What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

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

Status
Not open for further replies.
I watched the game on NESN, and actually thought that but for a 3.5-minute stretch early in the second period, we outplayed UMass, leading in SOG and FOW by wide margins. I thought our forechecking was good and we got back on D pretty well except for the breakaway third goal. As for MS7 he forfeited his time out to challenge a call along the boards late in the second period in an attempt to get a 5-minute major and PP for UNH, although from the view on TV the play was not even worthy of a 2-minute minor. But at least he tried.

if we play as well at Hart next Saturday evening our Cats should pick up their fourth win.
 
Yes, played pretty evenly much of the night, and yes, should beat Holy Cross Tuesday.
In close games, one outstanding player can make a play that changes the otherwise even game. Annoying that it was Scott Morrow, whose choice is reflective of the differences in eras when we would have that kid who could change the game.

Still waiting for the freshmen to wake up, for as even as the game was, I really didn't see any (including my binky, Sardarian) present any real one-on-one threats. First semester is always tough on freshmen, and you hope that they take the break to step up second semester.
 
NCAA watcher said:
Yes, played pretty evenly much of the night, and yes, should beat Holy Cross Tuesday.
In close games, one outstanding player can make a play that changes the otherwise even game. Annoying that it was Scott Morrow, whose choice is reflective of the differences in eras when we would have that kid who could change the game.

Still waiting for the freshmen to wake up, for as even as the game was, I really didn't see any (including my binky, Sardarian) present any real one-on-one threats. First semester is always tough on freshmen, and you hope that they take the break to step up second semester.
Click to expand...

As you know a couple of our frosh were out last night who have been doing pretty well I think...Winters and Dunlap. Am impressed with Cy Leclerc. Thought Morrow (and yea some of our guys) threw a few cheap shots, but, I'd take him in a minute as a Wildcat...Not that they are freshmen but I am still waiting for some offense from Huard and 'little Kevin' Liam D hasn't scored in a few games so he is definitely due. I'm thinking a big W at Holy Cross; if not, I just don't know what to say. Go 'Cats!
 
Last edited:
Snively65 said:
I watched the game on NESN, and actually thought that but for a 3.5-minute stretch early in the second period, we outplayed UMass, leading in SOG and FOW by wide margins. I thought our forechecking was good and we got back on D pretty well except for the breakaway third goal. As for MS7 he forfeited his time out to challenge a call along the boards late in the second period in an attempt to get a 5-minute major and PP for UNH, although from the view on TV the play was not even worthy of a 2-minute minor. But at least he tried.

if we play as well at Hart next Saturday evening our Cats should pick up their fourth win.
Click to expand...

Nice to see a couple of objective posts from you and 'Watcher...it was not all doom and gloom last night. One team made adjustments and we couldn't find our stride fast enough and that was pretty much the game. But we had some decent action around the net that could have been interesting. Looking forward to the rematch....I'd say a big goal would be to see a full 60 against Holy Cross. We have BU and ASU leading into the Christmas break; not going to be an easy stretch but is it ever easy for UNH?? UNH avoided a 5 min major on that elbow to the head from I think, Eriksson if I am correct on that since you brought up Souza's denied challenge.
 
'cats came out with excellent focus and intensity, UMass was flat except for their goalie. Could have been 5 - 0, should have been 3 or 4 - 0 after the first period. Lack of finishing is still our biggest problem. Twice I yelled "GOAL!" to an empty room. We missed the net. Another time, the NESN announcer rhetorically asked, "How did than not go in?" UMass came out with desperation (NESN announcer said Carvel used the D word in practice all week) in the second, their superior talent showed. Fessenden clearly wanted at least one, probably two do-overs. They finished more grade A chances than we did, their goalie made more big stops than ours.

Not knowing much about hockey practice drills, is there one where someone bare handed lobs bouncing/on edge pucks to players who try to shoot them at at a target the size of the top corner of the goal?
 
Was optimistic after the first, best period I have seen them play in person this year. Moved the puck well created traffic in front of the net and had a good forecheck. As HR said UMass made in game adjustments to neutralize what UNH was doing and turned it into a number of odd man rushes. UNH on the other hand made no changes and kept up the system of shooting from the point, would love to see a shot chart from last night. After the first UMass was not letting them get any 2nd chance shots off rebounds, but UNH never adjusted. Once again watching the bench and no communication in game. Still have no idea what the challenge was but noticed Sousa never asked for an explanation after, then again never questions the ref. Know it won’t over turn a call but can help with the next one. Saw Erickson talk to the refs in the way off the ice after the 2nd, good to see someone step up. Might have been more frustrating last night than Tuesday as they showed some promise then squashed it with no leadership. Do feel bad for the kids I have not seen them quit this year which gives me hope that things can change with the right leadership.
 
