UNH- How Far West Do We Go?

[JB]

CHN box scores list attendance as 4739 on Saturday night (I was not there, but others tell me no way) and 2918 on Sunday night (I was there, and absolutely no way, no how).

I was at both games. I was surprised at the "good" attendance on Saturday night, I would estimate the building was over 1/2 full, so 3250+. Lots of young families and first timers lost in the building.

Sunday was the morgue I expected both night - I would be surprised if the building was 20%, so 1300 tops. You don't get the young families when the kids need to get up a go to school in the morning, or even some casual fans that need to head to work.

Thing that is interesting is if you subtract my estimates from the box score numbers CHN gets from UNH they are pretty consistent in over publishing by ~1500-1600 people...

why were the games not scheduled for Friday and Saturday, like most other two-game series were? I seriously doubt that the HEA and ECAC masterminds were dictating that scheduling for the Whitt.

Yeah, what was UNH thinking. I 100% put this one on the UNH Athletic Department. You want to complain about some of the weird in the Hockey East scheduling (I am waiting for somebody brain dead to schedule a game Super Bowl Sunday), I think that has a bunch of HEA influence. Out of conference games, I doubt this is anything other than UNH stupidity.

 

[Jellsville USA]

Trivia quiz time for the elders here. Name at least two ORHS hockey alums who played hockey for UNH.

R. Randall (cup of coffee)
S. Wright-Ward- Woman's team (pretty darn good)

 

[d.gerry]

But, what I really wanna knooooooow is why the NCAA allows schools to post “make believe phony baloney” attendance numbers, as the real attendance data are readily available from the ticket readers at the turnstiles (I know, we have had this same discussion on past threads). STH attendance numbers are pure bs, as many of those STH folks rarely attend games but do not mind making a financial donation to UNH each season by purchasing those tickets. I have rarely had a problem sitting in the empty STH seats next to my STH cousins, although I still like to stand in the upper row band’s right through the first period. CHN box scores list attendance as 4739 on Saturday night (I was not there, but others tell me no way) and 2918 on Sunday night (I was there, and absolutely no way, no how). But even given the MBPB attendance figures, why were the games not scheduled for Friday and Saturday, like most other two-game series were? I seriously doubt that the HEA and ECAC masterminds were dictating that scheduling for the Whitt.

Souza was in Europe (Davos) for the Spengler Cup, maybe to give him an extra day to get back to NH? Doubtful, but a possibility.

 

[iowabasedtraveler]

Since Shabby of ‘Gate chimed in on here, I will as well with random thoughts from this weekend…

I think my beloved Colgate is inferior to New Hampshire this season. NPI doesn’t lie… N.H. is #24 today and ‘Gate is #47. There are only 63 programs. Mike Harder scheduled an uber-tough non-conference away calendar and we tended to play ‘up.’ I followed the team to BU, Maine and Michigan State. But, we also hosted Canisius and RIT at home and came away with one win and three losses from those series by playing ‘down.’

Having said that, good teams split on the road and sweep at home. This weekend, we accomplished our goal, as we did in Orono.

Mike Harder’s style differs from Don Vaughan’s style is that we now have an offensive defense. Two of our ‘top five’ point-getters (when I looked a couple of weeks ago) were defensemen. Isiah Norlin and Antonio Fernandez were the two.

We also have a great face-off man in Easton Wainwright. From what I saw on PPV last night is that New Hampshire also has at least one real face-off winner.

The solid performances by Max Nagel (back after a two-month injury hiatus), Jake Schneider and Reid Dyck (in goal) were welcome.

Where Colgate is not disciplined is in taking penalties. We take too many for our own good, as even if we aren’t scored upon, that is generally two minutes where we aren’t being offensive-minded.

I also saw the small crowd size last night. A Sunday night and (assumedly) students on break sure didn’t help.

