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

[Chuck Murray]

I predict a UNH dub

Agreed - no reason to expect anything but. No more excuses. For me, my vote on Coach Souza is very simple. Win the next two, and you get my support for a two-year extension. Win the next four (HEA title) and you get four years. Qualify for NCAA's without a HEA title, three years. Lose tomorrow or Saturday? Thank you for your services, bye ...

No more three year plans ... no more scoreboards, no more shrink-the-rink, no more sugar daddy TDL promising to re-do the facilities, upgrade the locker rooms, ice cream dispensers for the refs and coaches, etc.

 

[acs64]

I played field hockey up there (littleton high school) and we would just about puke due to the paper mill smell! No wonder they always beat us up there. Have to admire
those Berlin teams even now..the current field hockey coach's daughter married a UNH hockey alum Matt Dawson (I think I mentioned I met him this Fall as they were in the
finals (again). Like MS7 said, 'they meet their wives at UNH' which is what happened lol.

Imagine my surprise...they go to alot of UNH hockey games so I see them quite
frequently there (but never Matt...). Anyway...small world. Even despite the changes in economics, that little high school still puts out a decent field hockey team and
their hockey team, which has Gorham athletes, won the D3 state title over the weekend...

If you get up there do check out 'Mary's Pizza' as its incredible...

Had a good friend from there (Berlin) , wont give his name, but he was an incredible hockey player. Strong, big and came from a family of masons, so work ethic was there when he wanted to. Problem is he got lazy on the ice from time to time, but he had a big league shot and went on to UNH to play hockey. Sad part of the story is he got hooked up with weed in his freshman year and I dont know what else but ended up screwing up his head and leaving the team and going out west last I knew.

 

[umhockey91]

Is UNH ready to pony up money for a new $5OOK contract? If Ben Barr is raking in $425k in Orono, Maine.....you better believe that UNH's next coach better be paid that +++.

 

[JB]

Expecting a battle and a chippy game...

It was chippy on Saturday night, in game 2 of 3 in 6 days. I have to believe the UML is going to come more prepared. UNH last weekend was playing a harder game than what you would generally expect from UNH.

 

[HockeyRef]

Is UNH ready to pony up money for a new $5OOK contract? If Ben Barr is raking in $425k in Orono, Maine.....you better believe that UNH's next coach better be paid that +++.

Ha, I'd be shocked if he (or anyone for that matter) would receive that kind of money for a UNH coaching contract. This isn't BU...

 

[Ferrrao1994]

"Agreed - no reason to expect anything but. No more excuses. For me, my vote on Coach Souza is very simple. Win the next two, and you get my support for a two-year extension. Win the next four (HEA title) and you get four years. Qualify for NCAA's without a HEA title, three years. Lose tomorrow or Saturday? Thank you for your services, bye ...

No more three year plans ... no more scoreboards, no more shrink-the-rink, no more sugar daddy TDL promising to re-do the facilities, upgrade the locker rooms, ice cream dispensers for the refs and coaches, etc."

I couldn't agree more. Which I'm hoping that Coach has these guys playing desperation hockey. Let's see how the next couple weeks play out. Going on a deep run in the HE tourney and making the NCAA tournament would be fantastic! But realistically the HE Semi's is this teams ceiling. Will that be enough to make the NCAA Tournament, we will see. There are a couple of important NCHC teams going at it which could help us. (4.Colorado College (11PWR) vs. 5. Omaha (12PWR) and 3.St. Cloud (16PWR) vs. 6. Western Michigan (13PWR) We would also have to beat Maine on the road which I still feel good about.

 

[HockeyRef]

"Agreed - no reason to expect anything but. No more excuses. For me, my vote on Coach Souza is very simple. Win the next two, and you get my support for a two-year extension. Win the next four (HEA title) and you get four years. Qualify for NCAA's without a HEA title, three years. Lose tomorrow or Saturday? Thank you for your services, bye ...

No more three year plans ... no more scoreboards, no more shrink-the-rink, no more sugar daddy TDL promising to re-do the facilities, upgrade the locker rooms, ice cream dispensers for the refs and coaches, etc."

I couldn't agree more. Which I'm hoping that Coach has these guys playing desperation hockey. Let's see how the next couple weeks play out. Going on a deep run in the HE tourney and making the NCAA tournament would be fantastic! But realistically the HE Semi's is this teams ceiling. Will that be enough to make the NCAA Tournament, we will see. There are a couple of important NCHC teams going at it which could help us. (4.Colorado College (11PWR) vs. 5. Omaha (12PWR) and 3.St. Cloud (16PWR) vs. 6. Western Michigan (13PWR) We would also have to beat Maine on the road which I still feel good about.

