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UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
- Thread starter Dan
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Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
A tie arguably would be the best result from a UNH perspective. Temporarily one point behind two mediocre teams (not to say UNH isn't necessarily in that category too), but with an additional game in hand on both. I crunched the numbers on standings over the weekend at HR's direction, and I think UNH already has about 2-3 HE games in hand on both UMaine & Luce Canaan AC before tomorrow's game. And while UNH will need to finish ahead of at least one of them to make the playoffs, they'll want/expect to finish ahead of both (and others?) to maximize their chances of a favorable seeding, and then to get to Boston in mid-March.
Added WIS bonus would be for Luce to get lost in *beautiful* downtown Bridgeport while looking for a post-game haunt. The place makes Lowell look like frickin' Beverly Hills by comparison …
A tie arguably would be the best result from a UNH perspective. Temporarily one point behind two mediocre teams (not to say UNH isn't necessarily in that category too), but with an additional game in hand on both. I crunched the numbers on standings over the weekend at HR's direction, and I think UNH already has about 2-3 HE games in hand on both UMaine & Luce Canaan AC before tomorrow's game. And while UNH will need to finish ahead of at least one of them to make the playoffs, they'll want/expect to finish ahead of both (and others?) to maximize their chances of a favorable seeding, and then to get to Boston in mid-March.
Added WIS bonus would be for Luce to get lost in *beautiful* downtown Bridgeport while looking for a post-game haunt. The place makes Lowell look like frickin' Beverly Hills by comparison …
NCAA watcher
Registered User
A tie arguably would be the best result from a UNH perspective. Temporarily one point behind two mediocre teams (not to say UNH isn't necessarily in that category too), but with an additional game in hand on both. I crunched the numbers on standings over the weekend at HR's direction, and I think UNH already has about 2-3 HE games in hand on both UMaine & Luce Canaan AC before tomorrow's game. And while UNH will need to finish ahead of at least one of them to make the playoffs, they'll want/expect to finish ahead of both (and others?) to maximize their chances of a favorable seeding, and then to get to Boston in mid-March.
Added WIS bonus would be for Luce to get lost in *beautiful* downtown Bridgeport while looking for a post-game haunt. The place makes Lowell look like frickin' Beverly Hills by comparison …
Would LG have said "I would rather be stabbed in Bridgeport than a black bear in Maine"?
Nice reference! One day I will have a gleaming alloy air car.
A tie arguably would be the best result from a UNH perspective. Temporarily one point behind two mediocre teams (not to say UNH isn't necessarily in that category too), but with an additional game in hand on both. I crunched the numbers on standings over the weekend at HR's direction, and I think UNH already has about 2-3 HE games in hand on both UMaine & Luce Canaan AC before tomorrow's game. And while UNH will need to finish ahead of at least one of them to make the playoffs, they'll want/expect to finish ahead of both (and others?) to maximize their chances of a favorable seeding, and then to get to Boston in mid-March.
Added WIS bonus would be for Luce to get lost in *beautiful* downtown Bridgeport while looking for a post-game haunt. The place makes Lowell look like frickin' Beverly Hills by comparison …
Someone is encouraging incoming fire!
Re: UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
"Vlae" is in New Haven
CCSU is in New Britain.
No it was New Britain where Vlae is
Or maybe Lowell!
"Vlae" is in New Haven
CCSU is in New Britain.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
To be fair, Bridgeport is far from alone in ranking the "garden spots" of CT. Whether it's New London, New Britain, New Haven or Hartford, there's lots of candidates to put up against (and trounce) the likes of Lowell or Bangor, or even our lovely ManchV.egas. But in only one of these fair burghs have I literally needed step-by-step pedestrian directions to get me (safely) from a parking garage to the courthouse, only a block-and-a-half away. As in "Leave the garage on X level at the Y exit, cross in the crosswalk directly to the hotel across the street, go into the back hotel entrance, walk straight through the foyer to the front hotel entrance, cross in another crosswalk, and use the middle door at the courthouse".
