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

[Felger]

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

Well, you would still have to get out of the participation round

It would be fine with me if the HE execs grew a pair next season and said team finishing 9-11 don't make the postseason. But we know that aint happening...

I am happy to hear you think Lowell will win the league again next year

Wouldn't be surprised at all to see you guys win the RS title again next year. It seems that UML is in this decade what UNH was 10-15 years ago (a bunch of regular season titles, less postseason hardware.) I see that RS crown means alot to you guys...

But I will tell you this: I can't remember how many times UNH was the #1 seed back in the better times. But I know I NEVER worried that they might (gasp) have to play the NINE SEED in the first (legitimate) round of the league playoffs.

At this point UNH is playing with house money. Nothing would be better than upsetting UML and lousing up RiverFraud's St Patty's Day plans. Perhaps he can spend it at a Golden Corral instead of the Garden. But even one Wildcat win might mess with Lowell's PWR and remind some people to be careful what they wish for.

[chickod]

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

Raise the crossbar a foot. Reduce the excess (non-protective) goalie padding significantly. That's all I ask.

That won't happen either. They'll cite "safety concerns" - especially given the equipment (sticks) and the speed with which players can shoot the puck today.

[Chuck Murray]

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

Chuck, the biggest problem is that the size of the rink, in most cases, and the size of the net have not changed in 100 years. However the players, in most cases, are bigger,,faster, and stronger than ever. Unless the NHL is willing to change the size of both, nothing will change.

Raise the crossbar a foot. Reduce the excess (non-protective) goalie padding significantly. That's all I ask.

[chickod]

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

Chuck, the biggest problem is that the size of the rink, in most cases, and the size of the net have not changed in 100 years. However the players, in most cases, are bigger,,faster, and stronger than ever. Unless the NHL is willing to change the size of both, nothing will change.

And that's not going to happen, because it would mean removing expensive (although I don't know why - I don't think there's a worse seat in hockey than in the first three rows) seats. Basketball has the same problem (players have outgrown the court) but it would be easier to rectify that.

[Greg Ambrose]

The game is so out of balance these days, it's scary.

Isn't padding supposed to be for protection from injury - not protection of the goalie's GAA??

Listen - I'm a soccer guy. I still play goal competitively in *that* sport (and once upon a time *tried* to play goal in this sport), so I'm not necessarily averse to low scores, looking out for those who see the game always coming at them, and appreciating the tension of games where every goal means something. I get it, I really do.

But this wave of guys who are simply big and have worked out a technique to eclipse most of the net with their (legally) oversized pads is wiping the athleticism out of the goalie position. It's not good for the sport.

((( ... this is a recording ... )))

Chuck, the biggest problem is that the size of the rink, in most cases, and the size of the net have not changed in 100 years. However the players, in most cases, are bigger,,faster, and stronger than ever. Unless the NHL is willing to change the size of both, nothing will change.

[Greg Ambrose]

I was one of those thousands....started the night in the second balcony where I watched the Gould gamewinner. Always amazed me how those teams could combine for 18 goals in regulation, then play the scoreless first overtime.

By the time BU finished off the comeback I was literally just a couple rows from the ice. Kept working my way down as more and more fans left (sorry Greg, perhaps I approriated your seats along the way.) Can still remember the old fashioned clock in the Garden showing that it was 1:19 AM in the closing minutes.

We had great seats, a corner loge at the end where Gould scored the goal. I can still remember the aftermath of the goal, the UNH fans in the balcony right opposite us, and Crowder and Lumley skating over and pumping their sticks, urging the crowd for more. Over the years I've experienced a lot of great moments as a UNH fan but that is one of the top ones in my book. Haydar's OT goal vs. Michigan in Worcester is another btw.

[Chuck Murray]

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

Almost explains why offense today is lets recruit/draft 6'3 guys, "just get it to the net and hope to get a deflection" and "clog up the front of the net" as opposed to "let's develop a system to get a good shot because you have a chance to beat the goalie."

[/old guy]

The game is so out of balance these days, it's scary.

