UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

[goblue]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

There *are* additional taxes, though. Right?

Or do y'alls really fund your state government by charging Mainers to go to Massachusetts?

(Y'alls??? Really???)

And on the way through our lovely state, please don't forget to stop at one of our liquor stores, conveniently located both on the highways and just off the exit ramps.

Edit: OK, Snively beat me to it.

 

[[UNH]Rig]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Can't students and Alum sit in different sections??.. Seems to me more of a travesty to not have rowdy fans for the team- than to bother the alum with a different seating arrangement.. My guess if little RIT can get 500 or so students to jump on busses and pony up for tickets then UNH can do it too if it wants to.. UMASS and UVM also do a great job of getting students to the Garden in HE play. Few yrs back (when UNH lost to MSU in Albany) MSU had 2 full sections of students and alumn all going bananas. I know there are a handfull of very pationate fans(that aren't also 40-50-60yr old alum) that go to the games and cheer- And I don't mean to put down my fellow alum, Ibut lets face it, we're not going to stand, chant, cheer and hollar continuously through a game. There was a crew of guys who painted HOBEYBUTLER on themselves yesterday.. but it seems to me that somehow somewhere the Student Body can become better organized with this. To me- if this is the $ maker for the school, they'd also want to encourage as much energy and excitement around it as possible. But that's me..

I believe the schools are only given a block of tickets, which would be incredibly difficult to split in that manner. RIT's section consisted not just of students, but of alumni (40-50-60 yr olds) who stood, chanted, cheered, and yelled through out the game. To me it seems a matter of passion for the program. And, sure the not winning part hurts that passion at times, but when it counts (in the playoffs), if you truly are passionate about it, you would be there supporting your team, being loud, yelling, cheering and standing to give your team the support they deserve.

 

[amherstblackbear]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

(Y'alls??? Really???)

Really. Y'all is singular.

 

[goblue]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Really. Y'all is singular.

I guess it's a Southern (Maine) thing.

 

[amherstblackbear]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

I guess it's a Southern (Maine) thing.

Definitely not. I live in ACC/SEC country these days. Sometimes I pretend to go native.

Wouldn't have guessed it was important, but you seemed curious. So there you are.

Back on topic: As a VIP contributor to Dick Umile's salary (All my driving to/from Massachusetts back in the day, coupled with questionable beverage habits), I vote to keep the guy.

 

[goblue]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Definitely not. I live in ACC/SEC country these days. Sometimes I pretend to go native.

Wouldn't have guessed it was important, but you seemed curious. So there you are.

Back on topic: As a VIP contributor to Dick Umile's salary (All my driving to/from Massachusetts back in the day, coupled with questionable beverage habits), I vote to keep the guy.

If I drove regularly to and from Massachusetts, I'd have questionable beverage habits as well.

And I'm all in favor of Maine retaining Timmay's services. Where can I make a donation to help out?

 

[DaveDan]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Fan Fave J. Gravelese may have worked himself into a bit of a controversy in the Miami Michigan game blowing dead a Michigan loose puck - goal. Needless to say Miami pots the game winner later in 2nd OT.

With 4 guys out there there still miss a lot, How about 2 more Refs, and a third linesman, or better yet, a Ref for every player on the ice....

 

[ClOuD 9]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

That would mean UNH fans would have to be ok with us standing at games not at the Whitt. Never gonna happen. We would also have to have students interested in going to games that aren't at the Whitt.

I'm sorry, but I have to call bull**** on this. I've been suggesting the Hosers and their followers sit with the band at the Hockey East tournament and regionals for years so as to co-ordinate the most number of voices in one section - yes, even before you began buying tickets front row at the FleetCenter. I also brought it up for discussion at the AD's spirit focus group a number of years back suggesting the AD buy a block of tickets for students in the balcony. The last time we had a single standing section at a regional was 2003 against BU in Worcester, in Amherst in '05 the group was so opposed to the idea that they set up shop in one of the upper corners of the Mullins while a much smaller group of students sat with the band mere rows from the ice. The only time I believe we've had one at the Hockey East tournament was the '05 final against BC (a game I ironically didn't make). In Manchester BU had a huge section in the balcony behind the goalie while we had two people, I was told "we never win when we sit with the band" (that one didn't work out too well). This year when I inquired I was told was simply "no". There were also plenty of empty seats in the lower level near the UNH section on Friday where such a section could have been arranged.

