UNH- How Far West Do We Go?

[TheGrouchyCat]

Creepy indeed. With your professed international business dealings (just back from China!) and college lectures, K street lawyers, beer drinking with former BU and UNH hockey players and alleged all around business acumen. Yes, there's been no shortage of creepy delusional posting on here.

Just a day in the life, Potroast.

No China today, just dealing with HHS and FDA meetings this week.

 

[Felger]

. I would have liked to see Coombs get a start this year since he's the only returning goalie. He had a great JR year last year. I'd myself would like to see a goalie they recruited play, they have three with plenty of potential.

Couldn't agree more. Would much rather have seen Coombs than Whale. (Not that we saw him that much. But he's a known quantity. Which is why these pie in the sky ideas about bringing him back made no sense to me.)

 

[2013hockeyfan]

Let's face it ... it wasn't a super important game, other than for postseason seeding. But if a head coach has a certain level of respect, an officiating crew will almost feel obligated to "even things up", despite the fact that's a no-no in the public officiating gospel. But that respect simply doesn't exist for Souza, and we see this manifest itself from time to time.

The crew did seem to attempt to "even things" up after a clear trip by the Cats before getting the extra skater on the ice, nothing to say of the "goalie substitution" non-call. But I think this was not out of respect for the UNH staff and more the guilt and shame they felt after rewatching the clearly missed boarding call a half dozen times in the replay booth. On the broadcast replay you could see Holton was staring directly at the play as it happened but stood frozen instead of throwing up the arm.

 

[Chuck Murray]

I agree with you 100% it’s on Souza. I mentioned in an earlier post that I watched that part of the game back and saw how little emotion he showed. Mostly was just trying to make the point that it seemed like none of the coaching staff cared. I can recall games this season where an assistant coach is standing on top of the bench, screaming at the refs for a missed call, whatever it may have been.

Some head coaches prefer that their assistants stay quiet, and don't step on the HC's messaging. All depends on the staff and the personalities. For example, Jerry York was always very much in charge, but if things got heated and messy, Luce Canaan would do and say things that Jerry himself would not allow himself to do. Jack Parker never needed anyone's help with the messaging, ditto Walshy as I can't ever recall Standbrook getting outwardly worked up about anything. McCloskey and Lassonde likewise were not stepping on Dick's in-game messaging, although I vaguely recall Serino getting worked up a few times, perhaps when he was subbing in for Dick in the '97 postseason after Umile's health scare, which finally got DU to throw away the lung darts for good.

No one is asking MS7 to adopt the personalities of Umile, Parker or Walshy ... having said that, I'm not sure Souza ever fully developed his own coaching voice, which is one of the several reasons I've always felt he never fully appreciated the demands of the job. He always seems so tense, and insecure HC's can be very suspicious if one of their assistants steps out of line, perhaps thinking they are trying to upstage him? I wouldn't discount this being a factor in the UNH coaches room ...

 

[Chuck Murray]

The crew did seem to attempt to "even things" up after a clear trip by the Cats before getting the extra skater on the ice, nothing to say of the "goalie substitution" non-call. But I think this was not out of respect for the UNH staff and more the guilt and shame they felt after rewatching the clearly missed boarding call a half dozen times in the replay booth. On the broadcast replay you could see Holton was staring directly at the play as it happened but stood frozen instead of throwing up the arm.

Fair points both ... but neither of those non-calls put the 'Cats up a player, they more or less rescued UNH from going down a player (twice). The extra skater during the goalie pull miscue seemed super creative though lol. I've never seen that call ever before, in any setting. I suspect we'll never see it again, either.

I know the time-space continuum (lol) isn't always a linear thing, so I'll qualify this by saying "what if?" ... but if they call off the goal, and are forced to give UNH the five-minute PP, then any borderline call against UNH gets called on the spot, UNH probably doesn't score in the net 3 minutes up with a man advantage, and then the goalie pull thing probably never happens, barring yet another SHG against. Better yet, Holton gets the original call right as a minor in real time, and all of this speculation is moot. All the better reason that "putting the whistles away" in a relatively meaningless RS game makes so little sense, it wasn't ending anyone's season.

 

[teez]

Tickets for Wednesday's game at Conte are $20 (general admission). Any predictions on attendance or how well UNH fans will travel for a midweek game?

 

[HockeyRef]

Tickets for Wednesday's game at Conte are $20 (general admission). Any predictions on attendance or how well UNH fans will travel for a midweek game?

Most likely the usual suspects will go to this game. I don't plan on it just because of logistics. Kind of tapped out on road trips...wish the 'Cats a lot of luck!
Make it to the Garden and we will be there...pom poms and all!

 

[norbert]

Tickets for Wednesday's game at Conte are $20 (general admission). Any predictions on attendance or how well UNH fans will travel for a midweek game?

If I had to guess attendance will be light. We went the NU - UNH game at Walter Brown and total attendance might have been 600 if that, with 100 being students.

I would say maybe 100 UNH fans, mostly who will be friends and family members of the players.

 

[Felger]

Game is on NESN

 

[norbert]

Most likely the usual suspects will go to this game. I don't plan on it just because of logistics. Kind of tapped out on road trips...wish the 'Cats a lot of luck!
Make it to the Garden and we will be there...pom poms and all!

What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HockeyRef]

If I had to guess attendance will be light. We went the NU - UNH game at Walter Brown and total attendance might have been 600 if that, with 100 being students.

I would say maybe 100 UNH fans, mostly who will be friends and family members of the players.

You can bet their 'dog pound' will be there in full force, hopefully, not blocking your view this time...but maybe they are going to be on Spring break! Go 'Cats!

