2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

[zoofer]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

You make some valid points Freak regarding Birchie, however allow me to point out that as Arm says, she is a convered forward and in no way has any defensive concepts....she's a great skater and hockey player...so in taking the good with the bad, remember that a month ago she scored the winner against Northeastern, which shouldn't allow for bad habits, but even Bourque would cut out from right behind his goal once in awhile! I find that Birchie sometimes loses her sense of urgency; be it in out skating a lost player or in making a line change....sometimes she just loses her focus...but I wouldn't trade her! Regarding he shootout, we always ended our practices with the whole team competing for the daily championship...if I saw more creativity and enthusiasm in the shooters I'd enjoy it much more, especially on a work night!

 

[DC78-82]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

Video Highlights

Scroll down the page to the embedded video. Thanks Phil!

There were some defensive lapses, which we might have had a better chance to come back from, had we been facing a less proficient goalie. There are plenty of lessons to take from that game, and, in seeing the reactions of, and talking to a few of the kids after the game, they already have a good idea of where they went wrong. Time to bear down mentally, and play the game they're capable of.

I don't mind so much watching the shootout, it just seems to carry too much weight in a game that they had 65 minutes to resolve, but couldn't.

I reiterate that Hockey East has eveolved in a great way, as more games are up for grabs. The debate had been that there wasn't enough viable competition consistently in the league to prepare the top teams for the Spring Finale, but that's hard to say now.

When HE playoffs roll around next month, there will be some great hockey, and fierce competition, and the winner will be battle tested before the NCAA tourney, not in it.

 

[Trillium]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

You make some valid points Freak regarding Birchie, however allow me to point out that as Arm says, she is a convered forward and in no way has any defensive concepts....she's a great skater and hockey player...so in taking the good with the bad, remember that a month ago she scored the winner against Northeastern, which shouldn't allow for bad habits, but even Bourque would cut out from right behind his goal once in awhile! I find that Birchie sometimes loses her sense of urgency; be it in out skating a lost player or in making a line change....sometimes she just loses her focus...but I wouldn't trade her! Regarding he shootout, we always ended our practices with the whole team competing for the daily championship...if I saw more creativity and enthusiasm in the shooters I'd enjoy it much more, especially on a work night!

FYI, Birchard actually spent most of her early years in minor hockey at D...and converted to forward once moving to the Aeros. So I don't think it is accurate to say that she lacks defensive concepts.

Agreed that she is truly a great player and valuable asset to any team. Showing more consistent intensity within games has always been her biggest opportunity for improvement.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

FYI, Birchard actually spent most of her early years in minor hockey at D...and converted to forward once moving to the Aeros. So I don't think it is accurate to say that she lacks defensive concepts.

Agreed that she is truly a great player and valuable asset to any team. Showing more consistent intensity within games has always been her biggest opportunity for improvement.

It's a game of mistakes, and mistakes by more than just one player contributed heavily to the performance last night. The upside is, most of them were blatant, and highly correctable by making good decisions.

 

[ARM]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

It's a game of mistakes, and mistakes by more than just one player contributed heavily to the performance last night.

Credit to Northeastern that they've improved to the point where Wildcat mistakes even enter into the equation. A couple of years ago, the Huskies would be at such a territorial disadvantage that it was more about survival for them.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

Credit to Northeastern that they've improved to the point where Wildcat mistakes even enter into the equation. A couple of years ago, the Huskies would be at such a territorial disadvantage that it was more about survival for them.

Absolutely. See my post over in the HE thread. I sat with my former UNH Coach during the third, and he gave great kudos to interim Co Head Coaches Lundrigan and McAuliffe. They've picked up some speedy, tenacious youngsters too. It's the theme over much of HE, and it's a great thing. Hopefully you'll be heading East to see what that NCAA trophy looks like before long

 

[freak]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

Isn't she a converted F? It isn't uncommon for such players to add a great deal offensively to their team, but be a liability at times in their own zone. I suppose the difference is that things that are old hat to D who have been playing the position for years require more thought than pure reaction for a former forward.

