HockeyRef
Well-known member
I think when you become a fan of UNH hockey you automatically become a 'glutton for punishment' and I have no idea about 'Robert Johnson' (not sure I wanna know...?)
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?
- Thread starter d.gerry
- Start date
- Status
I think when you become a fan of UNH hockey you automatically become a 'glutton for punishment' and I have no idea about 'Robert Johnson' (not sure I wanna know...?)
Robert Balin
Member
Robert Johnson was a Mississipi blues singer and song writer who according to legend sold his soul to Satan at the crossroads in exchange for his remarkable talent.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
The education of 'Ref continues unabated. See the video below for some more "meat on the bones".
FWIW the lads of Led Zeppelin were clearly very influenced in their early work by Mr. Johnson ...
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Just out of curiosity I did look up Robert Johnson...haha I get it. Anyway, here's something to really be amazed about, from a UNH journo:
UNH has scored the first goal in 7 of 9 games in 2023. In their last 16 games in 2022, they scored first in just 3 of them. Maine is 13-13-3 overall but just 4-9-2 overall away from Orono.
Of course its no secret the Black Bears play better at home (nothing personal Maine fans; glad these games are here and not up at the Alfond (eeekkkk) and not sure how much I'd bet on this type of hype...but I do enjoy speculating on these kinds of things. Still expecting a split, but would really LOVE a UNH sweep! Go 'Cats BEAT MAINE!
UNH has scored the first goal in 7 of 9 games in 2023. In their last 16 games in 2022, they scored first in just 3 of them. Maine is 13-13-3 overall but just 4-9-2 overall away from Orono.
Of course its no secret the Black Bears play better at home (nothing personal Maine fans; glad these games are here and not up at the Alfond (eeekkkk) and not sure how much I'd bet on this type of hype...but I do enjoy speculating on these kinds of things. Still expecting a split, but would really LOVE a UNH sweep! Go 'Cats BEAT MAINE!
Last edited:
d.gerry
Five for Fighting
An announcement was made today about proposed $8 million in state funding, combined with university/donor funds for a $30 million renovation. Few other details provided.
Last edited:
Very curious on what it’s going to be. I am sure a lot we won’t see. What would people like to see?
Last edited:
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Bingo!
Whittemore Center Renovation:
The proposed $8 million state investment will leverage commitments from private donors and the university to complete an ongoing $30 million renovation of the nearly 30-year-old Whittemore Center.
“There are benefits to both the state and UNH with a revitalized Whittemore Center,” said Allison Rich, director of athletics at the University of New Hampshire. “This investment in one of the state’s largest venues for sporting and entertainment events will help bring more visitors and revenue to the state of New Hampshire. It will be a great asset for attracting and retaining outstanding student-athletes while also driving admissions and building pride in our state and the university.”
Last edited:
d.gerry
Five for Fighting
I think you’re right Nifty, most of these improvements will be to locker rooms, maybe a weight room, etc., all things in the guts of the building. I think upgrading the sound system is on the docket, not sure what other “fan enhancements” are being considered. Maybe some other type of video board where the old one used to be (beneath the clock)?
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Slush fund for potential buyout/hiring new HC if the last month of stellar hockey turns into the latest cruel mirage?
Just like the Jumbotron (I was for the Jumbotron before I was against the Jumbotron).
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
You gotta keep an open mind in this life, right Snives?
It's funny, I just looked it up, and the original cost to build The Whitt was $30 million. So another $30 mil to renovate the place less than 30 years in isn't an insignificant sum. It'll be interesting to see what else (other than the already-spent, infamous "rink shrinkage" and updating the ice freezing equipment costs) might be baked into that number? Frankly, it still rankles me that so much has already been spent on excuses for poor coaching (i.e. flashy scoreboards/ribbon panels, needless shrink, etc.) that could have been allocated to other way more important things.
Items that Have Been on the WIS UNH To-Do List
(1) Bring Hoops back across the street to The Whitt, boost recruiting, and eventually dump Lundholm (see below);
(2) Multi-level underground parking garage under current Field Hockey pitch (Field Hockey returns when finished);
(3) Said garage would be a paying garage for season ticket holders on both sides of Main Street (see below);
(4) Provide over- and/or under-rail right of way access between A Lot and The Whitt (under Main St. expanded too);
(5A) Eventually tear down and replace Lundholm with indoor facility to house other non-revenue indoor sports;
(5B) Work in your expensive doo-dad accessories (like a practice rink, pool, track) into the "New Lundholm";
(5C) Finish the other side of the Wildcat Stadium project, including more luxury and/or academia suites; AND
(5D) Bring patrons from underground garage into Stadium via "New Lundholm" w/plexiglas observation enclosure
Start Acting Like the State's Flagship School for Intercollegiate Athletics
(1) Begin to engage again - much more frequently - with folks outside of Durham/Oyster River in the schools;
(2) Spend money/resources on media - Channels 9 & 11 still exist, right - and make Channel 11 your propaganda;
(3) Yup - at the end of this list - make the "NH Beanpot" thing a reality, take your lumps for a few years, but give it time.
The best thing that could ever happen for UNH Athletics is to develop a real "blood & guts" rivalry, especially with an in-state rival. Dartmouth is never gonna allow themselves to stoop to such a decidedly non-Ivy level. EXAMPLE - if the Beanpot dropped Harvard, and continued with a Holy Cross or UMass Lowell or Bentley, do you think anyone would notice or care in two years (if ever)? Why is that? Because it's always been a BU v. BC thing, and it's been made even better - with lots of patience mind you - by the rise of Northeastern.
