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

[NCAA watcher]

Quite the weekend in HE...look at Vermont sweeping the Beagles on their own ice. Going to be quite the battle for the top teams for best in the regular season and beyond.

There may be some parity, but HE currently has only one team in the tourney. Another bleak year for the league.

 

[Snively65]

There may be some parity, but HE currently has only one team in the tourney. Another bleak year for the league.

Quite the HEA implosion, as earlier in the season they had six teams in the top 15 PWR. But then HEA teams lost a lot of OOC games over the past six weeks, and now are beating up on one another. At least there is now only one HEA team in the bottom 15 PWR. Hmmm, wonder who that is.

 

[HockeyRef]

Quite the HEA implosion, as earlier in the season they had six teams in the top 15 PWR. But then HEA teams lost a lot of OOC games over the past six weeks, and now are beating up on one another. At least there is now only one HEA team in the bottom 15 PWR. Hmmm, wonder who that is.

Thinking outloud that BU will be 'safe' without having to win the conference title, but everyone else who 'might' be competing will have no choice but do that. I mean you never know but if I had a crystal ball I'd say just given the goal tending it would be NU. Still, 'on any given night' could be MC, UConn and perhaps, PC. (maybe a 'dark horse noone saw comin' bwahahah) As per your last comment, you mean the team currently sitting in 50th? I think that's what you mean...haha

 

[Felger]

Quite the HEA implosion, as earlier in the season they had six teams in the top 15 PWR.

I don't think its an implosion as much as regression to the mean. You reap what you sow.

When all is said and done I think the league gets two or three teams in, but it would serve it right if they only get one.

EDIT: "Implosion" is what is going on in North Andover.

 

[NCAA watcher]

I don't think its an implosion as much as regression to the mean. You reap what you sow.

When all is said and done I think the league gets two or three teams in, but it would serve it right if they only get one.

Eh, most are trying, and so with the coaching turnover, you have a bunch of newbies just putting their stamps on the program. Its worked for Pandolfo, rough first years for Keefe and Brown, and Barr at Maine is in year two of a major rebuild. Vermont with Woodcroft is struggling, but he's also in year two or so. Carvel, Leaman and Bazin re established, Cavanaugh is on the way up, and Borek has MC overperforming.

Can't really say the teams are complacent or accepting mediocrity, except...

 

[Felger]

Eh, most are trying, and so with the coaching turnover, you have a bunch of newbies just putting their stamps on the program. Its worked for Pandolfo, rough first years for Keefe and Brown, and Barr at Maine is in year two of a major rebuild. Vermont with Woodcroft is struggling, but he's also in year two or so. Carvel, Leaman and Bazin re established, Cavanaugh is on the way up, and Borek has MC overperforming.

Can't really say the teams are complacent or accepting mediocrity, except...

I was referring more to the league's OOC scheduling. Its pathetic. More games against Atlantic Hockey than against the Big Ten, CCHA and NCHC combined. Playing out of conference games against conference opponents which essentially guarantees the league an OOC loss. Don't even get me started on the inspid "Frozen Fenway." I get that COVID (and conference realignment to a degree) changed scheduling, but you have to wonder (or more accurately doubt) if it is ever going back. I mean its easier/cheaper to put a team on a bus to Watertown or Springfield than on a plane to St.Paul or Denver. Still, there were many on this thread who mocked the dregs that were scheduled in pursuit of the "NRN" and it seems inconsistent not to call the practice out now that it is league wide. And yes, I get that the landscape has changed, but not being visible in other parts of the country doesn't help with name recognition that is part of recruiting.

Oh, and speaking of "the way things used to be" it wasn't all that many years ago that you didn't even see PWR ranking until after the first of the year, which would probably change the current perspective a bit. Not that we are ever going back to those days.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Ah, I get you. I'm not into the nuance of scheduling, but how does the league encourage that? It seems teams have their own reasons - I can see good teams wanting to challenge themselves and play tough schedules. But I can see bottom feeders wanting to pad their win totals by scheduling teams like Arizona State (41 PW), Sacred Heart (30 PW), Holy Cross (51 PW), Army (57 PW) and St.Lawrence (43 PW)/Union (44 PW) (just picking random schools). That way you can go to the AD and ask for a two year extension based on having reached double digit wins.

