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

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wildcatdc said:
After the opening Union weekend, we had a 10-game stretch where we went 2-7-1 with 34 GA against 12 GF. Since then, starting with the second game of the UMass weekend, we've gone 7-3 with 29 GF and 15 GA. Not sure the thread title was accurate. Better stated, the answer to the questions seems to be, “no”.
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There was the question mark at the end of the title ...

UNH peeks out over .500 with this latest W. Two big regulation W's against BC, and now the regular season may be defined by three games in the next four contests against Luce's boys from Storrs. UNH has started to score regularly, develop some attacking depth, and Huard is looking like a cross between Pesce (physical build) and Gildon (scoring skills).

That's 4 wins in a row after the mind-numbingly awful loss to Dartmouth, and I believe that's 5 W's against teams that were ranked in the top 20 at the time the game was played. January hasn't been a kind month to UNH teams in the past, but these last two wins have not been by accident. I can't dismiss this as a "mirage" if they continue to play this well.

This "winter of our discontent" could be taking a very unexpected (and very positive) U-turn ... :-)
 
From a friend of mine: In the 08-09 season we swept a weekend series with them. But played them 3 times that season and did lose 1. Also: In 07-08 we swept them in the regular season but then lost to them in the semi finals.
 
Yes as Steinbeck showed us, we can move from the depths of disappointment to a better future. These kids a have a lot of grit. The goals have finally come but as noted, it will be a tough road ahead. Mikey is focused and that is good!
 
Freshman defenseman Colton Huard has scored a goal in each of @UNHMHOCKEY's last three games and has three goals and five assists in the team's last four games. The 'Cats have won four straight games and are 11-10-1 overall and 5-7-1 in Hockey East. (From UNH Insider)
 
The six teams arrayed from 4-9 in HEA (NU, BC, BU, CONN, MACK, UNH) are more or less in a tight little pack that could get jumbled in any given weekend. The fact that we can even sniff 4th place at this point is nice, given how this season started. Remember that we had a 6-1 loss to PC, dual 4-1 losses in a weekend sweep with NU, a 3-0 blanking v. UMass (which has was closer that the score suggested), and a couple awful 5-1 losses at ASU in an OOC matchup.

An upward trajectory with the opportunity to get to the Garden and threaten would be a nice step forward.
 
Fun fact…. 50% (24) of our goals this year are from the seniors. Next highest contributing class? The freshmen with 33% (16).
 
Next up UConn...def a nemesis of sorts. Couple of wins here and there. Both games at the XL where it's been tough. Let's see what we can bring with this surge of great play! Go 'Cats!
 
HockeyRef said:
From a friend of mine: In the 08-09 season we swept a weekend series with them. But played them 3 times that season and did lose 1. No.6 BC eliminated No.3 UNH in the first round of the Hockey East playoffs that season. Also: In 07-08 we swept them in the regular season on the way to winning yet another Regular Season Title but then lost to them in the semi finals of the HE Tourney. BC would go on to win not just the HE Title but also the NCAA Championship.
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Just wanted to put this post in its proper historical context.
 
No doubt a great weekend for the 'cats, but this is not your father's BC team. Check their thread. If you can find it. hint: buried on page three.

wildcatdc said:
Fun fact…. 50% (24) of our goals this year are from the seniors. Next highest contributing class? The freshmen with 33% (16).
Click to expand...
This is positive.

HockeyRef said:
Freshman defenseman Colton Huard has scored a goal in each of @UNHMHOCKEY's last three games and has three goals and five assists in the team's last four games. The 'Cats have won four straight games and are 11-10-1 overall and 5-7-1 in Hockey East. (From UNH Insider)
Click to expand...
While better than no scoring for sure, were there not complaints about our scoring being too heavily dependent on the D just a year or two ago?
 
Darius said:
No doubt a great weekend for the 'cats, but this is not your father's BC team. Check their thread. If you can find it. hint: buried on page three.

This is positive.

While better than no scoring for sure, were there not complaints about our scoring being too heavily dependent on the D just a year or two ago?
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Welp probably but a two way dman is a good thing to have..we will take goals from anybody haha. Agree you want your forwards to do the heavy lifting!!
 
Final 11 games…..

UConn away
UConn away
Mack away
UConn home
Vermont away
#12 Lowell home
Maine away
Maine away
Mack home
#12 Lowell home
#12 Lowell away

A team from the early 2000’s would be looking at that back half of the schedule licking their chops. For the 21/22 version, it should be a nice test of what this developing team is. A good run likely gets us somewhere near the top 20 in PWR. A wobbly finish likely lands us at around 40. (Since hardware is not likely how this team will be measured, I’ll go with PWR as a proxy for advancement).

I’ll lay my predictions out here for craps and giggles…

Split with UConn away
Beat Mack away
Beat UConn at home
Beat Vermont away
Lose to Lowell at home
Win and a tie at Alfond
Beat Mack at home
Split the final Lowell series

7-3-1 to finish the season at 18-13-2. That’s certainly glass-half-full thinking, but I’m having what Mr. Sheen is having!!
 
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