2021-22 UVM Catamounts: Cats Gone Global

[GreenCat]

So why was that a hand pass if a Providence player played the puck next or did they say he missed the puck?

[Catfantoo]

Nice to see some post activity over the last few weeks. I'll start out by saying that I believe the direction laid out by coaching staff is a good one. I keep telling my friends - "we're better than we were the last few years". In terms of inconsistent play and 1 goal losses, some of that is attributed to youth and inexperience of the team. HOWEVER we still need a skill level upgrade in particular to the forward ranks. After 24 games played and our goal score leader is at 7 (only 2 players at 5 goals or better) and we only have 5 players in double digit points that tells you something. I heard in one of the post games recently the coach talking about 10-12 different players being utilized on the 2 power play units. Again this implies to me they are searching for combinations that aren't readily there. If the team truly had 4-6 high level skill forwards then we'd see them on PP units being successful. Again I hope the positive recruiting continues and some of that high level skill will come in and help this out. Goal-tending has been good enough. Gabe currently ranks #5 in save % for in conference. This is more than acceptable and hopefully he continues his progression as an upperclassmen.

I was extremely impressed with Andrei Buyalsky in the few games I saw him play. He has NHL skating ability (didn't say he would make it, but if you can't skate at that level you are extremely limited). I felt he was the best looking freshman this year and was anxious to see him be part of the solution. I understand it was mentioned he was injured. He's still on the roster but I have not heard anything regarding his status. Is he in school? What is the extent of his injury? Hope he hasn't left the program.

[Vermont Ref]

I believe we batted it then it hit/deflected off one of our players then a PC player. The replay wasn’t that clear. I did see the linesman “apologize” to Woodcroft that it was his fault for presumably not calling it as it occurred.

So why was that a hand pass if a Providence player played the puck next or did they say he missed the puck?

[j24vt]

I agree about Buyalsky being good and have also been wondering why he isn't playing. Assumed he is one of the players in the stands on crutches.

My general impressions about the record are the team is not playing consistently for the full 60 minutes and they need to take the shot if it is there instead of passing.

[TovarishchLisa]

I agree about Buyalsky being good and have also been wondering why he isn't playing. Assumed he is one of the players in the stands on crutches.

Feel like this is the type of moment where we're really really missing Ted Ryan these days...

Side note, but The Athletic just published a piece about Devon Levi at NU. He was a UVM commit originally, the article says he flipped (this was in early 2020) largely because NU wanted him in for 2020-21 while UVM wanted him to push back a year. One last woof from the old regime (and one of many reasons I am urging patience, this program was NOT in a good place and it'll take time to fix)

[j24vt]

From the "Where Are They Now?" file: Martin St Louis has replaced Dom Ducharme as the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens: https://www.nhl.com/news/martin-st-l...ed/c-330633624

[GreenCat]

From the "Where Are They Now?" file: Martin St Louis has replaced Dom Ducharme as the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens: https://www.nhl.com/news/martin-st-l...ed/c-330633624

Wow they cut him loose quick.... I will say the last game that I saw the Canadians play it looked like he had lost the team. Good for St Louis! Tough place to be stepping in....

[TovarishchLisa]

Gabe with another shutout! Nice home win for the guys. I know UNH isn't the best team, but what I want to see down this stretch run is just positive momentum we can carry into next season.

[Vermont Ref]

They played a full 60 minutes tonight. They best UNH to the puck almost every time and took more shots sooner. The first two goals were long shots that happened to go in. The more you shoot the more something might happen. And lo and behold it did. I do wish that shoot quicker. A quick snap shot can catch a goalie off guard. Hopefully they can play on this momentum and finish the season strong and surprise people come playoffs. Good job tonight men.

[Catfantoo]

Solid 60 minutes. In post game presser Todd W. had a grin ear to ear. Great job closing out the win in the last 10 minutes as UNH didn't get much of a sniff at the net. These are steps along the way to learning how to win.

Need to come up with a process for Senior Night as post game had maybe a 100-150 people left in the stands. Know its hard prior to game for alot of reasons. Always nice moment for players and parents.

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Great game Cats! Believe that was their first regulation win in HE during the Woodcroft era, right?

[TovarishchLisa]

Great game Cats! Believe that was their first regulation win in HE during the Woodcroft era, right?

Nope! The one win last season (over Maine) was in regulation.

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Nope! The one win last season (over Maine) was in regulation.

Ah, okay thanks. Hopefully they can add a third tomorrow!

[TovarishchLisa]

Last night seemed like another case of "decent performance but just lacking that little extra jolt to get you over the hump." I'm choosing to continue trusting the process, the team is doing a lot of the right things, and when you develop good habits early it *will* pay off eventually.

Side note, but the women came from 2-0 down in the third today to beat BC 4-2. They've won 21 games this season, and finished second in Hockey East, with a bucketload of program records falling. If they can win their first two playoff rounds (which would both be at Gutterson), they'll have the most wins of ANY UVM varsity hockey team since the MSL/Perrin/Thomas/Gilligan years.

[Vermont Ref]

You can’t play 55 minutes and expect to win. Leading 2-0 with five minutes left and lose in OT. The holding penalty (called by a Vermonter) was questionable but the slash was dumb. Carriere was spectacular. So frustrating to watch. We have had so many close games. My only hope is we end up on the other side of one goal games when playoffs start. We could surprise a few teams. They have the ability, just need the heart.