2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

[JB]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Is it just me, or does it say something about where our minds are, as UNH fans, that with a big weekend looming against big rival BC, with a regular season championship on the line, we're talking about past teams and past bars?

Don't get me wrong, fun to read, but . . . nobody has any thoughts on the upcoming game? Are we just assuming we'll tie Friday night and back in? I for one think UNH takes the Friday game, and Saturday . . . a tie is a solid showing for UNH @ Conte Forum.

I think just falls back to the low expectations for this team. As fans we should all just be happy to be in this position. I think Friday night is a coin flip all depending on which BC team (2-1 UMA - 2-3 NU - 1-4 UML or 7-0 MC - 7-1 NU - 7-1 UMA) and which UNH team (the one that plays hard for 60 we haven't seen in about a month or the current one) show up for the game. Saturday BC wins.

 

[C-H-C]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Is it just me, or does it say something about where our minds are, as UNH fans, that with a big weekend looming against big rival BC, with a regular season championship on the line, we're talking about past teams and past bars?

Don't get me wrong, fun to read, but . . . nobody has any thoughts on the upcoming game? Are we just assuming we'll tie Friday night and back in? I for one think UNH takes the Friday game, and Saturday . . . a tie is a solid showing for UNH @ Conte Forum.

The reminiscing has been a refreshing diversion.
I just watched the mid-week UNH press conference (see insidehockey.com) and I'm pleased that the coaches and players are focused on business. As JB has suggested, the key is for UNH to make adjustments to counter strategies BC (and future opponents) is likely to throw at them. Sislo's comments suggest that is exactly what they are doing this week in practice.
One shift at a time.

 

[JB]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

I just watched the mid-week UNH press conference (see insidehockey.com) and I'm pleased that the coaches and players are focused on business.

The article that goes with the video (which is so nice to be able to see) has some other interesting points.

FWIW if UNH wins or ties Friday I think BC blows them off the ice Saturday. This would make Sat meaningful for PWR positioning and BC senior night only. I can see UNH not as motivated as BC if they have looked up 1st on Friday. I don't think that lack of motivation is a good thing but I think it would happen.

 

[tangledupinblue]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

JB I agree with your thoughts on this weekend except that I think UNH will show up Saturday for a closer game -DiGirolamo or not.Does anyone remember the Hop,Skip and Go Naked they served at the Catnip Pub?

 

[JB]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

JB I agree with your thoughts on this weekend except that I think UNH will show up Saturday for a closer game -DiGirolamo or not.Does anyone remember the Hop,Skip and Go Naked they served at the Catnip Pub?

Not at the Catnip Pub, but too many Hop, Skip and Go Nakeds will certainly make you Hop, Skip and Go Naked. The ones I have had are smooth drinks just loaded with Alcohol, great in the summer.

Edit - googled Hop Skip and Go Naked and there seems to be about a million ways to make them. I recall 5 equal parts 4 booz and 1 pineapple juice: vodka, beer (for the fizz - hence the Hop without it is just a skip and go naked) and 2 other Alcohols but off the top I can't recall...

 

[Darius]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Coach York has been spiking the team water with whatever he uses to get BC on their win out from here late/post season runs. BC's character should be on display this weekend as perhaps will their new number one goalie.

They key for the 'cats is to view Friday as having their backs against the wall, not wanting to be forced into a Conte win/tie scenario. I say they win Friday holding off a furious BC comeback attempt and it will be fun watching two teams skate after a lot of recent trapping type hockey. Foster will continue to be huge and Butler gets a goal.

Not sure if I will watch in person or on NESN Friday, but seriously hoping that I am sitting back relaxing at Conte on Saturday instead of sweating, although adrenaline rushes are to be appreciated when they occur and it would be sweet to win out on senior night in an opponent's arena.

