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UNH Hockey 2023-2024 Season Thread - End Of The Cellar-Dweller Era??

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Ferrrao1994 said:
Maine is the best matchup we could of gotten in this quarterfinal, yes Alfond is a tough place to play, but we would have no shot if we were to play at BC, BU or Providence. I think Souza has found a new formula which has clearly worked since we've only given up 1 goal in 4 games. Maine has been a team reeling and hasn't been the same team since the start of the season (Umaine fans agree with this statement) and might be a little bit more comfortable because they've already clinched an NCAA tourney birth. But truthfully I think we matchup against Maine very well.

Side note, my fiance is a UMaine alumni and she was in the pep band and went to the games but didn't really know much about the sport. I've shown her the ropes this year and explaining hockey to her and she loves it. I grew up in Newmarket and started going to UNH games in the early 2000's. We've made it an effort as a family to now go to a UNH vs. UMaine game once a year. We went to the White out the Whit game on that Saturday and we annihilated them. She was a great sport about it though and we have plans to watch the game on TV on Saturday. We have a baby on the way so I'll do my best to make sure he's a wildcat haha. Anyway lets get back on track..


There's something to be said about a wounded tiger theory or should I say Wildcat. We have more desperation to win this game on Saturday and most certainly our backs are against the wall not just for the team but the coach as well. But truthfully, I think they turned a corner after the BC series, while they didn't win, you can say it was a moral victory being toe-to-toe with the most talented team in the country. You need hot goaltending and we have one of the best goaltenders in the country in Hellsten who is most definitely better than Maine's goalie. Having that series sweep back in February was a huge confidence builder, we can absolutely beat the Black Bears. Souza is going to have to look at film and make adjustments because if they play a little sloppy like they did last night, Maine is finishing those chances. I said this before the tourney started, the path to Boston is right there and we have a golden opportunity in front of us. Jumping up to 16th in the Pwr we are right on the bubble and going to Boston is essential if we want to make it to the NCAA tourney.

I will say that no matter what happens, we can all agree that we have been so impressed this year with the jump this team has made. No one expected 20 wins. Yeah there were some bad losses in there, but I think now a culture has been established. The program has been dogwater for so long the team is learning how to win again. I promise that next year there wont be losses to West Point, or Merrimack *Puke* Really excited with the direction this program is going and the future is bright. I saw that there was a point to meet up for a forum lunch and I think that is a fantastic idea. Or at the very least meet at future games. As always GOOOO CATS!!!!!!!
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The last 2 times we have been at the Gahden we all meet up for a beer or 7 lol..jk...maybe this year? Maybe? Pretty please? If we make the Gahden it's on me...
 
grooverider said:
I'm not sure us (Maine fans..but I'll speak for myself) agree entirely with this statement. They had a rough patch for sure. But I will tell you for certain, something clicked for them in the UMass series. They were back to being relentless, forechecking, and playmaking.. they needed to get out of their old heads. I think UNH's physicality is a bonus for them against Maine as they will need to slow down their neutral zone entries. If they keep it simple and play the body the hope would be a low scoring affair. However your special teams have been awful lately, do you really expect that to flip on a coin on the road? But let's be real, this is Orono, not Durham, and I can tell you for a fact this will be the most hostile crowd UNH has experienced all year and the crowd can absolutely get into your players heads.
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Our power play reeks but at least our PK has been somewhat respectable. "On paper" ( the CHN tale of the tape stuff) the two teams are fairly similar with some differences here and there.

After last night's so so performance am hoping and praying UNH doesn't think they can bring that game to Maine. Not to mention the obvious revenge factor the environment of the Alfond etc.

But Maine can't look past UNH who hopefully will be a team that fully gets the gravity of the situation. We'll see if they can bring it from the start. Usually I can tell how they are.going to do in the first 5 mins...

Anyway...both teams have had success this season they have not experienced in recent years..one will continue on that path (the Gahden) and naturally I hope its us!
 
