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

[norbert]

Personally, I'd rather UNH wins games with an unathletic goalie than lose on five-hole goals from the blue line while I pat myself on the back because my team is doing it like they did in the 80's. Must be hard to even enjoy the wins as a BC, BU or ND fan knowing you're only doing it because you have goalies who keep pucks out of the net...

Personally I think the cause of the late season slide is the pep band. Again this week with the anthem. Haven't won a game since they took over anthem duty

[Felger]

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

If UNH loses tonight, they better hope MC and NI do as well. If those teams win, UNH is a long shot to get home ice. I certainly wouldn't count on a UNH sweep next weekend, which is essentially what they would need with MC and NU playing at UVM and ME.

Even with a UNH sweep next weekend, MC would need only to split with UVM to secure home ice. NU at ME sounds like an NU sweep to me...

It would t be out of the question to take home ice back next weekend, but tonight is absolutely CRITICAL in the race to play one more weekend at the Whitt.

I'd be very surprised if MC loses tonight. NU losing is more realistic, but they're likely a favorite...

My thoughts are based on a UNH sweep next weekend. If they can't beat UConn twice, they don't deserve home ice.

Should UNH lose tonight and drop to 9th, they would only need to catch one of NU or MC to get home ice. I still think its likely they would catch both and finish 7th.

Of course the 'Cats can make this whole discussion academic with a W....

[norbert]

Marcus Vela not in the line up; he went off injured in the third?

Saw Vela with a boot on. Eisnerman 2 weeks before he can skate, round 2 if they make it

[Dan]

I won't dispute your "athleticism" comments; let me just say, as someone who has seen every game, that without him BU is probably in fifth place in Hockey East. Look at BU's "Goals Scored" statistic...then look at the "Goals Against" (which leads Hockey East).

Personally, I'd rather UNH wins games with an unathletic goalie than lose on five-hole goals from the blue line while I pat myself on the back because my team is doing it like they did in the 80's. Must be hard to even enjoy the wins as a BC, BU or ND fan knowing you're only doing it because you have goalies who keep pucks out of the net...

[Dan]

Appreciate the analysis that is what I was looking for thanks!!

If UNH loses tonight, they better hope MC and NI do as well. If those teams win, UNH is a long shot to get home ice. I certainly wouldn't count on a UNH sweep next weekend, which is essentially what they would need with MC and NU playing at UVM and ME.

Even with a UNH sweep next weekend, MC would need only to split with UVM to secure home ice. NU at ME sounds like an NU sweep to me...

It would t be out of the question to take home ice back next weekend, but tonight is absolutely CRITICAL in the race to play one more weekend at the Whitt.

I'd be very surprised if MC loses tonight. NU losing is more realistic, but they're likely a favorite...

[chickod]

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

Maybe UNH caught him on a bad night ... but last night, Oettinger was Exhibit A for my previous rants. Kid played with all the athleticism of a curbstone.

I won't dispute your "athleticism" comments; let me just say, as someone who has seen every game, that without him BU is probably in fifth place in Hockey East. Look at BU's "Goals Scored" statistic...then look at the "Goals Against" (which leads Hockey East).

[deltabravo62]

Marcus Vela not in the line up; he went off injured in the third?

Saw him go off last night, not in warm-ups tonight

[HockeyRef]

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

Marcus Vela not in the line up; he went off injured in the third?

[HockeyRef]

Sorry HR, but when 3/4 goals go right between his legs you will not hear too many praises coming from me. He can make some eally good saves then gack it all up by letting the squeaker go right through the pads.

The fact of the matter is that the team packed it in after they got up 2-0 and then 4-2. This team doesn't have the talent to sit on a two goal lead.

Yeah I get it we let them get back in the game and agree on those goals...esp the one at the start of the third. Tirone might not be so fortunate if BU takes it to us right off if we have a slow start. I know the SOG thing in this board is a sore subject but somehow we still eked out the tie...

[HockeyRef]

I don't see it that way at all.

First of all, Northeastern and UConn are playing each other tonight. So hoping for both to lose is a tall order.

I think regardless of what happens to UNH this evening, and even if they end the night in 9th place, they will in all likelihood finish 7th. (And host UConn. Ugh. I would rather watch paint dry.)

Realistically, UNH is competing with NU and MC for the lat two home ice spots in the phony round of the playoffs. UNH holds the tiebreaker over both, so all they would need to do is draw even in the standings with one or both. Those two are each on the road next weekend, at Maine and Vermont respectively, while UNH has the equivalent of two exhibition games. Assuming the 'Cats take care of business, NU would likely have to sweep Maine to finish ahead of UNH, while MC will also need points at Vermont. I think a lot would have to happen to keep UNH on the road the following week.

Personally, I find a UNH-UConn preliminary round series to be totally non compelling, but I'm probably in the minority. However it would do wonders for The Quest (not to steal Chuck's thunder.)

