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

[Felger]

Here is my thoughts to 10 wins and 10 points

Nov 15 (Tue) 7 PM Home Harvard (W)
Nov 18 (Fri) 7 PM Home UMass
Nov 26 (Sat) 7 PM Away Holy Cross
Dec 2 (Fri) 7 PM Home Boston University (T)
Dec 3 (Sat) 6 PM Away Boston University
Dec 9 (Fri) 7 PM Home Arizona State
Dec 10 (Sat) 4 PM Home Arizona State (W)
Dec 30 (Fri) 4 PM Away Union
Dec 31 (Sat) 4 PM Away Union (W)
Jan 6 (Fri) 7 PM Away Providence
Jan 8 (Sun) 3 PM Home Sacred Heart (W)
Jan 15 (Sun) 3 PM Away UMass
Jan 20 (Fri) 7:15 PM Away UMass Lowell
Jan 21 (Sat) 7 PM Home UMass Lowell (T)
Feb 3 (Fri) 7 PM Home Merrimack (W)
Feb 4 (Sat) 6 PM Away UMass Lowell
Feb 10 (Fri) 7 PM Home UConn
Feb 11 (Sat) 4 PM Home UConn
Feb 17 (Fri) 7 PM Home Maine (W)
Feb 18 (Sat) 7 PM Home Maine
Feb 25 (Sat) 4 PM Away UConn
Mar 2 (Thu) 7 PM Home Vermont (W)

If I did the math right doesn't that give them 13 HE points?

I suppose it depends on whether the wins are in regulation. We know they aren't getting the extra point in the ties.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Here is my thoughts to 10 wins and 10 points

Nov 15 (Tue) 7 PM Home Harvard (W)

Wait, 6-0 Harvard, outscoring teams 26-9? Optimist (smiley). We'll see in two days.

 

[Snively65]

I was thinking that Holy Cross should be the tastiest cupcake of the bunch. But then again, Hart Rink could join Lawler Pavilion as our latest House of Horrors, and the Crusaders will be once again making their case to join HEA.

 

[HockeyRef]

I was thinking that Holy Cross should be the tastiest cupcake of the bunch. But then again, Hart Rink could join Lawler Pavilion as our latest House of Horrors, and the Crusaders will be once again making their case to join HEA.

My feelings exactly on that...I mean, we struggled mightily with the Falcons! Wanted to go to that but too much travel on the other side doesn't allow a trip to Woosta. I doubt we'll beat Harvard...

 

[norbert]

If I did the math right doesn't that give them 13 HE points?

I suppose it depends on whether the wins are in regulation. We know they aren't getting the extra point in the ties.

Totally forgot about the 3 points now for a win. Then 13 points it is. There has to be an upset somewhere, just statistically speaking.

 

[Felger]

Totally forgot about the 3 points now for a win. Then 13 points it is. There has to be an upset somewhere, just statistically speaking.

And don't forget in this Participation Trophy culture you get a point just for getting into overtime so perhaps playing low scoring games nets something along the way.

 

[d.gerry]

Arizona State not a cupcake-strong team

They’ve kicked our #ss before, no reason to believe they won’t do it again. Ten wins for this team is quickly becoming out of reach, if not already.

 

[Dan]

There is no chance this team, as playing presently, takes a point off Harvard or Arizona State (or Sacred Heart)...

Holy Cross, Union, Maine and Vermont (at home) - might be their only toss ups the rest of the way. Honestly anything else would be a notable upset. And I hate to say it for the sake of the SA’s, but that may be what I’m rooting for. Anything short of embarrassment and UNH probably won’t even notice...

 

[d.gerry]

There is no chance this team, as playing presently, takes a point off Harvard or Arizona State (or Sacred Heart)...

Holy Cross, Union, Maine and Vermont (at home) - might be their only toss ups the rest of the way. Honestly anything else would be a notable upset. And I hate to say it for the sake of the SA’s, but that may be what I’m rooting for. Anything short of embarrassment and UNH probably won’t even notice...

Agree on the student athlete point. I feel bad coming on here and speaking poorly about the program, as I feel the SA’s will feel this is a criticism of them. It’s not, this is definitely not on the players. This is a complete failure of the coaches and administration at large. This whole situation is really just becoming sad.