 

[HockeyRef]

So what are your predictions on NU? I think they will be a better match up than MC largely because of the venue. Both teams swept the 'Cats this season (MC won the series) tho, so,
probably 'location' is a moot point. I hope the team brings their best game, NU has some players who can put it in the net, we know our struggles. Big W for them
v BC over the weekend...maybe fuels them through this game. Gotta show up 'Cats!

 

[FlagUp17]

Couldn't agree more. Would much rather have seen Coombs than Whale. (Not that we saw him that much. But he's a known quantity. Which is why these pie in the sky ideas about bringing him back made no sense to me.)

I agree I’d have much rather watched Coombs to see what he has. I apologize if my message about Whale came off as wanting him to come back. I think he has value, and I was moreso just questioning his return because Souza really seems to have leaned into going with experienced goalies these past few years (not playing anyone below Junior class since Muszelik in 23/24). So I presume if he could have Whale back, than he would want him and likely have him start.

I don’t agree with this philosophy, as I think you need to see what you have in a freshmen/sophomore goalie, at least for a couple of games at least. Without any ice time they really aren’t veterans by the time Junior-Senior year rolls around…

 

[FlagUp17]

So what are your predictions on NU? I think they will be a better match up than MC largely because of the venue. Both teams swept the 'Cats this season (MC won the series) tho, so,
probably 'location' is a moot point. I hope the team brings their best game, NU has some players who can put it in the net, we know our struggles. Big W for them
v BC over the weekend...maybe fuels them through this game. Gotta show up 'Cats!

As much as I would love a win (and think it is certainly possible) after the effort this weekend I’m not sure I see it happening… Based on comments that the seniors weren’t present for autograph signing after their special day on Saturday, I’m wondering if some of them are looking more towards ECHL contracts in the days to come…

I think it will be a low scoring game. Likely 1-1 with NU taking the lead early in the 3rd. UNH pulls KC with 4 minutes remaining and NU nets the dagger soon thereafter.

Final 3-1, with BIG decisions looming on the near horizon… and also keeping a close eye on the Whitt to ensure renovations actually physically start soon.

I’ll give the final UNH goal of the year to Leclerc, and he finishes his wildcat career with 91 points. Not shabby at all in today’s day of college hockey.

I hope to be wrong. Looking forward to Wednesday night!

 

[Snively65]

Thanks for this nugget RB. My take is that it could be he ditched hockey because he couldn't stay healthy. Or maybe he just likes baseball more.

Question for you since I know you follow the recruiting trail. What is your take on the goaltending situation? I'm sick of them having to go into the portal to find a goalie. I thought Grout was going to be a solution but his numbers in the WHL aren't too impressive. Henriquez shows promise but he's only 18 and I wonder if he is big enough.

What year did our State U ditch baseball? As a teenager I played Pony League at Batchelder Field, with its 600-foot right field “porch.”

If Jack can develop some good breaking balls, perhaps there is some money to be made post college.

 

[Snively65]

As much as I would love a win (and think it is certainly possible) after the effort this weekend I’m not sure I see it happening… Based on comments that the seniors weren’t present for autograph signing after their special day on Saturday, I’m wondering if some of them are looking more towards ECHL contracts in the days to come…

I think it will be a low scoring game. Likely 1-1 with NU taking the lead early in the 3rd. UNH pulls KC with 4 minutes remaining and NU nets the dagger soon thereafter.

Final 3-1, with BIG decisions looming on the near horizon… and also keeping a close eye on the Whitt to ensure renovations actually physically start soon.

I’ll give the final UNH goal of the year to Leclerc, and he finishes his wildcat career with 91 points. Not shabby at all in today’s day of college hockey.

I hope to be wrong. Looking forward to Wednesday night!

I am confused by your second paragraph, but the final score sounds about right.

 

[HockeyRef]

What year did our State U ditch baseball? As a teenager I played Pony League at Batchelder Field, with its 600-foot right field “porch.”

If Jack can develop some good breaking balls, perhaps there is some money to be made post college.

Not sure but think Littleton's Rich Gale played for them? Pitcher who I think had a stint with the KC Royals...and the Red Sox as a pitcher and 1 year pitching coach. Fun fact..his wife who was a standout field hockey player at UNH coached me at (and always!!!) PSC ...

 

[Robert Balin]

What year did our State U ditch baseball? As a teenager I played Pony League at Batchelder Field, with its 600-foot right field “porch.”

If Jack can develop some good breaking balls, perhaps there is some money to be made post college

Hey Snively.UNH disbanded Baseball after the 1997 season due to financial reasons. MY Dad[God rest his soul] who ran Huddelston Hall for 22 years use to go watch them quite a bit and was very pissed off when it happened.

 

[2013hockeyfan]

If I had to guess attendance will be light. We went the NU - UNH game at Walter Brown and total attendance might have been 600 if that, with 100 being students.

I would say maybe 100 UNH fans, mostly who will be friends and family members of the players.

Walter Brown game was also played during the Patriots divisional rd playoff game

 

[Chuck Murray]

Not sure but think Littleton's Rich Gale played for them? Pitcher who I think had a stint with the KC Royals...and the Red Sox as a pitcher and 1 year pitching coach. Fun fact..his wife who was a standout field hockey player at UNH coached me at (and always!!!) PSC ...

Rich Gale had a pretty decent MLB career, mostly with the KC Royals, and started two games for them in the 1980 World Series. Funny old article below:

https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-11758490

Hey Snively.UNH disbanded Baseball after the 1997 season due to financial reasons. MY Dad[God rest his soul] who ran Huddelston Hall for 22 years use to go watch them quite a bit and was very pissed off when it happened.

Wasn't Chris Serino the Baseball head coach at some point in the '90's? IIRC a backup goalie named Brian Larochelle was also a catcher for UNH Baseball.