UNH Offseason Thread

[freak]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

So....school is in session, and the athletics website still hasn't updated the women's page (roster, etc). Unless I missed something, and Kelly Paton has another year of eligibility...in which case, SWEET! Of course, the men's page has been updated since before the summer....

 

[lordsontheboards]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

With all the losses at forward (due to graduation) over the past two years, what are the chances that Birchard moves back to forward? I seem to recall she was fairly good at that position but it seemed like there was such a surplus at forward, that she was moved back.

Birchard will not ever see forward again unless it in certain situations. She's a much better defensman than a forward. Her size was very attractive at the forward position when she came to UNH but for some reason she could never produce the numbers that was expected of her.At the defensive position she has alot more room to quarterback. She will be the the anchor at the blueline this year. She will also be expected to carry alot of the load offensively. Something that UNH has not had to worry about in the past. The big question mark will be, can she make the players around her better. That will be the difference from this years UNH team just being average or something more.

 

[freak]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

Birchard also needs to cut out the mental lapses this year, such as coughing up the puck in front of the goal vs Northeastern last year, hanging Herman out to dry and a momentum shifting, game tying goal.

 

[CanHockGuy]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

Birchard also needs to cut out the mental lapses this year, such as coughing up the puck in front of the goal vs Northeastern last year, hanging Herman out to dry and a momentum shifting, game tying goal.

Nothing like boosting her confidence.

 

[freak]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

Nothing like boosting her confidence.

My bad. I meant to say: Birchard is the greatest defenseman in the history of NCAA hockey, has never, ever made a mistake, and always makes the smart play regardless of the situation.

I'm pretty sure that she isn't worried about what a random fan on an internet message board thinks.

The point you missed, was that along with being relied on for offense and replacing the intangibles lost with Kelly Paton, Birchard needs to cut out the mental mistakes that she has had in the past. The margin of error is much smaller today than even 2 years ago. What makes those mistakes all the more exasperating, is that when she's focused and gives the effort, she is a shut down D. She has all the physical tools and dominates at times, but the occasional lapses...disproportionately at bad times...has kept her from being great.

 

[CanHockGuy]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

My bad. I meant to say: Birchard is the greatest defenseman in the history of NCAA hockey, has never, ever made a mistake, and always makes the smart play regardless of the situation.

I'm pretty sure that she isn't worried about what a random fan on an internet message board thinks.

The point you missed, was that along with being relied on for offense and replacing the intangibles lost with Kelly Paton, Birchard needs to cut out the mental mistakes that she has had in the past. The margin of error is much smaller today than even 2 years ago. What makes those mistakes all the more exasperating, is that when she's focused and gives the effort, she is a shut down D. She has all the physical tools and dominates at times, but the occasional lapses...disproportionately at bad times...has kept her from being great.

I didn't miss anything. Your comments above are inappropriate, but if that's the way you deal with losses, then blame away and good luck with that.

 

[brookyone]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

I didn't miss anything. Your comments above are inappropriate, but if that's the way you deal with losses, then blame away and good luck with that.

There's absolutely nothing inappropriate with the comments made by freak.

You need to come to grips with the reality you're not the forum propaganda minister nor do you have any authority as some sort of forum censor deciding what's appropriate for others to post.

 

[ARM]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

I'm pretty sure that she isn't worried about what a random fan on an internet message board thinks.

... and anybody who thinks that she is has never watched Coach M. I'd guess that players who mess up hear about it in no uncertain terms long before a fan has time to post anything.

 

[freak]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

... and anybody who thinks that she is has never watched Coach M. I'd guess that players who mess up hear about it in no uncertain terms long before a fan has time to post anything.

Heh...I remember an interview with Kacey Bellamy, where she said that the first time she heard Coach Mac yell, she was scared.

 

[CanHockGuy]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

There's absolutely nothing inappropriate with the comments made by freak.

You need to come to grips with the reality you're not the forum propaganda minister nor do you have any authority as some sort of forum censor deciding what's appropriate for others to post.

But I have an opinion and I'm going to darn well post it if I feel like it. It's got nothing to do with authority or censorship. If there is anyone thinking they have special privileges, it's you. Get one will ya.

 

[brookyone]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

But I have an opinion and I'm going to darn well post it if I feel like it. It's got nothing to do with authority or censorship. If there is anyone thinking they have special privileges, it's you. Get one will ya.

