10 Days until the exhibition opener against Acadia, time to kick off the season chatter. Where are expectations heading into this season? I imagine UNH will be competing for home ice again, and hovering in the high teens in wins heading into the post season again. I think they'll have to rely on Foster a lot more this year to steal a few games. Maybe we'll be surprised in the end, but either way, even with low expectations, I'm looking forward to enjoying the season.
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2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
- Thread starter WildShawn
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Nick Papagiorgio
Holding court
Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
"Maybe next year" also worked for the Sox.
"Maybe next year" also worked for the Sox.
theprofromdover
The Original Dope Detector
Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
Are you a member of the lolipop guild? is short people your fav song? looks like you got the short end of the stick.**** my neck hurts from looking up to everyone.
RockTheWhit
New member
Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
My expectations for this season are the lowest they've been coming into a season since I've been following the team. There are more question marks surrounding this team than an episode of Jeopardy. After Blake Kessel, there are six question marks on the blueline. Can Foster pick them up? He's shown the potential to carry a team to victory, but has not done so on a consistent basis yet at UNH. What about goal scoring? This is a team that returns only 3 of its top 8 scorers from last season and didn't matriculate 3 of its top 5 recruits at forward. Can Mike Sislo continue his torrid scoring pace without 21 setting him up?
In my opinion, there are too many question marks to expect anything higher than a 4 seed in Hockey East. However, as we found out last season, anything can happen once you get into single-elimination playoffs.
UNH Hockey: I guess this could be the year?
My expectations for this season are the lowest they've been coming into a season since I've been following the team. There are more question marks surrounding this team than an episode of Jeopardy. After Blake Kessel, there are six question marks on the blueline. Can Foster pick them up? He's shown the potential to carry a team to victory, but has not done so on a consistent basis yet at UNH. What about goal scoring? This is a team that returns only 3 of its top 8 scorers from last season and didn't matriculate 3 of its top 5 recruits at forward. Can Mike Sislo continue his torrid scoring pace without 21 setting him up?
In my opinion, there are too many question marks to expect anything higher than a 4 seed in Hockey East. However, as we found out last season, anything can happen once you get into single-elimination playoffs.
UNH Hockey: I guess this could be the year?
Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
I will remain optimistic. While our defense is not at its strongest (to put lightly) I wouldn't call Krates a question mark. I think Hardowa will be pretty good as well.
If Foster has a great year and can keep other teams around 2-3 goals consistantly, I think we could have a lot of close wins. I look at Northeastern's team last year for this comparison. Theissen was so good, his team's "average" offense was enough. It also becomes a question of what upper classman do you play on the third line (Manz doesn't count he has too little experience)? Do you play up 2 freshmen? I just want Sislo, Moses and Leblanc to play with eachother. Those are my scattered thoughts.
I will remain optimistic. While our defense is not at its strongest (to put lightly) I wouldn't call Krates a question mark. I think Hardowa will be pretty good as well.
If Foster has a great year and can keep other teams around 2-3 goals consistantly, I think we could have a lot of close wins. I look at Northeastern's team last year for this comparison. Theissen was so good, his team's "average" offense was enough. It also becomes a question of what upper classman do you play on the third line (Manz doesn't count he has too little experience)? Do you play up 2 freshmen? I just want Sislo, Moses and Leblanc to play with eachother. Those are my scattered thoughts.
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Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
I see this team finishing anywhere from third to about sixth. Third is if this team overachieves greatly and Foster plays on his head. The defense is a huge work in progress; only Kessel and Krates were regulars all of last season. Campanale, Kipp and the freshmen will need to step up to have success. I have more confidence in the offense, but this not going to be a huge offensive firepower like in years past.
If the team plays like they did in last year's Northeast Regional; it should be a fun team to watch. If they come out playing uninspired, emotionless and lethargic hockey it will be a long winter.
I see this team finishing anywhere from third to about sixth. Third is if this team overachieves greatly and Foster plays on his head. The defense is a huge work in progress; only Kessel and Krates were regulars all of last season. Campanale, Kipp and the freshmen will need to step up to have success. I have more confidence in the offense, but this not going to be a huge offensive firepower like in years past.
If the team plays like they did in last year's Northeast Regional; it should be a fun team to watch. If they come out playing uninspired, emotionless and lethargic hockey it will be a long winter.
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IrishWildcat
Holding onto what I haven't got
Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
In reality, I expect us to make Hockey East playoffs, most likely as a middle-seed (3-7) and possibly make NCAAs. If we learned anything from last year, it's that anything can happen once you make the Big Tourney, and that the regular season really doesn't mean anything until February/March.
