UNH Wildcats 2021/2022 - Return of the Champions of October?

[Chuck Murray]

One could argue overconfident. It seems like the worst thing that happened to this team was scoring some goals. Got them away from what their identity had been that delivered success.

Agree 100% again. This is where having that week off in-between hurt the most. The team had finally stumbled upon a playing style that was bearing some fruit, i.e. playing disciplined defensive hockey starting at the front, and capitalizing on opponent's mistakes. But with two weeks between games, the group clearly lost track of the recipe. To dumb this down to the most basic elements ... UNH decided to run before they'd solved the walking thingie, and as a result they did a collective face-plant. Ugh.

I've coached groups of players in similar scenarios, and I've even played on Over-50 teams who you would think should know better, but don't/didn't. Winning the way UNH had been winning takes discipline and patience, and from the bits and pieces I saw of this weekend's games, both were in short supply at UNH. Never underestimate the power of wanting to score goals.

UConn always manages to have an excellent forward group and decent goal tending. They are a strong and consistent team and I'd hate to face them on any given night.

Last week, we're worried about the fearsome might of Scotty Borek's Warriors, and now we're mooning over the powerhouse that apparently is Luce Canaan's Huskies. Y'know, the same mediocre program hovering at or around .500, which has been their high-water mark in the almost-decade they've been in HEA now. And still awaiting their first ppst-season victory, too.

I remember when we used to worry about whether Coach Umile's best teams would stack up against the UMaine's or BU's or BC's of HEA, or against fill-in-the-blank in the NCAA's. Now we sweat bullets over facing up to mediocrity. How far we have fallen where .500 seems "successful" *sigh* ...

[Felger]

Last week, we're worried about the fearsome might of Scotty Borek's Warriors, and now we're mooning over the powerhouse that apparently is Luce Canaan's Huskies. Y'know, the same mediocre program hovering at or around .500, which has been their high-water mark in the almost-decade they've been in HEA now. And still awaiting their first ppst-season victory, too.

I remember when we used to worry about whether Coach Umile's best teams would stack up against the UMaine's or BU's or BC's of HEA, or against fill-in-the-blank in the NCAA's. Now we sweat bullets over facing up to mediocrity. How far we have fallen where .500 seems "successful" *sigh* ...

If the team could play defense as well as its fans can play the victim it would be a powerhouse.

[Whalers]

We are not playing the victim. We are asking why Blue skies/New AD and the administration, if they dont do anything after this year, wants to victimize us with hockey mediocrity. We DEMAND these powers hold the coach accountable for the middling results.

Back in the 90's when Audi (UNH) was battling Mercedes (BC) and BMW (BU), their CEO said that it costs the same amount of money to design an ugly car as it does a beautiful one. UNH is paying 2 assistant coaches for not only their hockey knowledge, but also their SALES KNOWLEDGE. They are ones who get on the road to get recruits excited and build the base. Then the head coach comes in to seal the deal. Coady, McCloskey, Norton, they were the ones getting out to track down the recruits and get them pumped up about Durham. The MS7 teams have been crafting old, stodgy Audi Foxes and 100's. Time to find a coaching/sales team to start designing stunning TT's and RS7's on the same budget.

[HockeyRef]

Re-cap of the weekend via TNH You know what they say...it's not how you go down, it's how you get up again!

[Chuck Murray]

Re-cap of the weekend via TNH You know what they say...it's not how you go down, it's how you get up again!

Unfortunately, the road ahead does not get any easier for UNH. They’ll take on the University of Vermont (5-18-2, 3-10-2) before returning to Durham to host No. 14 UMass Lowell (16-6-3, 12-5-1) to close out next weekend. The following weekend, they travel to Orono for a two-game road series against the University of Maine (4-16-4, 2-12-2).

While Vermont and Maine are currently the bottom feeders of the Hockey East, UNH has played its worst hockey of the season away from the Whitt with a 3-9-0 road record. Conversely, two of Vermont’s five wins and all four of Maine’s victories have come on their home ice. In other words, the Wildcats must overcome their greatest weakness to find their stride.

Maybe this is what Felger was pointing at ... can you imagine, in the TNH recap of this lost weekend, the conclusion is "the road ahead does not get any easier"?!?!? That's three games out of 4 against the only two teams you're ahead of in the frickin' HEA standings, and it "does not get any easier"???? The road ahead will absolutely not get any easier than 3 of these 4 games, and even the UML game is on home ice.

The Cardinal rule of Cupcakes ... if you can't spot cupcakes on your schedule, then YOU are the cupcake.

Sometimes it feels like I'm living in some strange parallel universe these days ...

[Felger]

We are not playing the victim. We are asking why Blue skies/New AD and the administration, if they dont do anything after this year, wants to victimize us with hockey mediocrity. We DEMAND these powers hold the coach accountable for the middling results.

