#7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

[chickod]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

Just catching up on these -- thanks for your great post, Snively65!

Pity you left for grad school in '72 and didn't return until '81 -- you missed some of our best teams ever (and returned in time -- mid '80's -- to catch some of our worst).

I just have to chime in here. One of the greatest nights of hockey I have ever been at was the old ECAC Tourney at the Gahden in '77. In the first game, UNH finally subdued Cornell with a (I think) Dave Lumley slap shot from just inside the blue line in the 2nd (or was it third?) overtime? I think maybe something like 40 seconds into the third. There was that Cornell guy who used to sit up in the first row of the balcony at every game (this is when we saw Cornell a lot, before the advent of Hockey East) and blow that air horn that was about six feet long. Then, in the "nightcap" (who knows how late it was when the 2nd game started), BU was trailing Clarkson (with Dave Taylor) 5-3 with less than five minutes to go, when they scored three straight goals (the last one by Dave Silk, I believe) to win, 6-5. Just incredible electricity in the building, and, of course, there was NOTHING like a raucous crowd at the old Gahden (I don't care what they say about TD that there's not as much noise because the fans don't have anything to cheer about - baloney - it's the building - I was in Matthews last Friday and the place was 1/3 full and louded than Agganis EVER is). The acoustics were terrible (or great, depending upon your point of view) and the noise was deafening!! UNH had thousands of fans there and the place just went beserk when they scored that goal. It still gives me chills thinking about it!

 

[snively]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

I just have to chime in here. One of the greatest nights of hockey I have ever been at was the old ECAC Tourney at the Gahden in '77. In the first game, UNH finally subdued Cornell with a (I think) Dave Lumley slap shot from just inside the blue line in the 2nd (or was it third?) overtime? I think maybe something like 40 seconds into the third. There was that Cornell guy who used to sit up in the first row of the balcony at every game (this is when we saw Cornell a lot, before the advent of Hockey East) and blow that air horn that was about six feet long. Then, in the "nightcap" (who knows how late it was when the 2nd game started), BU was trailing Clarkson (with Dave Taylor) 5-3 with less than five minutes to go, when they scored three straight goals (the last one by Dave Silk, I believe) to win, 6-5. Just incredible electricity in the building, and, of course, there was NOTHING like a raucous crowd at the old Gahden (I don't care what they say about TD that there's not as much noise because the fans don't have anything to cheer about - baloney - it's the building - I was in Matthews last Friday and the place was 1/3 full and louded than Agganis EVER is). The acoustics were terrible (or great, depending upon your point of view) and the noise was deafening!! UNH had thousands of fans there and the place just went beserk when they scored that goal. It still gives me chills thinking about it!

Yet another fun post -- what a great thread!

One amazing thing about that semifinfal game against Cornell -- yes it was double overtime, but (folks who don't already know will find this hard to believe) the final score was 10-9! Nineteen goals, and then two overtimes (and of course a playoff overtime is not one of those cheap five minute jobs).

I was lucky enough to be at that game -- sitting down low within 15 feet of Cornell's goalie, Dave Chrastina, during that second OT. I remember the winning goal being scored by Bobby Gould rather than Dave Lumley, but whatever. He came flying down his right wing and let it go on the fly from the circle -- nothing but net!

And you're absolutely right about the deafening noise. I was fortunate enough to be at the game in Lake Placid in 1980 (see the photo I took from my seat there, below), and I will swear under oath that the noise in the game when we beat the Soviets didn't match up to the decibel level in that UNH-Cornell game.

And credit to the folks in Ithaca: they brought down a huge (and very vocal) contingent as well, and sang their alma mater hauntingly...

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

Worst ever? Did you watch any UNH hockey in the mid 80's?.

I was four.

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

Hahahahahahah. Sure sure sure. UNH just thought they had it in the bag when they got up 2-0 against the best team in the East so they stopped trying. They even made a terrible line change on purpose to help BC win!

