UNH At The Starting Gate....

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Umile has given DiGirolamo quite a compliment:

http://www.uscho.com/2010/11/11/new-hampshires-digirolamo-a-blast-from-the-past-for-umile/

The comparisons with Chris Terreri? Italian, short, and quick. I was at the inaugural Hockey East championship in Providence back in 1985 and, without a doubt, it was the most spectacular goaltending performance I have ever seen. Terreri was in the zone that weekend, really for the whole month. If DiGi can live up to the comparison . . . . well it is hard to imagine.

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Umile has given DiGirolamo quite a compliment:

For a coach who's known more for understatement, Coach Umile's comparison of DiGirolamo to Chris Terreri is somewhat surprising. DiGi deserves a great deal of credit for his early season performance - particularly, given his lack of game experience. But comparing him to one of the all-time Hockey East greats? Perhaps Coach should have qualified his comparison by emphasizing that their size and style of play are similar, not their record or accomplishments. In fairness to Umile, it was the sportswriter who characterized DiGi as doing an impersonation of Terreri. By establishing a comparison of DiGi to Terreri after only 7 games, both Coach Umile and his goaltender find themselves out on a limb (IMO).

 

[WildShawn]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Perhaps Coach should have qualified his comparison by emphasing that their size and style of play are similar

I think thats what he did, that and their work ethic...

 

[goblue]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Maybe this is the high point for the year, but UNH suddenly has a decent power play:

Power Play
Rk Team PPG/PPO PCT
1 Union 19-of-51 37.25
2 Brown 5-of-16 31.25
3 Wisconsin 17-of-55 30.91
4 Michigan Tech 12-of-40 30.00
5 Colorado College 19-of-73 26.03
6 Minnesota-Duluth 14-of-55 25.45
7 RIT 10-of-40 25.00
Nebraska-Omaha 11-of-44 25.00
North Dakota 12-of-48 25.00
10 Alabama-Huntsville 14-of-58 24.14
11 Yale 6-of-25 24.00
12 Minnesota 9-of-38 23.68
13 New Hampshire 8-of-34 23.53
14 Maine 15-of-64 23.44


Read more: http://www.uscho.com/statsnew/#ixzz15Ag0e5lX

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

UMass hung in there all night and nearly won it all. Some observations:
(1) The four student sections were essentially filled by 6:30 and they were noisy all night.
(2) A longtime vendor told me that Friday night's crowd was typical in that many have to come from work so the arena didn't fill up until early in the first period.
(3) Blake Kessel had a bad right wheel. He spent the warmups stretching his right leg while resting on the boards in front of the bench. There was a lot of grimacing and when he tried to skate, he was hobling. He played the entire game but was noticably going at 3/4 speed (at best).
(4) Nick Sorkin had 3 quality shots on goal and made a number of smart plays in the offensive end, keeping the puck in the zone a few times and setting up Borisenok once on the doorstep.
(5) It was refreshing to see UNH pull the goalie, with about a minute to go, and produce a goal. DeSimone dug the puck out from behind the goal and set up Kessel for a pretty one-timer with 44 seconds to go.
(6) In the waning minutes of the overtime, UNH fought off a 5 on 3 UMass powerplay. At the end, Stevie Moses flew out of the penalty box, collected the puck near the blueline, and flashed in for one last shot on goal. Mr. Excitement.
(7) Goalie and Captain Paul Dainton played well facing a total of 46 shots (UMass had 32 SOG).
(8) The fourth line saw a fair amount of icetime. McCarey is a grinder, Silengo seems to know what he's doing at center, and watch out for Goumas - he can fly.
3 out of 4 points is satisfying.

 

[i'zonprize]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Yes- both Sorkin and Goumas we're 2 of the more aggressive skaters last night for UNH. Really liked the way both 'want' the puck and aren't afraid to head straight to the Net. I wonder if they'll every find themselves on the same line.

UMASS did a great job of clogging things up in the middle last night- lots of the up ice movement was along the boards -and UNH still gave itself plenty of chances.

