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

[Darius]

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!

Interesting conundrum. Saturday is sort of, but not really a must win game. Given the games played differential UNH is pretty much slotted into a first round road game. TM has played well his last few games. Tonight would be a great test.

"Captain Clutch" on the NESN broadcast.

 

[Darius]

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.

No argument here. I'd even remove "slight". Good "win" for the 'cats. They really needed all three points.

 

[HockeyRef]

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.

Sooo not to get into a Souza battle as I really do not have any more opinions than the ones I've already expressed here but, am kind of 'doubting' that a decisive win tonight is going to happen tonight;
I mean...its HUGE these 3 points for both teams but, who knows? And, wow, if they do I wanna hear nothing but accolades for Coach Souza tomorrow morning

 

[HockeyRef]

Interesting conundrum. Saturday is sort of, but not really a must win game. Given the games played differential UNH is pretty much slotted into a first round road game. TM has played well his last few games. Tonight would be a great test.

"Captain Clutch" on the NESN broadcast.

He is indeed 'Captain Clutch'. Can't name him 'Mr. Clutch' tho as that is reserved for the greatest clutch player in NBA history according to me of course, none other than #44 Jerrrryyyyy Wessttttt!

 

[HockeyRef]

Hockey Ref has 2 tix for tonight section 119. Email me if interested. Can transfer to your phone. Just have to pay for one...24.00 not adversed to having Maine fans just be nice...ha!

 

[DietSprite]

Long time lurker first time poster: HockeyRef I'd love to take you up on that if they're still available. Was in 119 last night, what a game!

 

[cgoodwin]

DietSprite I see that screen name

 

[HockeyRef]

Long time lurker first time poster: HockeyRef I'd love to take you up on that if they're still available. Was in 119 last night, what a game!

If you DM me here the tix are available...ill need your.cell to transfer the tix OR I can meet you at the Whitt and bring yiu through
I prefer to send them via your cell...

 

[HockeyRef]

TyM gets the nod tonight in net..

 

[ClOuD 9]

As much as I enjoyed dunking on UNH for poor attendance over the last decade, I kind of miss not having to wait 20 mins in line to use the bathroom ;-)

 

[Chuck Murray]

As much as I enjoyed dunking on UNH for poor attendance over the last decade, I kind of miss not having to wait 20 mins in line to use the bathroom ;-)

Remember when we used to discuss how expansion of The Whitt might be necessary, due to sellouts, wait list, etc.?

Mucinex holding the fort as the rematch remains scoreless past the midway mark of the second period.

 

[HockeyRef]

So when Muszelik makes a save the student section does this "Muze" thing....hes holding his own so far...

 

[ClOuD 9]

Remember when we used to discuss how expansion of The Whitt might be necessary, due to sellouts, wait list, etc.?

When I first signed up for the USCHO board is wasn't a matter of if they would expand the Whitt, but when.
If I remember correctly, the claim at the time was that the arena was built so that the roof could be lifted off the support beams and a balcony added.

 

[HockeyRef]

TY MOOOOOOSELIK stands tall and Captain Clutch wins it!!!

 

[Chuck Murray]

Another shootout win over UMaine. Mucinex with the shutout. Stevenson scores the only goal all night. Discuss.

 

[After the Whistle]

The Moose was the real thing tonight. I was surprised he got the start but it was just what the doctor ordered. He had several grade A saves.
The Captain has had an incredible second half. Tons of effort, timely goals but a couple of stupid penalties. I think someone referenced Cronin's effort last night, he worked hard again tonight, but there was a lot of effort out there. Didn’t like all that messing with the lines several guys were totally gassed by the end.

 

[Snively65]

My first game at the Whitt in three years and I would be hard pressed to remember a better game that I have seen there post-TyK. I like your abbreviation TyM, HR.

 

[HockeyRef]

My first game at the Whitt in three years and I would be hard pressed to remember a better game that I have seen there post-TyK. I like your abbreviation TyM, HR.

You were there!?!?! Harrumph would have.loved to see you!!! Was talking to a fan at the start and I'll be honest I questioned the goalie start...but then later in the game when he made some big stops we looked at each other and said "we have a goal tender".

Like I said when he would make a save heard around the 'Whitt was a "moose or a Muze' which reminded me of a story someone told me about when Coach Souza would score and the fans would say 'Soooze" or something like that. Good for TyM...his presser comments were also positive about why he was happy to play for UNH and hope it stays that way.

I know there will be criticism that we didn't beat them outright but to that I say yeah we could've been swept too. A 4 point weekend is better than a zero point weekend esp against whst I think is a tough team to play against. Kudos to Victor Osman he had a great weekend.

Onto the Ice Bus in their new digs which I hear you have to know somebody to get tickets!!

Ps ATW Mr HR agrees about the lines...he always remarks about that!

 

[walrus]

Another shootout win over UMaine. Mucinex with the shutout. Stevenson scores the only goal all night. Discuss.

Maine has zero offense. Offense that can't make a goalie that big move is doomed to failure. Good to see Maine brings out a crowd after stinking for so long.

 

[Chuck Murray]

In this morning's edition of the Union-Leader, in Kevin Landrigan's weekly political column ...

Push for UNH hockey

Gov. Chris Sununu says the state needs to invest in the hockey program at the University of New Hampshire in Durham if it’s to be a top-level NCAA contender.

“That’s a Division I team, but they don’t have a Division I facility,” Sununu said of the Whittemore Center, considered cutting edge when it opened in 1995.

“You need a brand, and the pride behind sports teams can really help build on that. It is really important. and UNH hockey has been awesome over the years,” Sununu said.

A proposed $24 million renovation and expansion of the Whit would get $8 million in the state budget trailer bill, $7 million-to-$8 million from UNH’s own budget and the rest from private donors.

“The replacement of the ice sheet that’s first rate was the only significant capital upgrade the Whit has really had,” said Anthony DiLorenzo, who is heading the capital fundraising campaign.

The upgrade won’t change seating capacity — about 6,000 for a hockey game.

Improvements throughout the “back of the house” would turn it into a venue UNH can use to recruit top players from the U.S. and Canada, DiLorenzo said.

Soon after the Whit was built, the UNH women’s team won the national championship. The men’s team has won Hockey East seven times and made national tournaments in 16 years.

But the program is “starting to slide, and that can be largely tied to the facility, because it’s tired,” DiLorenzo said.

“You can imagine what a national recruit thinks when they go to a university with the latest technology and comforts from locker and weight rooms to hospitality suites and then they come here. These talented young men and women literally can play anywhere, and your venue can make all the difference.”

Officials at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, which seats 800, have told UNH officials they would embrace bringing large arts performances to the Whit if it got a full upgrade, he said.

Sununu had a quick comeback when State Rep. Mary Heath, D-Manchester, playfully asked, “What about UNH football?”

“I’ve been to football games there... that’s a pretty state-of-the-art facility and that’s what the hockey program deserves,” the governor replied.

Supporters also point out that hockey is the only sport at UNH turning a profit.

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Anyway, most of this is just the usual mish-mash of begging for public funds, which bends the knee to the alleged power of bright & shiny new facilities to generate success, and conveniently overlooks the basic issue of coaching competence as the most important element of building and sustaining a successful program, in any sport. But still, it's nice to see a fellow Effingwoodsian sharing his own vision for the future not far from our tiny burg.