UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

Soooo what do we think of our game without Max tonight? I thought we made the necessary adjustments and I was very pleased with the play of Dawson and in the fact we scored with the extra attacker. Eric Esposito had a great game with two assists including the game tying assist. Was noted that we picked up goals from outside the first line which is promising and good to see...

Outside of a so so third thought UNH pushed them and Taylor played very well. Hutton what a strong player he is and without knowing much about him not sure if he had a decent game or not. Obviously a dominant player. Hope Maass amd ChKell are ok for tomorrow night.

Grasso it’s your turn to light the lamp!

 

[Snively65]

Soooo what do we think of our game without Max tonight? I thought we made the necessary adjustments and I was very pleased with the play of Dawson and in the fact we scored with the extra attacker. Eric Esposito had a great game with two assists including the game tying assist. Was noted that we picked up goals from outside the first line which is promising and good to see...

Outside of a so so third thought UNH pushed them and Taylor played very well. Hutton what a strong player he is and without knowing much about him not sure if he had a decent game or not. Obviously a dominant player. Hope Maass amd ChKell are ok for tomorrow night.

Grasso it’s your turn to light the lamp!

At the risk of being ridiculed, once again, I will say that I thought the Cats played better without their best player on Friday night. Will be interesting to see if he can be part of a Cats win on Saturday night.

First time that I have attended games in two different rinks on the same day, although I missed the first period at the Whitt while en route from Conte.

 

[Dan]

I wouldn't say they played better - I thought they got hemmed in a few times and missed Max's puck moving ability on the break out and thru the neutral zone - but, defensively, they did enough to limit Miami in transition and kept the RedHawks out of the prime scoring areas.

The biggest development, from a UNH perspective, was WAY down at the other end of the ice, where the Wildcats finally executed their plan to get to the net/greasy areas. All three goals were scored from right on top of the crease. UNH needs at least three goals a night and if they can get them, that's where they're going to come from...

Dawson drove the net and batted one in from the top of the crease, Crookshank picked up a second rebound and finished from in tight and Blackburn finished off a scramble, burying a pass on the back-post. Garbage goals!

If they continue this approach - than Max's return is huge with his ability to get shots to the net or drop down low to make plays or attack the crease himself...

Two goals means your more likely to lose. Three goals gives you a chance for points. Four goals and you're most likely to win. That's just the nature of college hockey today. Hopefully the can consistently hit, or even surpass, that three goal threshold from here on out...

 

[Snively65]

I wouldn't say they played better - I thought they got hemmed in a few times and missed Max's puck moving ability on the break out and thru the neutral zone - but, defensively, they did enough to limit Miami in transition and kept the RedHawks out of the prime scoring areas.

The biggest development, from a UNH perspective, was WAY down at the other end of the ice, where the Wildcats finally executed their plan to get to the net/greasy areas. All three goals were scored from right on top of the crease. UNH needs at least three goals a night and if they can get them, that's where they're going to come from...

Dawson drove the net and batted one in from the top of the crease, Crookshank picked up a second rebound and finished from in tight and Blackburn finished off a scramble, burying a pass on the back-post. Garbage goals!

If they continue this approach - than Max's return is huge with his ability to get shots to the net or drop down low to make plays or attack the crease himself...

Two goals means your more likely to lose. Three goals gives you a chance for points. Four goals and you're most likely to win. That's just the nature of college hockey today. Hopefully the can consistently hit, or even surpass, that three goal threshold from here on out...

Yes, all of the above = played better.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

Baby steps. Competitive game against a quality opponent, while missing your best player. Encouraging.

It sounds silly, I know ... but tonight I'm expecting a "Max is back" letdown, and an easy Miami win.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

Who's in goal tonight for our 'Cats? Most likely Robinson? I was happy to see Ty out there last night as I didn't expect it. He made many quality saves I thought. Agree Dan...picking up the goals we did from where we did were the difference and that's a good thing to see. Hope it continues! I'm thinking the team got a boost being able to bring OT and survive it...so, HR is going to give the 'Cats the nod tonight, 3-2...Let's Go 'Cats!