Darius said:
'cats came out with excellent focus and intensity, UMass was flat except for their goalie. Could have been 5 - 0, should have been 3 or 4 - 0 after the first period. Lack of finishing is still our biggest problem. Twice I yelled "GOAL!" to an empty room. We missed the net. Another time, the NESN announcer rhetorically asked, "How did than not go in?" UMass came out with desperation (NESN announcer said Carvel used the D word in practice all week) in the second, their superior talent showed. Fessenden clearly wanted at least one, probably two do-overs. They finished more grade A chances than we did, their goalie made more big stops than ours.

Not knowing much about hockey practice drills, is there one where someone bare handed lobs bouncing/on edge pucks to players who try to shoot them at at a target the size of the top corner of the goal?
Click to expand...

As always Darius great take on the game...agree; so close on so many, but, just not close enough. I imagine Carvel used plenty of choice words in the locker room after the 1st period. He was not about to lose this game and his team buckled down and did their thing. Hit the nail on the head as we all know; lack of finishing; its been awhile since we have had players who can do just that. (But I digress) Love your idea for a drill; when I coached fhockey I would do something like that...of course the goal in fh is 7 by 12 haha.

Big weekend in other sports for the 'Cats...hopefully beat Maine and Fla. in football/soccer.
 
HockeyRef said:
Nice to see a couple of objective posts from you and 'Watcher...it was not all doom and gloom last night.
Click to expand...

You beat me to it, glad to see Snively and Watcher bring some balance to the conversation. I thought UNH outplayed UMass but the better (more talented) team won. I know that it somewhat counterintuitive. But UNH just has no playmakers (at least right now) Even when they were bringing pressure in the 3rd period I just had no confidence that somebody was going to find the net.

And I will leave it for others to nitpick the carcass, but I'm not so sure this was about "adjustments." I thought it was more along the lines of what 'Watcher touched on - that talent just takes over sometime.
 
Last edited:
Felger said:
And I will leave it for others to nitpick but I'm not so sure this was about "adjustments." I thought it was more along the lines of what 'Watcher touched on - that talent just takes over sometime.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Other than coaching briefly during a time out, how much can be accomplished in the flow of the game? It would be interesting to know the between periods locker room coaching.
 
Nifty16 said:
Was optimistic after the first, best period I have seen them play in person this year. Moved the puck well created traffic in front of the net and had a good forecheck. As HR said UMass made in game adjustments to neutralize what UNH was doing and turned it into a number of odd man rushes. UNH on the other hand made no changes and kept up the system of shooting from the point, would love to see a shot chart from last night. After the first UMass was not letting them get any 2nd chance shots off rebounds, but UNH never adjusted. Once again watching the bench and no communication in game. Still have no idea what the challenge was but noticed Sousa never asked for an explanation after, then again never questions the ref. Know it won’t over turn a call but can help with the next one. Saw Erickson talk to the refs in the way off the ice after the 2nd, good to see someone step up. Might have been more frustrating last night than Tuesday as they showed some promise then squashed it with no leadership. Do feel bad for the kids I have not seen them quit this year which gives me hope that things can change with the right leadership.
Click to expand...

Bingo!
 
First period could not have been better otherthatgetting a third goal. The effort has been there for most of the past 4/5 gamesjust out talented on the scoring side. There are times that it just won’t go in. To Watchers point on our two freshmen who have not yet emerged on the scoring as hoped for. They were given very little ice last night. Sardarian just isn’t feeling comfortable yet. The shuffling of the lines every game and certainly in game is understandable but in my opinion is throwing the balance of chemistry out the window. It is normal for the first half of a year but in my mind being over done.
Will probably try and stop at HC on the way home from the holiday.
 
Dan said:
What do we expect from FIU - UNH pumped them earlier in the season (at home) with a three-goal second half. UNH opened the year 2-3-0 and has since gone 13-1-0. The Wildcats surrender very few goals (or even shots on goal), while FIU tends to play some shootouts - including one 6-4 contest...

Seems like a game UNH should win, but FIU is the seeded club...?
Click to expand...

Historically, FIU has been the more prominent program, but in recent years, it's been UNH that has been by far the more experienced postseason team of the two. And being the more defensive of the teams, with a prior head-to-head win in their pocket ... I agree, if I had to put money on this one, I'd put it on UNH too. FIU 1:2 UNH. On to the Round of 16.

As an aside ... it's interesting that both UNH Soccer and Hockey took early 2-0 leads this week, and to compare how the teams reacted once the opposition pushed back. Coach Hubbard's team almost scored immediately after Seton Hall narrowed it to 2-1, and then possessed the crap out of the rest of the game ... whereas across the street, MS7's team crapped all over themselves in a brief window, and undid all the hard work that gave them that early lead. Coaching really does matter, and when your coach knows what to do, and how to communicate it effectively across the team, it usually shows up at the most important junctures of your season.
 
HockeyRef said:
Nice to see a couple of objective posts from you and 'Watcher...it was not all doom and gloom last night. One team made adjustments and we couldn't find our stride fast enough and that was pretty much the game. But we had some decent action around the net that could have been interesting. Looking forward to the rematch....I'd say a big goal would be to see a full 60 against Holy Cross. We have BU and ASU leading into the Christmas break; not going to be an easy stretch but is it ever easy for UNH?? UNH avoided a 5 min major on that elbow to the head from I think, Eriksson if I am correct on that since you brought up Souza's denied challenge. Eriksson’s 2-min elbowing minor was near end of first period.
Click to expand...