Isn't padding supposed to be for protection from injury - not protection of the goalie's GAA??

Listen - I'm a soccer guy. I still play goal competitively in *that* sport (and once upon a time *tried* to play goal in this sport), so I'm not necessarily averse to low scores, looking out for those who see the game always coming at them, and appreciating the tension of games where every goal means something. I get it, I really do.

But this wave of guys who are simply big and have worked out a technique to eclipse most of the net with their (legally) oversized pads is wiping the athleticism out of the goalie position. It's not good for the sport.

((( ... this is a recording ... )))

[UML Puck Hawk]

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

Then RiverFraud will be afraid to play us in the quarterfinals

Well, you would still have to get out of the participation round, but I am happy to hear you think Lowell will win the league again next year

[Felger]

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

Well, there is the "rising" UConn program that (1) still hasn't won its first postseason game - much less series - and (2) just lost their best player to the pros. So that should move UNH up to #9 next season anyway ...

Then RiverFraud will be afraid to play us in the quarterfinals

[Felger]

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

Has anyone ever found any video of the unbelievable doubleheader at the Garden - 1977 ECAC Tournament? I've been looking all over for it. Two of the best games I have ever seen in one night.

1st semifinal: UNH 10 - Cornell 9 (Bob Gould scores 19 seconds into the 2nd OT....featuring Dave Lumley, Ralph Cox, Rod Langway, Dan Magnarelli, Bobby Miller)
2nd semifinal: BU 7 - Clarkson 6 (BU was trailing 6-4 and scored three goals in the final 3:57 - featuring Rick Meagher, Mike Eruzione, Dave Silk, Jim Craig)

Just THOUSANDS of UNH fans there (as well as a large Cornell contingent, including that guy who would always sit in the front row of the first balcony - which anyone who has ever been to a game there knows were the BEST seats in the place - and blow that long airhorn whenever Cornell came out on the ice - or scored). The old barn was rocking and the noise was THUNDEROUS when UNH scored to win that epic game.

Unfortunately, many fans, probably drained from the first game, left early and missed probably an equally incredible finish in the 2nd game.

I was one of those thousands....started the night in the second balcony where I watched the Gould gamewinner. Always amazed me how those teams could combine for 18 goals in regulation, then play the scoreless first overtime.

By the time BU finished off the comeback I was literally just a couple rows from the ice. Kept working my way down as more and more fans left (sorry Greg, perhaps I approriated your seats along the way.) Can still remember the old fashioned clock in the Garden showing that it was 1:19 AM in the closing minutes.

[NCAA watcher]

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

Look at the goalie equipment and how much they actually have to MOVE to cover the goal, which looks gigantic compared to today.

Almost explains why offense today is lets recruit/draft 6'3 guys, "just get it to the net and hope to get a deflection" and "clog up the front of the net" as opposed to "let's develop a system to get a good shot because you have a chance to beat the goalie."

[/old guy]

A couple of things.....look at how gassed Coxy is after the second goal but never even looks at the bench.

Missed the Umile dog whistle every 30 seconds.

[e.cat]

A couple of things.....look at how gassed Coxy is after the second goal but never even looks at the bench......Coxy used to practice going uppers from the front crease line all the time, as he did on the first goal.......having the fence around the ice at Snively was such a home ice benie for us.......fans used to grab opposing jerseys and glove ties.......Loved Snively! 😍 Always had the best ice too....

Coxy roofed one while parked just outside the crease one time which is still is the best goal I've ever seen save for Hemingways between the legs gem. The long blonde hair flowing out
added to his aura too. Fun to watch...

[Chuck Murray]

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

Well, there is the "rising" UConn program that (1) still hasn't won its first postseason game - much less series - and (2) just lost their best player to the pros. So that should move UNH up to #9 next season anyway ...

[blazer777]

Great post Dan. Now if someone could factor into the mix the decline or loss of talent of the rest of the teams in HE we'd get a better picture of how things sugar off next year. Way above my pay grade to even attempt!

,

[blazer777]

I'm on it! Sneak preview: The off season to watch is at Boston University...

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