JB said:
Hmmm... I watched it live from my normal spot up high in the corner. I didn't get the benefit of replays etc. you got on NESN.

Wondering if those of us in attendance have that different impression because we were in building. I will note that over on the Maine thread more than one of them hopes they see last nights UNH team not the mid February one they got the last time. Their impressions seem more aligned with mine.
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I don't think there's any question that being in the building is usually an advantage, JB. Having said that, from my viewing, I just didn't see many so-called Grade A chances generated by UML. Maybe part of it is that UNH does a nice job at blocking shots - I think I saw somewhere that UNH blocked 21 shots, and only 20 even made it through to Hellsten (and only 10 of those combined over the last two periods). I never ever really felt that Lowell had sufficient quality of player and opportunity to tie things up once Blaisdell scored. But that's just me. And if the UMaine players (or fans) want to think Hellsten was difference, hey, they should go with that.

I do think some of the comments on the UMaine thread during last night's game were tinged with a little trepidation and optimistic hoping that Lowell would deal UNH another "UNH moment". This may be a rare occasion when UMaine-iacs are actually a little concerned about postseason UNH. I mean, let's face it, as good as I think Barr has been (as an assistant elsewhere, and as an HC so far at UMaine), he has yet to show the UMaine-iacs his postseason best as an HC. He may do that this weekend, and wax Souza's guys (say, for example) 7-2, and the ghosts of Walshy and TIMMAY will romp over MS7 doing a poor man's imitation of Dick Umile. The "business as usual" scenario. OR ...

... maybe Barr can't channel his inner Walshy, and his players are a generation younger, with little working knowledge of how this match-up is "supposed" to turn out? And maybe, after 8 years of unabated mediocrity, MS7 has finally tapped into the winning formula, and can transform the long-standing pro-UMaine arc to this rivalry?? I mean, if Souza were to be renewed after this season, the recruiting gets a lot easier if he can actually point to something that even approaches a coaching accomplishment??? The "flip the script" scenario.

UMaine has been in the catbird's seat in the UMaine/UNH "Border Battle" (or whatever the UNH PR department wants to try to call it) since the day Shawn Walsh first arrived in the Downeast. There is nothing - NOTHING - UMaine fans would want less than to see a UNH team come up to Orono in the HEA quarters, and deprive them of a trip to Boston. It's all going to be out there and on the line Saturday night. A chance for both HC's to set the tone for the future of the rivalry ... and besides one quickly-avenged night in Boston in March 2002, it's been a mostly one way "rivalry" if we're being fair. Barr is trying to preserve/extend that edge ... which is why Souza HAS to win this one. Stating the obvious, he may never get another chance.

If UMaine wins, good for them. They are the better team over the course of the season. See PWR, HEA 3rd place, etc.

That would not make me angry. What would really torque me would be an MS7 extension after a UMaine win.

Can't wait ... this weekend (and aftermath) could be spectacular on these boards. Bring me some Wild West USCHO!!!
 
Snively65 said:
Thanks for stopping by and demonstrating how poorly Univ Maine apparently educates their students, assuming that you earned a degree in Orono. :-)
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Agree. I think groove is still in a weed induced coma. But he is right about one thing, Orono is not Durham.
 
JB said:
Hmmm... I watched it live from my normal spot up high in the corner. I didn't get the benefit of replays etc. you got on NESN.

Wondering if those of us in attendance have that different impression because we were in building. I will note that over on the Maine thread more than one of them hopes they see last nights UNH team not the mid February one they got the last time. Their impressions seem more aligned with mine.
Click to expand...

This was a game they stole. Jakob saved them for this game. Power play was atrocious, and they could not get out of their own end. If they play like this Saturday it could be 10-1. JB and I talked all game and I had this a 2-1 loss in OT as to how it was going.
 