And that was in Bridgeport. Make of that what you will. Good luck tomorrow night, Luce!!
To be fair, Bridgeport is far from alone in ranking the "garden spots" of CT. Whether it's New London, New Britain, New Haven or Hartford, there's lots of candidates to put up against (and trounce) the likes of Lowell or Bangor, or even our lovely ManchV.egas. But in only one of these fair burghs have I literally needed step-by-step pedestrian directions to get me (safely) from a parking garage to the courthouse, only a block-and-a-half away. As in "Leave the garage on X level at the Y exit, cross in the crosswalk directly to the hotel across the street, go into the back hotel entrance, walk straight through the foyer to the front hotel entrance, cross in another crosswalk, and use the middle door at the courthouse".
And that was in Bridgeport. Make of that what you will. Good luck tomorrow night, Luce!!
No Yale is in New Haven. Vlae is in lala land."Vlae" is in New Haven
CCSU is in New Britain.
Lol! Where am I?
TheRevengeance
2016 Hockey East Overlords
Re: UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
That Griffin-van Riemsdyk trade was a hell of a lose-lose in the end.
That Griffin-van Riemsdyk trade was a hell of a lose-lose in the end.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Re: UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
Today on Instagram Robby Griffin announced he's leaving the sport...if that's what you're talking about. Wish him all the best...enjoyed his time with us albeit brief.
Today on Instagram Robby Griffin announced he's leaving the sport...if that's what you're talking about. Wish him all the best...enjoyed his time with us albeit brief.
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Re: UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">From <a href="https://twitter.com/RobbyGriffin10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RobbyGriffin10</a>: "I have absolutely no bad blood with any of the UNH staff or the program in general. They were an amazing program and if not for them I would have made this decision a lot sooner probably. This was simply a personal decision and has nothing to do with them."</p>— Mike Lowry (@UNHHockeyBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHHockeyBlog/status/1217264315629277184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">From <a href="https://twitter.com/RobbyGriffin10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RobbyGriffin10</a>: "I have absolutely no bad blood with any of the UNH staff or the program in general. They were an amazing program and if not for them I would have made this decision a lot sooner probably. This was simply a personal decision and has nothing to do with them."</p>— Mike Lowry (@UNHHockeyBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHHockeyBlog/status/1217264315629277184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
Weird, I was wondering why he'd been playing so rarely, I guess this is the answer.
"Leaving the sport" does sound kind of drastic. Unusual, to say the least. Hard to think of similar past examples, I guess Eddie Caron is the closest one that comes to mind from a UNH perspective, but even he went back and forth on his decision(s) several times. I guess sometimes it can be hard trying to live up to other peoples' expectations, when your heart really isn't into it … ???
Just one of those things that make you say hmmm ... at least he "cleared" the UNH program of blame, which might not even have been necessary, had it not been for some recent media comments from BvB. Wonder if he's staying in school, or branching out in other directions? Just out of sheer curiosity, it will be interesting to see where he lands in the end. If he's genuinely and sincerely done with the game, it's hard not to admire the kid for making a tough decision that many others might delay, or not make at all.
Weird, I was wondering why he'd been playing so rarely, I guess this is the answer.
"Leaving the sport" does sound kind of drastic. Unusual, to say the least. Hard to think of similar past examples, I guess Eddie Caron is the closest one that comes to mind from a UNH perspective, but even he went back and forth on his decision(s) several times. I guess sometimes it can be hard trying to live up to other peoples' expectations, when your heart really isn't into it … ???
Just one of those things that make you say hmmm ... at least he "cleared" the UNH program of blame, which might not even have been necessary, had it not been for some recent media comments from BvB. Wonder if he's staying in school, or branching out in other directions? Just out of sheer curiosity, it will be interesting to see where he lands in the end. If he's genuinely and sincerely done with the game, it's hard not to admire the kid for making a tough decision that many others might delay, or not make at all.
