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Fire Dick Umile!!!!!

FRICKER said:
UNH09.......where the hell were you when they were among the very top ranked teams In the country??? It's bottom feeders like you that only come out from under the rock to throw Rich under the bus when things go south. Why don't you climb on the bandwagon to every top ranked team and change horses when they change? That's the kind of fair weather fan you are...........
Click to expand...

UNH ranked #1 is so last year...
 
Re: Fire Dick Umile!!!!!

skyraider0609 said:
Flashback moment....Friday March 21st 2008. UNH and BC in the HE semis. Thomas Fortney scores a shorthanded goal and UNH takes a 4-1 lead at 12:23 of the second period. UNH fans are having a rollicking good time. Isn't this fun? We're kicking the %$@# out of BC! Jerry York calls time out. I recall this very clearly: during the time out, a very animated Jerry York is back and forth behind the BC bench, not screaming or ripping his players, but instead clapping his hands, encouraging his team, patting them on the back and telling them not to panic and that they were alright in that situation. About a minute and change later, BC scores a PP goal making it 4-2. Anyone there watching realized that BC knew right then they had a chance to get back in that game. Fast forward to the opening minutes of the third period...BC has tied the game at four. The entire complexion of the game has changed. BC has the momentum and is flying around the ice and UNH is back on their heels. UNH fans have that "here we go again" voice whispering in their ears. Meanwhile, what's Dickie doing? Rallying his team? Encouraging them like Jerry? Not quite...he's doing a superb impression of a mannequin behind the UNH bench. Scowling, arms folded, with one hand under his chin. Kinda like an anti York. Of course, we all know how that one ended. Another tent in a wind storm. It was such a stark contrast in coaching styles and when you really break it down, one the biggest reasons, IMHO, why this program comes up short time and time again.
Click to expand...
Great, great post. This paragraph says it all.
 
Re: Fire Dick Umile!!!!!

I can actually sympathize with Umile in that he's caught between a rock (BC) and a hard place (Maine) when it comes to recruiting. UNH will never be able to pretty much pick and choose any recruit it wants like BC can, and at the same time, it's not desperate, sleazy, or low class enough of a university/program to go after the talented vermin/rejects that Maine has made a living off of and their fans have accepted with open arms for years. I Just don't see UNH ever becoming a top choice for bigtime talent, so unfortunately the Maine model may be your only hope....
 
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Re: Fire Dick Umile!!!!!

snively said:
Great, great post. This paragraph says it all.
Click to expand...
I have to agree with the observation -- I (and others) have made the same one in the past -- the folded arms stance, especially at key moments of a game, or in key games, is what has bothered me the most about Umile over the years (and before Frenchie says, "Is dat all? What habout de no trophy in de case?", there may be a correlation.) I saw it this weekend vs PC -- a bit more than a minute left in the 3rd, down a goal, and I'm saying to myself (before De Smith was pulled for the extra skater,) get a whistle and call a time out, Coach! Get something set up! You have a TO to use up! But no -- the clock ran down to 20 seconds, and there was a whistle and a time out, but I believe that it was Leaman who called time. The TV camera showed Umile with the folded stance again, as Borek (I believe) was drawing plays on the whiteboard.

Skyraider's example of York in that memorable game isn't unique: York can often be seen working behind the bench, leaning over to speak in a player's ear, patting a back, or drawing on the whiteboard. Umile doesn't have the same style -- he seems to keep himself at some distance from his players. From my perspective, which is usually in the stands opposite the UNH bench, that's to his discredit.
 
Re: Fire Dick Umile!!!!!

FRICKER said:
UNH09.......where the hell were you when they were among the very top ranked teams In the country??? It's bottom feeders like you that only come out from under the rock to throw Rich under the bus when things go south. Why don't you climb on the bandwagon to every top ranked team and change horses when they change? That's the kind of fair weather fan you are...........
Click to expand...

Ah yes....if only the tourney was held in November...

Me thinks you miss the point. It's great to be the talk of the college hockey world before Christmas. I love the way UNH tears it up then. But it doesn't make me feel any better come spring when we see the inconsistent play, the blown leads and the under achievement come tourney time. Just sayin'.
 