Ferrrao1994 said:
Maine is the best matchup we could of gotten in this quarterfinal, yes Alfond is a tough place to play, but we would have no shot if we were to play at BC, BU or Providence. I think Souza has found a new formula which has clearly worked since we've only given up 1 goal in 4 games. Maine has been a team reeling and hasn't been the same team since the start of the season (Umaine fans agree with this statement) and might be a little bit more comfortable because they've already clinched an NCAA tourney birth. But truthfully I think we matchup against Maine very well.

Side note, my fiance is a UMaine alumni and she was in the pep band and went to the games but didn't really know much about the sport. I've shown her the ropes this year and explaining hockey to her and she loves it. I grew up in Newmarket and started going to UNH games in the early 2000's. We've made it an effort as a family to now go to a UNH vs. UMaine game once a year. We went to the White out the Whit game on that Saturday and we annihilated them. She was a great sport about it though and we have plans to watch the game on TV on Saturday. We have a baby on the way so I'll do my best to make sure he's a wildcat haha. Anyway lets get back on track..


There's something to be said about a wounded tiger theory or should I say Wildcat. We have more desperation to win this game on Saturday and most certainly our backs are against the wall not just for the team but the coach as well. But truthfully, I think they turned a corner after the BC series, while they didn't win, you can say it was a moral victory being toe-to-toe with the most talented team in the country. You need hot goaltending and we have one of the best goaltenders in the country in Hellsten who is most definitely better than Maine's goalie. Having that series sweep back in February was a huge confidence builder, we can absolutely beat the Black Bears. Souza is going to have to look at film and make adjustments because if they play a little sloppy like they did last night, Maine is finishing those chances. I said this before the tourney started, the path to Boston is right there and we have a golden opportunity in front of us. Jumping up to 16th in the Pwr we are right on the bubble and going to Boston is essential if we want to make it to the NCAA tourney.

I will say that no matter what happens, we can all agree that we have been so impressed this year with the jump this team has made. No one expected 20 wins. Yeah there were some bad losses in there, but I think now a culture has been established. The program has been dogwater for so long the team is learning how to win again. I promise that next year there wont be losses to West Point, or Merrimack *Puke* Really excited with the direction this program is going and the future is bright. I saw that there was a point to meet up for a forum lunch and I think that is a fantastic idea. Or at the very least meet at future games. As always GOOOO CATS!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

I am not sure I agree. We did not give up a goal to UML who is a team that has clearly quit. They played well last night but overall they are a bad team. I would rather take my chance with BC (2 losses in a row and could have won both) or PC versus going to Maine who we embarrassed a month ago.
 
Chuck Murray said:
I don't think there's any question that being in the building is usually an advantage, JB. Having said that, from my viewing, I just didn't see many so-called Grade A chances generated by UML. Maybe part of it is that UNH does a nice job at blocking shots - I think I saw somewhere that UNH blocked 21 shots, and only 20 even made it through to Hellsten (and only 10 of those combined over the last two periods). I never ever really felt that Lowell had sufficient quality of player and opportunity to tie things up once Blaisdell scored. But that's just me. And if the UMaine players (or fans) want to think Hellsten was difference, hey, they should go with that.

I do think some of the comments on the UMaine thread during last night's game were tinged with a little trepidation and optimistic hoping that Lowell would deal UNH another "UNH moment". This may be a rare occasion when UMaine-iacs are actually a little concerned about postseason UNH. I mean, let's face it, as good as I think Barr has been (as an assistant elsewhere, and as an HC so far at UMaine), he has yet to show the UMaine-iacs his postseason best as an HC. He may do that this weekend, and wax Souza's guys (say, for example) 7-2, and the ghosts of Walshy and TIMMAY will romp over MS7 doing a poor man's imitation of Dick Umile. The "business as usual" scenario. OR ...

... maybe Barr can't channel his inner Walshy, and his players are a generation younger, with little working knowledge of how this match-up is "supposed" to turn out? And maybe, after 8 years of unabated mediocrity, MS7 has finally tapped into the winning formula, and can transform the long-standing pro-UMaine arc to this rivalry?? I mean, if Souza were to be renewed after this season, the recruiting gets a lot easier if he can actually point to something that even approaches a coaching accomplishment??? The "flip the script" scenario.

