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UMASS 2023-2024 The Flagship Rebounds??

jjmc85 said:
I get that Friday was embarrassing and disappointing but let’s put things into perspective. Let’s say UMass loses Thursday. It’s then what-the sixth best season of the D1 era (behind 2007, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022). If they win it might debatably be third best.

Before Carvel UMass had 0 Hockey East Championships, 1 NCAA tournament appearance, and usually finished what-7th or below in hockey east? They only made the conference semi finals I think 3 times before Carvel as well.

This is a season to be celebrated. The team was picked 8th in hockey East and over performed. Are they as good as the frozen four teams? Probably not but then again most teams in the country right now aren’t as good as those teams were.

In my opinion it is way to early to call for changes in Amherst/call for the head coach to take a good long look in the mirror/etc when the program that was an absolute dumpster fire before Carvel got here is going to it’s 3rd NCAA tournament in four years (and if not for the pandemic would have been 5th in 6 years). Even if SLU or Omaha had won Saturday and UMass was the first team out, was UMass ever even close to an at large bid besides 2007 pre-Carvel?

If the teams goes 3-4 years in a row of 7th or worse in conference without making the garden or sniffing an at large then I could see posts like these making sense. But rebounding from a disappointing* 22-23 to going to the Garden and being an NCAA bubble team? I don’t get it.

*Disappointing under Carvel. Probably a bit of disappointing season under Cahoon but not unimaginable or unexpected. Way better than anything that we could have every expected under Michelleto.
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You misunderstood my sentiment. I feel UMASS is fortunate to have Carvel as coach- a coach who seems to want to be in Amherst and stay there. The athletic programs have had some challenges in that department and Carvel being a steady presence is a real positive.

Expectations always play a major role in evaluating a coach and program. The program pre-Carvel was in a sad state of affairs since going D1. Except for a brief sparkling moment, the results were abysmal. But those days are gone and Carvel has shown that UMASS is a good place to play hockey and success can be had in Amherst. Hence expectations have changed.

Losing to BC 8-1 really hurt but that is not what I am complaining about. Its the loses to to Vermont 6-2, 2-1 and 4-1 loss to Merrimack. Carvel is about the defensive presence yet some sub par teams have beaten them badly. BC and BU seem to score at will on UMASS. When I say he needs to look in the mirror, I am saying does his approach really work as he think it does. During his tenure, he has had really outstanding defensemen (not just Makar). Maybe focus on some goal scorers in recruiting would help. I look at what Barr has done in Maine in very short order and wonder why Carvel has not been able to build on two frozen fours and one national championship better than he has.
 
The Minutemen have a chance to redeem themselves after that HEA semifinal disaster. They are much better than they showed.

Good enough to beat Denver? Probably not, but a grinding, low scoring game would give them a chance. Hrabel absolutely has to be at his very best.

The home ice advantage is overblown. Yes, the usual collection of hard core fans and yahoos will be there. They won’t matter.
 
Lot of fans disguised as empty seats, so much for the gate. Umass had a good first period but are now down 1 -0. Looks like a different team from last Friday night.
 
This game reminds me of the 2007 Regional semi between you and Clarkson.

Just more goals and longer OT.
 
It was close call but the call on the ice was a good goal, very hard to overturn it. The defenseman pushed the Denver player into the goalie.
 
I took a ride out to a very empty Springfield to watch and I can't understand the afternoon start with so few fans considering this venue is slow close to campus. UMASS in my opinion played better defensively and generated far more scoring chances. Tough way to end the season but they really had a good game plan and nearly executed it.
 
Ignoring certain BC trash is generally the best policy. I don’t understand why certain people feel the need to piiss on a UMass thread when they have a generational team of their own that’s still playing. That’s their problem though. I’ll move on and root for a BC/Denver matchup. Denver is the second best team this year. BU are thin and a little soft, when compared to these two.
 
Ufko is leaving. If Morrow makes the same decision the Minutemen will be looking at replacing their top 6 defenders. Goal and forwards are in good shape. Maybe another sniper or two up front would be nice too. Going to be a challenge to top this season’s decent showing, but I’m a happy camper for the most part who wants more than decent.
 
Morrow is gone. Congrats to both Ufko and Morrow. I think they both have a good shot at making it in the NHL. Not sure who replaces them. UMASS was fortunate that they stayed three years and made significant contributions to the team. I hope Carvy has some good recruits lined up. They will be difficult to replace.
 
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