I stayed home this weekend to watch my beloved Omaha lose to Cornell both nights. 6-4 on Friday (with ENG) and 3-2 on Saturday. Both were very entertaining games. Next weekend, I will watch Alaska at Cornell (with Fairbanks coming off a win at Providence). Talk about N.H. and Colgate coming off break to play each other then each take the next weekend off? It should be noted that Cornell is playing eight straight home games in January. Yes, they are a late-starting Ivy, but still…

Finally, I went to Colgate at New Hampshire in October of 2017 for two losses, but I really enjoyed myself. If a deer hadn’t run into my car a couple of weeks ago coming back from Minnesota State at Augustana, I would have been back again this weekend. Continued good-luck (and good-skill) to the Wildcats for the rest of the season!

 

[HockeyRef]

Since Shabby of ‘Gate chimed in on here, I will as well with random thoughts from this weekend…

I think my beloved Colgate is inferior to New Hampshire this season. NPI doesn’t lie… N.H. is #24 today and ‘Gate is #47. There are only 63 programs. Mike Harder scheduled an uber-tough non-conference away calendar and we tended to play ‘up.’ I followed the team to BU, Maine and Michigan State. But, we also hosted Canisius and RIT at home and came away with one win and three losses from those series by playing ‘down.’

Having said that, good teams split on the road and sweep at home. This weekend, we accomplished our goal, as we did in Orono.

Mike Harder’s style differs from Don Vaughan’s style is that we now have an offensive defense. Two of our ‘top five’ point-getters (when I looked a couple of weeks ago) were defensemen. Isiah Norlin and Antonio Fernandez were the two.

We also have a great face-off man in Easton Wainwright. From what I saw on PPV last night is that New Hampshire also has at least one real face-off winner.

The solid performances by Max Nagel (back after a two-month injury hiatus), Jake Schneider and Reid Dyck (in goal) were welcome.

Where Colgate is not disciplined is in taking penalties. We take too many for our own good, as even if we aren’t scored upon, that is generally two minutes where we aren’t being offensive-minded.

I also saw the small crowd size last night. A Sunday night and (assumedly) students on break sure didn’t help.

I stayed home this weekend to watch my beloved Omaha lose to Cornell both nights. 6-4 on Friday (with ENG) and 3-2 on Saturday. Both were very entertaining games. Next weekend, I will watch Alaska at Cornell (with Fairbanks coming off a win at Providence). Talk about N.H. and Colgate coming off break to play each other then each take the next weekend off? It should be noted that Cornell is playing eight straight home games in January. Yes, they are a late-starting Ivy, but still…

Finally, I went to Colgate at New Hampshire in October of 2017 for two losses, but I really enjoyed myself. If a deer hadn’t run into my car a couple of weeks ago coming back from Minnesota State at Augustana, I would have been back again this weekend. Continued good-luck (and good-skill) to the Wildcats for the rest of the season!

Sorry you couldn't make it! We hit a deer last month ourselves 7k worth ...We had alot of positive things to say about the Raiders over the 2 games...Man they can hit and made it difficult all night long. We did have some great goals as well.

Good point about 'your record is who you are' in NPI terms but when it all comes down to it how well are you playing when it matters most...post season.

Will be paying attention as the season moves along good luck the rest of the way!

 

[FlagUp17]

I entirely agree. Because the Cats were incapable of tying up the puck in the corner for the final 5-6 seconds, Colgate nearly sent the game into OT. Simply horrible fundamentals on the Cats’ part. And, ditto with the Cats three stupid attempts to score an ENG in the final minute leading to icing and losing all three face offs in front of Chauvette, whom was the only reason that UNH was in the game that I watched on Sunday night, IMHO.

For years (going back to the Umile days) I have always loathed how UNH reverts to the “bend don’t break” defensive game plan in the last 5-6 minutes of a game they are leading by 1 goal. How many times has this led to a game tying goal (the Dartmouth game comes to mind) because of some odd bounce, deflection, or scrum in front of the net? I imagine these are super deflating for the players, and provides a significant confident boost for the opponent going into OT. I understand the benefit of playing conservative especially with the other team pressing, but at the same time I think it also prevents them from getting better opportunities to get the dagger ENG to close things out. UNH has a bunch of recent 1 goal wins and I think you have to go back a bit to their last ENG (RPI game if I remember correctly, and they were already ahead 2 at that point).