 

[Felger]

Agree on the student athlete point. I feel bad coming on here and speaking poorly about the program, as I feel the SA’s will feel this is a criticism of them. It’s not, this is definitely not on the players. This is a complete failure of the coaches and administration at large. This whole situation is really just becoming sad.

You are correct Dale, sad is the proper term.

 

[HockeyRef]

Agree on the student athlete point. I feel bad coming on here and speaking poorly about the program, as I feel the SA’s will feel this is a criticism of them. It’s not, this is definitely not on the players. This is a complete failure of the coaches and administration at large. This whole situation is really just becoming sad.

I hear this 100%. I also feel like a 'bad fan' of sorts with my own comments, but I honestly think we care alot about the SA's and want the best for them. The more I think about that, how it seems decisions were made regardless of the actual facts of the matter, the more pizzed off I become about it. I thought what a long bus ride home that must have been last night (or today; no idea when they left Burlington). We do not generally 'call out the players' here and think we know they are most likely doing the best they can. And I believe there will be a lot of growth for this team (hopefully). But if nothing changes, nothing changes.

Were there any positives for the weekend? For one I think Fessenden had a decent weekend for the most part, Kristaps S got his first NCAA goal, our PK held up as it usually does. As for the 'new offense' welp not so much. Oh and Merrimack tops Hockey East right now, and as Chuck likes to say "let that sink in" but, they've been working towards improving that program one player at a time, have an obvious buy in from the players, so, there you go. Hard to say how it will all shake up but, this is the current reality. Isn't this all we are basically asking for? Ego..it's a terrible thing.

 

[Felger]

Were there any positives for the weekend? For one I think Fessenden had a decent weekend

He was 16% of the offense!

 

[HockeyRef]

He was 16% of the offense!

OMG I know...nice assist!!! Unreal when you can say that about a swept weekend...

 

[NCAA watcher]

Oh and Merrimack tops Hockey East right now, and as Chuck likes to say "let that sink in" but, they've been working towards improving that program one player at a time, have an obvious buy in from the players, so, there you go..

Lends credence to the "Borek was carrying Umile at the end, when Umile was not engaged at all in the program, and Umile eventually became too heavy to carry" stories on this board from the Borek supports after the 2015 plan was announced.
Not saying Borek would have been my choice, or even a good choice, but history has elevated his profile, while highlighting Umile's laziness his last decade.

 

[Bradz]

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 ...

Could be just a matter of a lack of girth on the coaching staff?

 

[HockeyRef]

Lends credence to the "Borek was carrying Umile at the end, when Umile was not engaged at all in the program, and Umile eventually became too heavy to carry" stories on this board from the Borek supports after the 2015 plan was announced.
Not saying Borek would have been my choice, or even a good choice, but history has elevated his profile, while highlighting Umile's laziness his last decade.

Well exactly, and I was going to remark on something to that effect. Eventually things become too heavy to carry, and there's a breaking point. The breaking point was the 2015 decision, Borek had already left by then correct to go to PC I believe. Can't remember the exact time line on all of this. What I do know is that Borek brought in some damn fine skaters to the likes we haven't seen....yet to date outside of Angus C. I know there was turmoil (and is ongoing, from what I hear the stories leaking out) when BvR left for example; he had the chance to experience some things he had been obviously promised that never materialized. IMHO, that is.

When your horse is dead, you prob should dismount.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Could be just a matter of a lack of girth on the coaching staff?

LOL now that you mention it, Coach Stewart could give Coach Keefe a run for his money. But I'm still not sure if anyone "measures up" to Coach Fortier in the sheer girth department ... has he dropped any poundage?

 

[Chuck Murray]

When your horse is dead, you prob should dismount.

Gotta admit 'Ref, the thought of "dismounting" from following the current day UNH program has crossed my mind. I have a quitting problem, though, so I guess I'm stuck with the program for the duration. At least 'til someone puts me (or the program) "down". Speaking of which ...

I'd suggest an email to AD Rich would be more humane and effective than starting a chant.

