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

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HockeyRef said:
Personally I think UNH needs a new perspective that isn't UNH related...but decent eye candy tho hahaha
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LOL. I find myself tagging onto Ref's posts pretty frequently of late. The "eye candy" definitely got me on this one. Brief story before I answer the question raised by the prior poster ... I forget what year it would have been, but obviously more than 20 years ago now ... I used to take our two daughters to games all over Hockey East back then, especially with our eldest. So there is a home game on a Friday night in the dead of the winter against some opponent lost to the sands of time, and Ayers is in goal, and UNH wins. It takes us a little while to get out, and then waiting in the A Lot behind the usual sellout crowd's worth of other cars, but we eventually get out of town, and we pull into a Chinese take-out place on the way back to Effingwoods. The place does have limited seating, mostly for folks waiting to get their orders, but I haven't ordered ahead (the cellphone revolution was only starting, and I wasn't calling ahead) so we get in a short line to order. My daughter is a young teen at that point, and is chatting up her usual post-game storm, but then suddenly goes dead quiet. What has caused this decidedly non-teenager silence?

I glance briefly to the corner of the sit-down area, and who do you think is there? Yup, the aforementioned Ayers, along with someone I'd guess was his girlfriend at the time, sitting quietly, and having just gotten their order. By now, my daughter is elbowing me repeatedly in the ribs, so I don't miss this magical "discovery" she's made. So I give her a knowing glance, and assure her that, yes, that is who she thinks it is. I also put my finger to my lips and nose in the universal "shhh" gesture, and let Ayers and his companion enjoy some Friday night public privacy. After we get our stuff and turn to leave, my eldest steals a final peek, and Ayers kind of half-waved in a sweet way, obviously having picked up on being a small-town superstar - something I'm sure had happened to him before. Ayers moved right to the top of our daughter's list, along with Haydar. That was just the way things were back then, with no social media, but a hugely popular UNH program whose stars still couldn't get any privacy.

As far as Ayers as a potential future UNH Head Coach ... if he was the guy that Umile picked almost 10 years ago, I probably would have been fine. And we'll never know how he would have done. But that didn't happen, and now with the struggles of MS7, I think he's sadly "poisoned the well" to some degree for UNH alums to succeed him. I still have all the time in the world for Eric Boguniecki, who would bring a resume of a 22 goal NHL season, a 200+ point career at UNH, and a 10 year stint as an AHL assistant coach, plus a personality that would light up all the runways at Pease AFB. Ayers is probably a BC lifer at this point, and given Souza's struggles, I think many would question hiring a goalie who had somehow managed not to win anything big at BC, and topped out professionally as a player as an ECHL/AHL 'tweener/back-up.

I guess we'll have to wait and see how the next few weeks go, and see if further discussion in this area will be in order. It's been a fun season of recovery from my Winter teams, with UNH at least becoming semi-relevant again (hoping for more than that), the Red Wings on course for a possible 100 point season after a decade in the wilderness, and in soccer both UNH and Wolves (PL) doing better than expected in their travails to date. It's nice to have some level of winning hockey back to enjoy after a long time away. Turns out I missed it, way more than I knew ...
 
Chuck, great story, but how in the world did Ayers and his gf get served at the Chinese food place before you, assuming that he had to go through the postgame handshake line, stick salute the lingering hometown fans, hit the showers, and then get to his vehicle? Or, maybe he had a police escort? Or a chauffeur provided by Friends of UNH Hockey? Or knew a fantastic short cut on the slick winter back roads of Cow Hampsha?
 
Ayers is the "The Heffes Family Associate Head Coach". Endowed, right? Wonder how his salary compares to Coach Souza's. The NH cost of living is less than MA's, but counter that with not wanting to move his family/children(?) and being a MA native. Why would he leave BC unless he just HAS to be a head coach or someone makes the $$$ offer he can't refuse?
 
Chuck Murray said:
Nick, so how do you reconcile the fact the so-called lead "choker" on those UNH teams is BC's Associate Head Coach?
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I'll have no commentary on this matter until mid-April. He seems to be a great coach though and it's good he's a coach and not our goalie. :):)

*I would like to point out that BC really seemed like they had everything in place to get Mike a ring when everything got shut down for the Wu Flu.
 
