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

[Chuck Murray]

If I’m a bookie do I set the total wins over/under at 19.5 or 20.5?

No more than 19.5. Two wins in the final two weekends gets you 19, then it's a 50-50 throw on the MBPBEGAM.

In the old days I'd have sent you to the BC thread, but these are brave new days upon us, eh Darius?

As far as tonight's kinda-win ... UNH's postseason outlook has been like the proverbial Death by a Thousand Cuts, and this weekend was two more. Missed on a clear chance to leapfrog UMass, and now that's just another team UNH has to overcome in early March down the stretch.

I'm almost expecting UNH to do to BC next weekend, what UMass did to UNH this weekend. But then, I wouldn't be surprised if UML Bazin delivers the NCAA killshot the following weekend, it's just that kind of a UNH team. Endearingly willing, but in the end lacking experience in winning games that matter with any degree of regularity.

Would be mildly (pleasantly) surprised to see them earn a trip to Boston.

The hoped-for trip to the NCAA's I'm afraid is DOA, barring a magical run to the Lamoriello Trophy. Chances? Slim or none, and the proverbial Slim is saddling up soon to ride on out of town, sadly ...

If nothing else, tonight should have AD Rich narrowing her list of candidates for next year's HC job. If it turns out any of the top guys are able and willing to take the job this offseason, they should be offered to interview for the job the second both their current team and UNH are out of contention for the NCAA's. IF she can get the right guy, she should act on it; if she can't, a two-year extension should be in order for MS7, and financial planning should be in place for a potential buyout IF MS7 can't get next year's team to continue this season's improvement, or at least break even (which would be MS7's first two winning seasons at UNH).

I'm not an unreasonable man. But it's a shame it's taken this long for MS7 to get the program to this point, instead of in the first few years of his tenure, where patience with this kind of a developing-but-needs-more-time squad would have been ample and more fitting. I feel for the guy, I was a big fan of the player a generation ago, when he was an important piece of some of UNH's best teams ... but I'm still left with the nagging feeling he underestimated the demands of the job too long, and put himself needlessly behind the 8-ball, where he stands right now.

I'm still rooting for a magical run, but when it's come to the Missouri standard, the program hasn't "shown me" ...

 

[Aerman]

How does a shootout win (or loss) impact the PWR?

Shootouts are a conference thing, NCAA records the game as a tie regardless of the shootout and that’s how it goes into the RPI.

 

[Aerman]

… and as far as last night’s game, that was a win for RPI. So PWR implications for the weekend are on a 1-1 result.

 

[Snively65]

If I’m a bookie do I set the total wins over/under at 19.5 or 20.5?

Still thinking that we might get to 20 wins with a sweep of UMass-Bazin, who are a few notches below UMass-Flagship, and a home win in MBPBEGAM game. Good thing that HEA still has the MBPBEGAM game, as otherwise we would be traveling for a one and done in the HEA quarters.

 

[Darius]

The PWR formula seems to evolve yearly. At one point I thought the winner of a 3-on-3 overtime got 55% of a win for pairwise purposes, the loser got 45% of a win and if the 3-on-3 overtime ended in a tie it was a 50-50 split. At another time it was that an OT win was 2/3 of a win and a loss was 1/3. Bottom line is your (our) team has no complaints if not making the tournament comes down to winning in regulation vs. winning in OT vs. a relatively equal opponent.

 

[Snively65]

The PWR formula seems to evolve yearly. At one point I thought the winner of a 3-on-3 overtime got 55% of a win for pairwise purposes, the loser got 45% of a win and if the 3-on-3 overtime ended in a tie it was a 50-50 split. At another time it was that an OT win was 2/3 of a win and a loss was 1/3. Bottom line is your (our) team has no complaints if not making the tournament comes down to winning in regulation vs. winning in OT vs. a relatively equal opponent.

FWIIW Dept., CHN still lists 55%/45% for OT W/L in PWR calculation, I think.

I just ran a customized retroactive game results PWR in which had we swept UMass-Flagship we would have moved up to a tie with CC for 14th in PWR points, although CC would have had the higher RPI, and dropped Flagship to 17th. Oh, well …..

 

[HockeyRef]

FWIIW Dept., CHN still lists 55%/45% for OT W/L in PWR calculation, I think.

I just ran a customized retroactive game results PWR in which had we swept UMass-Flagship we would have moved up to a tie with CC for 14th in PWR points, although CC would have had the higher RPI, and dropped Flagship to 17th. Oh, well …..