Go Figure- UNH plays another team in the Top 3 next weekend!!

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Nice post.

...The four student sections were essentially filled by 6:30 and they were noisy all night.

Freshman daughter, 1st year in student section agrees. Several of her friends snoozed and were unable to get student tickets mid - late week. Students are arriving early to get a good seat. Shirtless, chest painted fan observed post game transporting a case of beer across campus. That's the spirit!

...Blake Kessel had a bad right wheel...

Perhaps an explanation for the change in defensive pairings for a few 2nd period shifts?

...Nick Sorkin had 3 quality shots on goal and made a number of smart plays in the offensive end, keeping the puck in the zone a few times and setting up Borisenok once on the doorstep....

Still getting acclimated to HE play, he is very visible and will soon be statistically productive.

...The fourth line saw a fair amount of icetime...

Crucial for a late season run.

...3 out of 4 points is satisfying....

A slight respectful disagreement here. We did not protect a lead going into the 3rd period while doubling up on shots: bad. Coming back for an EAG to tie: good. This one may come back to haunt in the final regular season standings.

i had an interesting debate with the fan next to me about the UNH timeout. I disagreed thinking it was best to keep the PP pressure on UMA, give the 2nd line PP experience. The fan next to me agreed with Coach in resting the first line and getting them back on the PP, hopefully sealing the win.

My daughter is enjoying the student section and learning how to watch the game from behind the net. She is having a blast with her friends. She is free to shout things without worry of offending her neighbors. Last night her friend from WA, attending her 1st game won goal of the game. She didn't know who to pick. My daughter said, "Write, Sislo". As much fun as she is having she is describing herself as "...avid UNH hockey fan seeking kindred spirit". I think the test is a current student who knows who Mick Mounsey is. Any takers?

 

[GoUNH]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Agree with CHP, Sorkin is appears to have a lot of potential.

Its great to see the student section packed and rowdy. It started with the Michigan game and should continue through the season.

Again, I am pleasantly surprised at the talent this team is showing and the ability to make big plays when they count the most. Sure they gave up a 1 goal lead in the 3rd but Umass is a division 1 Hockey East team as well, lots of talent over there. UNH preserving the tie while being shorthanded 5 on 3 was huge IMO. Fun year so far!

 

[thecomicbookguy]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

A slight respectful disagreement here. We did not protect a lead going into the 3rd period while doubling up on shots: bad. Coming back for an EAG to tie: good. This one may come back to haunt in the final regular season standings.

I will agree that blowing the lead with just over a minute was awful; it was an awful play that led to the tying goal. Looked like the team was coasting.

As to the standings, given the tightness of HEA the past few years, it could mean the difference between home-ice and going on the road, but I doubt it. If it's the difference between any of the top four seeds, I don't really care.

i had an interesting debate with the fan next to me about the UNH timeout. I disagreed thinking it was best to keep the PP pressure on UMA, give the 2nd line PP experience. The fan next to me agreed with Coach in resting the first line and getting them back on the PP, hopefully sealing the win.

Hadn't thought of that during the game, but I agree with you. Better to get as many players involved this early in the season, than to worry about "clinching the win".

My daughter is enjoying the student section and learning how to watch the game from behind the net. She is having a blast with her friends. She is free to shout things without worry of offending her neighbors. Last night her friend from WA, attending her 1st game won goal of the game. She didn't know who to pick. My daughter said, "Write, Sislo". As much fun as she is having she is describing herself as "...avid UNH hockey fan seeking kindred spirit". I think the test is a current student who knows who Mick Mounsey is. Any takers?

Can't help with the kindred spirit, but can she play a cowbell?

 

[Verkligen]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Tonight I'm thinking about the three weekends in October with just one game. Last night looked like a Saturday night played after a better played Friday night... Didn't get to the Conte last weekend, but did get to Tsongas and am guessing I would have the same impression.

Thoughts?