 

[tangledupinblue]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

JB I'm pretty sure the other two are gin and rum. I can remember having three in one night but I think I may have had more -hard to remember much after three of 'em. Those were the days of 25 cent drafts on Wednesday night at Durham Ho use of Pizza--don't remember how the hell I got home most of those nights! Don't remember the main street one way deal --probably due to the fact that every time I was in Durham back then I was hammered..(Sorry unhpuckfan2001 I had to get these thoughts out of my system.)

 

[Malts18]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

This sounds like the Down Under Pub was in the same spot as the Tap Room, which is now the Knot Irish Pub. The Knot has been around since 2006.

The Knot is a different sort of scene than the other bars, but it's pretty cool and the patrons are loyal.

Heehee... and before all of that, it was a chinese restaurant (?) that sold alcohol to minors... no one ever went for the food!

 

[Malts18]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

i would also go with ayers over regan.

Not me... Regan always gave the air that he was in total control and nothing could beat him. Mikey was a warrior.... true (who will ever forget that trip up to Maine and the severed arm???)... but I don't think he was quite as technically sound as Regan. Also, IIRC, I think Regan still has most of the goaltending records for UNH.

 

[Aerman]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Not at the Catnip Pub,

beer (for the fizz

My questionable recollection makes it Jason's, and I was "told" by who knows who that the fizz came from a dash of coke ... FWIW

as for hockey, the only outcome that would surprise me this weekend is a UNH sweep - haven't seen the team that beat BU since then

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Not me... Regan always gave the air that he was in total control and nothing could beat him. Mikey was a warrior.... true (who will ever forget that trip up to Maine and the severed arm???)... but I don't think he was quite as technically sound as Regan. Also, IIRC, I think Regan still has most of the goaltending records for UNH.

Only problem is that none of them were in the playoffs. Ayers was the goalie when we won back-to-back HE championships (1st year w/ Carney) and was immense in the 2003 NCAA's. Regan, as much as I love him, was a big part of the problem when we melted down against Notre Dame two years ago. That comparison is why I chose Ayers over Regan. Close, but the post-season should mean a lot, and it does in this case.

 

[JB]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

My questionable recollection makes it Jason's, and I was "told" by who knows who that the fizz came from a dash of coke ... FWIW

as for hockey, the only outcome that would surprise me this weekend is a UNH sweep - haven't seen the team that beat BU since then

One's that I have made, definately Beer no soda....

I have seen that team since BU. Problem is it was for the 3rd period second night against NU and the first period second night against UVM. The problem they currently have is the team has it hasn't put it together for 60 minutes since BU.

Thankfully the players seem to know it. Several players in the media have commented that they haven't put it together and they are frustrated. Sounds like the players blame themselves which is good. This is a problem in the room and not one the coaches can fix, the players need to fix "it" themselves. I hope a "top end" opponent helps them focus.

 

[thecomicbookguy]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Is it just me, or does it say something about where our minds are, as UNH fans, that with a big weekend looming against big rival BC, with a regular season championship on the line, we're talking about past teams and past bars?

Don't get me wrong, fun to read, but . . . nobody has any thoughts on the upcoming game? Are we just assuming we'll tie Friday night and back in? I for one think UNH takes the Friday game, and Saturday . . . a tie is a solid showing for UNH @ Conte Forum.

My thoughts on Friday: UNH skates hard in the first period, builds a 2-goal lead...yeah, then you can guess what happens.

Hopefully they can dig it out and get at least the tie, if not the win.

 

[unh1982]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

One's that I have made, definately Beer no soda....

I have seen that team since BU. Problem is it was for the 3rd period second night against NU and the first period second night against UVM. The problem they currently have is the team has it hasn't put it together for 60 minutes since BU.

Thankfully the players seem to know it. Several players in the media have commented that they haven't put it together and they are frustrated. Sounds like the players blame themselves which is good. This is a problem in the room and not one the coaches can fix, the players need to fix "it" themselves. I hope a "top end" opponent helps them focus.

