UNH- How Far West Do We Go?

[HockeyRef]

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.

Ugh the heart breaks you veteran fans have been through! Not sure what is worse...these games (and the others ) or not having any real post season success like I've experienced as a fan since 2013-14 season.

As I've said 1000 times on this site just getting to the Garden would be enough for me. Sigh.

 

[FlagUp17]

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.

Looking back on that year…I believe that was JvRs freshmen season at UNH, the following year was the great come from behind win against NoDak in the opening regionals before a tough loss to the eventual champions BU 2-1 in Manchester…

Those late 2000s teams turned out to be the last great chance for Umile to reach the promised land before the wheels started to come off in the early 2010s. Some great players on those teams including JvR, local boy Paul Thompson, Bobby Butler, etc.

I agree Umile’s inability to make changes cost him many a game and sometimes led to debilitating losses on the biggest stage. How nice it would be to get back to a 24 win season!

 

[FlagUp17]

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...

If they are looking for fan input at the practice, I’d recommend someone saying that dumping the puck into the opponents zone during the Power Play has not been working out… how many times have they done this recently and the other team immediately grabs it along the boards and easily dumps it out? If you are trying to change lines hold it in your zone, let people get to where they need to be, then break it out!

Again… I feel this has been a hallmark of recent Power Play setup and it seems to have a low chance of success… Where does their PP land now? Gotta be lower 20-30% in the country, and I feel that has been a theme the last few years… I think they did get a couple this weekend, but I believe the Winters one was right off a face off win which could have happened at even strength as well.

 

[Snively65]

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.

I was so certain that we would be in the FF at the Pepsi Center (aka Ball Arena) that I bought tickets in advance for my brother in Lakewood and myself. I could not afford the time away from the classroom for two visits to Colorado, so watched the debacle against NICC (aka Notre Dame) in the Springs on TV while my brother watched in person. Two weeks later while wearing my UNH jersey at the Pepsi Center, I rooted for NICC in NC game and had several UNH fans swearing at me for not supporting “Hockey East.”

 

[Snively65]

If they are looking for fan input at the practice, I’d recommend someone saying that dumping the puck into the opponents zone during the Power Play has not been working out… how many times have they done this recently and the other team immediately grabs it along the boards and easily dumps it out? If you are trying to change lines hold it in your zone, let people get to where they need to be, then break it out!

Again… I feel this has been a hallmark of recent Power Play setup and it seems to have a low chance of success… Where does their PP land now? Gotta be lower 20-30% in the country, and I feel that has been a theme the last few years… I think they did get a couple this weekend, but I believe the Winters one was right off a face off win which could have happened at even strength as well.

I agree entirely and commented on this dump and chase PP strategy to my cousins whom I joined for the second and third periods on Sunday night. For me, this stupid coaching strategy ranks right up there with stationing two players behind the opposing net on 5-3 PP’s and trying for ENG’s instead of flipping the puck into the neutral zone to avoid face offs in front of our goalie after the inevitable icing call in the extra attacker situation. How arrogant to think that one can score an ENG the full length of the ice through traffic. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Then again, maybe you will get to watch all these stupid strategies in play at the open practice at the Everett Arena?

 

[JB]

I agree entirely and commented on this dump and chase PP strategy to my cousins whom I joined for the second and third periods on Sunday night. For me, this stupid coaching strategy ranks right up there with stationing two players behind the opposing net on 5-3 PP’s and trying for ENG’s instead of flipping the puck into the neutral zone to avoid face offs in front of our goalie after the inevitable icing call in the extra attacker situation. How arrogant to think that one can score an ENG the full length of the ice through traffic. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Then again, maybe you will get to watch all these stupid strategies in play at the open practice at the Everett Arena?

Colgate showed the value of puck possession. Dump and chase takes possession and turns it into 50/50 puck and Colgate was better on the boards all weekend. If you have a weekend where you are better on the boards you can do dump and chase power play (example fpr Colgate it would have been a OK strategy). Situational hockey and in game adjustments... again. Yes dump and chose powerplay just sucks...

But hey, we do what we do

 

[FlagUp17]

Colgate showed the value of puck possession. Dump and chase takes possession and turns it into 50/50 puck and Colgate was better on the boards all weekend. If you have a weekend where you are better on the boards you can do dump and chase power play (example fpr Colgate it would have been a OK strategy). Situational hockey and in game adjustments... again. Yes dump and chose powerplay just sucks...