d.gerry said:
Ha ha! I don’t hold MS7 blameless, but the difference in the level of talent between UNH and BC/BU is glaring. It’s not a development issue, it’s a lack of talent being brought in that’s the issue. Don’t bother trying to convince me our drafted players are anywhere close to BC’s. If you want to blame MS7 for recruiting, sure, that’s valid.
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There's still the lack of development over time issue at UNH that does fall into Souza's list of negatives. The stretch before the Great Umile Transition Master Plan there were several mid round guys and one undrafted who developed into NHL talent. (Pesce, tvr are the two that come off the top). Both took forward strides at UNH, none have taken those type of strides since. Crookshank came in as a talent and his development at UNH was a flat line in terms of stats, maybe gained some "intangibles". Otherwise UNH did not develop him further in his game, at least in my opinion. I would say that if anything UNH may have stunted his development and he is recovering his timeline in the AHL with a hope to break the NHL full time in the next 2 years. I do also note that his terrible injury in his first pro rookie camp didn't help either. This is the drum I have been happy to beat in the "let's move on from Souza" argument and will continue to do so until he proves me wrong. This is also one area I can see the new facility improvements actually helping. However, facilities aren't worth the ground they are built on if the head coach doesn't have the talent to utilize them properly.
 
Ferrrao1994 said:
What’s more likely? Merrimack beating providence tonight? Or UNH stealing a game against BC?
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Easy peasy puffball question, Ferrrao. Answer: Neither! Sadly, no win for Scotty Borek’s team tonight and no wins for MS7’s team this weekend. Putting all my marbles on a sweep of UML next weekend to maintain home ice in the MBPBEGAM game.
 
deltabravo62 said:
There's still the lack of development over time issue at UNH that does fall into Souza's list of negatives. The stretch before the Great Umile Transition Master Plan there were several mid round guys and one undrafted who developed into NHL talent. (Pesce, tvr are the two that come off the top). Both took forward strides at UNH, none have taken those type of strides since. Crookshank came in as a talent and his development at UNH was a flat line in terms of stats, maybe gained some "intangibles". Otherwise UNH did not develop him further in his game, at least in my opinion. I would say that if anything UNH may have stunted his development and he is recovering his timeline in the AHL with a hope to break the NHL full time in the next 2 years. I do also note that his terrible injury in his first pro rookie camp didn't help either. This is the drum I have been happy to beat in the "let's move on from Souza" argument and will continue to do so until he proves me wrong. This is also one area I can see the new facility improvements actually helping. However, facilities aren't worth the ground they are built on if the head coach doesn't have the talent to utilize them properly.
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Agree with everything here. And, of course, the all-time perfect example of UNH abominable coaching mismanagement was benching Warren Foegele the majority of games during the first and only semester of his sophomore season after he had a decent first-year season. UNH has five players currently in the NHL and not one of them spent four years in Durham.
 
Snively65 said:
Chuck, great story, but how in the world did Ayers and his gf get served at the Chinese food place before you, assuming that he had to go through the postgame handshake line, stick salute the lingering hometown fans, hit the showers, and then get to his vehicle? Or, maybe he had a police escort? Or a chauffeur provided by Friends of UNH Hockey? Or knew a fantastic short cut on the slick winter back roads of Cow Hampsha?
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I'm pretty sure 90% of the reason we lost the "race" was down to the olden-days A Lot debacle, Snives. I've since become aware of a short cut that may have played a part, but if I disclosed that route, I would run the risk of giving away the top secret location of the WIS Estate in lovely Effingwoods, so I'm not going there. But his efficiency was amazing, and I've gotta believe this was not his first rodeo with the GF at Chewy Louie's ...
 
Nick Papagiorgio said:
I'll have no commentary on this matter until mid-April. He seems to be a great coach though and it's good he's a coach and not our goalie. :):)

*I would like to point out that BC really seemed like they had everything in place to get Mike a ring when everything got shut down for the Wu Flu.
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Hang a banner Nick lol

If I was any good at PhotoShop, we'd have a "*2020 BC Champs" banner with a germ or Fauci icon as the asterisk.

We'll put that one up in the rafters, right next to the "1994 Expos World Series Champs" banner. ;-)

BTW, no asterisks allowed, unless you want comparisons to a program that won with retroactive financial aid?

God, I miss the good ol' days ...
 
deltabravo62 said:
There's still the lack of development over time issue at UNH that does fall into Souza's list of negatives. The stretch before the Great Umile Transition Master Plan there were several mid round guys and one undrafted who developed into NHL talent. (Pesce, tvr are the two that come off the top). Both took forward strides at UNH, none have taken those type of strides since. Crookshank came in as a talent and his development at UNH was a flat line in terms of stats, maybe gained some "intangibles". Otherwise UNH did not develop him further in his game, at least in my opinion. I would say that if anything UNH may have stunted his development and he is recovering his timeline in the AHL with a hope to break the NHL full time in the next 2 years. I do also note that his terrible injury in his first pro rookie camp didn't help either. This is the drum I have been happy to beat in the "let's move on from Souza" argument and will continue to do so until he proves me wrong. This is also one area I can see the new facility improvements actually helping. However, facilities aren't worth the ground they are built on if the head coach doesn't have the talent to utilize them properly.
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I'd be willing to guess TvR and Pesce probably both owe their UNH development to Jim Tortorella.
 