NCAA watcher
Registered User
Re: UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
Good for him. I know his dad went to Tufts, so presumably academics is important to the family. I wonder if he was lured to UNH with more of an academic scholarship vs. a hockey scholarship, so if the money remains the same, it makes sense to focus on academics and move on.
In the end, once a player realizes that hockey may not be their path forward, and that education is important, they can make informed decisions for their own long-term well-being. We can guess BvR reached the same conclusion in some form, and moved on with his education. Rather than complain about kids who make their own decisions as being spoiled brats, I welcome it. (Especially if they are diplomatic and don't throw bombs on the way out.)
Good for him. I know his dad went to Tufts, so presumably academics is important to the family. I wonder if he was lured to UNH with more of an academic scholarship vs. a hockey scholarship, so if the money remains the same, it makes sense to focus on academics and move on.
In the end, once a player realizes that hockey may not be their path forward, and that education is important, they can make informed decisions for their own long-term well-being. We can guess BvR reached the same conclusion in some form, and moved on with his education. Rather than complain about kids who make their own decisions as being spoiled brats, I welcome it. (Especially if they are diplomatic and don't throw bombs on the way out.)
jeteye1717
New member
Re: UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
Here's some outsider scouting info. on the Friars, cribbed from Mike Peters column on ESPN.com:
Super Sophomores Keeping Providence in the [Postseason] Discussion
The Providence Friars could have easily taken a step back this season following key losses from a team that made it to the Frozen Four in 2019. But a pair of super sophomores took their games to another level to fill gaps left by departing players.
Vegas Golden Knights draft pick Jack Dugan entered college after an extra year of junior hockey, was a standout freshman in 2018-19 and is now a bona fide Hobey Baker favorite as a sophomore. The Pittsburgh native is in the midst of one of the most productive college hockey seasons of the past 20 years. With 41 points through 23 games, he is the nation's scoring leader and is very near the scoring pace that Johnny Gaudreau put together during his 80-point Hobey Baker-winning campaign as a junior. Only two other players topped 80 points in the 2000s prior to Gaudreau doing so in 2013-14.
But it isn't a one-man or one-line show. The Friars are also getting big production out of sophomore Tyce Thompson, a fourth-round draft choice of the New Jersey Devils in his third year of eligibility. Thompson is tied for the national goal-scoring lead, with 17, and is second in the nation behind Dugan, with 36 points. Then there are junior Greg Printz, sophomore defenseman Michael Callahan (Arizona Coyotes), freshman Parker Ford (2020 draft-eligible) and freshman Patrick Moynihan (Devils). Also, graduate transfer Michael Lackey has a .927 save percentage while playing in 97% of the minutes for Providence.
Here's some outsider scouting info. on the Friars, cribbed from Mike Peters column on ESPN.com:
Super Sophomores Keeping Providence in the [Postseason] Discussion
The Providence Friars could have easily taken a step back this season following key losses from a team that made it to the Frozen Four in 2019. But a pair of super sophomores took their games to another level to fill gaps left by departing players.
Vegas Golden Knights draft pick Jack Dugan entered college after an extra year of junior hockey, was a standout freshman in 2018-19 and is now a bona fide Hobey Baker favorite as a sophomore. The Pittsburgh native is in the midst of one of the most productive college hockey seasons of the past 20 years. With 41 points through 23 games, he is the nation's scoring leader and is very near the scoring pace that Johnny Gaudreau put together during his 80-point Hobey Baker-winning campaign as a junior. Only two other players topped 80 points in the 2000s prior to Gaudreau doing so in 2013-14.
But it isn't a one-man or one-line show. The Friars are also getting big production out of sophomore Tyce Thompson, a fourth-round draft choice of the New Jersey Devils in his third year of eligibility. Thompson is tied for the national goal-scoring lead, with 17, and is second in the nation behind Dugan, with 36 points. Then there are junior Greg Printz, sophomore defenseman Michael Callahan (Arizona Coyotes), freshman Parker Ford (2020 draft-eligible) and freshman Patrick Moynihan (Devils). Also, graduate transfer Michael Lackey has a .927 save percentage while playing in 97% of the minutes for Providence.
