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UNH Men’s Hockey 22-23: the start of something new, or more of the same?

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With the new ESPN+ I haven't watched any games. Just reading the lineups, it's hard to gauge any growth. We knew that freshmen rarely step in and impact especially first semester. Leclerc has done so, and Winters a bit, but the rest - Dunlop, Sardarian, Straskins are hard to read. We knew offense would be tough to get, and 9 goals in 8 HE games proves us right. The stretch with out of conference easier games hopefully gives them a chance to feel good about themselves.

For the upper classmen, we knew there were serious questions about Devlin and Cronin's ability to carry a line (given track records in juniors). That seems to be borne out so far - they really have no first line guys. And what happened to Blaisdell?

In the end, we knew that this was a season in which growth was more important than results. Where we hoped for a ceiling of 8th place, now looks like a ceiling of 10th place. The decision in March will be a bit more stark. Take your beatings and hope that it serves you in 2023-24.
 
teez said:
Came here to say exactly this. The lone goal was a gift from the UVM goalie, so they were that close to getting shut out. Feels like a new low to me, especially after how sloppy they were in OT. Lame duck coach who has failed his players, the fans and the university.
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Fans on social media clamoring for change....
 
teez said:
Came here to say exactly this. The lone goal was a gift from the UVM goalie, so they were that close to getting shut out. Feels like a new low to me, especially after how sloppy they were in OT. Lame duck coach who has failed his players, the fans and the university.
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If only we knew MS7 was a lame duck this season, we could have a lot of fun with the satire of the situation; as it is, too many folks on here who know too much about the inner workings of the U seem to be suggesting that MS7 has a lot more runway to exhaust before he is made to walk the plank. It's getting pretty depressing, but thankfully some of my other teams in pro sports are starting to show signs of life again, so it could be worse.

Figured now might be the time to throw in an interesting chat I had a couple of weeks ago with a high profile East Coast mediator who used to be a high profile NCAA basketball official in his spare time. At some point, I interjected Bill Herrion into the conversation, and was told that Bill was actually a pretty accomplished coach. He looks at his situation in Durham as one where Herrion walked into a "terrible" situation and has since raised the bar to "mediocre", and that it's really hard to recruit for Hoops in NH as compared to Philly (where Herrion had success at Drexel). The mediator/referee (definitely a hardcore neutral's mindset, if ever there was one!) admitted to no institutional history with D-1 Hockey, but even he knew that UNH was a "hockey school", and was kind of surprised to hear they've been "down" for awhile. And it occurred to me that, just as Herrion had nudged his program UP a level, MS7 has done the reverse, taking a then-mediocre UNH program down to the "terrible" level.

I fear for UNH's team morale for the rest of the season if they don't find a way to a win tonight. Cut adrift at #11 in an 11 team league, and no amount of Snives' PWR joshing around is going to be able to lighten the mood. It could start to get ugly - very ugly - behind the scenes, which frankly still lands on Blue Skies blame-wise for his botch job on the transition initially, and his failure to act earlier once the botch was apparent for all to see. But if new AD Rich lets this disaster-on-ice continue beyond March '23, then it's on her from there on out ...
 
I'd suggest an email to AD Rich would be more humane and effective than starting a chant.
Again, I'd be surprised if the participant's don't see the path (especially if, as I would guess, the contract is up at year end), and so if the HC hasn't already begun an exit strategy to account for a non-renewal. Jeering him on his way out, for a failure of Scarano/Umile, seems particularly bad form.

If you want to jeer, next time Umile shows up, do him. He's a big boy and can take it and has already formed a self-worth that is unlikely to be harmed, and frankly, deserves it more (though I generally still think its bad form). For the HC, hopefully he has lots of time to reinvent himself and find a good use for his skills.
 
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d.gerry said:
When do the fire Souza chants begin at the Whit?
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Remember when UNH fans used to have the greatest organized chants in D-1 hockey? We need to draw on that old creativity, and start to put some life back into the building. There is great inspiration to be gathered from English football (soccer) fans, and putting aside the old "you don't know what you're doing" chant I've shared before on here as to MS7 & Company, here are some others (the first one appears to fit very nicely) ...
 