Re: Fire Dick Umile!!!!!

skyraider0609 said:
Flashback moment....Friday March 21st 2008. UNH and BC in the HE semis. Thomas Fortney scores a shorthanded goal and UNH takes a 4-1 lead at 12:23 of the second period. UNH fans are having a rollicking good time. Isn't this fun? We're kicking the %$@# out of BC! Jerry York calls time out. I recall this very clearly: during the time out, a very animated Jerry York is back and forth behind the BC bench, not screaming or ripping his players, but instead clapping his hands, encouraging his team, patting them on the back and telling them not to panic and that they were alright in that situation. About a minute and change later, BC scores a PP goal making it 4-2. Anyone there watching realized that BC knew right then they had a chance to get back in that game. Fast forward to the opening minutes of the third period...BC has tied the game at four. The entire complexion of the game has changed. BC has the momentum and is flying around the ice and UNH is back on their heels. UNH fans have that "here we go again" voice whispering in their ears. Meanwhile, what's Dickie doing? Rallying his team? Encouraging them like Jerry? Not quite...he's doing a superb impression of a mannequin behind the UNH bench. Scowling, arms folded, with one hand under his chin. Kinda like an anti York. Of course, we all know how that one ended. Another tent in a wind storm. It was such a stark contrast in coaching styles and when you really break it down, one the biggest reasons, IMHO, why this program comes up short time and time again.

I don't know if UNH gets to Manchester or not. I'd like to say I'd feel really confident if they do go, but I've seen this movie too many times already and I think I know how it ends.
Click to expand...


And then Craig Switzer does his best Umile impersonation behind the net as Benn Ferriero beats Kevin Regan. I still have nightmares.
 
goblue said:
I have to agree with the observation -- I (and others) have made the same one in the past -- the folded arms stance, especially at key moments of a game, or in key games, is what has bothered me the most about Umile over the years (and before Frenchie says, "Is dat all? What habout de no trophy in de case?", there may be a correlation.) I saw it this weekend vs PC -- a bit more than a minute left in the 3rd, down a goal, and I'm saying to myself (before De Smith was pulled for the extra skater,) get a whistle and call a time out, Coach! Get something set up! You have a TO to use up! But no -- the clock ran down to 20 seconds, and there was a whistle and a time out, but I believe that it was Leaman who called time. The TV camera showed Umile with the folded stance again, as Borek (I believe) was drawing plays on the whiteboard.

Skyraider's example of York in that memorable game isn't unique: York can often be seen working behind the bench, leaning over to speak in a player's ear, patting a back, or drawing on the whiteboard. Umile doesn't have the same style -- he seems to keep himself at some distance from his players. From my perspective, which is usually in the stands opposite the UNH bench, that's to his discredit.
Click to expand...

If memory serves me right, the whistle was an icing call on PC. My thought was Umile did not call the time out because the PC players were tired and he liked the matchup.
 
Re: Fire Dick Umile!!!!!

UNH09 said:
And then Craig Switzer does his best Umile impersonation behind the net as Benn Ferriero beats Kevin Regan. I still have nightmares.
Click to expand...

Actually, the defensemen beat Regan. He was perfectly lined up on the shot until our defensemen put his stick in the way and tipped it over the glove shoulder.

IIRC, BC was on the PP following a moronic interference by boy-genius Danny Dries. :mad::mad:
 
Re: Fire Dick Umile!!!!!

Aerman said:
Actually, the defensemen beat Regan. He was perfectly lined up on the shot until our defensemen put his stick in the way and tipped it over the glove shoulder.

IIRC, BC was on the PP following a moronic interference by boy-genius Danny Dries. :mad::mad:
Click to expand...

Both correct. That Dries sequence was nothing short of hilarious. Broke his stick, threw the broken half in his hand at Petrecki (?) which he got away with, then follows Petrecki down the ice with the puck and proceeds to get low, grab his leg, and pull him down like an Olympic wrestler IIRC.