 

[Felger]

Ah, I get you. I'm not into the nuance of scheduling, but how does the league encourage that? It seems teams have their own reasons - I can see good teams wanting to challenge themselves and play tough schedules. But I can see bottom feeders wanting to pad their win totals by scheduling teams like Arizona State (41 PW), Sacred Heart (30 PW), Holy Cross (51 PW), Army (57 PW) and St.Lawrence (43 PW)/Union (44 PW) (just picking random schools). That way you can go to the AD and ask for a two year extension based on having reached double digit wins.

I was thinking of the league as a collection of programs more than an institution with an office in Amesbury. Or Seabrook. Or Newton Junction. Or wherever it is located now.

And you are correct, each team has differing motives how it schedules. But those decisions, selfish or otherwise, impact all the other teams in the collective.

 

[HockeyRef]

When I officially started following UNH hockey back in the 2013-14 season we were playing the likes of Michigan...

 

[Snively65]

I was referring more to the league's OOC scheduling. Its pathetic. More games against Atlantic Hockey than against the Big Ten, CCHA and NCHC combined. Playing out of conference games against conference opponents which essentially guarantees the league an OOC loss. Don't even get me started on the inspid "Frozen Fenway." I get that COVID (and conference realignment to a degree) changed scheduling, but you have to wonder (or more accurately doubt) if it is ever going back. I mean its easier/cheaper to put a team on a bus to Watertown or Springfield than on a plane to St.Paul or Denver. Still, there were many on this thread who mocked the dregs that were scheduled in pursuit of the "NRN" and it seems inconsistent not to call the practice out now that it is league wide. And yes, I get that the landscape has changed, but not being visible in other parts of the country doesn't help with name recognition that is part of recruiting.

Oh, and speaking of "the way things used to be" it wasn't all that many years ago that you didn't even see PWR ranking until after the first of the year, which would probably change the current perspective a bit. Not that we are ever going back to those days.

What Div 1 team plays in Watertown these days?

I can think of one AHC team that would not want to risk harming their PWR by scheduling teams like UNH, UVM, and Maine.

 

[GrouchyUNHer]

GUNHer must be crestfallen ... no more three game winning streak, perhaps all Julie-annie's fault then?!?

Charlie, ferchrissakes you really push my buttons you insipid drunkard. I WAS going to post an apolo



Hello? This is Ramona, Mr. G's caregiver at Happy Oaks. I am sorry to report that Mr. G. has suffered a medical issue while sitting at his computer. I cannot disclose his condition due to HIPAA regulations, but I can say that Mr. G is currently hospitalized in critical condition at this time.

I ask that you please pray for his speedy recovery. He is a joy here at Happy Oaks, and is beloved by so many! Thank you in advance for all of your best wishes!

Kind Regards,

Ramona N.
Senior Caregiver, Happy Oaks Retirement Home

 

[Chuck Murray]

Charlie, ferchrissakes you really push my buttons you insipid drunkard. I WAS going to post an apolo



Hello? This is Ramona, Mr. G's caregiver at Happy Oaks. I am sorry to report that Mr. G. has suffered a medical issue while sitting at his computer. I cannot disclose his condition due to HIPAA regulations, but I can say that Mr. G is currently hospitalized in critical condition at this time.

I ask that you please pray for his speedy recovery. He is a joy here at Happy Oaks, and is beloved by so many! Thank you in advance for all of your best wishes!

Kind Regards,

Ramona N.
Senior Caregiver, Happy Oaks Retirement Home

Looks like GUNHer may have gotten overly ... *happy* in the aftermath of the weekly "Ring Toss" game in Room 603.

