2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

[Ned Braden]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

That's correct.. I was wrong about that. There was a call, finally... Generated from the aggressive play Henrion to beat the defender wide and then angle towards the net. Not bad for the worst forward.

Ok, he got tripped and almost got a shot off. What else did he do? He had a very tough time in his own end and from where I was sitting was the weakest link on the weakest line. It's not like I hate the guy or something, but he wasn't very good that night.

 

[i'zonprize]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

soo, you want me to say/write that there were worse forwards out there.. hmm.. -I'll pass. For all we know this kid helped to change the game beating the D wide, drawing the penalty. Sislo scores.. etc .etc..

Actually, he did get the shot off. Muse made the grab. glove side. It was going to go wide.

 

[C-H-C]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

And those who thought JVR was just ok, man oh man have you been watching him lately? Will be a great thing for UNH if he wins the calder.

JVR dons a Flyers' jersey and promptly (i.e., his third game) suffers a mild concussion/head trauma after being creamed into the boards. Now this:

"Van Riemsdyk suffered a severe cut on his left pinkie finger, and Holmgren said the tip of the finger could be broken -- "I'd say he's day to day," he said of the League's leading rookie scorer."

Perhaps putting on a UNH jersey for one more year wouldn't have been such a bad thing. That said, he clearly was ready to turn professional. For all the p*ssing and moaning Holmgren did about UNH, I think Umile's decision to make JVR a centerman was a key contributor to his development. At center, JVR had to learn how to play defense in his own zone.

 

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Perhaps putting on a UNH jersey for one more year wouldn't have been such a bad thing. That said, he clearly was ready to turn professional.

Uh.... what? He keeps getting hurt so you think that illustrates he should have stayed at UNH, risked getting injured at UNH and miss out on a major payday? And then you say he was clearly ready.

So why would him coming back not have been such a bad thing? Doesn't make any sense.

 

[C-H-C]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

The size, speed, and physical play of NHL players are several orders of magnitude higher than in the NCAA (which is why the diminutive Nate Gerbe has only had a few cups of coffee with the Buffalo Sabres). Overall, NHL players suffer more frequent and more serious injuries than college players. JVR is, no doubt, being paid handsomely for entering the cage fight otherwise known as the NHL. He is paying the price.

 

[UNHhockey29]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Day to day for a pinkie! That is just crazy.

 

[RockTheWhit]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Overall, NHL players suffer more frequent and more serious injuries than college players. JVR is, no doubt, being paid handsomely for entering the cage fight otherwise known as the NHL. He is paying the price.

And there's no doubt that he's more than happy to pay that price. There is no real legitimate argument that there was any reason for him to come back for anymore time at UNH. IMO, he had done all the developing there was for him to do here. Many felt like he didn't always play his hardest here and are soured that the team failed to reach a FF during his time, but his play this year is showing that he was definitely ready, regardless of any minor injuries he sustains.

 

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

The size, speed, and physical play of NHL players are several orders of magnitude higher than in the NCAA (which is why the diminutive Nate Gerbe has only had a few cups of coffee with the Buffalo Sabres).

And yet diminutive guys like Theo Fleury, Brian Gionta, and Martin St. Louis have played for more than a few cups of coffee. So what was your point again?

 

[Darius]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

After this weekend I have accepted the reality that home ice in the HE quarters is unlikely and an NCAA bid is less likely. Even if Cornell and Dartmouth win out except against us we will need to win the HE tournament to qualify for the NCAAs. The 'cats will improve by year's end. Looking forward it would be nice at season's end to think that we are the team playing the best in March not qualifying for the NCAA tournament.

 

[RockTheWhit]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Even if Cornell and Dartmouth win out except against us we will need to win the HE tournament to qualify for the NCAAs.

Wait, what?

 

[mwade]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Mini gallery from Sunday's game - http://hockeyphotography.com/blog/2009/11/unh-at-uml/

 

[huesie]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Just wondering out loud here why is that every other teams defenseman can get off consistent shots on goal and UNH shots are blocked 90% of the time. Most of UNH shots from the point that do get through wouldn't break a pane of single glass!

With all the long goals given up by foster this year is the defense that poor or does he need glasses? Perhaps he can't see the puck that far away?

I would say Desimone is a total bust at UNH. He can sure stick handle to nowhere real good though!!!! Sitting Desimone is addition by subtraction.

 

[IrishWildcat]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Some observations I have, based on the results of this weekend's games:

1. Bobby Butler is the best overall player this team has. He has the ability to change a game single-handedly, whether offensively or defensively...Like Borisenok and Moses he flies around, however he actually has the ability to make plays on a consistent basis. He will be the backbone this version of the Wildcats is built around.

2. Burke and Paul Thompson should play together on a "checking line"...could probably put Borisenok on there to finish it off, as they are the guys I've noticed playing the hard-nosed defense you want out of that sort of grouping. Borisenok is more of a scrappy flier...but he's comfortable getting his nose dirty. Thompson and Burke are classic bruisers, very comfortable along the boards. They tend to set the tone in terms of physicality.

3. Defense is as big a liability as we expected coming in. Not sure where the D-Men fit into things entirely, but the one positive I DID notice this weekend (mostly against Lowell) were some actual smart defensive plays from Damon Kipp. Could he be turning the corner?

4. Stay out of the penalty box. We clearly have issues stopping the power play. Forget what I said about "hustle penatlies" occasionally being a good thing. As of now, no penalties are a good thing, as it now appears that PK = Goal.