Back in the 90's when Audi (UNH) was battling Mercedes (BC) and BMW (BU), their CEO said that it costs the same amount of money to design an ugly car as it does a beautiful one. UNH is paying 2 assistant coaches for not only their hockey knowledge, but also their SALES KNOWLEDGE. They are ones who get on the road to get recruits excited and build the base. Then the head coach comes in to seal the deal. Coady, McCloskey, Norton, they were the ones getting out to track down the recruits and get them pumped up about Durham. The MS7 teams have been crafting old, stodgy Audi Foxes and 100's. Time to find a coaching/sales team to start designing stunning TT's and RS7's on the same budget.

Hi Whalers

I don't disagree with anything in your post. In fact I wish you would chime in more often as I am usually thinking along the same lines.

I was agreeing with and responding to Chuck's post. I too am sick and tired of every opponent on the schedule being the reincarnation of the 1970 Cornell Big Red or the 1993 Maine Black Bears. Back in the era of the Big Four it was called sandbagging. Not sure whether today's version is ball washing or just plain whining.

If its the latter it sure fits the pattern....facsiwities, admissions office, administration/funding....the list goes on. A couple decades the whining was about having to go ALL THE WAY TO MANCHESTER for the occasional game. Now the complaint is the program doesn't have enough of a footprint in the state.

The flavor of the month complaint for February is the bye week. Guess what, every team has one. Just deal with it. Its pretty much unavoidable, you didn't want Notre Dame in the league so now there are only 11 teams. Careful what you wish for. Adversity is part of the deal, there are a number of teams that have lost players to the Olympics you don't see them whining. Well, excluding Michigan.

[Dan]

I was agreeing with and responding to Chuck's post. I too am sick and tired of every opponent on the schedule being the reincarnation of the 1970 Cornell Big Red or the 1993 Maine Black Bears. Back in the era of the Big Four it was called sandbagging. Not sure whether today's version is ball washing or just plain whining.

I can't speak to every post, but is it sandbagging to acknowledge these teams are better, in a better place or perceived as better than UNH? I don't see it as whining to wonder how that could have happened or been allowed to happen/stand. Instead, I see it as THE critical question: how could UNH hockey have been mismanaged or ignored to such a degree that it has fallen this far and how have those who allowed this to happen been tasked with the stewardship of its future?

Neither Merrimack or UConn are programs to envy, nor are they the bar by which UNH should judge itself. They're both better programs than UNH today; and I'd love answers on how is that possible or acceptable!?

Edit - my post is from a fan perspective. I'd agree with the idea that a lot of disappointing rationalizations originate within the department/program, however...

[NCAA watcher]

We are asking why Blue skies/New AD and the administration, if they dont do anything after this year, wants to victimize us with hockey mediocrity. We DEMAND these powers hold the coach accountable for the middling results.

I wonder what the AD calendar is like. Providence's AD just retired and they made an internal hire. I imagine the AD market for a national search is tied to the school schedule, so nothing until May. At that point the coaching schedule is off, as most are hired a bit earlier. And the new person will not be ready to jump in to address personnel decisions until getting a feel for the situations. So, I'd imagine 2023 is the real date. It also gives the Coach a second four year cycle of freshmen (replacing his first four year cycle (Eric MacAdams was his first recruit)). 11 players graduate, so bring in the new kids and see if they give any hope for a different outcome.

[Dan]

Sometimes it feels like I'm living in some strange parallel universe these days ...

That's what student newspapers do, they're not critical media - they're afraid of the players and coaches they cover and the department staff they work with. They're kids.

As for the opponents? UML is a bad matchup. UVM, per the pairwise is the worst team in the sport (though I have more hope for their coaching situation than ours), and Maine is not far behind (despite their coaching situation being entirely optimistic). UNH better get some wins here while they can - but we probably shouldn't get carried away with the excitement of a 'winning streak' if they do...

Bad programs win games all the time - the consistency (or lack thereof) discussed earlier in this thread is what separates them from good programs. UNH lacks consistency because they havent been very good...

[HockeyRef]

Unfortunately, the road ahead does not get any easier for UNH. They’ll take on the University of Vermont (5-18-2, 3-10-2) before returning to Durham to host No. 14 UMass Lowell (16-6-3, 12-5-1) to close out next weekend. The following weekend, they travel to Orono for a two-game road series against the University of Maine (4-16-4, 2-12-2).

While Vermont and Maine are currently the bottom feeders of the Hockey East, UNH has played its worst hockey of the season away from the Whitt with a 3-9-0 road record. Conversely, two of Vermont’s five wins and all four of Maine’s victories have come on their home ice. In other words, the Wildcats must overcome their greatest weakness to find their stride.