 

[Got 6 Want More]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

In the last year, almost all of them. The last exciting get was Cam Reid in Oct. 2008

We picked up a lot of 4th line fillers once Bourque/White/Dries bailed on the team. That's the fourth line we didn't dare play this playoffs. We only have JVR's brother of note, and a couple of Washington DC Jr. B projects.

During this time we lost Matt White, Cam Reid and Ryan Bourque to admissions.

Our first four goalie choices for 2010 went elsewhere.


3/26/2010 Ryan Fitzgerald Prep BC UNH 2013
3/3/2010 Brendan Woods USHL Wisconsin UNH, Minnesota, North Dakota, Cornell 2013
2/16/2010 Austin Cangelosi Prep BC UNH, Maine 2013
2/16/2010 Brendan Silk Prep BC UNH, Mich 2012
2/10/2010 Zemgus Girgensons EJHL Vermont BC, BU, UNH, Maine, Northeastern, Merrimack 2012
2/3/2010 Garrett Allen USHL Denver UNH, 2011
10/29/2009 Trevor Van Riemsdyk EJHL Providence, Northeastern, and UVM 2011
11/25/2009 Danny Linell Prep Harvard UNH, Northeastern, Brown 2011
10/27/2009 Sam Warning USHL Minnesota UNH 2011
10/29/2009 Casey Thrush Atlantic Brown, Dartmouth, Yale, Princeton Harvard 2012
10/7/2009 Kevin Goumas USHL 2011
8/25/2009 Wes McLeod BCHL BC BU, UNH, Denver 2010
8/24/2009 Eric Knodel USHL Colorado College, Michigan State 2010
8/9/2009 Robert Polisello Ontario BU BC, UNH, Michigan 2012
8/1/2009 Cody Campbell USHL 2010
8/1/2009 Dalton Speelman USHL 2009
6/26/2009 Chris McCarthy USNDPT Vermont UNH 2009
5/5/2009 William Rapuzzi USHL Colorado College UNH 2009
4/28/2009 Scott Pavelski USHL 2009
5/14/2009 Austin Block NAHL 2009
3/6/2009 Jamie Hill Atlantic UNH 2011
3/3/2009 Nick Sorkin Atlantic UNH Maine, Northeastern 2010
2/7/2009 Justin Agosta Prep UNH 2010
2/1/2009 Patrick Wey USHL UNH, North Dakota, Minnesota 2009
2/1/2009 Connor Brickley Prep Vermont BU 2011
1/22/2009 Kyle Smith Atlantic UNH 2011
1/8/2009 Michael Vilardo Midget Ohio State Cornell, Princeton, Yale, UNH, and Wisconsin 2012
1/2/2009 Michael Parks Midget North Dakota UNH, BU 2011
12/18/2008 Andy Iles Prep Cornell UNH, BC, Providence 2010
12/15/2008 Eric Chevier Prep UNH Maine 2011
11/28/2008 Kevin Clare EJHL Michigan UNH, BC, BU, Notre Dame 2010
11/20/2008 Sean Bonar BCHL Princeton UNH, Colorado 2010
11/25/2008 Garrett Milan BCHL St.Cloud UNH, Denver 2010
11/18/2008 Kevin Hayes Prep BC UNH, BU and Harvard 2011
10/7/2008 Cam Reid BCHL UNH BC and Michigan 2009
10/6/2008 Willie Yanakeff USNDPT Michigan State UNH, Miami-Ohio 2010
9/24/2008 Brian Dumoulin EJHL BC UNH, Maine, Providence 2009
9/7/2008 Jeff Silengo Prep UNH 2010
7/30/2008 Grayson Downing BCHL UNH North Dakota 2010
7/22/2008 Bill Arnold Prep BC UNH, BU and Harvard 2010

Thanks! But do you have a detailed list!

You are competing head to head with the other elite programs, and the competition is fierce. I understand the frustration, but it looks like the Parade All-Americans for football....all looking at the same seven programs and each team winning some and losing some. We have lost studs to in recent years...we talked to Wey, Miller and Bickell to Minny, Clark to Alaska-Anchorage, Wellman to U-Mass, Charlesbois to UNH. It was never what the coaches did wrong, it was just a kid making what he thinks is the best choice for him.

Isn't Umile doing something right to lose all those guys to BC yet still finish ahead of them in the RS?