UNH sits here, three (3) hours away from UMaine, and chases this phantom of a rivalry with Dartmouth, yet the real opportunity out there is the only nearby private school that's shown their own sense of vision and growth. HINT - their name is already on the only NH arena larger than The Whitt. Yup - SNHU. Right there in Greater ManchVegas, with the other secondary option (St. A's) on the other side of the city in Goffstown.
Start finding ways to engage with these schools on the field, on the ice, on the court and on the pitch. You start the "game" as the biggest of the schools under consideration; you have a choice - do you like being the big fish in the little pond, or do you want to be a bigger fish in what is a bigger pond? This new approach generates all kinds of free exposure for your school and its programs throughout the State, all while you (UNH) are still the straw that stirs the drink (the Reggie Jackson of NH Athletics!).
Because if you are where UNH currently is, you can either continue as the isolated "big fish" with a very real cap on your potential for growth ... or just throw in the towel, downgrade athletics, and go golfing against the "Big Green".
Show some frickin' ambition, swing for the fences, and you never know what good things might happen. JMHO ...
Been a while since the Black Bears have visited the Cats in our house(s), since 12 Dec 2020 when we won 6-2 after playing to a 1-1 draw the night before. Last 10 games in our houses (eight at Whitt, two at SNHU Arena, of recent reference) have favored UNH 6-3-1. Tonight’s game will be our seventh on NESN/+ this season.
Last edited:
Cannot see white between puck and goal line on overhead cam for what would have been Cats go-ahead goal.
Last edited:
ClOuD 9
New member
I'd settle for air conditioning in the Whitt so they could hold events outside of hockey season.
While obviously in a bigger market, BU has carved out a nice niche for themselves booking acts that want to play in Boston but don't need the 18k seats of the Garden.
The Whitt is certainly better located than the US Bank Pavilion (Meadowbrook), and could probably snag a few of the bigger name acts that play the tiny Casino Ballroom. Add in events like professional wrestling, etc. and you could probably make some decent money during the offseason.
NHPTV stopped broadcasting UNH hockey in 2008 due to budget constraints, which have only gotten worse since.
NHPTV was spun off from the University in 2008 and lost it's state funding in 2011. It's master control operations have been at WGBH in Boston for over a decade now.
Less than zero chance this happens.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Whew..well wasn't pretty but Fessie (should get the start tomorrow)had some big saves so we will take the 2 points. Could have done without the F Maine cheer.
I knew we'd struggle with them and were hemmed in way to much. But we battled and got a flukey shovel shot by the Captain to get back in it which was clutch. Loved it that Sardo got the goal in the shootout.
Ready to battle tomorrow!
I knew we'd struggle with them and were hemmed in way to much. But we battled and got a flukey shovel shot by the Captain to get back in it which was clutch. Loved it that Sardo got the goal in the shootout.
Ready to battle tomorrow!
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Well, that was fun, wasn't it? 
UNH finding a way to *win a game against UMaine where the visitors arguably had a slight overall edge in play, and scored a go-ahead goal in the 3rd period ... that isn't the usual script from back in the Walshy days.
MS7 really needs his guys to win tomorrow (actually, later today) decisively to really convince some of us lingering doubters that this time, just maybe, he's onto something, and can get the ship righted at long last.
The jury remains out ... Mr. Souza, time to make your best presentation to the jury of UNH fandom.
UNH finding a way to *win a game against UMaine where the visitors arguably had a slight overall edge in play, and scored a go-ahead goal in the 3rd period ... that isn't the usual script from back in the Walshy days.
MS7 really needs his guys to win tomorrow (actually, later today) decisively to really convince some of us lingering doubters that this time, just maybe, he's onto something, and can get the ship righted at long last.
The jury remains out ... Mr. Souza, time to make your best presentation to the jury of UNH fandom.
I would not call the Captain’s goal a “fluky shovel shot,” as Stevenson was right where he needed to be in the dirty area in front of the net where forwards get pounded by the D. Good for him, as he took the only UNH penalty in the first. Maine played smart with only one penalty, too, a rarity for these two teams. I thought that UNH dominated in the second period when they came so close to getting the go-ahead goal. To come back late in the third for the tying goal was amazing, and Sardarian’s shoot out goal was masterful. This frosh class is promising: Carfagna, Dunlap, LeClerc, Sardarian, Skrastins, Winters before he got hurt, and Muszelik if he indeed has found himself this semester. Some of Fesseden’s saves were stellar.
What is the over/under for penalties on Saturday night? Five minors each?
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Maybe flukey isn't what I meant to say...Just the nature of the shot and yeah the Captain is certainly hot right now as he's on a 5 game point streak with 5 goals and 3 assists...Sardo has 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 pts in as many games.
I try to pick out an "unsung" hero for the game and for me that is Robert Cronin who dug in the third and created some good opps.
I agree that our Frosh have had a great year they've certainly carried this team. Would have liked to see more of Huard scoring this season but we will take it from whomever. I think the refs let them play for the most part but am thinking tonight's going to be a different story perhaps.
'Cats have to come out of the gate alot stronger tonight...and hope Souza gives Fessie the nod tonight this is no time to flinch...and I think he knows it. BEAT MAINE!
- Status