Congrats to the Cats for getting into the tournament. That is fantastic for the kids and has to be a real positive for the continued growth of the program - and is clearly good for recruiting and good for giving the kids more big game experience.
Hopefully they will take advantage of this opportunity and run with it like they did last year. We know they can beat anyone if they play within their systems, move their feet and execute. Having said that, they were totally outclassed versus BC in the first period Friday night. Madore played great to keep them in it early. Unfortunately, Muse played well when tested also. UVM had to bury the opportunities (Vock breakaway, etc) when given the chance, but did not. 0 for the game on the PP was once again a killer.
I thought that McCarthy, Pacan and Franzon all had particularly tough games and nobody played particularly well other than Madore and maybe Burrows and Roloff. McCarthy got beat to too many pucks - hopefully this was a learning experience for the freshmen and they can turn it up a notch and cash in with the third life they have been granted (the first was when BU beat NU twice to secure UVM the 8th playoff spot, the second was of course BC beating Maine in OT). It would be quite a story if the cats could make some noise in the national picture again after being so close to NCAA elimination for so long.......
It really is amazing that they went 6-1 OOC against such good competition and earned this spot - good for them. It goes to show how critical those games are. By doing so they also helped UNH get in as well.
IMO this national tournament is anyones to win and there is no CLEAR favorite. My gut tells me that Denver and BU play for the title as they are both a little ahead of everyone else - but bounces and hot hands will likely play a role as well.
Comments on the future - they are losing quite a bit up front with Roloff, Irwin, Vock, Higgins going - and Milo already gone. And as much as Cullity and his bad penalties killed me for four years - he has been very solid defensively all year - as noted in his plus/minus rating. But, I think they may have an net upgrade with Brickley, Montagna, Herrington, Decenzo all coming in - plus getting Stacey back healthy and Burrows a full year up front. These next few classes are very strong and if this years freshmen continue to develop the future is bright. You have figure the forward depth is excellent the 2nd and 3rd years ahead given the relatively few senior forwards they have the next two years.
The D is another story but Doerring should be good. I fear that Medvec might leave - between being drafted and having a good year he would likely be the highest risk departure. I originally was concerned that Miller might leave early but he did not have a great year and I hope he stays to lead the D next year along with Lawson and Mackenzie. I suppose each of their futures might hinge to some degree on what happens next week. If they win some games their stocks will go up.... That is the price of success though I and would take it.
Comments on next year in HE. BC will be stacked again. They are playing 4 freshmen D. Lots of young forwards up front. Recruiting is always the best. Enough said.
BU will continue to be a threat but will underperform their roster potential as long as Parker (Mr. Negative) continues to run that show. Last year was the exception because Gilroy and Wilson stepped it up at the end of our Semifinal game and the NC game - but otherwise they would have faltered as a team.
Maine and UNH will battle BC for the RS title. Maine loses little to graduation and is scary stacked in the FR and SO classes. Unless they lose Nyquist/House/Flynn. but even then they are BACK.
UNH is always there. However, I think they are losing some recruiting battles in recent years (including to UVM) and are at the front end of a period where they will slowly recede from dominance. I know that is hard to say that when they won the RS title this year but I look at that roster and I see them not being as strong with the incoming classes the last couple of years. Although I suppose if they had JVR this year and we had V. Stalburg we both would have been considerably stronger....
Mack is going to be tough if they follow up with another good recruiting class...
NU is improving gradually and seems to have a good goaltender for the next three years.
PC, UML, and Mass are all in some trouble next year I think.
Next year UVM will be young up front but I think if they only lose one or two D this year (Cullity and possibly Medvec) that they will fight it out with UNH, BU, Mack and Maine for home ice - with BC coasting into first easily.
Now - for the balance of this season - If UVM plays in the east (hopefully) I am definitely there. If they play out west it's not likely unless I can find someone who wants to fly out with me on Friday..... I have the time and the cash but who wants go go without friends...
