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

[Snively65]

Fish on Ice: a UNH Hockey Staple:
https://tnhdigital.com/22991/uncategorized/fish-on-ice-a-unh-hockey-staple/

Article does not get into the first 20 or so years of throwing the fish, including the “why?”, which is a shame.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Article does not get into the first 20 or so years of throwing the fish, including the “why?”, which is a shame.

Article almost comes across as a plea for sponsorship/volunteers to assist UNH Athletics in keeping the fish "alive".

It's funny, I always thought the recent addition of the hazmat gear was just an OTT tongue-in-cheek gag.

But this being academia ... of course it's 100% serious. I'm only surprised Karen PETA hasn't tried to ruin it (yet) ...

 

[Darius]

Sad to admit, but this is the official WIS "WISecrack of the Season" to date.The MBTA has become about as reliable as the latest UNH rejuvenation under MS7. Lots of stops and starts.

No doubt. I was red lining in August and at times could have run faster than the train was moving.

November Service Changes Will Allow Crews to Continue Improvement Work Across MBTA System:
https://www.mbta.com/news/2023-10-25/november-service-changes-will-allow-crews-continue-improvement-work-across-mbta?utm_campaign=curated-content&utm_content=November+Service+Changes+Will+ Allow+Crews+to+Continue+Improvement+Work+Across+MB TA+System&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_source=hub&utm_te rm=subway

MBTA Successfully Completes Expedited Critical Track Work on Red Line Ashmont Branch and Mattapan Line, Removes All Speed Restrictions:
https://www.mbta.com/news/2023-10-30/mbta-successfully-completes-expedited-critical-track-work-red-line-ashmont-branch?utm_campaign=curated-content&utm_content=MBTA+Successfully+Completes+Ex pedited+Critical+Track+Work+on+Red+Line+Ashmont+Br anch+and+Mattapan+Line%2C+Removes+All+Speed+Restri ctions&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_source=hub&utm_term= subway

MBTA Announces Ambitious Track Improvement Program to Eliminate All Speed Restrictions by End of 2024:
https://www.mbta.com/news/2023-11-09/mbta-announces-ambitious-track-improvement-program-eliminate-all-speed-restrictions?utm_campaign=curated-content&utm_content=MBTA+Announces+Ambitious+Track +Improvement+Program+to+Eliminate+All+Speed+Restri ctions+by+End+of+2024&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_sourc e=hub&utm_term=subway

December Service Changes Will Allow Crews to Continue Improvement Work Across MBTA System:
https://www.mbta.com/news/2023-11-16/december-service-changes-will-allow-crews-continue-improvement-work-across-mbta?utm_campaign=curated-content&utm_content=December+Service+Changes+Will+ Allow+Crews+to+Continue+Improvement+Work+Across+MB TA+System&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_source=hub&utm_te rm=subway

and Finally...
Repairing the MBTA will cost $25 billion, according to new analysis:
https://www.boston.com/news/local-n...ll-cost-25-billion-according-to-new-analysis/

 

[Snively65]

Who needs stinkin’ FOW’s, eh? Certainly not Wildcats. Disclaimer: I am just looking at box score for first two periods.

 

[norbert]

Pretty solid game for UNH with 10 minutes left. Waiting for the call on Fitzgerald’s 3rd penalty of the game. Was going to say he can’t see ice tomorrow but after a major he may have no choice. And Reid hasn’t helped. This pairing has been brutal.

 

[Snively65]

Pretty solid game for UNH with 10 minutes left. Waiting for the call on Fitzgerald’s 3rd penalty of the game. Was going to say he can’t see ice tomorrow but after a major he may have no choice. And Reid hasn’t helped. This pairing has been brutal.

So, apparently UNH cannot win face offs, but their PK appears to have been outstanding from what I am reading in the box score. Gotta like the extra skater tallying a goal. Maybe Fitzgerald should be sitting out tomorrow regardless of the game misconduct, as 19 penalty minutes is simply not the SMT way. Maine lost a tough one 3-2 at BU, so need to check latest PWR.