I believe over their last 7 games (winning 6 of 7) only one of those games was won by more than one goal (3-0 vs. Bentley). Wins are wins, but “more convincing” wins are certainly appreciated, if anything just for my blood pressure.

 

[HockeyRef]

For years (going back to the Umile days) I have always loathed how UNH reverts to the “bend don’t break” defensive game plan in the last 5-6 minutes of a game they are leading by 1 goal. How many times has this led to a game tying goal (the Dartmouth game comes to mind) because of some odd bounce, deflection, or scrum in front of the net? I imagine these are super deflating for the players, and provides a significant confident boost for the opponent going into OT. I understand the benefit of playing conservative especially with the other team pressing, but at the same time I think it also prevents them from getting better opportunities to get the dagger ENG to close things out. UNH has a bunch of recent 1 goal wins and I think you have to go back a bit to their last ENG (RPI game if I remember correctly, and they were already ahead 2 at that point).

I believe over their last 7 games (winning 6 of 7) only one of those games was won by more than one goal (3-0 vs. Bentley). Wins are wins, but “more convincing” wins are certainly appreciated, if anything just for my blood pressure.

Colgate scored from that same spot with that collapsing defense..player left all alone to rip it past Chauvette more than once this weekend..thinking of their game winner on Friday. Did the same Saturday...

 

[JB]

For years (going back to the Umile days) I have always loathed how UNH reverts to the “bend don’t break” defensive game plan in the last 5-6 minutes of a game they are leading by 1 goal. How many times has this led to a game tying goal (the Dartmouth game comes to mind) because of some odd bounce, deflection, or scrum in front of the net? I imagine these are super deflating for the players, and provides a significant confident boost for the opponent going into OT. I understand the benefit of playing conservative especially with the other team pressing, but at the same time I think it also prevents them from getting better opportunities to get the dagger ENG to close things out. UNH has a bunch of recent 1 goal wins and I think you have to go back a bit to their last ENG (RPI game if I remember correctly, and they were already ahead 2 at that point).

I believe over their last 7 games (winning 6 of 7) only one of those games was won by more than one goal (3-0 vs. Bentley). Wins are wins, but “more convincing” wins are certainly appreciated, if anything just for my blood pressure.

I generally HATE prevent defense (regardless of the sport), it is the prevent you from winning defense in so many cases. In hockey it is generally "sitting on it" and the reversion to the dump and watch (trademark PC Paul Pooley). It also doesn't help when you are in a game where your opponent has been better at getting the puck off the boards.

Some games are different. Example Colgate. Did UNH sit on it, or was urgency (or one extra player) for Colgate enough to cause issues? Colgate was out puck possessing UNH all weekend and UNH never really had a good forecheck going. Colgate was much better on the boards. Now Dartmouth is a completely different example. UNH's forecheck caused Dartmouth fits, until UNH went prevent defense about 5 minutes into the 3rd. I think the Dartmouth case is a better example.

 

[HockeyRef]

I generally HATE prevent defense (regardless of the sport), it is the prevent you from winning defense in so many cases. In hockey it is generally "sitting on it" and the reversion to the dump and watch (trademark PC Paul Pooley). It also doesn't help when you are in a game where your opponent has been better at getting the puck off the boards.

Some games are different. Example Colgate. Did UNH sit on it, or was urgency (or one extra player) for Colgate enough to cause issues? Colgate was out puck possessing UNH all weekend and UNH never really had a good forecheck going. Colgate was much better on the boards. Now Dartmouth is a completely different example. UNH's forecheck caused Dartmouth fits, until UNH went prevent defense about 5 minutes into the 3rd. I think the Dartmouth case is a better example.

UNH..why is it they cant take what works into each game making adjustments based on what the other team is doing????? Gee its like they don't have a game plan...no wonder it's so easy to beat them. The HE schedule is looming...

I think I know the answer...

