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UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

I don't think there is anything wrong with expecting an improvement from last year. That being said while they finished in fourth just like last year, they did have a better season. They have more wins and points than last year. They also seem to be a more balanced scoring team and a tougher defensive then last year. UCONN and Air Force are the only teams who had byes last year that managed to find their way back into the top four again, sign of league parity. They might of underperformed the last three weeks, but it's over now. Can't get those games back. Take advantage of the week off to rest and heal any injuries that they've EARNED from a great season. Time to prepare for the second season, and get ready to go to war. Eyes on the prize now,
 
RSTuthill said:
We are measuring from last year as the benchmark. 80% of the scoring back, top goalie back, five scholarships vs. no scholarships the year before. In the eastern pod stretch run they were a 0.500 team this year. It is not rocket science.

The bar is higher this year. They will have underperformed unless they get to the championship game.

Btw, check the time of my last post. Before yesterday's game.
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The difference between last year and this year has been the drop off of Grogan in net. Last year he played lights out this year his play has gone way down hill. Yes, i agree the overall team play this year in addition to the new players on the roster has been an upgrade from years past but the results have been neutralized with the sub par goaltending.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

RSTuthill said:
They will have underperformed unless they get to the championship game.
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Because they have such a long history of getting there, right? Have they ever been?

For a team with marginal D1 skill, they have worked their tails off this year and have been fun to watch. Of course I want to see a long playoff run, but I also want to reward their hard work and resiliency. As a fan, that's what we ask.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

UConnHuskies said:
This is what I don't get....UConn just tied the win record for league wins, achieved home ice and a bye, yet some fans feel like it's not enough. Since when did they become championship caliber? In my opinion, they over achieved this year.

I'd love to see them win an AHA title too, but come on....enjoy the accomplishments along the way.

Congrats Huskies! Good luck in the playoffs.
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What has bothered me a little is that they have not played as well down the stretch as they did last year. This win one lose one thing doesn't give me a lot of confidence that they are going too far. They went through arguable the toughest part of the schedule in january, Robert Morris at home, at Mercyhurst, at Air force, Home-Home with Bentley, at Providence and came out 4-3-2, then went into a 6 game stretch against the bottom of the league and went 3-3 with 2 of the losses coming at home. You have to do better than that. I thought 4-2 would be the minimum they ought to get in that stretch. 5-1, 4-1-1 or even 6-0 were not impossible given who the games were with. As a group I don't think they have played as focused as they needed to be and that's a concern going into the playoffs.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

puckster911 said:
The difference between last year and this year has been the drop off of Grogan in net. Last year he played lights out this year his play has gone way down hill.
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Last time they won with Matt Grogan in net was January 25. He has been in net for every loss since and Nichols has been in net for every win. I am just a bit amazed that he keeps getting half the starts. Something seems off with him. Thinking that maybe he has played his last game as a Husky, but we shall see.
 
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Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

Grogan won Feb 11 vs providence, I know non conference. Grogan hasn't been bad at all. Minus the army game he hasn't allowed more than two goals, you should win a game when you only allow two goals, but for whatever reason they aren't winning for him. You pretty much have to go with Nichols now, but it's just kind of weird the way it's happened. He had given them a chance to win every night.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

UConnHuskies said:
Because they have such a long history of getting there, right? Have they ever been?

For a team with marginal D1 skill, they have worked their tails off this year and have been fun to watch. Of course I want to see a long playoff run, but I also want to reward their hard work and resiliency. As a fan, that's what we ask.
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One more point on this. We aren't the ones who started talk about UConn getting to the tournament...that originated with one Mike Cavanaugh. He said that was the goal in October and has repeated it many times since. That UConn fans have bought into the head coach's vision is usually not a bad thing.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

My main point to all of this is they are not that talented. They are winning because they are playing hard; and the fact that they are doing it for the new coach is a great sign for the future. Based on Coach Cav's recruiting track record and eye for talent, the talent will improve.

This year they have put themselves in position to compete for a league championship. They have as good a shot as any. As the league has proven, it won't be easy, but UConn is right there as a legit contender. As a fan, that's what I am excited about.

I guess the one silver lining of the win one lose one trend is that they should prevail in a 3 game series!
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

UConnHuskies said:
My main point to all of this is they are not that talented. They are winning because they are playing hard; and the fact that they are doing it for the new coach is a great sign for the future. Based on Coach Cav's recruiting track record and eye for talent, the talent will improve.

This year they have put themselves in position to compete for a league championship. They have as good a shot as any. As the league has proven, it won't be easy, but UConn is right there as a legit contender. As a fan, that's what I am excited about.

I guess the one silver lining of the win one lose one trend is that they should prevail in a 3 game series!
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My view is that they are A. more talented than they have been over the years, if only because they have a couple of freshmen who would never have played at UConn in the past; B. They have the 2 things that you need to be a true threat,; good goaltending, and a scorer. Latta, in my view is good enough to play for lots of teams. I agree that they aren't as deep as some teams, even some AHA teams, but they are deeper than they have historically been. I agree that they are one of maybe 5 teams who could win it all. And they need to play hard to win.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

RSTuthill said:
Good catch. A very high quality win it was too.
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It almost seems if Matt Grogan may have a nagging injury or something like that. Not enough to keep him out, but maybe enough that he doesn't quite have his usual edge. If that is indeed the case, this extra week off came at a very good time.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

Could be a nagging injury of some sorts. Outside of the army game it's not like he lost any of the games. Let in two vs holy cross and sacred heart. Have to win those games for your goalie, but for whatever reason they aren't scoring for him. Hopefully if he is hurt he and anyone else that might be banged up is getting the chance to heal up for the playoff run. It's amazing what an advantage this bye week could be. Have to think they will get RMU, but army could very well physically beat them to a pulp if not beat them all together.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

Friday night cannot get here fast enough. Hopefully they're rested up, healed up, and chomping at the bit to get their hands on RMU again. Hoping they close the Freitas down in dominate fashion!
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

From the Yale AD
The first Liberty Invitational this season at the Prudential Center included Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth and Yale. Hockey East teams will join the Tigers and Bulldogs over the next three seasons.
2014: Princeton, Yale, UConn, Merrimack
2015: Princeton, Yale, Maine, UMass
2016: Princeton, Yale, Lowell, Vermont
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

I'd like to see UConn get out fast tonight. Nichols will be in the net.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

Only AHA top seed not to hold serve opening night.

Not much to write. Single elimination from this point forward.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

UConnHuskies said:
Only AHA top seed not to hold serve opening night.

Not much to write. Single elimination from this point forward.
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Illustrates the importance of that second game against SHU. They had plenty of opportunities to avoid RMU.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

No sense worrying about the past. If there is one thing this team has been all year it's resilient like Coach Cav said. Win, only thing that can be in their minds tonight. Doesn't matter how, doesn't matter if it's a pretty goal, and it doesn't matter who scores it. Win as a team.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

Disappointing ending to a fun to watch season. Congratulations to a great senior class who accomplished a lot in their time in Storrs. Looks like it is time to officially put our eyes on Hockey East.
 
Re: UConn 2013-2014: Let the Cavanaugh Era Begin

This Bentley fan enjoyed having you in our conference. Good luck next season and beyond. Frankly, I think it could be a tough transition for your squad, but I'm sure it will be a great move both for UConn and HE in the long run.

Looking forward to having another HE squad to beat up on.
:-P
 
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