It sure looked like they were trying in the 3rd period to me. Call me crazy.

From my seats, the intensity that the 'Cats came out with waned after they got the two goal lead. I am not trying to take anything away from BC's comeback, but UNH didn't do everything they could have to keep BC on their heels. BC is too talented a team to let up against.

When the goal was scored on the horrible line change call, I turned to the wife and said, "we lose."

And the effort in the 3rd was there, but it was a situation they shouldn't have been in. Again, BC's just too good to be playing come-back against. Especially with Kessell not 100% - he played a huge factor in the comeback last year.

Oh, and Nick . . . you're crazy.

 

[chickod]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

I remember the winning goal being scored by Bobby Gould rather than Dave Lumley, but whatever. He came flying down his right wing and let it go on the fly from the circle -- nothing but net!/QUOTE]

Absolutely RIGHT! It WAS Bobby Gould. (hey, it was 34 years ago - yikes!!!)

 

[snively]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

PS to chickod: Dave Lumley did score a winning overtime goal for UNH in the playoffs in 1977 -- maybe that's why he comes to mind. His shot beat Brown in OT 4-3, and sent UNH to the game against Cornell in the Garden that we were just discussing.

That was when the quarterfinals had a single game format -- one lose, and you're out. That was true even if your regular season flat out dominated all the others in the division (let's not get into 1974!).

 

[snively]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

I remember the winning goal being scored by Bobby Gould rather than Dave Lumley, but whatever. He came flying down his right wing and let it go on the fly from the circle -- nothing but net!/QUOTE]

Absolutely RIGHT! It WAS Bobby Gould. (hey, it was 34 years ago - yikes!!!)

Bobby Gould (terrific guy) also scored the goal that gave us our first and only ECAC title, beating Dartmouth in the Garden in 1979. It came late in the third period -- final score was 3-2.

Goal by number 17, at 17:17 (I swear).

The 1976-77 Hockey Scouting Report (he was then playing for the Washington Capitals) said of Bobby:

"Bob Gould is a fine defensive forward who will do whatever is asked of him. He plays for the team first and himself second"

Who wouldn't want a player like that?

 

[GoUNH]

Two thumbs up for this post. Any time you don't say something dumb is a good post in my book.

? Apparently my dumb post count is right up there with your insufferable aimless banter.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

? Apparently my dumb post count is right up there with your insufferable aimless banter.

Yes because "Umm....., ?" is really some strong discussion material to the comments I had made.

Keep posting question marks all you want. They go at the end of sentences that are actually questions (unless you are writing in Spanish and then they go upside down at the beginning of a question as well).

 

[chickod]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

Bobby Gould (terrific guy) also scored the goal that gave us our first and only ECAC title, beating Dartmouth in the Garden in 1979. It came late in the third period -- final score was 3-2.

Ironically, the semi-finals of that tournament featured the WORST game I ever went to. Dartmouth beat a heavily-favored BU team 1 - 0. I had been to almost every BU game for about six straight years and can't remember us even getting shutout in a game of that magnitude. The closest we came to scoring was hitting the crossbar in the first period. It was just one of those games where you knew they could play for three days and we weren't going to score - very similar to that 4 OT game in Albany when we lost to St. Lawrence when Rick DiPietro made 78 saves. Well, if we get by NU we'll be meeting at the Gahden again next Friday night. I know you'll be itching for revenge for Manchester in 2009 (a game, by the way, which I fully felt that you deserved to win). It would be nice to see the Wildcats finally go all the way someday. For all the talk and analysis, it really just comes down to being in position, getting a favorable draw and a little bit of luck. No reason it can't happen!

