, UNH Associate Head Coach"

Good interview ... not surprisingly, Coach Souza is more optimistic than most of us are about his team's chances for the D-1 tourney this year, but what caught my eye was his explanation about how he thought this year's team was defending better as a team. Having seen most of last night's game in Manchester (we did miss the two early goals), and conceding that Dawson was out with Chanter taking his place ... I have to say, the overall UNH defensive zone coverage was horrid. It seemed that all night long, UMaine players were left all alone in the slot, time after time, and at even strength more so than on the PK. UMaine also constantly parked guys in front of Tirone, and the UNH defenders overall did a lousy job of clearing out that space. Look at the goals UNH allowed - and more importantly, look at the top quality saves Tirone had to make at key junctures of the game to keep UNH either even or slightly ahead. Without those saves, UNH loses.

The saving grace for UNH last night was that as loose as their team defending was most of the evening ... UMaine's defending was abject, and UNH forwards did an excellent job of cashing in those gifted opportunities.

I'll get to the next installment in The Quest in a day or two, but looking back at the 2016 portion of the schedule ... 9 wins isn't bad but it's not great either, and the jury remains out on how their inconsistent and sometimes erratic play will hold up once they start facing the iron of the HE regular season schedule from here on out. Last night was almost a "must win" for that reason, so actually winning it is great, and that will hold true for the trip to Providence to face Brown next weekend too. But soon and at last, we'll finally get to see how this year's team shapes up against regular non-cupcake competition. Looking forward to it ... Happy New Year to all in the meantime.

[HockeyRef]

Good interview ... not surprisingly, Coach Souza is more optimistic than most of us are about his team's chances for the D-1 tourney this year, but what caught my eye was his explanation about how he thought this year's team was defending better as a team. Having seen most of last night's game in Manchester (we did miss the two early goals), and conceding that Dawson was out with Chanter taking his place ... I have to say, the overall UNH defensive zone coverage was horrid. It seemed that all night long, UMaine players were left all alone in the slot, time after time, and at even strength more so than on the PK. UMaine also constantly parked guys in front of Tirone, and the UNH defenders overall did a lousy job of clearing out that space. Look at the goals UNH allowed - and more importantly, look at the top quality saves Tirone had to make at key junctures of the game to keep UNH either even or slightly ahead. Without those saves, UNH loses.

The saving grace for UNH last night was that as loose as their team defending was most of the evening ... UMaine's defending was abject, and UNH forwards did an excellent job of cashing in those gifted opportunities.

I'll get to the next installment in The Quest in a day or two, but looking back at the 2016 portion of the schedule ... 9 wins isn't bad but it's not great either, and the jury remains out on how their inconsistent and sometimes erratic play will hold up once they start facing the iron of the HE regular season schedule from here on out. Last night was almost a "must win" for that reason, so actually winning it is great, and that will hold true for the trip to Providence to face Brown next weekend too. But soon and at last, we'll finally get to see how this year's team shapes up against regular non-cupcake competition. Looking forward to it ... Happy New Year to all in the meantime.

Would agree on your assessment of the game; we gaveMaine the neutral zone most of the night it seemed (our forecheck needs work we will get killed against the big boys) and DT made some great saves. Maines last goal was a total walk in and score kind of thing don't know where we were at? Not sure I'd agree that UNH loses the game per se but yeah it was a must win given what's coming.

We sat directly behind the team so we got to see the coaches in action. Noticed Stewie was not there (Mike Buckley took his place so maybe he was out recruiting?). At one point TyK came off the ice very mad And true to form on his next shift scored. Fingers crossed he can continue on his pace but he will need plenty of help given the schedule. Grasso took quite the shot to the nose was glad he got back out there.

Yeah the D is still suspect hopefully Dawson and Vela return for Friday. Happy New Year to all!!!

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Just a heads up to those going to the UML game Friday it starts at 6...
Also curious STH what were your feelings about the SNUH game as far as buying on on our own as opposed to having them included?