But hey, we do what we do

One phrase I heard before: “we can’t change because it’s the way it’s always been”… Change can be tough, but if you can’t adapt you become predicable, and that can often fly in the face of progress.

Speaking of York and BC, we have had one of his 100+ point scoring captains for the last 7-8 years… Did any of York's observation and improvisation skills rub off on him? Not sure if the PP unit falls under his watch or not. Either way, they need to spice it up at least a little, as what they’re doing now isn’t working too well.

 

[Chuck Murray]

What I found most disappointing is UNH seemed unprepared for what Colgate was going to do. There didn't seem to be a plan for how to deal with that well structured defensive team which is why they tried a bunch of stuff that didn't work and made them look flat.

I don't think UNH was flat either night. I don't think they were prepared. I think they did a bunch of "running around" in their own end. Worried for how UNH will do against other well structured disciplined defensive teams going forward.

Did you really expect MS7 to be doing detailed video prep for Colgate, while busy partying with the fam during his Spengler Cup junket to Europe? Nah ...

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.

Again, I'm sure this was an accommodation to allow MS7 to readjust his clock for the six hour time gap, allowing him a little extra fun time with Nigel & Co.

 

[Chuck Murray]

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 think those dynamics are just the "nature of the beast", as trailing teams in one (often two) goal games have to play desperately down the stretch to try to get a point or two for their efforts, so they take more chances, push more players further up, and that often forces defending teams into a more defensive mindset, as they have points to protect. And no coach wants to see his team chasing wildly for an ENG, and getting caught on a 2-on-1, 3-on-1, or clean breakaway as a result. Those can be moments that reflect badly on the quality of your in-game coaching, and could create some needless (and avoidable) job insecurity.

Same thing often happens with soccer, probably lacrosse and field hockey too ('Ref?). Trying to use the clock as your friend, and everyone reacts accordingly.

 

[FlagUp17]

I think those dynamics are just the "nature of the beast", as trailing teams in one (often two) goal games have to play desperately down the stretch to try to get a point or two for their efforts, so they take more chances, push more players further up, and that often forces defending teams into a more defensive mindset, as they have points to protect. And no coach wants to see his team chasing wildly for an ENG, and getting caught on a 2-on-1, 3-on-1, or clean breakaway as a result. Those can be moments that reflect badly on the quality of your in-game coaching, and could create some needless (and avoidable) job insecurity.

Same thing often happens with soccer, probably lacrosse and field hockey too ('Ref?). Trying to use the clock as your friend, and everyone reacts accordingly.

That’s fair, I can see the logic behind this. I guess my biggest gripe is perhaps the “extended” time I feel UNH will play with this uber defensive mindset. I think JB mentioned on the previous page - looking at the Dartmouth game, UNH entered their “bend but don’t break” mindset ~5 minutes into the third. You can only bend for so long before you break (just ask Stretch Armstrong). I generally think it may be more worthwhile to try and get another goal for a little longer into the 3rd to try and get a bit more breathing room prior to going full prevent defense mode…

Once you get to ~5 minutes left though - for sure I’m all on board to bring everyone back and just dump into the neutral zone when changing lines etc. But when there’s 10-15 minutes left? Still try to put forth the effort to build a 2 goal lead for a bit more breathing room.

On the flipside, I’d love to see UNH be a bit more aggressive in the last 5-6 minutes when they’re down by 1 goal. I sometimes feel they don’t press as much as they can… perhaps worried to fall behind by 2 goals instead of one.

EDIT - I realize looking back at my original post you replied to, I only said “last 5-6 minutes of the game”. I should have been a bit more liberal with the timing, as I moreso meant 10-15 minutes instead of 5-6, so I apologize for that error on my part!

 

[HockeyRef]

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.

Ugh the heart breaks you veteran fans have been through! Not sure what is worse...these games (and the others ) or not having any real post season success like I've experienced as a fan since 2013-14 season.

As I've said 1000 times on this site just getting to the Garden would be enough for me.

If they are looking for fan input at the practice, I’d recommend someone saying that dumping the puck into the opponents zone during the Power Play has not been working out… how many times have they done this recently and the other team immediately grabs it along the boards and easily dumps it out? If you are trying to change lines hold it in your zone, let people get to where they need to be, then break it out!

