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UNH 2026-27 Season Let's Go 'Cats!

Jellsville USA said:

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The game was sloppy early, which seemed to make the officiating inconsistent. What stood out most was UNH's size and strength. This team is clearly bigger and more physical than recent UNH squads and should wear teams down as the season progresses.

As Adam Nightingale said, both games were "rock fights." The difference was that UNH gave up a little too much space through the middle, whether by defensive lapses or because MSU forced it. While the lack of 5-on-5 scoring is worth monitoring, I'm encouraged by the quality chances UNH generated and the effectiveness of the power play, two areas that have been lacking in recent years. That goalie we faced is dam good.

It's still early, but this group has made a strong first impression. The biggest concern is Fitzy's injury, which appeared serious and would be a significant loss if he's out for any length of time.

As for the rankings, I still think cracking the Top 20 may be a stretch this week. BC and Northeastern could slide out, but Maine and Miami will likely move up after strong weekends. That said, I'd be surprised if UNH doesn't at least triple its vote total. (Cautiously Optimistic).
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This is a good analysis. Size certainly stood out as a net positive and a fundamental shift from UNH's adherence to waterbug hockey on an Olympic sheet. I was worried that with the size increase we'd see conditioning issues but I was pleasantly surprised the normal mid 2nd period fade with minimal at best.

Also, UNH started throwing more and more pucks towards the net rather than always looking for the "perfect" shot. Manufacturing opportunity.
 
Nice to see and most importantly hear the excitement from the student section this weekend. The goaltending from Simpson, scoring and skill level of Guite, and the performance of the student section is what me and my fellow section 119 fans talked about the most. There's been a more than a few nights in recent years where the student section was a library. We also noted that Michigan State is overrated.
 
Potluck said:
Nice to see and most importantly hear the excitement from the student section this weekend. The goaltending from Simpson, scoring and skill level of Guite, and the performance of the student section is what me and my fellow section 119 fans talked about the most. There's been a more than a few nights in recent years where the student section was a library. We also noted that Michigan State is overrated.
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100% on the student section for both games. Much livelier and louder than years past. I wonder if there is more intentional marketing to the kids under Colton. If so, that would be a very smart bang for your buck in stimulating the program. The kids can often provide enough of a boost. I can remember in the early years of the Whit when the kids occupied both ends of the arena. As far as MSU being overrated. it's hard to overrate a team that has 9 first round NHL draft picks on the roster. It's more likely UNH is better than we anticipated after that first game. I wish Souza had opted for a scrimmage early with so many new guys coming in.
 
Agree on Simpson. Since that Quinnipiac game he's stopped 67 of 71 over the last four. What jumped out to me was outshooting Michigan State 73-37 on the weekend. Split that series and they're right there for votes.
 
Another weekend of 2 games is almost upon us! Six early HockeyEast points up for grabs this weekend up in Burlington.

As much as I’d love to predict a sweep, as I think on paper we are the more talented team, I’m afraid of a letdown one night this weekend. On paper MSU clearly had more talent, but hey they didn’t sweep us last weekend! I need another weekend of solid play (especially against a HockeyEast school) before I can think of a 6 point weekend on the road. The Gutt has also been tough to us the last number of years, and the lack of offense outside of the 1st line has me a bit concerned (MSU’s incredible goalie notwithstanding).

We really need at least 4+ points this weekend if we want to make noise in HockeyEast later in the year. We can’t be squandering points against the supposed weak teams in HockeyEast. Wouldn’t that make us one of the weaker teams at the end of the day?

Fri: UNH 2 UVM 1
Sat: UNH 2 UVM 3 (OT)

I hope to be wrong and we end up with 5 or 6. I think if we get that, we may squeak into the top 20 come Monday afternoon.

Looking forward to tomorrow!
 
The split feels right to me. If Simpson stays anywhere close to how he's played lately, UNH will be in both games. The secondary scoring is the real question, though. The Gutt is never an easy place to get 6 points.
 
eyak29 said:
The split feels right to me. If Simpson stays anywhere close to how he's played lately, UNH will be in both games. The secondary scoring is the real question, though. The Gutt is never an easy place to get 6 points.
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Nope and I dont think UNH has swept up there in a long long time. I predict a split as well...will report from the scene!
 
HockeyRef said:
Nope and I dont think UNH has swept up there in a long long time. I predict a split as well...will report from the scene!
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Ref, will look forward to your on ice reports. My take is- if we can check like we did last weekend and pull out a win tonight a sweep could be possible with the quick turn around 4pm start and a beat up Vermont team. I am still curious about the fitzy injury. If I am not mistaken Kennedy (fitzy replacement) was beat pretty badly on the MSU first goal last weekend after he was injured. I am going to predict a 3-1 win tonight and if that happens I like our chances for a sweep. Best test of who this team is this weekend! Go cats (cautiously optimistic).
 
I’m going to post this now since it will undoubtedly lead to an offensive outburst, egg on my face and a resounding sweep of the Catamounts. You’re welcome…

What is the actual plan to generate offense this season? Is it one line and hope/pray the puck bounces fortunately for the other groupings?

Here’s a few quick facts for UNH…

I’ve lamented the teams lack of true skill/playmaker forwards for a while now. This year they have two and they’re playing together. Ring and Johnson each have five assists this season. That’s ten combined! The rest of the roster has combined for 11 total. Am I crazy to think they could each spark a line and create a true top six?

In 2016-17, Tyler Kelleher, Jason Salvaggio and a freshman Patrick Grasso each scored 20 goals. Exactly ONE Wildcat - a senior Ryan Cronin - has scored 17 or more goals since that season a decade ago. As luck would have it, they do have a player on their roster right now with a 17-goal collegiate season. Inexplicably, they have done nothing to get that player going…

Svartstrom has been dropped to the fourth line ahead of tonight’s outing. In the coaches defense, he has not stood out on TV. In his defense, outside of playing the net front position on PP1 he has been played more like an after thought than someone they view as a priority to get going…

What is everyone else seeing in his game?

To be a fly on the wall at the end of the Gutterson bench tonight, as he and Oliver commiserate and reminisce about a 2024-25 season that saw them combine for 105 junior goals…
 
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Sloppy first period. Only 1 grade A and probably being generous...2 penalties don't help! Gotta generate more chances this period and avoid the box...
 
Chased the game all night. Hats off to UVM goalie keeping out any thing we could generate. Glad for Svartstrom getting his first.
No even strength goals since 'Mack??
 
Can anyone explain the penalty shot?

I have watched multiple times and I can't see what was called.
 
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Tough loss tonight, especially after coming back from the 2 goal deficit. We keep on running into these goalies having amazing nights…

Getting more and more concerned with the offense. PP looks OK but gotta score even strength as well…

Gotta get something tomorrow. These lost early season hockey east points are gonna come back to bite us later in the year…
 
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