As Trillium mentioned, and iirc it came up last year as I and other UNH fans marveled at her apparent ease in the transition, Birchard did play D prior to switching to forward. From my seats it looks either lazy and/or a mental lapse.

I think people are misinterpreting what I am saying; I am NOT saying that I wouldn't want Birchard on the team. As I said, I think she's one of the best D in the country, but I do think she doesn't always play like it.

And while the mistakes last night were certainly more than just one player, the team clearly deflated right after that turnover and NU goal.

While I agree with you and think that at a minimum the point system should be adjusted so that winning a SO isn't worth as much as a regular win, I have come to have some appreciation for the drama involved. Watching Tomcikova and Räty put on a display is pretty good entertainment.

I don't find it entertaining at all. Sure, I'd celebrate a shootout "win", but it's completely arbitrary, and imo, almost discounts the 65 minutes that came before.

Why a shootout? Why not go to a full skills competition and hardest shot, accuracy, fastest skater, etc? If we're going to award team points based upon individual exhibitions, why not add events that highlight different skills than simply a penalty shot situation?

Ridiculous? Of course. And that's the point.

 

[scrambledlegs]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

I don't find it entertaining at all. Sure, I'd celebrate a shootout "win", but it's completely arbitrary, and imo, almost discounts the 65 minutes that came before.

I don't know if it is the sheer number of ties in HE this year or the logic in Freak's aurgument , but I am beginning to agree with this point of view. Of the 50 games played in HE this year, 12 of them have ended in ties. That is almost 1/4 of the games, equating to 12 additional points. This could significantly impact the ratings, as I foresee (many) more ties before the season is over.

I personally am not excited by the prospect of watching the shootout, but realize others may be. That being said, if it is for "entertainment's sake", then the winner should get points in a statistical column that is used for tie-breaker purposes, rather than actual win points.

 

[ARM]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

Birchard did play D prior to switching to forward.

But if she didn't play the position for several years prior to moving back, there would naturally be some development time that was lost. Top D are usually recognized on the basis of offensive production. What is often more important for a defenseman is to minimize mistakes by making the fundamental play, move the puck out of danger quickly, neutralize threats around the goal, don't screen the goalie, etc. While the offensive talents may be better polished by playing up front, the defensive skills are not. I can think of several stars on the WCHA blue line who won awards over better defensive teammates because they put up better numbers, even though they were mistake prone.

I don't find it entertaining at all.

As I said, I agree with you. When the WCHA first went to shootouts, I hated it for the same reasons you list. But over the last year and a half, I've watched some with a lot riding on the outcome, and the drama is there. I wish we didn't have them, but I do understand in part why the decision makers went in that direction.

That being said, if it is for "entertainment's sake", then the winner should get points in a statistical column that is used for tie-breaker purposes, rather than actual win points.

I agree that something needs to be modified. Maybe go to a system where a game is worth 3 points (or even 5 points). Win a game outright, earn 3 points (or 5 points). A tie could be worth 1 point (or 2 points with a 5-point system), with the shootout winner getting the bonus point. The shootout still has some value, but is not totally overvalued as it is today. Barring that, I'd agree with freak and rather just leave it as a tie.

 

[Trillium]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

But if she didn't play the position for several years prior to moving back, there would naturally be some development time that was lost. Top D are usually recognized on the basis of offensive production. What is often more important for a defenseman is to minimize mistakes by making the fundamental play, move the puck out of danger quickly, neutralize threats around the goal, don't screen the goalie, etc. While the offensive talents may be better polished by playing up front, the defensive skills are not. I can think of several stars on the WCHA blue line who won awards over better defensive teammates because they put up better numbers, even though they were mistake prone.

As you say, it is offensive production rather than defensive talents which tend to be rewarded and appreciated. Which tends to result in more emphasis by D on the offensive side of their game, which is too bad. There is no doubt though that mistakes by D are magnified far more than by those playing F.

 

[Trillium]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

What's happened to Farris?

 

[DC78-82]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

What's happened to Farris?