As far as the blue line goes, I think Krates and Kessel can shore things up (perhaps Krates will finally get a goal
) and from what limited time Campanale saw last year, he was actually quite good on the ice. I certainly hope Kipp improves his play, otherwise he'll be watching a lot of games next to Friends of Marty.
As a running gag, some friends of mine made of of Bobby Butler, as he was dating one of the girls in our dorm. During his freshman year at UNH, we would continually yell something to Bobby in order for him to put his best effort on the ice, because we knew that particular young lady was (most likely) putting in her best effort off the ice
. So, in honor of this being Bobby's final season in Durham, I suggest the slogan of 2009-10 UNH Hockey should be...
"EARN IT!"
In reality, I expect us to make Hockey East playoffs, most likely as a middle-seed (3-7) and possibly make NCAAs. If we learned anything from last year, it's that anything can happen once you make the Big Tourney, and that the regular season really doesn't mean anything until February/March.
As far as the blue line goes, I think Krates and Kessel can shore things up (perhaps Krates will finally get a goal
) and from what limited time Campanale saw last year, he was actually quite good on the ice. I certainly hope Kipp improves his play, otherwise he'll be watching a lot of games next to Friends of Marty.As a running gag, some friends of mine made of of Bobby Butler, as he was dating one of the girls in our dorm. During his freshman year at UNH, we would continually yell something to Bobby in order for him to put his best effort on the ice, because we knew that particular young lady was (most likely) putting in her best effort off the ice
. So, in honor of this being Bobby's final season in Durham, I suggest the slogan of 2009-10 UNH Hockey should be..."EARN IT!"
RockTheWhit
New member
Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
Kipp will play regularly. He improved markedly over the course of last season. Kessel and Krates will be top 2, but there are 7 d-men on the squad, 6 of which will play regularly. We know Mike Beck is not good enough to win a spot over Kipp, and Hardowa and Kostolansky definitely haven't proven anything yet.
As far as the blue line goes, I think Krates and Kessel can shore things up (perhaps Krates will finally get a goal
Kipp will play regularly. He improved markedly over the course of last season. Kessel and Krates will be top 2, but there are 7 d-men on the squad, 6 of which will play regularly. We know Mike Beck is not good enough to win a spot over Kipp, and Hardowa and Kostolansky definitely haven't proven anything yet.
i'zonprize
GRANITE STATE PRIDE
Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
I may be off in thinking this, but I'm not overly impressed at the moment with the entirety of the league. UML made late season charge, UVM will not be as strong without V.Stalberg, their goalie is good, not great. BU lost of ton of ledership and TOP 10 scoring, although they still look pretty good. BC is still pretty young and Muse will need to do a lot better than last year and the Soph. class needs to come up big. Other than that, Maine, PC, NU(for reasons already posted), UMASS & MC don't really cause me a lot of worry. Well, maybe UMASS. They always play UNH tough.
Having said that, I think UNH could do quite well. I think the nucleus of the team now knows what it tastes like win and lose when you give it 100% every minute of every game. You can outplay the best team tallent wise in the Country, if you have the right game plan and the right mind set. I'm hoping a kid like LeBlanc and some other go getters rally the team to compete hard. Read lots of great comments from the players closing out last year. This is their time to follow up and make it happen.
I see a lot of guys that will battle night in an night out to make sure that they are out there again the next night as well. Aside from a few there aren't too many positional 'gimmie's' on the team. Meaning we could see a lot of guys playing different positions for a while to find something that works. In fact, their versatility could come in quite handy.
so for chits and giggles here's a line up. tried to make it a bit different from what I've seen.
Moses-LeBlanc-Butler
Sislo-DeSimone-Thompson
Henrion-Speelman-Block
McCarey-Borisenok-Burke
Kessel-Krates
Hardowa-Kipp
AIA-Kostalansky/Campanale
Either way. looking forward to another entertaining and competitive Season from the 'Cats.
GO CATS!!!
I may be off in thinking this, but I'm not overly impressed at the moment with the entirety of the league. UML made late season charge, UVM will not be as strong without V.Stalberg, their goalie is good, not great. BU lost of ton of ledership and TOP 10 scoring, although they still look pretty good. BC is still pretty young and Muse will need to do a lot better than last year and the Soph. class needs to come up big. Other than that, Maine, PC, NU(for reasons already posted), UMASS & MC don't really cause me a lot of worry. Well, maybe UMASS. They always play UNH tough.