And of course there were other games we needed to win as well, but what are you gonna do? Uphill climb but that's not new.
UMass gets the better end of the deal tho with a 13th spot in PWR.

When all said and done this season the story will be in the improvements made, the first winning season in a long time..hosting a first round play off game..so I guess
that will be better than usual. Looking forward to see how the 'Cats handle their final 4 coming up. Hard to believe we are at this point already and despite the near misses
here and there, happy for that W last night.

Welp bring on the first place Beagles and may the Hockey Gods have give us a nod..we're gonna need it!

Ps...thought Fitzy had a game last night; beautiful shot for the tip in with Turner! Frosh to Frosh...awesome.

 

[HockeyRef]

Ok hockey enthusiasts...besides "decline the penalty" just what IS the matter with our power play??? Seems to me its a lack of movement, crisp passing?
I will say we got some shots off last night at least...curious to hear your thoughts on how it could be improved..

Post of the night on twitter: "Missing, UNH powerplay. If found, please return to the Whittemore Center immediately". ha!

 

[Snively65]

Ok hockey enthusiasts...besides "decline the penalty" just what IS the matter with our power play??? Seems to me its a lack of movement, crisp passing?
I will say we got some shots off last night at least...curious to hear your thoughts on how it could be improved..

Post of the night on twitter: "Missing, UNH powerplay. If found, please return to the Whittemore Center immediately". ha!

Dunno on UNH special teams, but is not that on the assistant coaches (what are their names again)? UNH 29th overall with 20.2% on PP and tied for 39th with 79.6% on PK. We had better not take many penalties against BC, as the Iggles are 4th overall with 27.6% on PP, and we should not expect to score on the PP as the Iggles are first overall with 89.8% on PK.

 

[Darius]

Ok hockey enthusiasts...besides "decline the penalty" just what IS the matter with our power play??? Seems to me its a lack of movement, crisp passing?
I will say we got some shots off last night at least...curious to hear your thoughts on how it could be improved..

Post of the night on twitter: "Missing, UNH powerplay. If found, please return to the Whittemore Center immediately". ha!

The Friday night UMA announcers said it looked like UNH had no PP plan. Players down low not really doing anything and perimeter passing up top with no apparent reason or intent.

 

[HockeyRef]

The Friday night UMA announcers said it looked like UNH had no PP plan. Players down low not really doing anything and perimeter passing up top with no apparent reason or intent.

I watch other teams and the movement, passing is almost constant. Seems to me somebody on that
coaching staff can clearly see whatever they are doing hasn't been very effective...to say the least.

That's a scorcher comment!! Ouch!

 

[e.cat]

And of course there were other games we needed to win as well, but what are you gonna do? Uphill climb but that's not new.
UMass gets the better end of the deal tho with a 13th spot in PWR.

When all said and done this season the story will be in the improvements made, the first winning season in a long time..hosting a first round play off game..so I guess
that will be better than usual. Looking forward to see how the 'Cats handle their final 4 coming up. Hard to believe we are at this point already and despite the near misses
here and there, happy for that W last night.

Welp bring on the first place Beagles and may the Hockey Gods have give us a nod..we're gonna need it!

Ps...thought Fitzy had a game last night; beautiful shot for the tip in with Turner! Frosh to Frosh...awesome.

Check that it was Jensen who got the shot through on Gagne’s goal. But yes Fitzy had a good game with no major. Haha

 

[Snively65]

Check that it was Jensen who got the shot through on Gagne?s goal. But yes Fitzy had a good game with no major. Haha

Speaking of SMT’s, check out Boblav1’s links on UML thread to ASU at Alaska game in Fairbanks in which 247 minutes of penalties were called, maybe reminiscent of the movie Slap Shot?

This past Friday night’s game, which Alaska won 3-1 on its two PPG’s late in the third. Maybe these two teams should remain forever Independents, as what conference would want to deal with this behavior?

 

[e.cat]

Speaking of SMT�¢??s, check out Boblav1�¢??s links on UML thread to ASU at Alaska game in Fairbanks in which 247 minutes of penalties were called, maybe reminiscent of the movie Slap Shot?

This past Friday night�¢??s game, which Alaska won 3-1 on its two PPG�¢??s late in the third. Maybe these two teams should remain forever Independents, as what conference would want to deal with this behavior?

Um yeah. The Wild Wild West.

 

[d.gerry]

… and as far as last night’s game, that was a win for RPI. So PWR implications for the weekend are on a 1-1 result.