I'm not sure why everyone thinks we have no chance. We're 3-1 in our last 4 games against ranked opponents. 3-0 at home. Were a pretty solid home team and if we were to steal a game against BC, wouldn't you think this would be the game? BC hasn't lost since the beanpot but all good teams are due for a bad game. I think UNH has a shot. BC has lost on the road this season so it's not impossible. Where's Kurt Russell when you need him, we certainly need a miracle this weekend.
 
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HockeyRef said:
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!
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There is a lot wrong with it. One issue is that movement is missing in the right areas. They set up 5 outside and there is no traffic in front. There have been multiple instances watching on TV where on a PP, you actually can't see one UNH player in the picture. You need movement and that is in the middle, at the top with the D, and in front of the net.

Here is a basic list

1. Huard: Shin pad shots or making a move at the blue line with no help leading to breakaways or odd man rushes
2. Movement: See above
3. Failure to change: If you don't change things up, teams are good enough to watch video and recognize what is coming
4. Man in front: Get a body in front for screens and tips
5. Actually hitting the net: I stood behind the net at MC on their last power play, and 3 or 4 shots hit the glass either wide or over
6. Long passes: The pass from outside one dot to the other takes too long for a one timer. Either a D or the goalie has time to move over and block
7. Slap shots: The time it takes to wind up and shoot allows a defender to get into the lane. They think they can drive the puck through a body. With the sticks now, a quick snap shot will be just as good and also release quicker.
 
Chuck Murray said:
I'm pretty sure 90% of the reason we lost the "race" was down to the olden-days A Lot debacle, Snives. I've since become aware of a short cut that may have played a part, but if I disclosed that route, I would run the risk of giving away the top secret location of the WIS Estate in lovely Effingwoods, so I'm not going there. But his efficiency was amazing, and I've gotta believe this was not his first rodeo with the GF at Chewy Louie's ...
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Ha, ha, ha, I knew that A-lot was slow getting out, which is why I never ever have parked there, but I did not realize that it was that slow. I used to park at the greenhouses another 100 meters west of A-lot, which was a quick getaway. But, for the past few years, I have found an even better gateway lot, which is even closer to the Whitt than A-lot, and without the risk of getting stampeded on the narrow concrete steps up to the RR overpass. And, no, it is not Strafford Avenue, which is now for STHers only. :-)
 
Scott said:
Chuck,

I miss the good old days too......Bobo, CHRIS!!!!!!, et.al......where have you gone? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you. :-)

Different topic.......

So.....maybe Souza was on to something with his "reduce the rink size, dammit!" campaign, Wisco is doing the same:

https://www.uscho.com/2024/02/28/wis...hockey-season/
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Interesting, as Wisco is having a good season on their Olympic sheet at Kohl Center. But apparently they will benefit with 100 new premium seats by shrinking their rink to bring in extra jingles. And, back in the fall, I admitted that I was against shrinking our rink before I was for shrinking our rink at the Whitt, whereas I was for the Jumbotron before I was against the Jumbotron.
 
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Ferrrao1994 said:
I'm not sure why everyone thinks we have no chance. We're 3-1 in our last 4 games against ranked opponents. 3-0 at home. Were a pretty solid home team and if we were to steal a game against BC, wouldn't you think this would be the game? BC hasn't lost since the beanpot but all good teams are due for a bad game. I think UNH has a shot. BC has lost on the road this season so it's not impossible. Where's Kurt Russell when you need him, we certainly need a miracle this weekend.
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UNH always has a chance! And yeah if we are gonna steal a game this would be it given our ahem...issues on the road.

Yeah I'd give that speech and insert.Boston College for the Soviets if I were MS7...I mean what does he have to lose?

When I went to the BU game at Agganis I totally expected UNH to get beaten quite soundly and really didn't have big expectations on that game. But the 'Cats came out hitting and kept pace and it really wasn't until late in that game they got a couple of quick ones (one was a goalie miscue?) and an ENG. Not a W but showed they can play with them.

Yeah - they have a chance.
 
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