Re: 2011-2012 UNH Wildcats
Surprised there hasn't been much talk about this game, even though it's only an exhibition...
Here are my completely irrelevant observations, comments, and player grades (which are more relative to each player and their own abilities/potential rather than comparing them to each other):
2. Hardowa: Typical Hardowa game...not going to notice him much, which is a good thing. Reminds me of Jamie Fritsch. B
3. Block: Was decent on faceoffs...an area UNH needs to be better in this season. Still not convinced he's a top 6 forward offensively. C+
4. Kipp: His penalty 7 seconds into the game (a pretty marginal call I thought) turned out to be a spark. Would like to see his physical presence a little more consistently. Got beat to the front of the net a few times. C+
5. Knodel: Scary, scary first period. Got caught flatfooted in transition a few times and let guys get behind him for quick outlets. Used his reach to make a nice recovery on one and was bailed out by DiGi on the other. Has a pretty big shot from the point, but was not able to get it on target. Footspeed probably an issue. D+
6. van Riemsdyk: Didn't see much of the offensive upside today, but for his first time out that's something I'm okay with. Didn't see him make too many big mistakes in his own end and he had a few nice plays in transition. B-
9. Willows: Rough debut for him. Definitely quick with speed to burn, but was not playing with any confidence with the puck on his stick. Lots of throwaways and turnovers. Tried to hit everything that moved...which for a skilled scorer is usually a sign that he's pressing to make a contribution knowing that he's lacking confidence in the rest of his game. D
10. Speelman: Picked up a couple helpers but was not a huge factor overall I didn't think. A few bad turnovers and at times tried to beat 1 too many guys in the offensive zone. He needs to be better next weekend. C
11. Pavelski: He is what he is, and was effective in that role. Skated hard but you're not going to get much offensive upside. C+
12. Agosta: I see where the footspeed issues were called into question last season, but this kid was my biggest surprise of the day. Showed a very good stick in the defensive zone breaking up a few shots and passes, and made some nice outlets in transition. Was very good at the offensive blueline and on the PP. Nice ability to take something off his shot and get it through traffic or into a spot where one of his guys could get a stick on it. A-
14. Borisenok: Thought he was so-so. Mishandled a few pucks but was good on PK and had a nice pass to spring Moses. Still not convinced he's the guy I want centering my top line from an offensive standpoint, but regardless he'll be a key piece this year. C+
15. Kostolansky: He's got to be the go to guy on the back end this season with Kessel gone...not necessarily in terms of carrying the load offensively, but just as the leader in general... but he didn't seem to really assert himself that way tonight. Fortunately he didn't stand out for any negative reasons either. A quietly solid game but he's capable of being a top defenseman in the league, so more should be expected. C
16. Henrion: I applaud him for his ability to grasp the facemask a facemaskless player. C
17. Camper: Didnt spend much time on the puck, but had a really nice release on his one opportunity in the first period. Has decent size and speed. A little more upside than I expected given what I had read here and in other places. C+
18. Silengo: Thought he played pretty well. Was excellent on draws and carried the puck well in open ice. Big improvement from where he was this time last season. B
19. Thrush: Considering he wasn't supposed to even be here, I thought he played very well. Quick, good size, handled the puck in traffic a few times...pretty good offensive upside. B
21. Sorkin: Looked like he took a nice step from last season and was playing with more confidence. A good candidate to step up as a secondary scorer with ~20 points this season. B+
22. Moses: Best UNH player by far. Nearly scored a highlight reel between the legs goal. Created chances nearly every time he touched the puck and probably could have had 5 goals. Still lacking finish around the net...needs to bury his chances this season for UNH to keep pace offensively. A-
23. McCarey: Kind of like Pavelski you know what you're going to get. As long as he brings his lunch pail he's a good 4th liner, but not much else. C
26. Burke: Finally looked healthy and was playing with confidence. One of UNH's best players tonight along with Moses and Goumas. Carried the puck well, played physical, was good down low in the offensive zone. If he and Sorkin play this well all season UNH may get the secondary scoring they need. A
27. Goumas: Looked really good with Moses and created a ton of chances. Should have finished a couple of chances, but looked dangerous overall. Would like to see him and Moses have a more naturally gifted offensive player between them. B+
28. Downing: Tough when you're rolling 5 lines but the few times he was on the puck he showed great instincts and generated a couple offensive chances. Showed good hockey sense and used his body well to create space several times. Was hoping he'd get some PP time...seems like a very cerebral player...definitely the real deal as he was advertised to be. Will be very disappointed if he spends most of the year on a line with McCarey and Pavelski because he has the offensive skill level to help make Goumas/Moses or Burke/Sorkin more dangerous. B+
30. DiGirolamo: Made some big saves when called upon, but UNB also squandered some pretty good chances with shots off target. He get's some credit for that because he was rarely if ever out of position. Needs to be very good this season and he was tonight. A
Overall the team looked good.
Forwards:
GO-BO-MO, thought that line looked good buzzing around. Mose's is a good player, but would be even better if he would skate with his head up when he has the puck. This would even create more opportunities for that line.
Sorkin, I don’t see him at center. He had difficulty handling the puck all night. Think he has upside but on the wing. Slingo,Burke and the rest looked comfortable. Scoring should be spread throughout.
Freshman, line of Willow, Camper and Thrush moved the puck well, were quick and I thought played with a lot of confidence for their first college game. I like the way Willow darts around…stick handling…passing…hits somebody. Downing, showed hands ,some vision and a shot, but I was surprised at the foot speed- looked quite slow. Has the Greg Burke stride. I’m sure he will be a big player in the future but don’t see him as a breakout freshman
Defense:
What the Agosta and Knodle lack in foot speed they make up with “wing span”. Those are big long stick to get around. In general “D” looks solid but not fast..including …Kipp…. Hardowa… We may struggle against quick teams down low in our zone. Like Van Reimsdyk, very poised with the puck for his first game. .
Looking forward to BU…..
Overall the team looked good.
Forwards:
GO-BO-MO, thought that line looked good buzzing around. Mose's is a good player, but would be even better if he would skate with his head up when he has the puck. This would even create more opportunities for that line.
Sorkin, I don’t see him at center. He had difficulty handling the puck all night. Think he has upside but on the wing. Slingo,Burke and the rest looked comfortable. Scoring should be spread throughout.
Freshman, line of Willow, Camper and Thrush moved the puck well, were quick and I thought played with a lot of confidence for their first college game. I like the way Willow darts around…stick handling…passing…hits somebody. Downing, showed hands ,some vision and a shot, but I was surprised at the foot speed- looked quite slow. Has the Greg Burke stride. I’m sure he will be a big player in the future but don’t see him as a breakout freshman
Defense:
What the Agosta and Knodle lack in foot speed they make up with “wing span”. Those are big long stick to get around. In general “D” looks solid but not fast..including …Kipp…. Hardowa… We may struggle against quick teams down low in our zone. Like Van Reimsdyk, very poised with the puck for his first game. .
Looking forward to BU…..