 

[HockeyRef]

Thrilled to see us get the W at the "House '0 Horrors" that has been Matthews Arena. Not thrilled about the penalties..ahem Fitzy...valiant tho killing off the 5 min major. I've walked out of that place many times with us being on the losing end (and big on occasion) so this was refreshing.

I also loved seeing Cy have a big night with 3 points Babbage with his first goal and Conmy getting a PPgoal. Kudos to TyMuz thought he had a good outing.

Lots of UNH fans there as well nice seeing you Norbert! Mr HR missed a good one ...

 

[d.gerry]

Does anyone know if Fitzgerald’s penalty was a game misconduct or game DQ? Will he have to sit out tonight (regardless of MS7’s opinion on the matter)? Pretty tough game for Fitzgerald, a night off might be called for anyway. Besides that pretty good game, especially after being down a goal playing on the road. So far this team doesn’t seem to get too rattled as compared to past years where after some adversity the wheels would fall off. Pairwise is like looking into an alternate universe.

 

[HockeyRef]

Does anyone know if Fitzgerald’s penalty was a game misconduct or game DQ? Will he have to sit out tonight (regardless of MS7’s opinion on the matter)? Pretty tough game for Fitzgerald, a night off might be called for anyway. Besides that pretty good game, especially after being down a goal playing on the road. So far this team doesn’t seem to get too rattled as compared to past years where after some adversity the wheels would fall off. Pairwise is like looking into an alternate universe.

CHN box score indicates it was a game misconduct...he should sit tonight as he 'cost' the 'Cats 9 penalty minutes; cutting him slack as he's a rookie but he has to
learn that is not acceptable. I do like his game tho and didn't see the hit but heard it was not ok and obviously neither did NU as they challenged the initial penalty....
(was great to kill that 5 min major but if we were playing a team like BU...)

Agree; this team played it tough all night. Got to thinking about our 'inability' to score ENG's in a couple of games this season (had some close ones last night) and had
this thought: UNH isn't usually in that position when you think about it (as in the past few seasons) and NU did a great job of defending it. Of course you can when
you have that extra player. Nice to be in that position I guess!

Figured they were more interested in playing a defensive game at that point- too bad that last goal went in but it was a top shelf beauty. Would be nice to get those
points tonight am expecting a battle!

As per looking at pairwise I have to rub my eyes a few times just to make sure I'm reading it right ha! Go 'Cats!!

 

[Darius]

It is hard not to be excited so far. NU is pretty awful right now though. I’d consider it a very successful season if we won 6 of our next 9, taking care of the ooc opponents, and went .500 from there. The way we are playing that is our over/under and right now I’d bet the over. Pinch me.

 

[norbert]

Does anyone know if Fitzgerald’s penalty was a game misconduct or game DQ? Will he have to sit out tonight (regardless of MS7’s opinion on the matter)? Pretty tough game for Fitzgerald, a night off might be called for anyway. Besides that pretty good game, especially after being down a goal playing on the road. So far this team doesn’t seem to get too rattled as compared to past years where after some adversity the wheels would fall off. Pairwise is like looking into an alternate universe.

Calling it a major was suspect at best. He needs to sit tonight… problem is they don’t have many D on the roster. Babbage played well and deserves more time. Reid was awful but a senior won’t sit as they have no depth. Muse played well but I predict goalie split tonight.

 

[HockeyRef]

It is hard not to be excited so far. NU is pretty awful right now though. I’d consider it a very successful season if we won 6 of our next 9, taking care of the ooc opponents, and went .500 from there. The way we are playing that is our over/under and right now I’d bet the over. Pinch me.

Yeah I hear that about NU not being that great right now; seems like they are a shell of the team that would whoop us 8 zip at Matthews, but I'll take it...nice to be
on the other side of those games (for a change) and the points are points.

That said totally agree; where they go to the end of Dec is key...but right now? I'm excited!

 

[Darius]

Calling it a major was suspect at best. He needs to sit tonight… problem is they don’t have many D on the roster. Babbage played well and deserves more time. Reid was awful but a senior won’t sit as they have no depth. Muse played well but I predict goalie split tonight.