UMaine has been in the catbird's seat in the UMaine/UNH "Border Battle" (or whatever the UNH PR department wants to try to call it) since the day Shawn Walsh first arrived in the Downeast. There is nothing - NOTHING - UMaine fans would want less than to see a UNH team come up to Orono in the HEA quarters, and deprive them of a trip to Boston. It's all going to be out there and on the line Saturday night. A chance for both HC's to set the tone for the future of the rivalry ... and besides one quickly-avenged night in Boston in March 2002, it's been a mostly one way "rivalry" if we're being fair. Barr is trying to preserve/extend that edge ... which is why Souza HAS to win this one. Stating the obvious, he may never get another chance.

If UMaine wins, good for them. They are the better team over the course of the season. See PWR, HEA 3rd place, etc.

That would not make me angry. What would really torque me would be an MS7 extension after a UMaine win.

Can't wait ... this weekend (and aftermath) could be spectacular on these boards. Bring me some Wild West USCHO!!!
Click to expand...

The NESN broadcast must have showed Saturday's game as UML had many more chances than UNH. Jakob has saves that we all looked at each other and asked how did he make it. They forced the play and if not for a fortunate bounce off of 18's stick this game goes to OT.
 
There is no team - NO TEAM - I'd rather see UNH facing, and no venue I would rather see them playing in than at Alfond Arena in mid-March. I mean ... you're a 6th place HEA team playing for a trip to Boston, and a shot at qualifying for the NCAA's. Who did anyone think we were gonna be facing with those circumstances in place?? UNH already got the rub o' the green with three straight games against UML to finish the regular season, and two of those games were home games. Was it gonna be Merrimack or UVM at The Whitt with Boston on the line??? At some point, if you're a mid-table team, you're gonna actually have to beat someone of substance (and do it in their barn) to earn a reward(s) like the one(s) that may be on the line in Saturday night's tilt. So you gotta beat UMaine, in Alfond. Well, what's better than a chance to actually accomplish something big AND inflict a little pain onto your self-professed top rival????

It feels like St. Patrick himself has decided to grace UNH with a sprinkle of good fortune a day early, with this opportunity falling into their lap. You don't turn around a mediocre program/career with a home RS sweep, and you certainly don't turn anything around with three straight wins over a last place team, no matter what silly gravitas you attempt to bestow on the 3rd game. Nope. What works best is you get on a bus, you travel three hours to the Downeast, you walk into the belly of the beast in March, and you leave with the golden ticket(s) to Boston (and maybe a Regional site TBD). Now THAT would be a super fun bus ride home, no?!?

I've said it before, and I'll say it again ... never has a UNH head coach done so little, for so long, to deserve such a chance to re-set whatever the state of the UMaine-UNH "rivalry" currently stands at.

This is no time for "moral victory" like 0-1 at BC. Barr has already blown past you in three short years, and he is not gonna stop improving his program, not unless YOU - UNH/Coach Souza - do something to slow him down.

It is absolutely SO very simple, you've been gifted an amazing opportunity. Now just got out and take it.
 
Snively65 said:
Great answer! Nicely played, groove. :-)

Mostly I am just trying to revive some of the fan hostilities like in the good old days for our two teams.
Click to expand...
Cant you just see groovy in his mothers basement watching porn and posting videos on Tick Tack of maniacs going crazy in the Alfond.
 
Wow Chuck 2:38 am you write that post? I thought I was a night owl :) Yeah, this is a huge opportunity for UNH hockey. Speaks volumes to potential recruits. Lose the game
and gee so what if UNH made it to the qtrs; they have done that before in recent years (well, 2021 beating Maine 7-1 up there with no fans as I recall?). But to make the
Garden...oh to make the Garden..and have a shot at getting an at large bid would be colossal! Beyond colossal..