Re: UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
Probably a little of both, Dan. I was primarily just zeroed in on the recent few games. I'm just not a big fan of +/-. Its fun for fans because it's an easily understandable metric; neutral in calculation.
As a player, it's barely more than "entertaining", like, when you jump the bench just in time the escape a MINUS (and then get rung-up for a bad change!) Better than half the time, a plus or minus is incidental. I'd rather see stats on blocked shots, face-off wins and back-check steals, frankly -- stuff that is tracked but not easily found.
Anyway, I'm generally aligned with your discussion (case) flow; +/- doesn't really account for all the contribution (or lack thereof). Gildon likely leads the team in TOI. The kid is an elite talent carrying the D load; 5x5 and special units. That means lots of exposure to both the good and bad things. I'd be stunned if he comes back next year. Shrunk rink or not, we're gonna miss him...
Lastly, kinda supporting your take, I recall that a few years ago Alexander Ovechkin was like a minus-40 or something! Such a slacker...
Probably a little of both, Dan. I was primarily just zeroed in on the recent few games. I'm just not a big fan of +/-. Its fun for fans because it's an easily understandable metric; neutral in calculation.
As a player, it's barely more than "entertaining", like, when you jump the bench just in time the escape a MINUS (and then get rung-up for a bad change!) Better than half the time, a plus or minus is incidental. I'd rather see stats on blocked shots, face-off wins and back-check steals, frankly -- stuff that is tracked but not easily found.
Anyway, I'm generally aligned with your discussion (case) flow; +/- doesn't really account for all the contribution (or lack thereof). Gildon likely leads the team in TOI. The kid is an elite talent carrying the D load; 5x5 and special units. That means lots of exposure to both the good and bad things. I'd be stunned if he comes back next year. Shrunk rink or not
, we're gonna miss him...Lastly, kinda supporting your take, I recall that a few years ago Alexander Ovechkin was like a minus-40 or something! Such a slacker...
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Re: UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
Oh yeah they are loaded (as usual), well coached, the real deal. I've always loved our series with them and look forward to this weekend. More times than not we give them a game and I'm hoping for that (and more). Bring 'em on, but leave your mascot home
Oh yeah they are loaded (as usual), well coached, the real deal. I've always loved our series with them and look forward to this weekend. More times than not we give them a game and I'm hoping for that (and more). Bring 'em on, but leave your mascot home
Oh yeah they are loaded (as usual), well coached, the real deal. I've always loved our series with them and look forward to this weekend. More times than not we give them a game and I'm hoping for that (and more). Bring 'em on, but leave your mascot home
Who will stop Jack Dugan and Tyce Thompson? And, Greg Printz and Mike Callahan?
Did not get the tie we wanted in Bridgeport tonight, so Yukon moves up to sixth, tied with Terriors, leaving Cats and Black Bears tied for eighth. Who will join the Warriors and Catamounts on the outside looking in this season?
Updated PWR places UNH alone in 22nd, just behind Army (who?) in 21st, separated by a mere 0.0001 in RPi. Maine, you ask? They are now all the way down to 32nd in PWR. And, earlier there was a tangential reference to Bobby V's AHA team in reference to Bridgeport; Sacred Heart is now 26nd in PWR.
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Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Hockey: Treading Water or Trending Upward
I'll jump in here in defense of plus/minus … overall, I think it's a fairly accurate indicator of a player's all-around impact on the game. Are there situations where players get dinged unfairly, or avoid blame (or unfairly credited from an attacking standpoint)? Sure, and you guys have done a pretty good job identifying some of those situations. Small sample size, can be misleading … however, over the course of a full season (or career) I think it gives you a pretty decent picture of a player.