Again… I feel this has been a hallmark of recent Power Play setup and it seems to have a low chance of success… Where does their PP land now? Gotta be lower 20-30% in the country, and I feel that has been a theme the last few years… I think they did get a couple this weekend, but I believe the Winters one was right off a face off win which could have happened at even strength as well.

 

[bakchk20]

I agree entirely and commented on this dump and chase PP strategy to my cousins whom I joined for the second and third periods on Sunday night. For me, this stupid coaching strategy ranks right up there with stationing two players behind the opposing net on 5-3 PP’s and trying for ENG’s instead of flipping the puck into the neutral zone to avoid face offs in front of our goalie after the inevitable icing call in the extra attacker situation. How arrogant to think that one can score an ENG the full length of the ice through traffic. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Then again, maybe you will get to watch all these stupid strategies in play at the open practice at the Everett Arena?

What about behind the net attack is so bothersome? This take has been a recurring theme in here. It may not yield scoring (assists, actually) for UNH - and in that case it looks futile - but it is one of the top 2 or 3 highest yielding assist origins. Look it up. Or, play the game and you will come to appreciate how a nifty stick man working from behind the net gets the goalie spinning and opens sweet little passing lanes. Just sayin'...

 

[JB]

What about behind the net attack is so bothersome? This take has been a recurring theme in here. It may not yield scoring (assists, actually) for UNH - and in that case it looks futile - but it is one of the top 2 or 3 highest yielding assist origins. Look it up. Or, play the game and you will come to appreciate how a nifty stick man working from behind the net gets the goalie spinning and opens sweet little passing lanes. Just sayin'...

You may not have seen this specific reference "in action". For a time UNH with a 5-3 PP would station 2 forwards below the goal line behind the net, butts basically on the end boards to play pass with each other. Leaving 3 on 3 in front of the net. When I first saw it I honestly thought this is novel what do they have up their sleeve. Answer nothing. Just 3 guys standing in a triangle in front of the net and 2 guys playing pass behind the net. The opposing D thought it was amazing, stand in a triangle mirroring the UNH triangle, that doesn't move, and wave their sticks. It was really ugly and it felt like it took 3 years of 5 on 3 opportunities to realize it was doing nothing but help the other team kill the time.

Yes Gretzky's office is a fantastic spot for assists, if the guy behind the net has vision, can pass and the guys in front of the net are moving to create lanes and get open. None of that was going on...

 

[JB]

Did you really expect MS7 to be doing detailed video prep for Colgate, while busy partying with the fam during his Spengler Cup junket to Europe? Nah ...

No, I long ago gave up MS7 being an effective coach. I am not exactly sure what he is effective at...

Championing His Program - Media and STH interaction is ZERO so NOPE
Fundraising - Renamed the the Whitt, CHECK, actually got the project funded and started - still NOPE, deferred until at least spring 2026, Nov 2 facilities tracking has the project not yet approved (https://www.unh.edu/facilities/sites/default/files/media/2025-11/Project Update_November.pdf - see page 14)
Recruiting - maybe, I really like the turnover this year but lets see if there is a new trend here - INCOMPLETE
Game Planning - this team sadly seems to be a we do what we do - NOPE
In Game Adjustments - hahahahahahahahaha
Kissing Up Media Presence to Get a New Contract - pass... but a good coach that is doing well doesn't need to do this crap, and it all went away as soon as the ink was dry, so just selfish behavior - so still failing as a leader

So after all these years we are still at a failing (flailing?) grade

Now some may argue that pieces of this are not his job (fundraising) ok take that off the list... darn still failing

 

[Snively65]

What about behind the net attack is so bothersome? This take has been a recurring theme in here. It may not yield scoring (assists, actually) for UNH - and in that case it looks futile - but it is one of the top 2 or 3 highest yielding assist origins. Look it up. Or, play the game and you will come to appreciate how a nifty stick man working from behind the net gets the goalie spinning and opens sweet little passing lanes. Just sayin'...

It is just that I have never seen the 5-3 PP work for UNH with two attackers behind the net (although I was told that it worked once, the first time they used it), but I have seen it lead to odd-man rushes when those “nifty stick man” passes have been picked off for SHG’s at least twice. I think that “nifty stick men” have been lacking at UNH for a long time.