 

[Got 6 Want More]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Fan Fave J. Gravelese may have worked himself into a bit of a controversy in the Miami Michigan game blowing dead a Michigan loose puck - goal. Needless to say Miami pots the game winner later in 2nd OT.

With 4 guys out there there still miss a lot, How about 2 more Refs, and a third linesman, or better yet, a Ref for every player on the ice....

The officiating in that game was awful, I agree. So far, it has been better than usual in the NCAA Tourney, but that game it wasn't. Right call though on the disallowed goal. It was clearly after the whistle and with there being a delayed penalty, it is reasonable for him to blow the whistle because from his vantage point Knapp had the puck under his pads.

 

[bcfan131]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Part of the issue may be the decision to put an Olympic sheet in the Whit. Maybe the pro prospects want to play on a 200 x 85 sheet and it is a liability?

If this was an issue then why has Minnesota been able to win national titles?

 

[UNH09]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Really. Y'all is singular.

To which the plural is "all y'all"...

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

I remember they had a fan bus to Amherst for a regional and it was from I think Friends of UNH Hockey at the time, and on it there were 4 or 5 students and mainly older fans, I only found out about it from a season ticket holding friend I had made at games. It was never in an email to students never posted about and never advertised in the TNH nothing. The thing about car pooling is that with no discounts on tickets, and no buses to games away it is incredibly difficult to pay for as a student.

I am just as disappointed with the team as just about everybody else on here. I have lots of questions as to how that could happen -- it's not just that we lost, it's that we didn't have any energy, any passion. After completely dominating Cornell for 3 periods, you would have thought they could play inspired hockey. Seeing Coach Umile leaning against the class, with his arms folded, as the team continued to play with no energy, was the most disheartening thing of all for me. There was a golden chance to make the Frozen Four, and we couldn't muster any energy to reach for it.

Friends of UNH Hockey used to work together with UNH Sports Marketing and Promotions to operate these fans buses; they sent them to Manchester, Boston, Worcester, Amherst, etc etc. They used to be free. The reason they stopped offering them was cost; the reason they are no longer free is because UNH forced the charter department at Transportation Services to close down. Overnight, the price for a bus trip to Boston went from $250 to nearly $900; Friends / Marketing could no longer afford to pay for the whole bus. For a while, they tried offering it at $10 a head, and eating the difference, but there wasn't enough interest. Now, they struggle to send the Pep Band to games because of the cost. The Pep Band's trip this weekend (just the transportation, not the hotel, etc) was at least $1,500.

It's quite a change from my freshman and sophomore years when UNH Transportation had to recruit some of the mechanics to drive, last minute, because we sent seven fan buses to the Garden. The students didn't care that it was a shuttle bus and not a coach bus -- it was a free ride. I miss those days.

 

[UNHhockey29]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Can't students and Alum sit in different sections??.. Seems to me more of a travesty to not have rowdy fans for the team- than to bother the alum with a different seating arrangement.. My guess if little RIT can get 500 or so students to jump on busses and pony up for tickets then UNH can do it too if it wants to.. UMASS and UVM also do a great job of getting students to the Garden in HE play. Few yrs back (when UNH lost to MSU in Albany) MSU had 2 full sections of students and alumn all going bananas. I know there are a handfull of very pationate fans(that aren't also 40-50-60yr old alum) that go to the games and cheer- And I don't mean to put down my fellow alum, but lets face it, we're not going to stand, chant, cheer and hollar continuously through a game. There was a crew of guys who painted HOBEYBUTLER on themselves yesterday.. but it seems to me that somehow somewhere the Student Body can become better organized with this. To me- if this is the $ maker for the school, they'd also want to encourage as much energy and excitement around it as possible. But that's me..

Hence why I didn't stand. I don't expect the alumni to have to stand the whole game. It would be awesome but I know it wouldnt happen. The painted people were friends of Bobby's I believe and they were super awesome fans making sure to leave when RIT scored their 4th goal.