Tell me, please ... what has been "humane" about how UNH has spat on its most loyal fans over the last decade? From literally censoring the life out of the building (for those who still care enough to show up regularly), and after soaking the long-term ST's out of every dollar possible when they could ... when was UNH Admin ever "humane" about the situation that we find ourselves in now? "Humane" left on the Downeaster out of town, bound for parts unknown, at least two years ago, if not longer. And "humane" will only see the current crew get another (shorter) extension, because, well, just because we here at UNH are "humane".

News flash: UNH Hockey isn't an animal rescue shelter, it's a business, so let's make some business decisions.

If you prefer a more genteel (passive) e-mail campaign to our new chief compliance officer/AD to work off the frustration of watching your long-time favorite D-1 hockey program circling the drain, by all means, go for it. Others cannot be blamed for wanting to take a different approach. This situation has been allowed to continuously fester into the epic mess that now stands before us by inaction of its decision-makers. The only folks making money on the proposition of UNH Men's Hockey now are the gamblers who keep betting that things will continue to fall apart, even when some folks are convinced we've already hit rock bottom.

You think we've hit rock bottom, you say? Wait 'til next year, when the current coaching crew's reputation for not only failing to develop talent, but outright causing harm to their most promising recruits, hits the streets? HINT: the kids from Alabama-Huntsville and Babson will look like shining pearls by comparison to the junk that'll wash ashore for the '23/'24 season, unless some serious changes are made, and pronto.

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.

"Gosh, if we just wait MS7 & Company out a little while longer, he'll eventually come visit me and offer to resign, sparing me the indignity and squeamishness of having to inhumanely relieve him of his duties. Because in Academia, it's bad form to question someone's abilities to hold up their end of the employment bargain." I mean ... seriously, are you channeling the "protect our phony baloney jobs" bit from Blazing Saddles?

You know I agree with you that the decision to foist this succession plan also lies with others further up the chain ... but why exonerate the guy who was holding himself out to be a qualified D-1 head coach, and clearly hasn't been up to the task? I mean, this hasn't been a close call, and I'm not sure there's ever been a moment during his time in charge that we've been convinced that, "Now ... THIS is the guy who sold himself to Coach Umile and his paisan in the corner office!" An argument can be made that he's defrauding the school at this point, no??

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.

On this one, we will have to respectfully disagree. If not for the overall 20+ years of successful hockey at UNH before Umile's program stopped being a winning and competitive program, we would have a fraction of the USCHO on-line support, and the much-discussed Hockey trophy case would likely be as bare as the ones in Hanover, North Andover, Burlington and Storrs right now. A few folks would be chatting from time to time about the glory of the Charlie Holt Era, and there's a decent chance the Whitt doesn't get built (or at least a smaller version, many years later).

Dick Umile was a very good D-1 coach, and was able to attract/hire several very capable assistants who helped him take the UNH program to heights that not even Coach Holt was able to scale. He is hardly the only coach in the D-1 business who thought he had a great idea for his succession plan; under truth serum, I'm sure everyone dreams of having a say in who replaces you when you retire. The difference here was that Umile's boss apparently also thought it was a great idea, when he should have been the "adult in the room" to explain to Lifetime Contract that hey, that's a noble idea and all, but I'm in charge, and your guy has never been in charge elsewhere before, much less a D-1 program with national title aspirations. Like you say, Umile "is a big boy", and hearing that from his paisan should have been enough for him to step back and "settle" for the gold watch treatment as the school's most successful coach in its history to that point. But his paisan couldn't pull the trigger, and in this ongoing monument to "humane" "leadership" in Durham, the rest is history.

So, good luck with your letter writing campaign, 'Watcher. Just don't expect anything to change ...

 

[HockeyRef]

Hey Chuck on the 'dismount' comment I was referring to how Scotty B saw the writing on the wall kind of thing, and got out of there....assuming he wanted the HC position and was told it wasn't gonna happen (isn't that what went down? I cannot remember and am too busy watching D1 Field Hockey semis to look it up haha). I hear you tho...alot of us keep coming back for more because we love the games and keep hoping things will get better?!? Right?

 

[NCAA watcher]

I'll drive up to Effingham in April to your favorite pub to buy you a drink or two if the situation hasn't changed. I'll even let you play Ted Nugent on the jukebox.