 

[snively]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

Ironically, the semi-finals of that tournament featured the WORST game I ever went to. Dartmouth beat a heavily-favored BU team 1 - 0. I had been to almost every BU game for about six straight years and can't remember us even getting shutout in a game of that magnitude. The closest we came to scoring was hitting the crossbar in the first period. It was just one of those games where you knew they could play for three days and we weren't going to score - very similar to that 4 OT game in Albany when we lost to St. Lawrence when Rick DiPietro made 78 saves. Well, if we get by NU we'll be meeting at the Gahden again next Friday night. I know you'll be itching for revenge for Manchester in 2009 (a game, by the way, which I fully felt that you deserved to win). It would be nice to see the Wildcats finally go all the way someday. For all the talk and analysis, it really just comes down to being in position, getting a favorable draw and a little bit of luck. No reason it can't happen!

Maybe we only won that '79 ECAC tourney because we found another team from New Hampshire to play in the final.

And you (BU) beat one our best teams ever in the '77 championship final (the one with our 10-9 double OT semifinal win over Cornell). Of course the BU teams in that era were pretty awesome...

 

[chickod]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

Maybe we only won that '79 ECAC tourney because we found another team from New Hampshire to play in the final.

And you (BU) beat one our best teams ever in the '77 championship final (the one with our 10-9 double OT semifinal win over Cornell). Of course the BU teams in that era were pretty awesome...

Yeah, that was a great time. It was before the days of the underage draft when players would stay at a school for four years to "get an education." At least they tried to present that perception. Now they don't even try to hide the fact that they're only there to play. In fact, one of the reasons why I believe that BU's program has declined relative to BC is that they "promote" that their players "get to the NHL." I believe there are something like five players from the 2009 team in the NHL right now. Three of them would still be at BU. Not an excuse...just reality. I'm not being judgmental, either. It is what it is. No continuity. BC gets players that are borderline NHLers (mostly because they go for the smaller forwards), but they form a cohesive unit and seem to cherish the whole team "concept." Just a difference in philosophy. And maybe it stems from the fact that in the 70s and 80s the Western teams would just beat us up. We didn't win from 1978 to 1995 and I think that's when the philosoph changed to "let's get some bigger, tougher players." BC stayed the course and went with the small, quick teams. As the game evolved and the rules changed to promote more skating and less holding and grabbing, it looks as though BC's gamble worked. But yes, we are spoiled. I'll be the first to admit. When you've won five National Championships, the expectations are higher, and it must be obnoxious to hear BU fans complain when you guys would give almost anything to win once. And it's harder now, because there are way more teams (of course, there are more good players also). But personally, as far as BU is concerned, I think they're going down the wrong road. I don't want to say that we were "lucky" (because you always need luck) to win, because that team in 2009 had GREAT leadership from within - but the reality is that we haven't really been competitive in almost twenty years. I would much rather watch BC and/or UNH. They "headman" the puck (as they used to say) - it reminds me of the old Canadiens with Cornoyer, Richard, LaFleur, etc who would just throw it ahead to open ice and watch their guys collect it. Man, was that fun to watch. Up and down the ice at breakneck speed. None of this trapping, "possession" game which puts me to sleep. But I'm getting off on a tangent, here. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to a BU/UNH matchup next weekend. And if we don't win, I'll be rooting for UNH to go all the way.

 

[zoofer]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

Awesome memories guys....Snively, Snively65 and chickod....yes Lumer did put a slapper off Mike Mastrullo's skate(Brown) in order for us to go onto the Garden ....of course, we believed it was the second arrow we shot into snively's celing, to counteract the one put there in 72, the last year UNH had gone to the Garden!....then it was Gouldie who ended the marathon against Cornell.....as we ran onto the ice, all we kept saying was "we're going to Detroit!" I think that's why we weren't in the BU game the next night...we spent our load, so to speak and were pretty satisfied....ask Bobby Francis, who with Gouldie captained the 79 team and he'll tell you they're inspiration was to play BOTH games that weekend, because of how we didn't in 77.....that's why you have to build the program and learn how to win the close ones....a la BC.....one other thing, after BU beat us, as we were walking to our respective locker rooms, one of the BU players yells, "yea, f#@*k you, year of the cat!" it was the hit song by Al Stewart that year and it's all you heard on the radio in 77.....obviously the best times of my life!