I'm sorry, but I have to call bull**** on this. I've been suggesting the Hosers and their followers sit with the band at the Hockey East tournament and regionals for years so as to co-ordinate the most number of voices in one section - yes, even before you began buying tickets front row at the FleetCenter. I also brought it up for discussion at the AD's spirit focus group a number of years back suggesting the AD buy a block of tickets for students in the balcony. The last time we had a single standing section at a regional was 2003 against BU in Worcester, in Amherst in '05 the group was so opposed to the idea that they set up shop in one of the upper corners of the Mullins while a much smaller group of students sat with the band mere rows from the ice. The only time I believe we've had one at the Hockey East tournament was the '05 final against BC (a game I ironically didn't make). In Manchester BU had a huge section in the balcony behind the goalie while we had two people, I was told "we never win when we sit with the band" (that one didn't work out too well). This year when I inquired I was told was simply "no". There were also plenty of empty seats in the lower level near the UNH section on Friday where such a section could have been arranged.

Right but don't have the students to fill those seats at the moment. And we made the decision this year to buy our Garden tickets with UNH from now on, so there!

 

[i'zonprize]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

I for one did not realize this.. for whatever reason it seems as though we/UNH are completely missing the boat now when it comes to the student body travelling during Tourney time and providing that support that players sometimes can pick you up.. I hope that there is a way that Friends of UNH Hockey and that marketing group can generate a plan for the future. Again, I applaud all the fans that do show up for the game. But the Student body experience is missing.

 

[PSW]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

, Unless something fundamental changes in this off-season, there's nothing more for me to add about the direction of the program, so I'm done til October.

What happen to this promise? .....5 post later...

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Tough loss guys. Sorry to see only BC left in the tourney. Better luck next year.

UNH has a strong program, not sure what the deal is with being snake bit in the post season.

But, congrats on a good season.

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

What happen to this promise? .....5 post later...

Now that the stands are empty, I'd be interested in hearing your appraisal of the Wildcat's season.

 

[skyraider0609]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Congrats to Bobby Butler. Thanks for a great season and best wishes going forward.

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100329/GJSPORTS_01/703299906/-1/FOSSPORTS

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

The accomplishments of the 2009-2010 Wildcats are best understood within the context of the Preseason Predictions:

I imagine UNH will be competing for home ice again, and hovering in the high teens in wins heading into the post season again. I think they'll have to rely on Foster a lot more this year to steal a few games. Maybe we'll be surprised in the end, but either way, even with low expectations, I'm looking forward to enjoying the season.

My expectations for this season are the lowest they've been coming into a season since I've been following the team. There are more question marks surrounding this team than an episode of Jeopardy. After Blake Kessel, there are six question marks on the blueline. Can Foster pick them up? He's shown the potential to carry a team to victory, but has not done so on a consistent basis yet at UNH. What about goal scoring? This is a team that returns only 3 of its top 8 scorers from last season and didn't matriculate 3 of its top 5 recruits at forward. Can Mike Sislo continue his torrid scoring pace without 21 setting him up?
In my opinion, there are too many question marks to expect anything higher than a 4 seed in Hockey East. However, as we found out last season, anything can happen once you get into single-elimination playoffs.

I will remain optimistic. While our defense is not at its strongest (to put lightly) I wouldn't call Krates a question mark. I think Hardowa will be pretty good as well.
If Foster has a great year and can keep other teams around 2-3 goals consistantly, I think we could have a lot of close wins. I look at Northeastern's team last year for this comparison. Theissen was so good, his team's "average" offense was enough. It also becomes a question of what upper classman do you play on the third line (Manz doesn't count he has too little experience)? Do you play up 2 freshmen? I just want Sislo, Moses and Leblanc to play with each other.

I see this team finishing anywhere from third to about sixth. Third is if this team overachieves greatly and Foster plays on his head. The defense is a huge work in progress; only Kessel and Krates were regulars all of last season. Campanale, Kipp and the freshmen will need to step up to have success. I have more confidence in the offense, but this not going to be a huge offensive firepower like in years past.

If the team plays like they did in last year's Northeast Regional; it should be a fun team to watch. If they come out playing uninspired, emotionless and lethargic hockey it will be a long winter.

Lookout below!!!
I will be surprised if we don't see an end to the 1st round Hockey East hosting streak. I am a realist. I don't see enough talent on this roster. The no defined roles is really a lack of top end talent.

I see it being tight to get 4th with UML, BU and BC in the top three spots. I think UNH will have a challenge getting by UVM and NU. That says 5th - 6th to me.

In reality, I expect us to make Hockey East playoffs, most likely as a middle-seed (3-7) and possibly make NCAAs. If we learned anything from last year, it's that anything can happen once you make the Big Tourney, and that the regular season really doesn't mean anything until February/March.