She made her debut at forward in the Dartmouth game, and has since been seeing action up front. She's a good hockey player - she'll be good there or back at D, depending on where she's needed. Her speed and aggressiveness are valuable up front, and someone has to fill Kelly Cahill's boots as the fourchecker from H -E - double hockey sticks next year!

Cuthbert was a lifelong D who made the transition as well, and is really playing solid hockey.

 

[zoofer]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

IMHO Farris is having rough time right now.....DC is right that she's been trying to get comfortable up front, but she seems to be fighting the puck all the time. As she is skating the fourth line most of the time, when she gets on the ice, her legs have to be stiff and heavy; add to that when she misses the play, inevitably she tries to make up for it and draws a penalty. Her mom and uncle are the best of people so aside from feeling bad for Bryanna, one really hopes she can work thru the freshman jitters and changes, hang in there, and work out the kinks.....she'll do fine...a good player hitting a rough spot....
On another note, I really like watching Katie Brock skate out there...she sees the ice very well and moves to the play instinctively......

 

[Gibber]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

A project I've been working on
CLICK HERE
for a better/bigger look

 

[WildShawn]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

Total silence for almost a week now, and relegated to the 2nd page? Whats going on over here?!

Haven't had a chance to watch the ladies play, other than the Fenway game on TV, wondering what's up? Heard Paton was injured and didn't play much of the NU game, any update on her? With a weekend series up in Orono, what can we expect?

 

[freak]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

Total silence for almost a week now, and relegated to the 2nd page? Whats going on over here?!

Most of the old regulars have gone MIA from the board.

Whenever I've tried to start discussions I get crickets in return. The few replies I do get do not lead to further discussion.

I haven't heard anything new on Paton. IMO the team needs to be more consistent, although in a weird way Paton's injury may help. Paton has figured in almost half of UNHs goals this season, and learning that they can play well and score without her vs NU could be helpful down the road.

On the flip side, I am still disappointed that the HR pass is still being tried (poorly) so often, particularly when certain player(s) are on the ice. And as I said, it seemed that the team utterly deflated after Birchard's turnover that led to NUs first goal. I know that the goal, and the loss of Paton were two big hits in short order, but the team will need more mental toughness come the playoffs.

And at least there are no shootouts in the playoffs.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

The 'Cats just need to get the killer instinct back. Classes started this week, and maybe that will help as well, with far less empty hours to fill. Hockey will return to being the high point of the day, instead of the only scheduled event.

KP will be okay - not sure whether she's good to go this weekend, but at last I heard, she was going to be back on the ice this week.

 

[zoofer]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

KP is good to go, as I left the Whitt yesterday.....

 

[DC78-82]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

With the 'Cats back on track after two wins against Maine this weekend, I think it's time to reinstall the UNH thread above the Whoopie Pie thread, at least until Hux sees

Thanks to some fortuitous results this weekend, the Wildcats are now in control of their destiny in Hockey East, although the trip to Vermont on Wednesday looms large, as the Catamounts proved to be a capable spoiler.

Some good things happened in Maine this weekend.

Both goalies played, and played well. Yesterday, Minton spent 6 minutes facing at least one extra attacker, as Coach Lichterman pulled goalie Ott pretty much for the duration with 6 left in the game and a three goal deficit. Between a couple of penalties resulting from the 'Cats needing to use extreme measures to push hungry Bears away from the net, and the extra skater, they managed to score one, but the defense held tight.

Lots of different scorers this weekend: Skudder (who was Friday's first star) Allen, Long, Lavoie, Horn, Paton, Cahill.

In addition, Birchard, Sisk, Dziengelewski, Sheary, Brock, and Cuthbert contributed assists.

Nice to see going into the stretch before the post-season.

 

[freak]

Re: 2009-2010 New Hampshire Wildcats Season

Wish I could go to Burlington, but that's a long way for a one and done, and I start on 2nd shift this week anyways.

Good to see that Paton is back from injury and hit the score sheet both days.

Along with the roll that Lavoie has been on, it's great to see Allen lighting the lamp as she's been doing lately.