Maybe this is what Felger was pointing at ... can you imagine, in the TNH recap of this lost weekend, the conclusion is "the road ahead does not get any easier"?!?!? That's three games out of 4 against the only two teams you're ahead of in the frickin' HEA standings, and it "does not get any easier"???? The road ahead will absolutely not get any easier than 3 of these 4 games, and even the UML game is on home ice.

The Cardinal rule of Cupcakes ... if you can't spot cupcakes on your schedule, then YOU are the cupcake.

Sometimes it feels like I'm living in some strange parallel universe these days ...

I'm sure you are aware of this and I don't know the author personally, but I can tell you he's just a journo student at UNH most likely (from his Twitter handle). He does a good job on his game call/Twitter feed and doesn't mince words. He's not Al Pike. Not trying to defend him but I doubt he has any concept of the 'cupcake' personna. Of course UNH should do decently going down the stretch, compared to BC's schedule, (since we seem to be vying for that coveted spot with them) but hey, given the weekend, all the games are big ones I'm sure.

Given how we are playing on the road these days, and given the fact that UML is being UML and suddenly our 'Cats are, well, doing whatever they are doing? I just hope my trip to UVM is going to be worth it.

Ps...not sure the ULeader did a story on the weekend and I do not think there were any post game pressers from the U am checking. Not surprised; I guess they are all too frustrated. (his words) (eye roll) Most likely on Wednesday there is a media presser but only bits and pieces/sound bites come out of that. We used to be able to listen to the entire thing...

[Felger]

Neither Merrimack or UConn are programs to envy, nor are they the bar by which UNH should judge itself. They're both better programs than UNH today; and I'd love answers on how is that possible or acceptable!?

I agree 1000 percent with this...and I guess that's my point. I would rather hear the realistic "how is it that we have lost 13 of our last 19 games to the friggin' UConn Huskies" than the envious "we would love to be Merrimack...."

BTW Dan you nailed it a couple weeks ago when you warned that we have seen runs before under the current regime but the movie has always ended the same way....

[Beauty]

Last week, we're worried about the fearsome might of Scotty Borek's Warriors, and now we're mooning over the powerhouse that apparently is Luce Canaan's Huskies. Y'know, the same mediocre program hovering at or around .500, which has been their high-water mark in the almost-decade they've been in HEA now. And still awaiting their first ppst-season victory, too.

The last 3 head-to-head games in Durham? UConn has outscored UNH 14-4. Imagine what the total score would be if UConn had a quality head coach?

[Chuck Murray]

That's what student newspapers do, they're not critical media - they're afraid of the players and coaches they cover and the department staff they work with. They're kids.

The same can just as easily be said about wide swaths of "grown-ups" in mainstream media TBH.

It wasn't always this way ... I can remember the school newspaper where I went, ripping into the school president on a weekly basis for building a big on-campus mansion, and funding it via increased tuition (from $4K annually to $5K; how quaint, eh?). To his credit, El Presidente never cracked down on the content, and just let it roll. Freedom of the press, as it was, but it was (and still is) a business school, not some liberal arts diploma factory. Can't imagine Dean Dean taking a laissez faire approach to similar stuff at UNH these uber-PC days.

Our very own Snively65 is probably working as a butler over at said mansion these days ... ;-)

[Chuck Murray]

The last 3 head-to-head games in Durham? UConn has outscored UNH 14-4. Imagine what the total score would be if UConn had a quality head coach?

Yes, good point. In that case, UConn might not still be in search of their first .500 season in HEA, and might even have won a postseason series by now. No worries, though ... once Coach York retires, we can then watch him drag BC down to his level, and then maybe UConn can get someone on board to do to Hockey what Coaches Calhoun and Auriemma have done for Hoops, or what Coach Carvel has done for UMass Hockey (in half the time) already.

Luce Canaan Career Coaching Statistics - College Hockey | USCHO.com

[Darius]

The same can just as easily be said about wide swaths of "grown-ups" in mainstream media TBH.

It wasn't always this way ... I can remember the school newspaper where I went, ripping into the school president on a weekly basis for building a big on-campus mansion, and funding it via increased tuition (from $4K annually to $5K; how quaint, eh?). To his credit, El Presidente never cracked down on the content, and just let it roll. Freedom of the press, as it was, but it was (and still is) a business school, not some liberal arts diploma factory. Can't imagine Dean Dean taking a laissez faire approach to similar stuff at UNH these uber-PC days.

Our very own Snively65 is probably working as a butler over at said mansion these days ... ;-)

Umm… are you saying my degree is from a liberal arts diploma factory? Crap. Four years of college down the drain.

TNH writers are students who are likely journalism majors who quite possibly sit in classes and might even be friends with the student athletes they write about. Let’s all go easy on them.