As far as the blue line goes, I think Krates and Kessel can shore things up (perhaps Krates will finally get a goal ) and from what limited time Campanale saw last year, he was actually quite good on the ice. I certainly hope Kipp improves his play, otherwise he'll be watching a lot of games next to Friends of Marty.

I think UNH could do quite well. I think the nucleus of the team now knows what it tastes like to win and lose when you give it 100% every minute of every game. You can outplay the best team talent wise in the Country, if you have the right game plan and the right mind set. I'm hoping a kid like LeBlanc and some other go getters rally the team to compete hard. Read lots of great comments from the players closing out last year. This is their time to follow up and make it happen.

I see a lot of guys that will battle night in an night out to make sure that they are out there again the next night as well. Aside from a few there aren't too many positional 'gimmie's' on the team. Meaning we could see a lot of guys playing different positions for a while to find something that works. In fact, their versatility could come in quite handy.

Either way. looking forward to another entertaining and competitive Season from the 'Cats.

As for the season, while I don't have extremely high hopes right now, we'll see what happens. It will be interesting to see how it all comes together. I'd say from the coaching side this will be a good test of how good/bad Umile is. Yes, UNH doesn't have it's usual "givens" up front to count on for scoring. Yes, the defense is not as experienced as UNH has had in the past. It's a chance for some of the players to step up their games. I'm glad Foster's back......a team can gain a lot of confidence from solid goaltending. Having to play Miami and Wisconsin early on is an opportunity to see if it really is going to be a down year or not. I'm hoping the team surprises a lot of people. If only they could bottle the way they played in the NCAAs last year......

Geez, so going into his 20th season behind the bench Umile will finally be tested on his ability to coach? I guess all those 20 win seasons, NCAA appearances (albeit no NC), don't count for much, eh? Personally I thought he passed the test last year, when after the team won only once in November, they still got home ice and almost made it to the FF. This year's team may not be the best on paper, but Umile has had teams in the past that weren't much better and somehow he was able to get them to perform admirably and exceed cynics' expectations. The beauty of college hockey (or any other college sport) is that there is something new and fresh each year. You never know how freshmen are going to play until they get on the ice, you never know which sophomores or juniors will finally get it and elevate their game. I'll let others predict who the "stars" of the team will be, but you have to at least acknowledge that the UNH roster has the manpower to compete for home ice and the NCAA's.

I think that HE home ice is probable, as are trips to the Garden and the NCAA regionals, IF Foster stays healthy the entire season. I also have more confidence in Butler and LeBlanc this year than the senior leadership the past two seasons, which pleasantly surprised me last year at the NCAA's, but obviously disappointed me the year before. Hoping that home ice helps against Miami.

Have to say I don't think my expectations are as high this year as years past, but my enthusiasm for the year might be higher then in years past. Maybe the lack of expectations is not a half bad thing. Nothing wrong with flying under the radar to begin with is a good thing. With a younger team will give time for the team to gel and find its own identity. Seems like that the last couple of years the team might have been trying to live up to some identity and not letting them decide it. Do have a feeling this years team will work harder then in years past, and will be fun to watch. Have to say the taste the team left in my mouth after last year was better then in years past, still encouraged with they way they played in Manchester, and hoping to see that same effort this year. The schedule is a tough one this year, but end up being helpful at the end of the year.

I think many of us are kidding ourselves if its another season with a home quarterfinal, UVM, BU and UML certainly look stronger than the Cats on paper this season (mainly due to defensive and goalie play, which is a huge hole for this year's Wildcat Team) BC is the real wild card in the league as Muse's play is very inconsistent at best. UNH is going to have to scrap their way through the season and claw out tough road games (two @ BU, two @ Maine, two @ Wisconsin)

I really see this team 4-6 in Hockey East and looking toward retooling in the future. A couple of streaks will be in serious jeopardy this season, 20 win seasons, HEA host for the quarterfinals, no NCAA birth since 2001.

With the early schedule toughness... 2 at home against Miami and a all hallows weekend in the house of horrors known as Wisconsin. This team could be poised to take its lumps early and find its way for a late season run. I think that 20 wins is definatley attainable for this team. With the lack of solid goaltending for BC for the early run I see UNH in the 3-4 range in Hockey East, but only if they play with the heart and detirmination that they showed in lasts years NCAA's.