Having said that, I think UNH could do quite well. I think the nucleus of the team now knows what it tastes like win and lose when you give it 100% every minute of every game. You can outplay the best team tallent wise in the Country, if you have the right game plan and the right mind set. I'm hoping a kid like LeBlanc and some other go getters rally the team to compete hard. Read lots of great comments from the players closing out last year. This is their time to follow up and make it happen.
I see a lot of guys that will battle night in an night out to make sure that they are out there again the next night as well. Aside from a few there aren't too many positional 'gimmie's' on the team. Meaning we could see a lot of guys playing different positions for a while to find something that works. In fact, their versatility could come in quite handy.
so for chits and giggles here's a line up. tried to make it a bit different from what I've seen.
Moses-LeBlanc-Butler
Sislo-DeSimone-Thompson
Henrion-Speelman-Block
McCarey-Borisenok-Burke
Kessel-Krates
Hardowa-Kipp
AIA-Kostalansky/Campanale
Either way. looking forward to another entertaining and competitive Season from the 'Cats.
GO CATS!!!
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Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
I am a realist. I don't see enough talent on this roster. The no defined roles is really a lack of top end tallent.
I see it being tight to get 4th with UML, BU and BC in the top three spots. I think UNH will have a challenge getting by UVM and NU. That says 5th - 6th to me.
I am a realist. I don't see enough talent on this roster. The no defined roles is really a lack of top end tallent.
I see it being tight to get 4th with UML, BU and BC in the top three spots. I think UNH will have a challenge getting by UVM and NU. That says 5th - 6th to me.
Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
As for the season, while I don't have extremely high hopes right now, we'll see what happens. It will be interesting to see how it all comes together. I'd say from the coaching side this will be a good test of how good/bad Umile is. Yes, UNH doesn't have it's usual "givens" up front to count on for scoring. Yes, the defense is not as experienced as UNH has had in the past. It's a chance for some of the players to step up their games. I'm glad Foster's back......a team can gain a lot of confidence from solid goaltending. Having to play Miami and Wisconsin early on is an opportunity to see if it really is going to be a down year or not. I'm hoping the team surprises a lot of people. If only they could bottle the way they played in the NCAAs last year..........
As for the season, while I don't have extremely high hopes right now, we'll see what happens. It will be interesting to see how it all comes together. I'd say from the coaching side this will be a good test of how good/bad Umile is. Yes, UNH doesn't have it's usual "givens" up front to count on for scoring. Yes, the defense is not as experienced as UNH has had in the past. It's a chance for some of the players to step up their games. I'm glad Foster's back......a team can gain a lot of confidence from solid goaltending. Having to play Miami and Wisconsin early on is an opportunity to see if it really is going to be a down year or not. I'm hoping the team surprises a lot of people. If only they could bottle the way they played in the NCAAs last year..........
UNHhockey29
You may be wild but I'm Wilder
Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
I even got my quater final tickets already. I was a big shocked to see them in the mail. Now I just need my RPI tickets.
I even got my quater final tickets already. I was a big shocked to see them in the mail. Now I just need my RPI tickets.
Greg Ambrose
Registered User
Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season
Geez, so going into his 20th season behind the bench Umile will finally be tested on his ability to coach? I guess all those 20 win seasons, NCAA appearances (albeit no NC), don't count for much, eh? Personally I thought he passed the test last year, when after the team won only once in November, they still got home ice and almost made it to the FF. This year's team may not be the best on paper, but Umile has had teams in the past that weren't much better and somehow he was able to get them to perform admirably and exceed cynics' expectations. The beauty of college hockey (or any other college sport) is that there is something new and fresh each year. You never know how freshmen are going to play until they get on the ice, you never know which sophomores or juniors will finally get it and elevate their game. I'll let others predict who the "stars" of the team will be, but you have to at least acknowledge that the UNH roster has the manpower to compete for home ice and the NCAA's.
Geez, so going into his 20th season behind the bench Umile will finally be tested on his ability to coach? I guess all those 20 win seasons, NCAA appearances (albeit no NC), don't count for much, eh? Personally I thought he passed the test last year, when after the team won only once in November, they still got home ice and almost made it to the FF. This year's team may not be the best on paper, but Umile has had teams in the past that weren't much better and somehow he was able to get them to perform admirably and exceed cynics' expectations. The beauty of college hockey (or any other college sport) is that there is something new and fresh each year. You never know how freshmen are going to play until they get on the ice, you never know which sophomores or juniors will finally get it and elevate their game. I'll let others predict who the "stars" of the team will be, but you have to at least acknowledge that the UNH roster has the manpower to compete for home ice and the NCAA's.
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