Yeah...your frequent "opinion" is that a poster should stifle themselves for their "inappropriateness" as defined by you.

If you're so convinced a post is inappropriate, flag it for the administration. They actually have the authority to strike inappropriate material. That's how it works. They don't try to censor every thought they disagree with, or every comment they think someone shouldn't post...like you consistently do.

 

[CanHockGuy]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

Yeah...your frequent "opinion" is that a poster should stifle themselves for their "inappropriateness" as defined by you.

If you're so convinced a post is inappropriate, flag it for the administration. They actually have the authority to strike inappropriate material. That's how it works. They don't try to censor every thought they disagree with, or every comment they think someone shouldn't post...like you consistently do.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

Birchard also needs to cut out the mental lapses this year, such as coughing up the puck in front of the goal vs Northeastern last year, hanging Herman out to dry and a momentum shifting, game tying goal.

Not sure I've ever seen a flawless game or player, but if you recall, she came up HUGE on many occasion, either with a stellar play defensively or a game changing / game winning goal (Like the one that she got against Northeastern down there that won the game with seconds to go), her positives far outweigh her mistakes.

I think it may be time to leave that game in the past, where it belongs. She doesn't have a full collegiate season at defense yet, and still her learning curve is impressive enough for her to be a regular on Canada's U-22 blueline. She's got the tools, and it's not that surprising that she, like every other player, has made mistakes or had lapses. That is how you learn and improve, and she is clearly doing both while playing some darn good hockey.

 

[OnMAA]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

Not sure I've ever seen a flawless game or player, but if you recall, she came up HUGE on many occasion, either with a stellar play defensively or a game changing / game winning goal (Like the one that she got against Northeastern down there that won the game with seconds to go), her positives far outweigh her mistakes.

I think it may be time to leave that game in the past, where it belongs. She doesn't have a full collegiate season at defense yet, and still her learning curve is impressive enough for her to be a regular on Canada's U-22 blueline. She's got the tools, and it's not that surprising that she, like every other player, has made mistakes or had lapses. That is how you learn and improve, and she is clearly doing both while playing some darn good hockey.

Right On DC.....Well Said.

 

[zoofer]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

Ditto OnMaa...you go girl.....besides better not let Doug or Kathy catch you dissing on CB, let alone Shanna!

 

[scrambledlegs]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

Birchard ... She will be the the anchor at the blueline this year. She will also be expected to carry alot of the load offensively. Something that UNH has not had to worry about in the past.

This quote was the sole reason I brought this up in the first place. It is indeed a very slippery slope -- either you focus too much on the offensive side, trying to get the points, and your defense slips or the other way around. Either way, it seems unrealistic for one player to do it all.

Given the fact that UNH has had a several year string of 40+ point scorers, they are in a new situation this year with no returners with this volume.

Therefore, I was questioning what might be some changes in store for this season. Seems like all agree this is not a likely scenario.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

This quote was the sole reason I brought this up in the first place. It is indeed a very slippery slope -- either you focus too much on the offensive side, trying to get the points, and your defense slips or the other way around. Either way, it seems unrealistic for one player to do it all.

Given the fact that UNH has had a several year string of 40+ point scorers, they are in a new situation this year with no returners with this volume.

Therefore, I was questioning what might be some changes in store for this season. Seems like all agree this is not a likely scenario.

Lavoie had 29 pts as a rookie, Horn had 21, and played D from February on. That's a good career start, and not far off Paton's rookie year.

Julie Allen has shown a lot of improvement in lighting the lamp, and Skudder was hampered by mono mid-season, but still put up 13 points.

There are a number of very capable players who had small roles last year, and that I know firsthand have been busting butt all summer in anticipation of bigger roles.

Nothing is guaranteed, obviously, but if the returning players, mostly still lower classmen, take their game to the next level and stay healthy...

 

[OnMAA]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

......... but if the returning players, mostly still lower classmen, take their game to the next level and stay healthy...

That is a wish just about every College coach has every year

 

[DC78-82]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

That is a wish just about every College coach has every year

Maybe I've been subjected to too many of those political ads that invade the airways months in advance of the primaries and elections. Don't show your hand, promise the world, and hope for the best

 

[OnMAA]

Re: UNH Offseason Thread

Don't show your hand, promise the world, and hope for the best

And it is the "Hope for the Best" part that usually gets you in trouble......

One coach told me once.....Made the decision to pull the goalie early, saw a turnover, looked up in the sky and "Said my Hail Mary"...