 

[Darius]

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

it was in the Wildcats This Week Newsletter email. Wildcats This Week Newsletter

 

[Potluck]

Did you really expect MS7 to be doing detailed video prep for Colgate, while busy partying with the fam during his Spengler Cup junket to Europe? Nah ...

Oh, Buford, you silly flunky. You just can't help it, can you? You haven't a clue of what you speak but when has that ever stopped you?

Again, I'm sure this was an accommodation to allow MS7 to readjust his clock for the six hour time gap, allowing him a little extra fun time with Nigel & Co.

If you knew anything about scheduling, you'd know that Colgate has to agree to dates, too. The notion that UNH schedules games simply to accommodate the Coach is, well, Buford level stupid.

 

[Potluck]

Fundraising - Renamed the the Whitt, CHECK, actually got the project funded and started - still NOPE, deferred until at least spring 2026, Nov 2 facilities tracking has the project not yet approved (https://www.unh.edu/facilities/sites/default/files/media/2025-11/Project Update_November.pdf - see page 14)

Elwood, gotta slap you around a bit on this one. Where are the deadbeats like you when it comes to fundraising? I speak, of course, of the New Hampshire deadbeat taxpayers that are allowing UNH to rot to the core due to poor funding. The dentally challenged GOP NH taxpayers are more interested in guns than higher education, healthcare, and hygiene. No surprise to those of us that are bit more evolved. Nevertheless, it's irritating to see lame brains like you, Buford (Chuck Murray) and Meathead (Norbert for new posters) actually attack the head hockey coach for literally raising millions of private sector dollars for a renovation project that is delayed getting started because the Deadbeats refuse to contribute.

Deadbeats like you, Buford and Meathead are quick to attack Souza and the programs poor performance over the past decade but when it's time to reach into your pockets and contribute to a solution, you turn into DB Cooper.

 

[HockeyRef]

Elwood, gotta slap you around a bit on this one. Where are the deadbeats like you when it comes to fundraising? I speak, of course, of the New Hampshire deadbeat taxpayers that are allowing UNH to rot to the core due to poor funding. The dentally challenged GOP NH taxpayers are more interested in guns than higher education, healthcare, and hygiene. No surprise to those of us that are bit more evolved. Nevertheless, it's irritating to see lame brains like you, Buford (Chuck Murray) and Meathead (Norbert for new posters) actually attack the head hockey coach for literally raising millions of private sector dollars for a renovation project that is delayed getting started because the Deadbeats refuse to contribute.

Deadbeats like you, Buford and Meathead are quick to attack Souza and the programs poor performance over the past decade but when it's time to reach into your pockets and contribute to a solution, you turn into DB Cooper.

Deadbeat taxpayers? I dont normally reply to your posts but seriously? Nh taxpayers like myself who fund everything on our backs? I do agree NH should adopt other funding sources for public education etc...but that's never gonna happen in 'Live Free or Die' land.

What do you suggest? And..kudos to MS7 for the fundraising he has done. Which I would love to know the exact nature of?

 

[Chuck Murray]

If you knew anything about scheduling, you'd know that Colgate has to agree to dates, too. The notion that UNH schedules games simply to accommodate the Coach is, well, Buford level stupid.

Five Easy Steps to Scheduling a Non-Conference Weekend

(1) Approach opponent (or vice versa) to discuss scheduling options - as NC games, these are the most flexible
(2) Will these games be a one-shot deal, back-to-back years, or extended series of NC games between the schools?
(3) Pick the weekend and the location this year accordingly. If schools are close enough, maybe home-and-home?
(4) With location set, barring conflicts (rare in D-1 facilities), decide if it's Friday/Saturday, Friday/Sunday or Sat./Sun.?
(5) If one school's head coach is (for example) coming in late from a European junket, then Saturday/Sunday it is

As of last weekend, neither school is in session academically, so why in the world would a road team object to (a) an extra day of practice (Friday), (b) facing up against a smaller home opposition crowd on a Sunday night in Titletown, and (c) maybe even saving the expense of an additional hotel night for the squad??

I'm not a schedule wonk, but I don't recall UNH going up to Colgate last season ... so perhaps there'll be a two-game weekend trip to Hamilton next Winter?

Pretty simple, even for you. If I missed a step, please share with the group exactly what part(s) of this oh-so-complicated process are missing, skippy ...