As far as the Ovechkin example, I think it's actually illustrative … over the course of what's been a 15 year career up to now, he's been a consistently plus player on the plus/minus front. Yes, he did have a -35 in the 2013/2014 season, and other than that, his worst year was a -19 in his second year (2006/2007). But … guess what? Those were two of only three seasons when Washington didn't make the playoffs (they also missed when he was a rookie and posted a +2). Coincidence? Maybe … or maybe for whatever reason, Ovechkin (who's had a mercurial reputation at times in his career) just wasn't that into it during those seasons, and his taking it somewhat easy at the other end showed up?
Having said that, he's posted a -13 so far this season - comfortably the worst on his team as I write this - but the Caps are doing just fine. I don't think anyone's looking to trade the guy out of town, let's put it that way. And if I had to guess, he'll pull that number back closer to even-up by the end of the season. Or not. But it won't change the fact that he's an elite player, no matter what plus/minus tells you, in small or larger windows of time. But it's also fair to say he's had some ups and downs in his career.
Obviously, he's one of the best ever on the power play, which does not even register on the plus/minus. And barring injury, he'll probably become the first player ever to reach 1,000 regular season NHL goals in their career (he's almost at 700 and is still only 34 yrs. old), which is no small feat in the present-day NHL. Lots to chew on there. Now, back to your local programming …
Probably a little of both, Dan. I was primarily just zeroed in on the recent few games. I'm just not a big fan of +/-. Its fun for fans because it's an easily understandable metric; neutral in calculation.
As a player, it's barely more than "entertaining", like, when you jump the bench just in time the escape a MINUS (and then get rung-up for a bad change!) Better than half the time, a plus or minus is incidental. I'd rather see stats on blocked shots, face-off wins and back-check steals, frankly -- stuff that is tracked but not easily found.
Anyway, I'm generally aligned with your discussion (case) flow; +/- doesn't really account for all the contribution (or lack thereof). Gildon likely leads the team in TOI. The kid is an elite talent carrying the D load; 5x5 and special units. That means lots of exposure to both the good and bad things. I'd be stunned if he comes back next year. Shrunk rink or not
Lastly, kinda supporting your take, I recall that a few years ago Alexander Ovechkin was like a minus-40 or something! Such a slacker...
I'll jump in here in defense of plus/minus … overall, I think it's a fairly accurate indicator of a player's all-around impact on the game. Are there situations where players get dinged unfairly, or avoid blame (or unfairly credited from an attacking standpoint)? Sure, and you guys have done a pretty good job identifying some of those situations. Small sample size, can be misleading … however, over the course of a full season (or career) I think it gives you a pretty decent picture of a player.
As far as the Ovechkin example, I think it's actually illustrative … over the course of what's been a 15 year career up to now, he's been a consistently plus player on the plus/minus front. Yes, he did have a -35 in the 2013/2014 season, and other than that, his worst year was a -19 in his second year (2006/2007). But … guess what? Those were two of only three seasons when Washington didn't make the playoffs (they also missed when he was a rookie and posted a +2). Coincidence? Maybe … or maybe for whatever reason, Ovechkin (who's had a mercurial reputation at times in his career) just wasn't that into it during those seasons, and his taking it somewhat easy at the other end showed up?
Having said that, he's posted a -13 so far this season - comfortably the worst on his team as I write this - but the Caps are doing just fine. I don't think anyone's looking to trade the guy out of town, let's put it that way.
And if I had to guess, he'll pull that number back closer to even-up by the end of the season. Or not. But it won't change the fact that he's an elite player, no matter what plus/minus tells you, in small or larger windows of time. But it's also fair to say he's had some ups and downs in his career.Obviously, he's one of the best ever on the power play, which does not even register on the plus/minus. And barring injury, he'll probably become the first player ever to reach 1,000 regular season NHL goals in their career (he's almost at 700 and is still only 34 yrs. old), which is no small feat in the present-day NHL. Lots to chew on there. Now, back to your local programming …
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