Classic.

That gme was also a great trivia question. When did BC win twice in overtime in the same game?
 
Re: Fire Dick Umile!!!!!

Maybe this puts a different spin on things ... what is the financial impact of the recent downturn in performance (and interest) in UNH Hockey? For a program that used to take a lot of pride in constant sell-outs with a long waiting list for season tickets, there are rarely sell-outs nowadays, and the waiting list is gone. I don't have exact numbers here, but let's use some round figures, on which I'll try to err in the University's favor where appropriate:

* Attendance on average looks to be reported at 90% of capacity. Based on observations when I'm there, that seems kind of high, but even if we assume 600 or so tickets don't get sold that used to get sold only a few seasons ago, at roughly $25.00 per person, then that costs the school/athletics department $15,000 per game, including lost concessions and/or parking revenue. I suspect the number is higher than that, but let's just roll with that for now. Over a typical 18-20 game home schedule, that projects out to a downturn in revenue of roughly $250,000-$300,000 over the course of the regular season alone;

* Until last year, it seemed like 2-3 additional home games for the HE quarterfinals were a given. Attendance would be funky since this usually coincides with the students' Spring break. But let's say 4,000 attendance would be the norm. Lost revenue for not playing the QF's at home would be $200,000-$300,000.

* Not sure what the financial gains (if any?) might be for the four schools who make it to Boston for the HE Semis and Finals.

But just looking at the very rough math on the economic impacts of the recent drop-offs, I don't think it's difficult to conclude there is an impact at least in the half-million dollar range per season. And for a school like UNH where there are very few revenue producing sports (arguably, this one), that's gotta hurt. A lot.

----------------------

Beyond that ... I'm still not quite sure what keeps Coach Umile coming back for more at this point? I'm sure he wants to prove his doubters wrong, earn himself some personal vindication, but you could say that for the last ten years, and at least back in 2003 there was plenty of reason and hope that UNH wasn't too far away from the top of the top. I don't think any of us can say that with a straight face anymore.

Is Coach Umile doing it for the money? After making increasingly good money over the last 23 years as one of (if not THE) best-paid State of NH employees, I hope for his sake the answer is "no". The benefits he'll receive when he retires should be better than most of us enjoy, too. I'm not begrudging him any of this, it's his life and his job, he has worked hard, and by most anyone's definition of the term "successful career" he has certainly enjoyed one.

But if he steps outside of his own shoes, and looks at where his program - his alma mater's program - is nowadays, he HAS to see most of what we're seeing.

I for one would not be surprised to see Coach Umile step down (of his own accord) if not at the end of this season, then possibly after next season. JMHO.
 
Re: Fire Dick Umile!!!!!

C'mon guys. You should all support your coach whole heartedly like Sandie does for Timmay. Why question his coaching ability? Just close your eyes and be good fans.
 
Re: Fire Dick Umile!!!!!

Chuck Murray said:
Until last year, it seemed like 2-3 additional home games for the HE quarterfinals were a given. Attendance would be funky since this usually coincides with the students' Spring break. But let's say 4,000 attendance would be the norm. Lost revenue for not playing the QF's at home would be $200,000-$300,000.
Click to expand...

Chuck, I think the league gets most of the gate, if not all of it, for the QFs since it is part of the league tournament.

Anway, there is a counterpoint here. Dick Umile not winning championships saves UNH some money as well. Do you have any idea how much money it costs to put on a championship celebration with a police detail, security, etc? Not to mention that Umile is saving the school a lot of money by keeping them from having to construct a trophy case. Then you have to consider the money they would lose inevitably with all those championship shirts that get printed and then put on massive clearance after the excess batch sits on shelves for a long time.

If he could just get them back to being a fun team to watch with some talent (Krog... sorta), he could fill up a lot of the seats and get some of the money back and have UNH right in the sweet spot of not having to spend all that money that comes with winning a championship. Just like the good old days when WIS stories were being churned out and TA Jen would go nuts over anything you typed even if it looked like this "asdfj;kjq;lwkejf;alsdkfalsdjkf".
 
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