Thanks. That's what I thought on the 3-3 OT win, wasn't sure how the shootout worked.

 

[HockeyRef]

Curious about how we are going to beat a team that has 4 skaters in the top 10 for goals? We've already played them and know what's coming.
Hopefully the team plays 'desperate' from the get go, which is a quote from Liam Devlin in todays UL recap story of the weekend...

On another note just bought a ticket for the women's game this coming Sat v UVM. Haven't been to a game yet for them in my tenure as a fan and
am looking forward to it. Like the mens team its been awhile since they have hosted a game so good luck to them!!

Going back to the UL article interesting the author pointed out 'glaring' was the word for the lack of PP success, but either didn't ask MS7 about
it or didn't include any remarks about it. The article did say that Carvel felt that goal by Gagne should have been disallowed. Seems there's a
conspiracy theory going on where UMass continues to get the short side of the stick when it comes to calls from some comments I read around
the internets...

Just some things that make you go hmmm on a Monday morning...

 

[Ferrrao1994]

Looks like UNH dropped a spot in the PWR over this weekend. It was nice to see UNH fight for the comeback OT win on Saturday to save their season for now. I was sharing this thought with someone. This is a young team and to see the strides they've made has been impressive and a building block the program can use moving forward.

To make the NCAA's will be a daunting task... having to rely on teams above us falling apart (Cornell, Michigan, St. Cloud, Western Michigan, Umass, and providence), stealing a game against BC, sweeping Lowell, and making it to Boston for the HE tourney. But it's not impossible, I think this team has played its best hockey when they have their backs against the wall (sweeping Maine, and that OT win on Saturday.) Yes Boston College is a wagon what a shocker.. but I think if we were to steal a game, it would be on Friday. Hockey is a game that is won with effort more than skill. Bruins fans know this all too well. For the Wildcats, securing the 4 seed is still possible and hosting a quarterfinal game would be huge and would put us in a great position to make it to Boston and the NCAA tourney.

I'm not sure what has happened to our power play... to not score a power play goal over the weekend is concerning. A lot of standing around and not really moving any penalty kill defenders out of position.

No matter what happens from now until the end of the season, it's been so refreshing to see the team competitive and this could be the start of another run. I haven't been to a game in about a decade, this year I went to 5. (W RPI, W Princeton, W Maine, W Umass, L Uconn) but I think the AD needs to see what has happened this year and do whatever it takes to continue to keep this upward climb moving. I think the renovations coming up will be huge for recruiting.

LETS GO WILDCATS!!!! Let's shock the world this weekend and get back to being a powerhouse program.

 

[Ferrrao1994]

Curious about how we are going to beat a team that has 4 skaters in the top 10 for goals? We've already played them and know what's coming.
Hopefully the team plays 'desperate' from the get go, which is a quote from Liam Devlin in todays UL recap story of the weekend...

On another note just bought a ticket for the women's game this coming Sat v UVM. Haven't been to a game yet for them in my tenure as a fan and
am looking forward to it. Like the mens team its been awhile since they have hosted a game so good luck to them!!

Going back to the UL article interesting the author pointed out 'glaring' was the word for the lack of PP success, but either didn't ask MS7 about
it or didn't include any remarks about it. The article did say that Carvel felt that goal by Gagne should have been disallowed. Seems there's a
conspiracy theory going on where UMass continues to get the short side of the stick when it comes to calls from some comments I read around
the internets...

Just some things that make you go hmmm on a Monday morning...

Hellsten has a Tim Thomas esque game.

 

[HockeyRef]

Hellsten has a Tim Thomas esque game.

He's gonna need one lol. Seriously tho I like your points above esp "hockey is a game that is won with effort more than skill" and if working hard can
make a difference, some big plays you never know. Agree with your sentiments about how the team has grown and surely is a building block to go on, as long
as we don't lose a player like Conmy to the portal (tho I have my doubts about that).

Going to be a while for these renovations; MS7 said that it won't start for another 9 to 12 months to come (funds?) together.

Too early to even think about who might be around for next season but I am curious if any of our seniors come back/would be asked to...

 

[Darius]

BC is 13 - 2 in 2024. They have won six in a row by a combined score of 33 - 9, three of which were in a three and a half minute span vs. UMA when they apparently forgot to play hard. Other than that, skill mattered. Big time. Their “freshman line” puts on a skill clinic every game. These next two aren’t if, but by how much.