UNH 2024/2025 Goldberg Edition

[norbert]

Took the summer off to prepare for what might be the most unknown season in years. New contract, who the hell is playing goalie (Goldberg?), and what do the freshmen offer?

Biggest change is a $6M donation that resulted in a nice blue Key Auto Group sign on the building and not a shovel in the ground.

It is too early to make a prediction but here we go, game Saturday at Towse Rink at the Whittemore Center Arena at the Key Auto Complex sponsored by Mass General Brigham Seacoast Orthopedics. Say that 10 times fast.

If we end up 500 and middle of the HE pack I would take it as a win.

FWIW, Libby's won't open til 5 but if anyone wants a preseason gathering we will be there when they open.

 

[norbert]

Forgot the most important part, I have 2 extra tickets for Saturday. If someone wants them let me know, they are yours for free.

 

[Snively65]

I am trying to follow the introductory post and was thinking almost the opposite, that the upcoming season seems to be “most known” season in years, at least to me. Almost the entire blue line is back, mostly experienced and solid, other than the sophomore. Nearly all the higher scoring forwards are back, along with the addition of the highly touted MacPherson twins from Ontario. And given MS7’s success with a portal transfer in net for most of our games last season, I have faith that this season’s portal transfer goalie will be up to the task, or at least better than most of the goalie recruits at UNH in recent years.

I predicted at the beginning of last season that UNH would be lucky to reach double digit wins, and they got 20. I expect no fewer than 20 wins this upcoming season. However, going forward to the 2025/26 season, that is when I will likely be in the “most unknown” season camp.

 

[HockeyRef]

I am trying to follow the introductory post and was thinking almost the opposite, that the upcoming season seems to be “most known” season in years, at least to me. Almost the entire blue line is back, mostly experienced and solid, other than the sophomore. Nearly all the higher scoring forwards are back, along with the addition of the highly touted MacPherson twins from Ontario. And given MS7’s success with a portal transfer in net for most of our games last season, I have faith that this season’s portal transfer goalie will be up to the task, or at least better than most of the goalie recruits at UNH in recent years.

I predicted at the beginning of last season that UNH would be lucky to reach double digit wins, and they got 20. I expect no fewer than 20 wins this upcoming season. However, going forward to the 2025/26 season, that is when I will likely be in the “most unknown” season camp.

Totally agree...we know what we have for the most part..and even with the goal tenders being new etc. What I look forward to most is the newbies esp the MacP bros..Obviously there will be the typical break in period.

Looking forward to putting on the jersey! Here's to season 11.

Ps FWIW poking around tonight on a few games I see TyMuz has the start at UConn

 

[Chuck Murray]

When I saw the thread title, I thought we were going full-on WCW or something this season ...

 

[Robert Balin]

Looks like Cy LeClerc is out for today's game. I hope his injury isn't too bad if that's the case. The lineup is up on the Hockey East website.

 

[HockeyRef]

Looks like Cy LeClerc is out for today's game. I hope his injury isn't too bad if that's the case. The lineup is up on the Hockey East website.

Cronin as well???

 

[HockeyRef]

PenaltiesRUs....at least we are getting alot of PK practice.

 

[Snively65]

PenaltiesRUs....at least we are getting alot of PK practice.

I know that it was just an exhibition game against a team that did not win a Div 1 game all of last season, but how did our two goalies look? And, our PK, too, of course?

 

[HockeyRef]

I know that it was just an exhibition game against a team that did not win a Div 1 game all of last season, but how did our two goalies look? And, our PK, too, of course?

I thought Da Whale looked good! He made a couple of glove saves that were timely..seems to stay home (tho he might want that goal back?)and squares up well. PK looked ok for the most part (one shortie!) Rico had about 5 mins of playing time. He's taller in the net but I don't have much to really say about him?

ATW your impressions? Oh and I liked our puck movement on the PP. Hopefully we end up better than 2-34!!!

 

[After the Whistle]

I thought Da Whale looked good! He made a couple of glove saves that were timely..seems to stay home (tho he might want that goal back?)and squares up well. PK looked ok for the most part (one shortie!) Rico had about 5 mins of playing time. He's taller in the net but I don't have much to really say about him?

ATW your impressions? Oh and I liked our puck movement on the PP. Hopefully we end up better than 2-34!!!

Crazy number of penalties as noted by Ref. We were so much more effectively (and not) physical it wasn’t even close. I believe that Rico played the entire 3rd period, as he should have. The goal he let in was one he would want back. He was perhaps a bit nervous. He did make at least one good save. The Whale was as Ref reported, it will be interesting to see how he does going forward.
The twins looked fine, first game, nothing spectacular but no flubs either. It will come. Walsh will slide nicely onto next years fourth line and be a good physical presence. Needs more games to work on defense. The best news on defense is that Player can…. He will be great next year. Not sure who sits next game as 3 starting forwards were out today, so….

 

[HockeyRef]

Crazy number of penalties as noted by Ref. We were so much more effectively (and not) physical it wasn’t even close. I believe that Rico played the entire 3rd period, as he should have. The goal he let in was one he would want back. He was perhaps a bit nervous. He did make at least one good save. The Whale was as Ref reported, it will be interesting to see how he does going forward.
The twins looked fine, first game, nothing spectacular but no flubs either. It will come. Walsh will slide nicely onto next years fourth line and be a good physical presence. Needs more games to work on defense. The best news on defense is that Player can…. He will be great next year. Not sure who sits next game as 3 starting forwards were out today, so….