Appreciate the analysis that is what I was looking for thanks!!

[Felger]

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

So if I have this right we need to win, or tie (at least)tonight and have NU, UConn and 'Mack to lose tonight to have a decent shot at 8th going into next weeks reg. season finale? Despite the fact we couldn't hold on to win the game last night we showed we can come to play. Hard to be in this spot (again) and the thought of being on the road in these playoffs is not something I want to put myself through (again) after last year!!

I recognize where we are at but really would love to see for their sake something great happen for a change...(I saw Mike Eruzione in the BU lobby last night and thought 'yeah, we could use a Miracle On Ice" right about now haha) I have read that awesome thread about the HE playoff possibilities but for me...it's like reading a word problem in math!! Tonight's results will pretty much tell us where we are most likely going to be...

I don't see it that way at all.

First of all, Northeastern and UConn are playing each other tonight. So hoping for both to lose is a tall order.

I think regardless of what happens to UNH this evening, and even if they end the night in 9th place, they will in all likelihood finish 7th. (And host UConn. Ugh. I would rather watch paint dry.)

Realistically, UNH is competing with NU and MC for the last two home ice spots in the phony round of the playoffs. UNH holds the tiebreaker over both, so all they would need to do is draw even in the standings with one or both. Those two are each on the road next weekend, at Maine and Vermont respectively, while UNH has the equivalent of two exhibition games. Assuming the 'Cats take care of business, NU would likely have to sweep Maine to finish ahead of UNH, while MC will also need points at Vermont. I think a lot would have to happen to keep UNH on the road the following week.

Personally, I find a UNH-UConn preliminary round series to be totally non compelling, but I'm probably in the minority. However it would do wonders for The Quest (not to steal Chuck's thunder.)

[deltabravo62]

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

I don't see too many 'atta boys' for DT today; he made some great saves ('cept for that one 20 seconds into the third? )

Sorry HR, but when 3/4 goals go right between his legs you will not hear too many praises coming from me. He can make some eally good saves then gack it all up by letting the squeaker go right through the pads.

The fact of the matter is that the team packed it in after they got up 2-0 and then 4-2. This team doesn't have the talent to sit on a two goal lead.

[HockeyRef]

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

I thought I read that Bill Binney sold his TV station back to the FCC for $100MM last week. So ESPN8 it is.



Remember the discussion we had this week about the current lack of athleticism in the goalie position?

Maybe UNH caught him on a bad night ... but last night, Oettinger was Exhibit A for my previous rants. Kid played with all the athleticism of a curbstone. I know he's a former US NTDP kid, but I'm not a fan. Watched him in the Beanpot semis against BC, and other than a stretch of the second period where the puck seemed to hit him a lot, I didn't see a whole lot to write home about in that game, either. JMHO (and watch the kid pitch a shutout tonight).

Good point Chuck...I'm just thinking we aren't going to survive being outshot 2-1 against a skilled team like BU can be when they are playing well but if you were to ask their fans most would say they are not at the moment but whatever how do you get to #5 in the country please let us know. (sarcasm) I do believe we can beat that goalie (see I'm learning!) I haven't been that impressed watching him in the Beanpot and last night but it's going to take a concentrated full out 60 mins with very few defensive mistakes.

I don't see too many 'atta boys' for DT today; he made some great saves ('cept for that one 20 seconds into the third? ) You can bet they will double down on TyK tonight!
Really really missing Eiserman out there as a closing thought.

Don't get me wrong I thought UNH looked better last night than I've seen them play (besides the BC game and maybe the first UVM game). You can't lose focus for one minute. I hope the team plays well tonight. We need to win plain and simple or it's pretty much 'on the road again' for the HE playoffs...

[UML Puck Hawk]

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

I thought I read that Bill Binney sold his TV station back to the FCC for $100MM last week. So ESPN8 it is.

He did but the game on WBIN tonight is MC/Maine, so for the moment they are still televising games

[Chuck Murray]

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

Thought I saw that the game is on WBIN. Can anyone confirm this?

I thought I read that Bill Binney sold his TV station back to the FCC for $100MM last week. So ESPN8 it is.

HR's prediction for tonight: hate to say...BU comes to play firing on all cylinders...Oettinger (sp) plays like a man possessed.. BU 4 UNH 1 Prove me wrong 'Cats!!!

Remember the discussion we had this week about the current lack of athleticism in the goalie position?

Maybe UNH caught him on a bad night ... but last night, Oettinger was Exhibit A for my previous rants. Kid played with all the athleticism of a curbstone. I know he's a former US NTDP kid, but I'm not a fan. Watched him in the Beanpot semis against BC, and other than a stretch of the second period where the puck seemed to hit him a lot, I didn't see a whole lot to write home about in that game, either. JMHO (and watch the kid pitch a shutout tonight).