 

[UNHhockey29]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Tonight I'm thinking about the three weekends in October with just one game. Last night looked like a Saturday night played after a better played Friday night... Didn't get to the Conte last weekend, but did get to Tsongas and am guessing I would have the same impression.

Thoughts?

The game against BC was the better game of the weekend in my opinion. The guys were flying all night where at Lowell they seemed to come out a bit slower, but BC is a better faster team and that can make a difference.

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Enjoyed seeing my second game this season at Lake Whitt on Friday night; thanks to ClOuD 9 for his extra ticket. Was not able to attend on Saturday night, but sounds like I saw the better game. UMass certainly lost a lot of would be senior leadership to the pro's this season; if some of those guys had stayed, I think that the results might have been quite different this past weekend, although I was impressed with DiGi's quickness on Friday night. The Cats special teams were critical in that game, especially their 5-3 PPG, which must be made at least 50% of the time, in my opinion.

I plan to attend at Agganis this Saturday night if ticket comes through; should be another great early season test.

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Not all top Massachusetts' players go to Boston schools. An interesting article on the Moses-Henrion connection.

 

[Gibber]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Passing this on from the Friends of UNH Hockey facebook posting:

"On Friday Night during the UNH-UMass Game an errant pass left the ice and sailed into the stands hitting long time UNH Athletics supporter Frank "the Fan" Halbert hard in the face, damaging his nose and orbital lobe. Frank is resting at Mass General Hospital and is expected to have re-constructive surgery on Wednesday. The FOUNHH wish Frank a speedy recovery!"

I'd like to second that, as someone who has watched a lot of hockey with Frank, and even drove back to St. Lawrence with him (and Rip Therrien) 10ish years ago, I wish Frank, at 87 years young, the best, and hope to see him at the Whitt again soon...

I got the news Saturday afternoon while at the UNH hoops game, and I heard (I can't remember if it was at the game, or later that night on the radio) that he was asking how he'd be able to listen to the game Saturday night.

All the best Frank!

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

NHL Central Scouting has released its "Players to Watch" list which covers draft eligible NCAA players.
Nick Sorkin is on the list and is rated as a "C" Player which means that Central Scouting is tracking him and he is a potential late round selection in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft in June.

 

[UNH.onward.to.victory!]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

(1) The four student sections were essentially filled by 6:30 and they were noisy all night.

I sat in the student section near 124 and this is by far the most excitement I have seen out of UNH student fans for a long time! I would expect this weekend to be no different; tickets are going fast and the student seats will be filling up early!

 

[GoUNH]

Passing this on from the Friends of UNH Hockey facebook posting:

"On Friday Night during the UNH-UMass Game an errant pass left the ice and sailed into the stands hitting long time UNH Athletics supporter Frank "the Fan" Halbert hard in the face, damaging his nose and orbital lobe. Frank is resting at Mass General Hospital and is expected to have re-constructive surgery on Wednesday. The FOUNHH wish Frank a speedy recovery!"

I'd like to second that, as someone who has watched a lot of hockey with Frank, and even drove back to St. Lawrence with him (and Rip Therrien) 10ish years ago, I wish Frank, at 87 years young, the best, and hope to see him at the Whitt again soon...

I got the news Saturday afternoon while at the UNH hoops game, and I heard (I can't remember if it was at the game, or later that night on the radio) that he was asking how he'd be able to listen to the game Saturday night.

All the best Frank!

Get well soon Mr. Halbert!

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

To RockTheWhit or anyone else who might know - How is Blake Kessel's right leg injury coming along? Will he be back to 100% for the BU series? Is there a chance we could see Eric Knodel and/or Justin Agosta suit up?

 

[MagicCat]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

I would highly doubt that we would see Agosta at all this season, he is a ways off. We would more than likely see Knodel. Blake is a warrior I doubt he misses these games.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH At The Starting Gate....

Can't help with the kindred spirit, but can she play a cowbell?

I'll see if I can get her to visit y'all tonight and maybe find out.