Ditto couldnt agree more , i think it also comes down to effort , its not there,but the good news maybe this is the year they have that extra gear to kick into during the stretch run , much like the BC'S and BU ' s of the world. So this can only be a good thing and time will tell , question is am i a believer,hmmm not quite sure

 

[JB]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Only problem is that none of them were in the playoffs. Ayers was the goalie when we won back-to-back HE championships (1st year w/ Carney) and was immense in the 2003 NCAA's. Regan, as much as I love him, was a big part of the problem when we melted down against Notre Dame two years ago. That comparison is why I chose Ayers over Regan. Close, but the post-season should mean a lot, and it does in this case.

I am torn on this debate. I think Ayers had clearly the better teams in front of him and that needs to count for something too. Ayers cleaned up the mistakes but there were fewer mistakes. On the other end I don't think Regan makes that sick glove save against Maine in the first of the two H.E. tournament wins.

Ayers had more tournament ("big game") wins but he had his melt downs too, getting blown out in the F4 vs. Minnesota and vs. Maine.

I think it is a coin flip. Would Regans better positioning and "bigger" style have pushed those teams farther?

 

[JB]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Ditto couldnt agree more , i think it also comes down to effort , its not there,but the good news maybe this is the year they have that extra gear to kick into during the stretch run , much like the BC'S and BU ' s of the world. So this can only be a good thing and time will tell , question is am i a believer,hmmm not quite sure

I was thinking about the extra gear for the playoffs on the ride home tonight. In the past there has been nothing more to give. The intensity was already there. This year they have squeaked out 6 of the last 8 without going full tilt. Did they learn from the UND and BU games in the NCAAs last year and there is another level that will come out.

I find when they hit that is when the level goes up. It will be interesting to watch in the weeks to come. I would like to see them get that 2 goal lead and put the hammer down instead of letting up.

 

[unh1982]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

agreed all great teams usualy have that extra level , this applies to all sports . In hockey UNH seems to be guilty of just like you said ,nothing left to give , like being stuck in 3rd gear...you hit the nail on the head , the last 6 games have been mediocre at best and yes they have come away with points , alas a hot goalie to boot .

 

[jct]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

Heehee... and before all of that, it was a chinese restaurant (?) that sold alcohol to minors... no one ever went for the food!

Ahh Lee's

Jim

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

My thoughts on Friday: UNH skates hard in the first period, builds a 2-goal lead...yeah, then you can guess what happens.

Hopefully they can dig it out and get at least the tie, if not the win.

I dunno, falling behind seemed to work pretty well for them against NU; new strategy?

It's all been said on here; can UNH play even just 45 minutes of hockey Friday night? If so, they win by two goals. If they skate with the intensity they had last weekend, BC will sweep us. JB really said what I was thinking; UNH is not a team that's going to throw people around the rink. However, if we play just physical enough to force pucks loose, and then win them in the corners, they can skate with anybody. If UNH plays against BC the way they did against NU in the second half of the third period, BC will lose, at least at the Whit.

Let's think way back; after losing to Miami (OH), friends of mine were ready to throw in the towel. We didn't just lose, we looked effing awful. Then, we came out and tied, 5-5 the next night. Overnight, I could see that changes had been made to the style of play (taking the body more, and a more aggressive forecheck, etc). Miami was clearly more talented, more organized, and more experience, but UNH clogged the passing lanes and played body hockey, just enough to tie the #1 team in the country.

That's been the story all year; they don't have the ridiculous offensive prowess they've had in years past. But when they play a combination of physical and speed (I love watching Stevey Moses hit somebody -- he always has to jump to match shoulders w/defensemen -- and then skate away with the puck), that's the best version of them on the ice.

The question for the rest of the year: Can Bobby Butler and Peter Leblanc keep this team focused, energized, and motivated enough, to skate that way for 60 minutes? Because that's what it will take to make a little noise in March.

 

[Snively65]

Re: 2009-2010 UNH Wildcats Season

I cannot get to Durham so will watch on NESN tonight. BC is 500+ posts into their second season thread and we are still 80 posts short of completing our first. But, it is only the PWR that matters.