NCAA watcher
Registered User
Most importantly, hurrah for hockey! Like with the Red Sox, the ability to grouse about a bad team is a luxury we should all appreciate. That is not to suggest UNH is a bad team, just that for a transitional year, we can look at the pluses without expecting too much.
* I was impressed with the puck movement, as they were easily able to exit the zone, and not just by the Gildon breakout. If they can do that all year they'll be well suited to challenge every game. Was that a function of Maine's weakness? We'll see against the better teams.
* On that point, UNH had little zone time to defend against. Maine never cycled or got the puck pinned down low.
* I'd say offensive skills on D is lacking, so seeing Reid handle the puck with good awareness and puck skills was nice. His lack offensive stats in junior was a question in my mind, but the one game sample was positive. Kalle had that nice rush, but overall the D made smart plays with little need for individual rushes.
* As noted, Crookshank was a step above in generating chances.
* Not a lot of movement on the powerplay, as they had the umbrella but the few cross-ice passes were to Grasso, who is not a shooter.
* For the 3-on-3, I love it. Up and down the ice. You feel great with the 2 on 1 your way, but then it turns right around for the same sort of opportunity. Leaving the zone to regroup is a thing, not just for the Wit.
* I was impressed with the puck movement, as they were easily able to exit the zone, and not just by the Gildon breakout. If they can do that all year they'll be well suited to challenge every game. Was that a function of Maine's weakness? We'll see against the better teams.
* On that point, UNH had little zone time to defend against. Maine never cycled or got the puck pinned down low.
* I'd say offensive skills on D is lacking, so seeing Reid handle the puck with good awareness and puck skills was nice. His lack offensive stats in junior was a question in my mind, but the one game sample was positive. Kalle had that nice rush, but overall the D made smart plays with little need for individual rushes.
* As noted, Crookshank was a step above in generating chances.
* Not a lot of movement on the powerplay, as they had the umbrella but the few cross-ice passes were to Grasso, who is not a shooter.
* For the 3-on-3, I love it. Up and down the ice. You feel great with the 2 on 1 your way, but then it turns right around for the same sort of opportunity. Leaving the zone to regroup is a thing, not just for the Wit.