Not to put the cart before the horse but regardless of W or L Saturday, UNH is going to be able to point to a few things:

*Best showing in 10 years staying consistently in the top 20 all season long
*Having the best home record since 2007/2008

CHC said it at the beginning of the season : "No matter how UNH does they are going to do it with the best line up in years" which, has been
true. Some hiccups sure. Like that road record (not gonna go there right now) and, a few other sundry things like a weak PP (talked that to death right?) and those
games we shoulda won (harsh lessons learned).

They can win this game; if they get out of their heads, quiet the crowd EARLY and stay out of the box as much as possible. What a statement it will make for MS7 to beat
Ben Barr and thwart his chance for HE glory to move on to the sacred place on Causeway Street!! UVM last year, UNH this year...

Gotta bring the game that swept Maine in February...the game at BU (despite the loss still think it was one of UNH's best of the season)...

Not going to talk about the 'if they lose' stuff right now. Let's play the game! Go 'Cats!!! Show up big!! HR already has Gahden seats...don't let her down now...
 
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HockeyRef said:
Wow Chuck 2:38 am you write that post? I thought I was a night owl :)
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Tough winter at the WIS Estate, 'Ref. Family health issues, a death in the (extended) family, and having to work through all the fallout, has put us on a weird schedule. Hoping things normalize by Memorial Day.

But will absolutely find a way to jam in a trip to Boston next weekend if UNH passes the big test in Orono tomorrow. Big sports weekend coming up, with DRW needing badly to break out of a huge tailspin, and with Wolverhampton (UK) hosting an FA Cup quarterfinal with a trip to Wembley on the line. Need at least one of these three to break my way and buoy my spirits. But if nothing else, Winter officially ends this time next week! :-)
 
Chuck Murray said:
Tough winter at the WIS Estate, 'Ref. Family health issues, a death in the (extended) family, and having to work through all the fallout, has put us on a weird schedule. Hoping things normalize by Memorial Day.

But will absolutely find a way to jam in a trip to Boston next weekend if UNH passes the big test in Orono tomorrow. Big sports weekend coming up, with DRW needing badly to break out of a huge tailspin, and with Wolverhampton (UK) hosting an FA Cup quarterfinal with a trip to Wembley on the line. Need at least one of these three to break my way and buoy my spirits. But if nothing else, Winter officially ends this time next week! :-)
Click to expand...

So sorry to hear Chuck...hoping for the best outcome for your family and condolences in your recent loss...

AND hope to see you at the Gahden!!!!
 
norbert said:
I am not sure I agree. We did not give up a goal to UML who is a team that has clearly quit. They played well last night but overall they are a bad team. I would rather take my chance with BC (2 losses in a row and could have won both) or PC versus going to Maine who we embarrassed a month ago.
Click to expand...

We always have a chance against PC. See 2014-2015.........
 
Chuck Murray said:
There is no team - NO TEAM - I'd rather see UNH facing, and no venue I would rather see them playing in than at Alfond Arena in mid-March. I mean ... you're a 6th place HEA team playing for a trip to Boston, and a shot at qualifying for the NCAA's.
...
At some point, if you're a mid-table team, you're gonna actually have to beat someone of substance (and do it in their barn) to earn a reward(s) ... So you gotta beat UMaine, in Alfond. Well, what's better than a chance to actually accomplish something big AND inflict a little pain onto your self-professed top rival????
Click to expand...

I really couldn't agree more. GO EARN IT.

Chuck Murray said:
... never has a UNH head coach done so little, for so long, ...
Click to expand...

Understatement!

For a little context.

This year is the 100th since the start of UNH hockey first team January 1925, but only the 97th season as like most teams they skipped 3 seasons 1943-1946. Before 1955-56 never played more than 14 games in a season with 42-43 being the low water mark at 2. Many of those years were single digit games played on an outdoor "natural" surface

UNH has had 14 coaches in those 97 seasons

6 have career records below .500

Of those 6 - Souza, most seasons at 6 (and that discounts the horrible "transition plan"), most games coached 197 (by 86)
 
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