NCAA watcher said:
I'd suggest an email to AD Rich would be more humane and effective than starting a chant.
Again, I'd be surprised if the participant's don't see the path (especially if, as I would guess, the contract is up at year end), and so if the HC hasn't already begun an exit strategy to account for a non-renewal. Jeering him on his way out, for a failure of Scarano/Umile, seems particularly bad form.
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This.

If there is one common element coursing through the veins of UNH hockey right now its that everyone - starting with but not limited to the head coach - is in over their respective heads, and Watcher has identified the cause. Lets not treat the symptoms.
 
HockeyRef said:
HR's predictions:

Saturday: UVM 4 UNH 2 Muszelik starts
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Will be interesting to see based on how early he was pulled against NU.


HockeyRef said:
Didn't watch..picking sister up at airport so missed the bulk of the game (radio). Someone at the game said the team was "gassed". Oh welllllllllllll.
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NCAA watcher said:
With the new ESPN+ I haven't watched any games.
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I've only watched the NESN game. The radio announcers mentioned that both teams are at the bottom of national offense stats. UNH currently 57, UVM 61 of 62 teams. I watched BU/UMA last night. Obvious skill difference from the HEA bottom dwellers. Also, 'watcher, didn't quote your entire post, but appreciate the positive spin because as much as it pains me to admit it, this...


Nifty16 said:
We are fully in the embarrassment phased. Only goal is a total miss by the Vermont goalie. Just when you think they have hit rock bottom Sousa finds a shovel to keep digging.
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... crossed my mind as well.


teez said:
Came here to say exactly this. The lone goal was a gift from the UVM goalie, so they were that close to getting shut out. Feels like a new low to me, especially after how sloppy they were in OT. Lame duck coach who has failed his players, the fans and the university.
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On the PP too.


NCAA watcher said:
I'd suggest an email to AD Rich would be more humane and effective than starting a chant.
Again, I'd be surprised if the participant's don't see the path (especially if, as I would guess, the contract is up at year end), and so if the HC hasn't already begun an exit strategy to account for a non-renewal. Jeering him on his way out, for a failure of Scarano/Umile, seems particularly bad form.

If you want to jeer, next time Umile shows up, do him. He's a big boy and can take it and has already formed a self-worth that is unlikely to be harmed, and frankly, deserves it more (though I generally still think its bad form). For the HC, hopefully he has lots of time to reinvent himself and find a good use for his skills.
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100%. Agreed. Let's keep it classy.


Chuck Murray said:
Remember when UNH fans used to have the greatest organized chants in D-1 hockey? We need to draw on that old creativity, and start to put some life back into the building. There is great inspiration to be gathered from English football (soccer) fans...
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I still smile thinking about "Beat 'em, smash ' em, break his face", but those chants are not walking through that door fans. I'll pass on anything English football (soccer) fans related unless some of that middle east oil/Russian oligarch money comes our way and we can purchase a championship.
 
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Darius said:
Also, 'watcher, didn't quote your entire post, but appreciate the positive spin because as much as it pains me to admit it, this...
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Well, I was the reporter for the team in their 5-29 and 8-27 seasons;) Back when being outclassed meant something, as those WCHA teams destroyed the weak.
 
NCAA watcher said:
Well, I was the reporter for the team in their 5-29 and 8-27 seasons;) Back when being outclassed meant something, as those WCHA teams destroyed the weak.
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Ouch. I actually flashed back to the mid 80s ‘cats the other day. Excepting the ‘95-‘96 glitch, things went pretty well from there.
 
Guessing the freshman starts tonight looking for details on that. Hopefully he can play a full period. There is no chance of success this year but maybe a win can give a tiny bit of momentum heading into Harvard Tuesday.

would 500 be a win for this team cole February?
 
NCAA watcher said:
Well, I was the reporter for the team in their 5-29 and 8-27 seasons;) Back when being outclassed meant something, as those WCHA teams destroyed the weak.
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The 85-86 team lost 15 games in a row.

When it finally won a game the fans gave a standing ovation.

Now we have people wanting to start chants.
 
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Well shucks if you are going to be hemmed in forever, things like goals (for the other team) are bound to happen!!! Harrumph.
 
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