 

[zoofer]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

Nice thread chickod but I think BU's win in 2009 was the best example of how you need to have everything go your way nowadays to win the NC....UNH fans gripe but I can't imagne how badly Miami fans must feel after the last 2 years! Milan was huge and the team played the full 60 believing in themselves....hopefully the UNH seniors will take note of what the Terriers did then

 

[GoUNH]

Awesome memories guys....Snively, Snively65 and chickod....yes Lumer did put a slapper off Mike Mastrullo's skate(Brown) in order for us to go onto the Garden ....of course, we believed it was the second arrow we shot into snively's celing, to counteract the one put there in 72, the last year UNH had gone to the Garden!....then it was Gouldie who ended the marathon against Cornell.....as we ran onto the ice, all we kept saying was "we're going to Detroit!" I think that's why we weren't in the BU game the next night...we spent our load, so to speak and were pretty satisfied....ask Bobby Francis, who with Gouldie captained the 79 team and he'll tell you they're inspiration was to play BOTH games that weekend, because of how we didn't in 77.....that's why you have to build the program and learn how to win the close ones....a la BC.....one other thing, after BU beat us, as we were walking to our respective locker rooms, one of the BU players yells, "yea, f#@*k you, year of the cat!" it was the hit song by Al Stewart that year and it's all you heard on the radio in 77.....obviously the best times of my life!

Zoof, it is very cool to read the thoughts of someone who was actually on the ice. Thanks and keep 'em coming!

 

[chickod]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

Nice thread chickod but I think BU's win in 2009 was the best example of how you need to have everything go your way nowadays to win the NC....UNH fans gripe but I can't imagne how badly Miami fans must feel after the last 2 years!

Well, I can tell you how they felt that night in DC. They were in complete shock. You're right, everything did go our way, but that's my point. It can go your way too, but you have to get in position first. So no more stinkeroos in the first or second rounds - they've got to bring it every night. Milan was great, but he was actually very shaky for both games in DC. I remember after we tied the game, Miami almost scored on a little roller with two seconds left that Milan fell asleep on. It was right below us (we were in the balcony) and I think he finally put his glove on it about one inch before it went over the goal line. BU didn't play well in either game, but they got there! Great insight about those times from someone who was there. And, can you name the only OTHER hit that Al Stewart had?

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

So, um... these have all been fun reads, but . . . can we have the thread come back to this century?

Anybody have thoughts on these games? Any UVM fans?

Although this is a rematch of last year's series, I am told that it's a totally different UVM team. Honestly, does this Vermont team have a chance to come into Durham and take two of three?

 

[chickod]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

Honestly, does this Vermont team have a chance to come into Durham and take two of three?

No

 

[WildShawn]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

So, um... these have all been fun reads, but . . . can we have the thread come back to this century?

Anybody have thoughts on these games? Any UVM fans?

Although this is a rematch of last year's series, I am told that it's a totally different UVM team. Honestly, does this Vermont team have a chance to come into Durham and take two of three?

Of course they have a chance, but its a whole different ballgame than last year. UVM still has a very good goaltender, and players who have played in the frozen four 2 short years ago. They have the experience of winning in the post season. That combined with absolutly no pressure/expectations coming into the series mean they can play loose and see what happens..

It would be a MUCH bigger upset than even the 8 vs 1 'upset' last year, though, as that was a NCAA tournament quality team, with the league being much tighter last year (3 points from 8th to 3rd place, and I forgot that NU, who finished 9th, was in 4th the 2nd to last weekend of the season!). This UVM team has had a really bad season, and there's no reason that UNH SHOULD'T win it in 2....

But it IS March

 

[JB]

Re: #7 Vermont at #2 Univ.New Hampshire HE quarter final

Honestly, does this Vermont team have a chance to come into Durham and take two of three?

Depends on which UNH team shows up at the rink. That team from last Friday would have a hard time beating some public high school teams.