5. After making my first visit, I must say that the Tsongas is actually quite a nice arena. Rather empty, an overzealous announcer, and way too many little kids(perhaps it was just where i was sitting)...but it's a nice facility. Also appreciate hearing the Brass Bonanza in proper context.

6. One last thing: These guys are going to have to go 100 % for 60 minutes if they are going to get wins this year. To take the line from Herb Brooks, we do not have enough talent to win on talent alone. If the Wildcats are to beat the BC's, BU's, and yes....UMass-Lowell's of the world, it's going to take everything these guys have, every night, for 60 minutes. Sometimes 65. Otherwise we're going to be more concerned about how the Red Sox rotation is shaping out in March, rather than how far the Cats will go in the HE Tournament.

 

[UMLFan]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

5. After making my first visit, I must say that the Tsongas is actually quite a nice arena. Rather empty, an overzealous announcer, and way too many little kids(perhaps it was just where i was sitting)...but it's a nice facility. Also appreciate hearing the Brass Bonanza in proper context.

Unfortunately, you caught a Lowell home game on a bad night. The 4k in attendance was the smallest crowd we've had this year. I know the 5pm Sunday afternoon game hurt me, as I couldn't make it due to still being at the post-game Pats tailgate, and there were others in the same situation. Plus I'm sure quite a few of the kids were probably working as well.

 

[Patronick]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

5. After making my first visit, I must say that the Tsongas is actually quite a nice arena. Rather empty, an overzealous announcer, and way too many little kids(perhaps it was just where i was sitting)...but it's a nice facility. Also appreciate hearing the Brass Bonanza in proper context.

Lowell had a promotion with Clifford the Big Red Dog and Curious George going on Sunday, and actually advertised it at schools and day cares. Seems like an ok way to boost attendance to a Sunday game I suppose.

I would have largely prefered that Lowell not be on ESPNU on the smallest draw of the season, but thems the breaks.

 

[UNH09]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Some observations I have, based on the results of this weekend's games:


6. One last thing: These guys are going to have to go 100 % for 60 minutes if they are going to get wins this year. To take the line from Herb Brooks, we do not have enough talent to win on talent alone. If the Wildcats are to beat the BC's, BU's, and yes....UMass-Lowell's of the world, it's going to take everything these guys have, every night, for 60 minutes. Sometimes 65. Otherwise we're going to be more concerned about how the Red Sox rotation is shaping out in March, rather than how far the Cats will go in the HE Tournament.

So is Dice-K's arm going to hold up this season?

 

[CarlS]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

IrishWildcat - wasn't there, but kudos to ULowell for making an attempt to bring those kids in to see a college hockey game. They are the future of the game at any level. Take a look at the declining numbers in youth hockey over the last several years; they may not have been "true" college fans, but the game needs them.

Too bad they had to see that defensive performance by UNH.

 

[IrishWildcat]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

So is Dice-K's arm going to hold up this season?

Now now, it's not March yet...First we can discuss whether or not Laurence Maroney will actually become a viable option to establish a running game, or whether that 4th quarter performance against the Dolphins was a fluke.

And to CarlS: What defensive performance?

 

[billb]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Now now, it's not March yet...First we can discuss whether or not Laurence Maroney will actually become a viable option to establish a running game, or whether that 4th quarter performance against the Dolphins was a fluke.

And to CarlS: What defensive performance?

Really. Maroney has shown himself to be low-potential, low-achiever. I have yet to understand why the Pats, with all of that surplus money lying around, are afraid to pay the money for a top-of-the-line running back. Hey, how about Larry Johnson?

As for the "defensive performance," it was offensive. Foster needs a vacation. Watching Mr. Umile's invective-laden screaming at the officials only tells me more that he should retire. The team should not worry about how the officials call the game; they should worry about their own performances. Apparently Dickie is not concerned about his. The powerplay is an embarrassment. No mystique. No finesse. The good teams will let you pass the perimeter all day long and kill the penalty yourself. How long have we watched that?

It was nice TV coverage, a disappointing result as a UNH fan, but truly gave me a better perspective about the shortcomings of this year's edition. That being said, I do not think I am being unreasonable in predicting a sweep for UMass this weekend.

 

[i'zonprize]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

I would say Desimone is a total bust at UNH. He can sure stick handle to nowhere real good though!!!! Sitting Desimone is addition by subtraction.

You know DeSimone surely is not putting up points but he's everywhere on the ice. maybe he needs to look at passing to get open rather than carrying the puck until it's taken from him. Right now you could probably pick out a lot of guys where addition by subtraction would be a valid arguement.. Personally I think the lines need to be juggled and juggled until something works.

Why not:

Moses- LeBlanc- Henrion (he and Moses made mince meat out of the EJHL togethr and he put up decent numbers in spurts on the USHL team last yr. once he adjusted to the competition. Too good to be sitting, but maybe Umile wanted speed on the ice with Manz and Pavelski)

DeSimone- Butler- Borisenok (speed line)
Sislo-Burke-Thompson (I'm going to break your face and then score line)
Block-Speelman-McCarey (these guys look a bit lost out there on the other lines, this would give them a chance to... gell?)

D-fense.. . Keep practicing! They may be young but Kip and Kostalanski are showing some good signs and Hardowa, I think is solid. The more they play and practice, the better.