Thanks for this POV ATW! Duh I mustve not realized the GK change up oh my! Agree with the comments regarding the twins...one almost scored as he crashed the net. Next week I will pay better attention ha!

 

[Snively65]

One reason that I asked about how our goalies played is Norbert’s concern about the position this season hence title of this thread.

Tyler Muszelik is now 2-0 in 120 minutes at Yukon, with a 2.00 GAA, 54 saves, a 0.931 Sv%, and an assist. Why cannot we get goalies like dat? Oh ……… wait ………

 

[HockeyRef]

...also wanted to mention that Connor Sweeney was wearing the 'A' as well as Jensen.

Some I talked to felt the 'Cats were underwhelming. I don't think I would
characterize them as that; my expectations were set fairly low as it was early on (obviously). I felt they had some decent hustle and guys like Conmy (he
is so much like TyK in his playmaking; knows where to look and had some excellent passes today in close) will be difference makers. With just about
all of the offense coming back finding the combos that work will be a work in progress, esp since 3 of them weren't there as mentioned (LeClerc, Cronin,
Turner).

I liked the games of newcomers Josh Player and the MacP brothers as well. Of course we took too many penalties and that can't be the way of it going forward
for obvious reasons. Sometimes its the competition's skill that leads to them or it's just wreckless play. Felt some of them today were the result of both.

Glad that both keepers had the chance to play today. Going to be really interesting to see where this goes but even early on I'm thinking we will be ok.
Thought Jared Whale had some really good stuff and he's aggressive (not afraid to go for it). He'll need to be...

I think for an early season thing this game was an ok start and it was a good idea to have an exhibition game like this- looking for a bit more from them next
week against those pesky guys from Waltham...who put up a fight against the Flagship tonight. Ha!

 

[OvahInDovah]

Anyone have an update on the Stonehill player that was stretchered off in the first?

 

[norbert]

...also wanted to mention that Connor Sweeney was wearing the 'A' as well as Jensen.

Some I talked to felt the 'Cats were underwhelming. I don't think I would
characterize them as that; my expectations were set fairly low as it was early on (obviously). I felt they had some decent hustle and guys like Conmy (he
is so much like TyK in his playmaking; knows where to look and had some excellent passes today in close) will be difference makers. With just about
all of the offense coming back finding the combos that work will be a work in progress, esp since 3 of them weren't there as mentioned (LeClerc, Cronin,
Turner).

I liked the games of newcomers Josh Player and the MacP brothers as well. Of course we took too many penalties and that can't be the way of it going forward
for obvious reasons. Sometimes its the competition's skill that leads to them or it's just wreckless play. Felt some of them today were the result of both.

Glad that both keepers had the chance to play today. Going to be really interesting to see where this goes but even early on I'm thinking we will be ok.
Thought Jared Whale had some really good stuff and he's aggressive (not afraid to go for it). He'll need to be...

I think for an early season thing this game was an ok start and it was a good idea to have an exhibition game like this- looking for a bit more from them next
week against those pesky guys from Waltham...who put up a fight against the Flagship tonight. Ha!

The Sweeney wearing the A is strange. And must have been a late addition as earlier this week I was told it was just Gagne and Jensen

 

[Snively65]

The Sweeney wearing the A is strange. And must have been a late addition as earlier this week I was told it was just Gagne and Jensen

Yes, weird. Sweeney scored 0 goals and 4 assists in 32 games last season. Must be a locker room glue guy?

if LeClerc, Cronin, Turner, and Lindner are healthy and available to play against Bentley next weekend, who will sit from the Stonehill game? Lovett, Siedem, Walsh, and Babbage?

 

[norbert]

Yes, weird. Sweeney scored 0 goals and 4 assists in 32 games last season. Must be a locker room glue guy?

if LeClerc, Cronin, Turner, and Lindner are healthy and available to play against Bentley next weekend, who will sit from the Stonehill game? Lovett, Siedem, Walsh, and Babbage?

I don’t get the Sweeney thing at all. Does the A mean he’s never a scratch? Not sure on the status of the scratches but it should also be an easy game.

 

[Robert Balin]

I don’t get the Sweeney thing at all. Does the A mean he’s never a scratch? Not sure on the status of the scratches but it should also be an easy game.

He has 7 points in 88 games played for UNH. I thought Souza would've got bold in the off-season and did a little purging like Carval did at UMASS.

 

[Snively65]

I don’t get the Sweeney thing at all. Does the A mean he’s never a scratch? Not sure on the status of the scratches but it should also be an easy game.

I would not assume that Bentley will be a pushover next weekend. The Falcons put up four goals against UMass-Flagship and five goals against UMass-Bazin (exhibition) in one-goal losses in Waltham this weekend. Best that the Cats be at full strength and/or put their best players on the ice.

The Connor Sweeney thing reminds me of the incompetent senior checking line from a few years ago about the time that UNH recruiting went off a cliff and the losing record streak deepened.