It was Ericsson who took the contact from the UMass forward along the boards late in second period, I think, but the refs rejected MS7’s plea for a major against UMass, to which I along with the NESN broadcasters, who showed the hit over and over, did not disagree. It was late in the first period when Eriksson took his 2-min elbowing penalty.

Watching games on NESN, I do not see what communication goes on during the game on the bench, but when I attended games in person I never thought that MS7’s former boss made good in-game adjustments between periods either, even back in our hay day. Of course, the recruiting was much better back then. No fault of our players’ efforts now, but they are simply playing out of their league. Just looking at our recruiting thread, that result has been obvious for years.

edit: Cy LeClerc was 15-9 in FOW against UMass, which is good at any level of hockey. UNH overall on season is 371-405 in FOW, but cannot find individual season FOW stats.
 
Last edited:
Coach Souza from last night's presser courtesy of Andrew Gardner/UNH journo:

UNH Head Coach Mike Souza after the loss last night: “I understand that the expectation is to win and I’m not going to sit here and tell you that things are great, they’re not. I want them to be and as long as I’m the coach I’m going to work my ass off”

And from Ryan Black who had a nice goal:

UNH Senior forward Ryan Black after the loss last night: “We know we’re there, we know we’re capable and the demeanor in the locker room isn’t necessarily down. As you guys saw in that first period we know what we’re capable of against a good top 20 team in UMass”

I for one, appreciate the honesty here. Of course he understands what's expected, and from day one he has always voiced his own involvement with needing to 'coach that better' (in referring to the powerplay or what ever). I hope he recognizes the limitations of the talent and makes the most of it, rather than expecting things that might not be possible? That lends itself to alot of stress for everyone.

Ps...congratulations football enthusiasts!
 
Last edited:
HockeyRef said:
Coach Souza from last night's presser courtesy of Andrew Gardner/UNH journo:
UNH Head Coach Mike Souza after the loss last night: “I understand that the expectation is to win and I'm not going to sit here and tell you that things are great, they're not. I want them to be and as long as I'm the coach I'm going to work my *** off”
Click to expand...

'Ref, you say honesty, and while I don't disagree, I read a sense of desperation into this uncharacteristically frank quote. It's hard not to feel for the guy, and I don't doubt that getting this job was the culmination of a lot of hard work on the road chasing second-tier prospects for what were at least then two second-tier (and with Brown, arguably third-tier) programs, in hopes of finally landing where he's landed. I'm just not sure he ever made the mental adjustment to committing to sell his alma mater as the same first-tier program he played for a generation ago, and one that was still within reach of the first tier when he got started on his return to Durham. And once things started to go sideways on him a couple of years in, I'm not sure he was frank enough in his self-assessment to be able to effectuate the necessary changes in time to avoid the crash he's encountering right now. Maybe in being the beneficiary of Coach Umile's largesse, he underestimated the demands of the position, and what it would take to undo the damage his mentor caused over the last few years of his time in charge?

Maybe I'm reading way too much into a blisteringly frank quote muttered in a moment of intense frustration? But it seems like a quote from a guy who now has his eyes wide open, understands that it's gotten away from him, and will "double down" on working hard, which is admirable. What he also hopefully realizes is the need to work smarter, and with a more clear understanding of his role at the top of the program. If he can do that, even if he never gets a chance to right the ship here in Durham, it should set him up with a more clear understanding of what it takes to be successful in the next job in charge somewhere else, at this level or (more likely) below.

In the big picture, it's a cautionary tale to alums who dream the big dream of coming back home to coach after a successful playing career, it's no guarantee that you succeed like a Parker or York, or even a Umile or Bazin or Madigan. Truth be told, there are way more Souzas or Armys or O'Connells (or even Cedorchucks), who got that "chance of a lifetime" but didn't measure up. Not every fairy tale has a happy ending, sadly ...
 
UNH and Maine with three wins each remain tied at 46nd in PWR with 16 PWR points, behind UVM with four wins at 36nd with 25 PWR points. With 14 games in the books, season about 2/5 completed, but much of the iron in HEA (six teams would make the NCAAs today) remains to be played.
 
HockeyRef said:
That lends itself to alot of stress for everyone.
Click to expand...

Sometimes "everyone" can refer to people you might not even think of.

Before the Harvard game Souza was talking about keeping the player's moods upbeat in the locker room and he used Bill Belichick's "ignore the noise" maxim. Then he mentioned how he has to tell his own daughters the same thing. Not to listen to or read the stuff that is said about the program. I know there is sort of a rule on this board not to criticize the players, which is fine. At the same time, they chose to play here and most took scholarship money to do so.

But the coach's daughters had no say in who their parents are, or what they do to earn a living. They didn't sign on for this.

Just thought it was worth mentioning, given some of the bloodlust for the head coach's head.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top