 

[norbert]

So UNH is going to practice at the Everett Arena on Sunday. I get the marketing angle to this, but maybe have one in Durham where most of the attendance comes from?

I am sure the guys are looking forward to the old and cold barrel arena across Route 4

 

[Jellsville USA]

So UNH is going to practice at the Everett Arena on Sunday. I get the marketing angle to this, but maybe have one in Durham where most of the attendance comes from?

I am sure the guys are looking forward to the old and cold barrel arena across Route 4

Open to the public, I am assuming. Do you have details Norbert?

 

[Jellsville USA]

Found it- appreciate the heads-up Norbert!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G9_326TWEAExFZW?format=jpg&name=small

 

[norbert]

Found it- appreciate the heads-up Norbert!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G9_326TWEAExFZW?format=jpg&name=small

All I saw was the Facebook post. It would make too much sense to send STHs and email letting them know this was happening.

 

[JB]

UNH..why is it they cant take what works into each game making adjustments based on what the other team is doing????? Gee its like they don't have a game plan...no wonder it's so easy to beat them. The HE schedule is looming...

I think I know the answer...

I think, if we could ever get Souza to talk to fans/media, anybody in a meaningful way, we would get the classic (crappy) coach answer of "we do what we do". The implication being we are going to force the competition to react to us. This works if you are the early 90's Cowboys, the 2010's Alabama Crimson Tide, late 60's Cornell Hockey under Harkness, UNDs 86-87 Hircus Circus, the 2009-2012 BC Eagles... when you are so good, typically in a window that you can do what you do. Heck even 42-1-2 Maine had to adjust against LSSU to come back and win that championship game. Note I specifically left out the Brady-Belichick Patriots as they were fantastic at specifically not "doing what we do". I digress.

Really good coaching finds a way to work into the game what the opponent is bad at, finds away to take out of the game what the opponent is good at. Come back to the Patriots, it wasn't stop the run it was to stop the off left tackle running game out of 21 personnel, shockingly specific at times. You can't completely loose your own identity and yet you need to adjust, game to game and in game. Find ways to make the opponent play "left handed" at times.

Jerry York was always scribbling himself notes on the bench during the game, who knows what he was actually writing (swear words at Refs ) and I'd like to think it was potential adjustments. 2008 Hockey East Semi Final game, UNH was beating BC 4-1 about half way through the game. BC changed their defense and completely frustrated UNH the rest of the game... the change was "simple" BC decided to not try and skate with that UNH teams forwards, they took away what UNH was doing well and did something different to pressure UNHs D. Super frustrating game as a UNH fan because Umile never really adjusted over the next 3.5 periods, UNH continued to "do what we do"... all the way to loosing 5-4 in the 3rd OT.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Jerry York was always scribbling himself notes on the bench during the game, who knows what he was actually writing (swear words at Refs ) and I'd like to think it was potential adjustments. 2008 Hockey East Semi Final game, UNH was beating BC 4-1 about half way through the game. BC changed their defense and completely frustrated UNH the rest of the game... the change was "simple" BC decided to not try and skate with that UNH teams forwards, they took away what UNH was doing well and did something different to pressure UNHs D. Super frustrating game as a UNH fan because Umile never really adjusted over the next 3.5 periods, UNH continued to "do what we do"... all the way to loosing 5-4 in the 3rd OT.

Classic Umile - York beat him twice in overtime that night. Hockey East bozos took away Matt Greene's goal in OT because Regan (?) whipped his mask off but BC scored again later to win the game a second time. Those were the days.

 

[JB]

Classic Umile - York beat him twice in overtime that night. Hockey East bozos took away Matt Greene's goal in OT because Regan (?) whipped his mask off but BC scored again later to win the game a second time. Those were the days.

I always thought York did something really clever in that game.