Not disagreeing, but opponents thinking about their personal safety when going into our D zone corners is a good thing.

 

[HockeyRef]

Calling it a major was suspect at best. He needs to sit tonight… problem is they don’t have many D on the roster. Babbage played well and deserves more time. Reid was awful but a senior won’t sit as they have no depth. Muse played well but I predict goalie split tonight.

I mean..seemed they has his (Fitzgerald's) number..but it was reviewed so I digress...agree Darius alittle fear isn't a bad thing!

 

[Dan]

It is hard not to be excited so far. NU is pretty awful right now though. I’d consider it a very successful season if we won 6 of our next 9, taking care of the ooc opponents, and went .500 from there. The way we are playing that is our over/under and right now I’d bet the over. Pinch me.

To me this is the interesting part of tonight’s game. Northeastern may just be a bad team this year - is UNH good enough to put their foot down and bury the Huskies? UNH has beaten NU so easily in two games this far that a season series sweep seems like a must even if all of us would have eagerly jumped at a series win just over a month ago…

 

[Darius]

To me this is the interesting part of tonight’s game. Northeastern may just be a bad team this year - is UNH good enough to put their foot down and bury the Huskies? UNH has beaten NU so easily in two games this far that a season series sweep seems like a must even if all of us would have eagerly jumped at a series win just over a month ago…

This year the ’cats have mostly met these challenges whether from game to game like “winning” after the Q loss, beating Dartmouth or tonight; or in game like scoring to respond to an opponent’s goal or not giving one up just after scoring ourselves. They’ve not really had a Mike Tyson punch in the mouth moment yet. They just might have the character to respond.

A nice side story is our top line which looks like an NCAA D I hockey top line. I am totally enjoying watching in state home grown long time ’cats fan family connected to the program Cy LeClerc. If he maintains his development trajectory, he is going to be getting national attention by season’s end and by his senior year be on a whole other level.

 

[norbert]

To me this is the interesting part of tonight’s game. Northeastern may just be a bad team this year - is UNH good enough to put their foot down and bury the Huskies? UNH has beaten NU so easily in two games this far that a season series sweep seems like a must even if all of us would have eagerly jumped at a series win just over a month ago…

So far UNH is beating the teams they should. NU was predicted to be good but has shown they are not. I think each game is a pivotal point until there is belief this team is who they present.

The big difference in this team is for real record wise and reality is the home tie to PC. They had many missed open nets but played ok. Hopefully with/if Devlin back next weekend to get the top line together we may have a better picture

 

[Snively65]

Unfortunately, 25 is not a round number, Dale. A perfect square, yes.

UNH is 6-5-0 at home, 0-2-0 on neutral ice, and indeed a horrible 1-6-1 at Matthew’s since the 2013/14 season. But the 2013/14 season props up UNH win totals.

But, this year will be different, as I predict that we sweep the regular season from both HEA Fuskie teams.

One sweep down, one to go.

And JvR scored another goal at the Garden tonight vs Habs, as did second line-mate Trent Fredric, twice. Awesome line with center Coyle.

 

[HockeyRef]

Way to sweep 'em boys....team was fired up!

Snives you were correct on the sweep tip o the hat to
ya my friend! Now to beat those other Fruskies!

Yeah 'Catttsssss!

 

[Dan]

This year the ’cats have mostly met these challenges whether from game to game like “winning” after the Q loss, beating Dartmouth or tonight; or in game like scoring to respond to an opponent’s goal or not giving one up just after scoring ourselves. They’ve not really had a Mike Tyson punch in the mouth moment yet. They just might have the character to respond.

A nice side story is our top line which looks like an NCAA D I hockey top line. I am totally enjoying watching in state home grown long time ’cats fan family connected to the program Cy LeClerc. If he maintains his development trajectory, he is going to be getting national attention by season’s end and by his senior year be on a whole other level.

Another challenge met - and in decisive fashion. Great sign. UNH should now be notably favored in (at the very least) seven of their next eight…

Getting ahead of ourselves, but - Can they head into the first 2024 BU matchup at 13-3-1 or better?