No "wrath" here, ATW (although it's kinda funny seeing e.cat hiding behind you, "go get 'im kiddo!"
) … it's nice that UNH made the real playoffs this season, instead of the MBPBEGAM (RIP) version we've had to tolerate most recently. But right at this moment, UNH has won all of two (2) more games this season than they did last season. I know, it feels different (and it is), if only because last season went steadily downhill, whereas this season was a steady climb in the opposite direction.
But to make a real impression - and to begin to reclaim what used to be our "rightful place" in Hockey East - UNH needs to be back in Boston for the conference tourney games. Plus, Souza gets to start a new tradition of his own, where he is seen as the guy who rises to the occasion in the postseason. He's got the blank slate as a coach, and as a player, he was a key part of some of the biggest games in the program's history. Why not carry that forward? Why not become the guy the other programs look at, and say "That guy knows how to get his teams ready for the biggest games?" Why settle for the slow path where (like his predecessor) questions get raised early, and try as he might, he just never quite overcomes them?
I'm not saying it's a must-win, but as long-time UNH fans, we've gotten conditioned to expect this "process" that lasts forever, and never quite gets there. Now we have a guy in charge who has been there (at least close) as a player, and can set down a marker early for the rest of his career. Do it. Do it now. At some point or another, you're going to have to break through and prove yourself, and get the attention of the D-1 hockey world, top recruits, etc. Why not now? Why wait?
You never get a second chance to make a first impression (or so I hear). If anyone thinks winning one out of three in the QF's marks some huge step forward … with all due respect, no, it doesn't. You're still not in Boston. You're just not in last place, or in the bottom three. You still have (had) a losing record. Not to mention, Snively65 needs two wins to cash in more frosties.
I'm tired of playing the long game (and yeah, I know, reality is it takes time), and it's the only time of the season when a single big weekend can make a real difference in the trajectory of your program. It's not like you're playing against a Walshy-coached team, or a Parker or York team in their primes. Opportunity knocks. If Souza doesn't have his guys flying from the outset for tomorrow's opener, he misses a really big chance to hang out the sign for everyone to see that it's not "business as usual" at UNH any more. There's a new sheriff in town, he breathes fire, and he plays to win. Go get 'em, MS7!!!
