UMASS 2023-2024 The Flagship Rebounds??

[jjmc85]

Carvy and the team should be embarrassed. Actually though this is not that surprising. They struggled against some mediocre teams this year and when they went up against motivated top teams, they crumbled. Carvy needs to take a good hard look in the mirror. One has to wonder if all the recruiting success UMASS had was all Barr (who is doing a tremendous job in Orono). Or maybe UMASS was just a flash in the pan. Its been this way for a couple of years. I hope something changes in Amherst.

Well it looks like the Minutemen limped into the tournament. I think it is representative of how they played all year long. Nothing inspirational, winning when they absolutely had to, losing (or getting blown out) by better teams. Guess I shouldn't complain since so many other schools (Providence) would be celebrating getting it. I just can't seem to get excited about their prospects. Carvy and the team need to clear their heads and become inspired to do something special. Playing in Springfield will certainly help but will it be enough? Hoping UMASS catches fire and goes on a run.

I get that Friday was embarrassing and disappointing but let’s put things into perspective. Let’s say UMass loses Thursday. It’s then what-the sixth best season of the D1 era (behind 2007, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022). If they win it might debatably be third best.

Before Carvel UMass had 0 Hockey East Championships, 1 NCAA tournament appearance, and usually finished what-7th or below in hockey east? They only made the conference semi finals I think 3 times before Carvel as well.

This is a season to be celebrated. The team was picked 8th in hockey East and over performed. Are they as good as the frozen four teams? Probably not but then again most teams in the country right now aren’t as good as those teams were.

In my opinion it is way to early to call for changes in Amherst/call for the head coach to take a good long look in the mirror/etc when the program that was an absolute dumpster fire before Carvel got here is going to it’s 3rd NCAA tournament in four years (and if not for the pandemic would have been 5th in 6 years). Even if SLU or Omaha had won Saturday and UMass was the first team out, was UMass ever even close to an at large bid besides 2007 pre-Carvel?

If the teams goes 3-4 years in a row of 7th or worse in conference without making the garden or sniffing an at large then I could see posts like these making sense. But rebounding from a disappointing* 22-23 to going to the Garden and being an NCAA bubble team? I don’t get it.

*Disappointing under Carvel. Probably a bit of disappointing season under Cahoon but not unimaginable or unexpected. Way better than anything that we could have every expected under Michelleto.

[BCeagle]

I think it is likely Maine fans will be on UMass side for this first game cheering for the underdog. It is how I feel. Denver beat Maine in a final at Boston and that stung, so not cheering for them.

If I recall right, at the end of the game Maine even pulled their goalie with DU having men in the penalty box but time just ran out.

[NewEnglandGuy]

If I recall right, at the end of the game Maine even pulled their goalie with DU having men in the penalty box but time just ran out.

Was there in 04. It was 6v3 for the final 90 seconds. Also, Maine had a goal earlier to tie it 1-1, but it was called back because of the current obsolete “skate in the crease.” Lost 1-0.

Also had a goal called back for the same rule in 99 championship vs UNH and had to win it in OT.

In 02 final vs Minnesota, FF in Minneapolis, had a 3-2 lead and gave up 6v5 goal with under 30 sec to go to OT where we lost.

[Sparkee]

Was there in 04. It was 6v3 for the final 90 seconds. Also, Maine had a goal earlier to tie it 1-1, but it was called back because of the current obsolete “skate in the crease.” Lost 1-0.

Also had a goal called back for the same rule in 99 championship vs UNH and had to win it in OT.

In 02 final vs Minnesota, FF in Minneapolis, had a 3-2 lead and gave up 6v5 goal with under 30 sec to go to OT where we lost.

Correct except for Minnesota scored with 52 seconds left in regulation. I was there and it sucked big time.

[jjmc85]

Was there in 04. It was 6v3 for the final 90 seconds. Also, Maine had a goal earlier to tie it 1-1, but it was called back because of the current obsolete “skate in the crease.” Lost 1-0.

Also had a goal called back for the same rule in 99 championship vs UNH and had to win it in OT.

In 02 final vs Minnesota, FF in Minneapolis, had a 3-2 lead and gave up 6v5 goal with under 30 sec to go to OT where we lost.