Thoughts and prayers. Ramona, hopefully you can keep all of GUNHer's fans posted on his recovery?? :-(

 

[Chuck Murray]

What Div 1 team plays in Watertown these days?

I was gonna raise that same question Snives, but I figured you'd deal with it far more efficiently than myself.

 

[Darius]

I was referring more to the league's OOC scheduling. Its pathetic. More games against Atlantic Hockey than against the Big Ten, CCHA and NCHC combined. Playing out of conference games against conference opponents which essentially guarantees the league an OOC loss. Don't even get me started on the inspid "Frozen Fenway." I get that COVID (and conference realignment to a degree) changed scheduling, but you have to wonder (or more accurately doubt) if it is ever going back. I mean its easier/cheaper to put a team on a bus to Watertown or Springfield than on a plane to St.Paul or Denver. Still, there were many on this thread who mocked the dregs that were scheduled in pursuit of the "NRN" and it seems inconsistent not to call the practice out now that it is league wide. And yes, I get that the landscape has changed, but not being visible in other parts of the country doesn't help with name recognition that is part of recruiting.

Oh, and speaking of "the way things used to be" it wasn't all that many years ago that you didn't even see PWR ranking until after the first of the year, which would probably change the current perspective a bit. Not that we are ever going back to those days.

Don't wonder. It isn't. Spot on, all about travel $.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Don't wonder. It isn't. Spot on, all about travel $.

So when do the powers-that-be lower ticket prices to reflect what is no doubt a six-figure expense line-item savings?

 

[Snively65]

So when do the powers-that-be lower ticket prices to reflect what is no doubt a six-figure expense line-item savings?

Maybe if attendance doubles at the Whitt, ticket prices will come down?

(Heh, heh, I am joking, of course).

But, I think that the real reason that we no longer play midwestern teams OOC is because those teams want nothing to do with us as we only could hurt their PWR.

(heh, heh, seriously, little to do with travel cost savings).

 

[Felger]

Maybe if attendance doubles at the Whitt, ticket prices will come down?

(Heh, heh, I am joking, of course).

But, I think that the real reason that we no longer play midwestern teams OOC is because those teams want nothing to do with us as we only could hurt their PWR.

(heh, heh, seriously, little to do with travel cost savings).

Personally I think that is male cow excrement. Sounds like yet another urban myth generated on the concourse at the Whitt.

And if that is the case, how does that explain the rest of the teams in the league dumbing down their schedules?

It feels to me like we are headed for the inevitable interlocking schedule between Hockey East and Atlantic Hockey.

 

[Chuck Murray]

DAY TWO: GUNHer's hospitalization at an undisclosed location not far from Happy Oaks Retirement Home continues, with the infamously grouchy patient remaining in critical condition after unexpected complications from what we understand to have been an accidental overdose of certain age-appropriate recreational *medicine* taken after his floor's weekly game of "Ring Toss". GUNHer has been weaned from his ventilator though, and some movement of his lower, upper and other extremities have been observed by the treating medical staff.

Many thanks to our embedded WIS personnel at HORH for this latest update. The staff here remains guardedly optimistic for GUNHer's return to full health and crankiness ...

 

[Felger]

So when do the powers-that-be lower ticket prices to reflect what is no doubt a six-figure expense line-item savings?

My guess is that any savings could potentially be earmarked to fund more opportunities for participation in non-revenue sports. "Participation" seems to be the mantra in the NCAA transition report that recently was released. Hence, the possible expansion of the NCAA hockey tourney to 30 teams.

 

[Darius]

Personally I think that is male cow excrement. Sounds like yet another urban myth generated on the concourse at the Whitt.

And if that is the case, how does that explain the rest of the teams in the league dumbing down their schedules?

It feels to me like we are headed for the inevitable interlocking schedule between Hockey East and Atlantic Hockey.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Hope not. An informal handshake agreement seems more likely than a formal agreement which would not be long term good for HEA.