BC essentially set up an offensive zone "trap". Really backed off the behind the net and deep in zone walls forecheck. Instead sitting at the faceoff dots and then "trapping" the UNH D on the boards between the faceoff dot and blue line. Crowding the faceoff dot to center redline. UNH could have simply turned the net and come up center ice, but Umile was too afraid of his D men handling the puck in the center of the D zone and didn't bring forwards deep into the center of the zone to help. York essentially cut the forwards off from the D because Umile wouldn't adjust from breaking out up the walls. Turnover after turnover the second half the game. A game UNH's forwards were dominating was flipped over. Sitting in the stands I wanted to pull my hair out as the counter looked so obvious from high loge seats the center of the zone was an open lane. It really felt like novocain, just give it time it was going to work for BC.

I think what surprised me most about the change is York didn't try to "fix the problem" of UNH's forwards dominating. Instead he changed the game by keeping the puck away from the forwards by destroying the break out. I wonder if it was all in game. If it was from game film why did it take so long to change. I think it was probably necessity being the mother of invention, down 4-1 what do you have to loose. I am an inventor so I know it is all about the problem, you don't just come up with "ideas" out of the blue, instead you find problems (or they find you) and solve them in new ways.

 

[cinnamoroll]

It’s CHL trade season, i come bearing updates- Both Parker von Richter and Mason Zebeski have been traded to the Barrie Colts. going to a contender together is nice- Barrie is leading their division atm (for comparison Brampton is last in the same one). von Richter in particular is a potential NCAA flight risk instead of staying for his overage year, so Brampton selling him and their overage captain was likely to happen. Zebeski is considered an upgrade in their overage group. Brampton got a 07 forward, 2 2nd round picks, 2 3rd round picks, a 4th, 5th, and 7th round picks for the two of them- pretty solid haul for two vets.

Barrie might be hoping to convince von Richter to stay for his overage season, not sure the plan on his arrival. Either way, he gets the playoff run this season.

 

[Jellsville USA]

I always thought York did something really clever in that game.

BC essentially set up an offensive zone "trap". Really backed off the behind the net and deep in zone walls forecheck. Instead sitting at the faceoff dots and then "trapping" the UNH D on the boards between the faceoff dot and blue line. Crowding the faceoff dot to center redline. UNH could have simply turned the net and come up center ice, but Umile was too afraid of his D men handling the puck in the center of the D zone and didn't bring forwards deep into the center of the zone to help. York essentially cut the forwards off from the D because Umile wouldn't adjust from breaking out up the walls. Turnover after turnover the second half the game. A game UNH's forwards were dominating was flipped over. Sitting in the stands I wanted to pull my hair out as the counter looked so obvious from high loge seats the center of the zone was an open lane. It really felt like novocain, just give it time it was going to work for BC.

I think what surprised me most about the change is York didn't try to "fix the problem" of UNH's forwards dominating. Instead he changed the game by keeping the puck away from the forwards by destroying the break out. I wonder if it was all in game. If it was from game film why did it take so long to change. I think it was probably necessity being the mother of invention, down 4-1 what do you have to loose. I am an inventor so I know it is all about the problem, you don't just come up with "ideas" out of the blue, instead you find problems and solve them in new ways.

Great recap JB. I was at that game. I think Regan made like 60 saves. BC did go on to win the National Championship that year.

 

[JB]

Great recap JB. I was at that game. I think Regan made like 60 saves. BC did go on to win the National Championship that year.

UNH end up as the 1 seed out west (BC stayed east as a 2 seed...) and lost the first round game to Notre Dame. Might have stayed closer to home if they had sealed the deal in Boston. UNH had been the better team all year sweeping BC 3-0 in the regular season, swept BU that year 3-0 with BU the #2 team in Hockey East, swept Maine too but Maine was the worst team in HE that year, swept CC in Durham and they were the regular season champ in the old WCHA, went to the Ralph and split with UND (#2 WCHA).

It was a really strong year until the wheels fell off shortly after the 10 min mark of the 2nd period in HE Championship game... at this point I would love a 24-7-4 regular season even if the wheels fell off in the HE Championship game.

 

[HockeyRef]

So the 'Cats will hold a practice open to the public this Sunday at Everett Arena / Concord from 12:45 to 2. Interesting! Have they ever done that?

Most likely I'll check it out...