Again...lov your optimism in how deep the 'Cats could go. For me, its just making the Garden. Personally I can't see us getting past Maine. I'm worried enough for tomorrow which
I know, seems silly after the 2 beat downs, but, this is hockey and UNH (meaning...anything is possible). Teams that have nothing to lose, like UML, play with desperation. The
'Cats need to play hard as they have been but can't afford any 5 minute penalties, let alone two, and I don't care how bad UML's PP is...

And can Liam Devlin please have a game where he doesn't have any penalties? Esp last minute ones? Asking for a friend. Don't get me wrong love his game
but can do with out his constant parade to the box. And that goes for Nick Cafarelli too. (sorry to call out players not usually my style)

Not to look past tomorrow, but after that, to me, that's when UNH plays with desperation to get past Maine up in no man's land (Alfond arena)...
Agree totally that we have been playing some tough hockey lately...if that continues I see (like you and others) amazing possibilities for this
team who was picked in the mid 50's at the beginning of the season, and 10th in HE. They have done good. haha

Looking forward to getting tomorrow over with and going forward. See? Some of us fans don't know how to behave anymore lol when it comes to UNH and
the post season...(speaking for myself, mind you). Saw where RPI booted Clarkson out, which has me considering the possibilities...but this is how I deal with stuff like this!

Go 'Cats!!

 

[JB]

UNH and the post season has always been a crap shoot. Traditionally it has been a style of play issue: not good when the refs put the whistles away (SMT), not good in physical games (SMT), can't manufacture goals and always wearing turtle necks that get super duper tight when the games matter. See the number of times as higher seed getting bounced in games they had no business loosing (Niagara, CC, RIT, ...) All that to say REF you absolutely should be nervous. Beating North Dakota or high ranked Cornell teams are the exceptions. I think Wednesday is a coin flip game - heads UNH wins 4-0 (aka UML has given up on the year) and tails it is a 2-1 OT game because UML stiffens physically and defensively and UNH puddles and has "one of those games" where they can't score (see 1-2 Uconn, 1-2 UVM, 1-3 MC).

On a positive note - get past UML, get past UMO and somehow with a horseshoe jammed up your kester get to the HE Conference Final - 84% chance to make the NCAAs even if you trip over yourself and it is a loss.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Teams that have nothing to lose, like UML, play with desperation.

I hate to nitpick one little piece of a larger overall post 'Ref, but I gotta ask ... what does UNH have to lose Wednesday night? I mean, other than the jobs of their entire coaching staff?? Desperation should be our friend for the rest of the season, whether it's two games, two weeks, or two tourney's worth of games. If UNH isn't the more highly motivated team tomorrow night, then Souza deserves to lose his job, regardless of the outcome. I hope his players understand this, if MS7 gives them some robotic pre-game pep talk that leaves out the word "desperation", and does not remind them all that NOTHING has been accomplished to date by this team. NOTHING.

 

[Sparkee]

I hate to nitpick one little piece of a larger overall post 'Ref, but I gotta ask ... what does UNH have to lose Wednesday night? I mean, other than the jobs of their entire coaching staff?? Desperation should be our friend for the rest of the season, whether it's two games, two weeks, or two tourney's worth of games. If UNH isn't the more highly motivated team tomorrow night, then Souza deserves to lose his job, regardless of the outcome. I hope his players understand this, if MS7 gives them some robotic pre-game pep talk that leaves out the word "desperation", and does not remind them all that NOTHING has been accomplished to date by this team. NOTHING.

Well then, lead your faithful in a chant to remind your boys… “We Are Desperate!” Clap… clap… clap, clap, clap

 

[norbert]

Thank you. Too funny.

If I have this right UNH would be playing Maine anyway in the old system of 1v8 2v7 3v6 and 4v5. Istead UNH has to thump UML again in order to advance.

Lets not get ahead of ourselves

 

[norbert]

Thank you. Too funny.

If I have this right UNH would be playing Maine anyway in the old system of 1v8 2v7 3v6 and 4v5. Istead UNH has to thump UML again in order to advance.

There is no way. I would offer the same money with bonus'. Earn it. Plus Barr is going to the NCAAs while we look impressive but are 18 in the PWR. I say here is the offer, if you don't like it become an associated for $100 somewhere else.

Also figure, he is 4 years from being vested in the retirement system so that is worth something at 50.

 

[norbert]

I hate to nitpick one little piece of a larger overall post 'Ref, but I gotta ask ... what does UNH have to lose Wednesday night? I mean, other than the jobs of their entire coaching staff?? Desperation should be our friend for the rest of the season, whether it's two games, two weeks, or two tourney's worth of games. If UNH isn't the more highly motivated team tomorrow night, then Souza deserves to lose his job, regardless of the outcome. I hope his players understand this, if MS7 gives them some robotic pre-game pep talk that leaves out the word "desperation", and does not remind them all that NOTHING has been accomplished to date by this team. NOTHING.

First, I think this is the lowest word count for a Chuck post. Keyboard die???? Haha

You have it correct, nothing to lose but a game and coaching staff. I was talking to JB tonight and I still think MS7 gets his extension, question I have is does he need new assistants. Steward made $122K last year and Giuliano $116K, is there money to be had to bring in other coaches?