If I recall correctly, Maine benefited from and won a Hockey East Championship because of a UMass goal called back due to the skate in the crease rule in 2004

[kahunak]

I get that Friday was embarrassing and disappointing but let’s put things into perspective. Let’s say UMass loses Thursday. It’s then what-the sixth best season of the D1 era (behind 2007, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022). If they win it might debatably be third best.

Before Carvel UMass had 0 Hockey East Championships, 1 NCAA tournament appearance, and usually finished what-7th or below in hockey east? They only made the conference semi finals I think 3 times before Carvel as well.

This is a season to be celebrated. The team was picked 8th in hockey East and over performed. Are they as good as the frozen four teams? Probably not but then again most teams in the country right now aren’t as good as those teams were.

In my opinion it is way to early to call for changes in Amherst/call for the head coach to take a good long look in the mirror/etc when the program that was an absolute dumpster fire before Carvel got here is going to it’s 3rd NCAA tournament in four years (and if not for the pandemic would have been 5th in 6 years). Even if SLU or Omaha had won Saturday and UMass was the first team out, was UMass ever even close to an at large bid besides 2007 pre-Carvel?

If the teams goes 3-4 years in a row of 7th or worse in conference without making the garden or sniffing an at large then I could see posts like these making sense. But rebounding from a disappointing* 22-23 to going to the Garden and being an NCAA bubble team? I don’t get it.

*Disappointing under Carvel. Probably a bit of disappointing season under Cahoon but not unimaginable or unexpected. Way better than anything that we could have every expected under Michelleto.

You misunderstood my sentiment. I feel UMASS is fortunate to have Carvel as coach- a coach who seems to want to be in Amherst and stay there. The athletic programs have had some challenges in that department and Carvel being a steady presence is a real positive.

Expectations always play a major role in evaluating a coach and program. The program pre-Carvel was in a sad state of affairs since going D1. Except for a brief sparkling moment, the results were abysmal. But those days are gone and Carvel has shown that UMASS is a good place to play hockey and success can be had in Amherst. Hence expectations have changed.

Losing to BC 8-1 really hurt but that is not what I am complaining about. Its the loses to to Vermont 6-2, 2-1 and 4-1 loss to Merrimack. Carvel is about the defensive presence yet some sub par teams have beaten them badly. BC and BU seem to score at will on UMASS. When I say he needs to look in the mirror, I am saying does his approach really work as he think it does. During his tenure, he has had really outstanding defensemen (not just Makar). Maybe focus on some goal scorers in recruiting would help. I look at what Barr has done in Maine in very short order and wonder why Carvel has not been able to build on two frozen fours and one national championship better than he has.

[Jack Hanson]

The Minutemen have a chance to redeem themselves after that HEA semifinal disaster. They are much better than they showed.

Good enough to beat Denver? Probably not, but a grinding, low scoring game would give them a chance. Hrabel absolutely has to be at his very best.

The home ice advantage is overblown. Yes, the usual collection of hard core fans and yahoos will be there. They won’t matter.

[bruinsfan11]

Maine’s called back goal vs DU in 2004 would have given them a 1-0 lead in the first. Gabe Gauthier scored a few minutes later.

[DNAEagle]

Lot of fans disguised as empty seats, so much for the gate. Umass had a good first period but are now down 1 -0. Looks like a different team from last Friday night.

[joecct]

This game reminds me of the 2007 Regional semi between you and Clarkson.

Just more goals and longer OT.

[sigx15]

Odds of +700 Carval blames the refs and says it should've been goalie interference, any takers?

[DNAEagle]

It was close call but the call on the ice was a good goal, very hard to overturn it. The defenseman pushed the Denver player into the goalie.

[Jack Hanson]

Great effort by the Minutemen. Just lost to a more talented opponent.

[kahunak]

Congrats to the UMASS Minutemen for a great effort today. A little puck luck and it goes the other way.

[RossiRules]

I took a ride out to a very empty Springfield to watch and I can't understand the afternoon start with so few fans considering this venue is slow close to campus. UMASS in my opinion played better defensively and generated far more scoring chances. Tough way to end the season but they really had a good game plan and nearly executed it.