 

[d.gerry]

It sounds silly, I know ... but tonight I'm expecting a "Max is back" letdown, and an easy Miami win.

Have to agree with you on this, as I think a relatively young team can be susceptible to this. However, it was nice to see a pretty good team effort without Max on the ice. Good energy and overall result in the first period, offset by weak start in the third. Need to learn how to build on their leads rather than continue to lose them.

 

[Dan]

Yes, all of the above = played better.

Sure, UNH played well - but Im not sure the ways they played well last night are related to Gildon being on the ice or not (forward determination and aggression).

I don't necessarily expect UNH a let down - but I think Miami will play a lot better tonight. They've let games get away the last two Fridays and put in much better efforts for Ws the following Saturday's...

I don't think it matters who UNH puts on the ice - they're going to face a better effort and will need to up their game in response to avoid a third straight winless, one-point weekend. Miami will batten down the goal mouth - UNH will have to fight very hard to get back there...

---

PC is out here in Denver and they look good - so a win heading into a very difficult weekend would be ideal for UNH (Same for Miami with St. Cloud coming to Oxford next weekend).

Getting the chance to see PC twice right before they head to UNH is pretty fortunate. Perhaps if I have the time I can post a long, in-depth, extended and detailed preview for my biggest fans...

As a sneak preview - I liked Jason O'Neill, seeing him for the first time in person, but he's more of a MacAdams/Esposito type and not what UNH is missing - Offense! - so, as expected, not a big loss for UNH...

PC and UMass are the clear class of HE right now...

 

[iowabasedtraveler]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

Dan, I haven’t read all your messages on here but I hope and trust that you are enjoying the Miami at UNH series. Good luck.
- Colgate Tom
P.S. - I went out to Oxford, Ohio, for the ‘Gate series and had a great time (despite our play).

 

[Ray Dorn]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

A lot of good thoughts about the game last night. The one thing I have not seen mentioned is penalties. The lack of penalties (only two minor penalties) last night was a big deal. Not having to kill off 10 to 15 minutes of penalties in a game significantly alters the game.

Also, I believe we had a good first period last night because of the ability to win face-offs and maintain possession of the puck in the offensive zone.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

A lot of good thoughts about the game last night. The one thing I have not seen mentioned is penalties. The lack of penalties (only two minor penalties) last night was a big deal. Not having to kill off 10 to 15 minutes of penalties in a game significantly alters the game.

Also, I believe we had a good first period last night because of the ability to win face-offs and maintain possession of the puck in the offensive zone.

Ray all of the things you mention were positives for UNH last night and most likely made the difference in the game. These things, esp puck possession, have been things they have been needing to improve on and it's gratifying to see that happening. I mean...it's something! I think we can be optimistic in many ways although I don't think anyone here holds any illusions about this team.

That said...I know we'll surprise here and there...it's too early to say but if we could make the HE tournament, that would be a decent season for this young bunch! Pretty much they have nothing to lose game in and game out, so why not just go for it and see what happens...along the way, win some games, get some much needed experience for the future. So far it's been great to see what the Frosh have been able to do. There's a much different energy on the ice than last year, not sure if everyone agrees with this but I can see it...

As for me, I'm enjoying the process! Let's go 'Cats!!

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

+1 on the going to the net, reducing penalties, stepping up to cover for Max and winning face off comments.

FWIW - Engarås is hanging out, signing autographs and looking sharp with the other players who did not dress for the game.

Has anyone else seen this year's smaller format team yearbook? Disappointing lack of content, basically a fluff publication. After years of purchasing at least one copy, this will be my last unless they rethink.

edit: At least 3 recruits in attendance last night. No idea who or where they were from.