 

[Chuck Murray]

First, I think this is the lowest word count for a Chuck post. Keyboard die???? Haha

You have it correct, nothing to lose but a game and coaching staff. I was talking to JB tonight and I still think MS7 gets his extension, question I have is does he need new assistants. Steward made $122K last year and Giuliano $116K, is there money to be had to bring in other coaches?

norbie, please ... the last thing we need to be doing here is giving MS7 any ideas on possible new excuses.

I'm not a huge fan of Souza the Coach, but dumping assistants would be an inexcusable lack of personal loyalty, if he were to make either of his long-term assistants walk the proverbial plank. Especially Stewart, who was coaching at UNH before Souza, and basically got stepped over when the paisan-centric succession plan to Coach Umile began to take shape. I've given MS7 a ton of criticism on a lot of fronts, but sacrificing his top lieutenant(s) to save his own professional skin ... I just don't see it happening. Not unless one of the guys leaves of their own volition.

 

[HockeyRef]

Game day!! Didn't know our home record is the best it's been since the 2007-08 season according to yesterday's UL. (It was also pointed out that MS7 runs the PP for those who wondered in other posts)

Time to churn and burn Wildcats! Keep the focus on tonight...don't take the bait and just win baby winnnnnn!

HR's predict: 5-1 UNH

 

[Chuck Murray]

Is UNH ready to pony up money for a new $5OOK contract? If Ben Barr is raking in $425k in Orono, Maine.....you better believe that UNH's next coach better be paid that +++.

If MS7 had accomplished a small fraction of what Barr has accomplished in their respective careers, you might have a point. Also, Barr was recently extended in the middle of his deal for exceeding expectations at UMaine ... Souza is literally running out the final weeks of his deal, no extension to date, and IF he's extended, I'd bet next year's salary that he's not gonna be getting $500K per. Or anything close to that much.

IF UNH goes shopping for a replacement, they're probably focusing on a hire that's a current D-1 assistant, or HC somewhere in the juniors, and any of those guys will likely be at least doubling their salary to come to UNH, meaning he'd probably be making around what the current HC is making. IF UNH does what UMass did and hires a HC from another school, that will probably raise the price of poker, but probably to something around $400K (just under Barr) as opposed to $500K. Having said that ... if they got the right guy, and it took $500K to get him out of current successful employment to transform the UNH program to former levels of success, then count me in.

In other news ... UNH Hoops finished its first season under Coach Davis with a 16-15 record, and came up just short in the AE Semifinals last night at UVM. UNH Men's Hoops still has yet to advance to a conference Finals in its history (hard to believe), and there won't be any NCAA bid this year either. But if we're grading to scale, this is a good start for the new guy, and a reminder to the AD that sometimes change can be good.

UNH men's basketball team goes cold, is ousted at Vermont | College Sports | unionleader.com

 

[Chuck Murray]

Game day!! Didn't know our home record is the best it's been since the 2007-08 season according to yesterday's UL. (It was also pointed out that MS7 runs the PP for those who wondered in other posts)

Time to churn and burn Wildcats! Keep the focus on tonight...don't take the bait and just win baby winnnnnn!

HR's predict: 5-1 UNH

That's the spirit. Al Davis would be proud.

If you want to get a sense of where the UML program is at this point in time, check their thread. Some of those guys (who've been around here forever) think their guys have quit, and are just mailing it in. Like I said before, this is not your father's UML team, and there is absolutely zero reason for UNH to gack things up tonight. Not with a potentially program-altering trip to Orono on the line for the coming weekend ...

 

[d.gerry]

That's the spirit. Al Davis would be proud.

If you want to get a sense of where the UML program is at this point in time, check their thread. Some of those guys (who've been around here forever) think their guys have quit, and are just mailing it in. Like I said before, this is not your father's UML team, and there is absolutely zero reason for UNH to gack things up tonight. Not with a potentially program-altering trip to Orono on the line for the coming weekend ...

Question... Is this your father's UNH team? If so we're in trouble given past history of gacking up gimmes in the playoffs. This is not even close to being one of the biggest playoff games in UNH history (for MS7? - sure is), so maybe the routineness of this MBPBEGAM playoff game (if that's even a thing) will keep the guys loose rolling to a third win over UML in six days! Or, well we all know what that result is. My heart (of course) says UNH wins, my gut says hold on to your seats, this could get bumpy.

 

[Snively65]

My heart (of course) says UNH wins, my gut says hold on to your seats, this could get bumpy.

I watched all nine of our games on NESN this season, but going to my first in-person UNH game tonight (thanks for your hubby’s ticket, HR), but I rarely sit in a seat, rather I like to stand in the top row adjacent to the band.

 

[Darius]

Lets not get ahead of ourselves

+1