 

[Dan]

Dan, I haven’t read all your messages on here but I hope and trust that you are enjoying the Miami at UNH series. Good luck.
- Colgate Tom
P.S. - I went out to Oxford, Ohio, for the ‘Gate series and had a great time (despite our play).

Thank you, Tom. I appreciate that and I'm glad you were able to make it to Oxford again. And that you enjoyed yourself. It's a pretty specialty town, with a beautiful campus, that I think a lot of people need to see to believe it could exist in rural SW Ohio. I know when I visited I thought I was wasting my time while driving in, but once I got on campus...

I think Greg described it best when he called it Disney Land for college kids!

As for these two teams meeting, I do enjoy it to some degree but I also wish they never played. Every goal for is also a goal against. Every win is a loss. A tie is disappointing for both teams...

That said, assuming UNH is playing in Oxford next fall - that is probably a must make series...

Fun swing through northern New England for Colgate next weekend. Good luck and here's to some goals for the Raiders. Congrats on a big soccer win over UNH, too.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

+1 on the going to the net, reducing penalties, stepping up to cover for Max and winning face off comments.

FWIW - Engarås is hanging out, signing autographs and looking sharp with the other players who did not dress for the game.

Has anyone else seen this year's smaller format team yearbook? Disappointing lack of content, basically a fluff publication. After years of purchasing at least one copy, this will be my last unless they rethink.

edit: At least 3 recruits in attendance last night. No idea who or where they were from.

Saw it for the first time last night and totally agree...not like the past. We usually get one with our FOH membership but don't know/think that's happening this year and was going to buy one...wonder what's up with that? Like I've been hearing...lots of changes in the way they (UNH Athletics) are doing things this season; this could be one of them...maybe the cost to produce was prohibitive? I dunno….

YES it was great to see/meet Filip Engaras last night...can't wait to see him on the ice!

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

Saw it for the first time last night and totally agree...not like the past. We usually get one with our FOH membership but don't know/think that's happening this year and was going to buy one...wonder what's up with that? Like I've been hearing...lots of changes in the way they (UNH Athletics) are doing things this season; this could be one of them...maybe the cost to produce was prohibitive? I dunno….

YES it was great to see/meet Filip Engaras last night...can't wait to see him on the ice!

Other FOH members are confused by this as well. Stop by the FOH table and ask, my guess/hope is they will hand you one. When purchasing, I asked, "What's up with the new format"? The students at the table didn't know for sure, but the possible reason that I liked best was "sustainability".

 

[HockeyRef]

Other FOH members are confused by this as well. Stop by the FOH table and ask, my guess/hope is they will hand you one. When purchasing, I asked, "What's up with the new format"? The students at the table didn't know for sure, but the possible reason that I liked best was "sustainability".

That’s my plan...and love the answer you got!

 

[JAB]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

Other FOH members are confused by this as well. Stop by the FOH table and ask, my guess/hope is they will hand you one. When purchasing, I asked, "What's up with the new format"? The students at the table didn't know for sure, but the possible reason that I liked best was "sustainability".

Yes, disappointing... One thing they didn't skimp on was the full page dedicated to our Athletic Director; I pore over every word each year.
And another change I noticed this year: Colin Shank (Hockey Operations) has not been in the bench area during games. Maybe there is now some restrictions on the number of people you can have there; or was it a decision of the new coach?

 

[Aerman]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

I’m probably the least qualified on the board to opine, but what I thought I saw last night was everybody keeping their feet moving most of the time, and really ‘active’ sticks - if that’s a thing.

 

[HockeyRef]

I’m probably the least qualified on the board to opine, but what I thought I saw last night was everybody keeping their feet moving most of the time, and really ‘active’ sticks - if that’s a thing.

What he said....nailed it!

 

[Dan]

Miami will apparently start Uhelski - the UAH grad transfer makes just his third appearance of the year. He beat his former team in the season opener and allowed 3 goals on 22 shots in losing to Lowell...