UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

[chickod]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Thanks for the encouragement, Chickod. Actually, I would rather see UNH as a 3rd or 4th seed in Worcester or Albany than a 2nd seed anywhere. This season is not over by a long shot. Umile has two weeks to draw up some plans for breaking the trap.

Hey, you're still in better shape than we are. If we play well we can beat Maine, but playing BC eerily reminds me of 2005. We've beaten them twice and it will be tough to win a 3rd time against their speed and firepower. And, I DO agree with your assessment. I personally liked it better when "regionals" were actually regional. Traveling 1500 miles away doesn't do anybody any good. If we DO get in, we will be in the Midwest and we can't spend the time and money to go. I watch these first round NCAA bouncy ball games each year and the stands are practically empty. It's the same with hockey. Last year the UNH/BU final filled the place, but if it had been ND/Ohio State it would have been empty. Ridiculous...

 

[thecomicbookguy]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Thanks to the 2009-2010 UNH men's hockey team for an exciting and gratifying season. I can't be disappointed with a team that worked so hard and never gave up all season long and this evening. Best of luck to Bobby Butler, Brian Foster, Nick Krates and Peter LeBlanc in whatever career you choose. If you get to play some more college hockey this season then great. If not, it's been a fun ride.

I was quite angry after the game, and did not want to see them skate their traditional lap. I was prepared to simply clap as they went by, not pound the glass (best we can do, as the glass is too tall to high-five), but then I saw Butler leading the way, and you could just see the appreciation for the fans on his face, as well as the frustration at the loss(es). I gave him a "high five", and pounded the glass for the rest of the team.

I know a lot of people have said that Foster was the only one who played hard tonight, and while I agree that he played his butt off (maybe two of his best games as a Wildcat), saying he was the only one playing hard is a tremendous slight against Bobby Butler. I think if people went back and watched this game again, they'd see Butler all over the ice, making plays, digging for pucks, hitting people, playing his heart out. I hope I get to see him play at least one more time this year.

Understood, but there are THREE players from that team in the NHL (Wilson, Gilroy and Yip) and a fourth (McCarthy) who has been up and down. We have the same stuff down here. "Fire Parker" and "he should have quit after last year." The fact is, we won last year, but it was 14 years since the last one and 17 years since the one before that. You can "scheme" all you want, but in the end you have to have guys that can put the puck in the net. It's like the Bruins last year; they had the league's best record, but once the playoffs started and the intensity and the defense was r cheted up, they couldn't score. BU has that type of team this year. I'd love to see them win Hockey East (and now with this draw, they have a better chance), but when I look at a BU/BC final, I can't see them winning. I'm not saying you should be "happy," just trying to point out that it's VERY tough to go all the way in hockey. Coaching makes a difference, but if you look at the teams that have won, they have superstars - period. Gilroy and Wilson, Gerbe, Abdelkader, Turco, etc and on and on...

Yup, and all of this is why I'm gradually losing hope that UNH will ever win a title.

 

[Jumbolaya]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Guys...RELAX!!! You are GOING to the NCAAs. You won't drop below 13th and unless there are MORE than three "out of the top 16" teams that win their conference tournaments, you are all set.

Well, there are two guaranteed NCAA berths already taken by teams outside of the top 16 in the PWR, with Huntsville winning the CHA and whomever comes away as the AHA tourney champ (most likely RIT or Air Force). In Hockey East, BU and Maine are both still alive, and either one of them would eat up an at-large slot by winning the HEA autobid (and we all know what a crapshoot the conference has been this year). Looking at the ECAC, of the four semifinalists in their tourney, only one (Cornell) is in contention for an at-large berth, after Brown shocked Yale in the quarterfinals.

I wouldn't count UNH as a lock in the NCAA field by any means just yet. Their chances may even be less than 50-50 at this point.

 

[WildShawn]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

good post tcbg, I think a lot of players played hard tonight, especially compared to last night. Butler left everything he had on the ice tonight, and if by chance it was his last game as a Wildcat, he left a lasting impression on us. I think Greg Burke and Damon Kipp played as good as I can remember seeing them. I really have a hard time singling out too many players for the effort tonight. I think when you get down to it, they are what they are. They won a few more (or lost a few less) games than everyone in a mediocre league. They overachieved based on expectations and who they have in that locker room, and if by chance they don't make the NCAA's (it actually looks like they have a great shot at being a 3 or 4 seed), taking a step back from this weekend and looking at the season as a whole, I think it was a success. Umile actually got more out of this team than many expected, and it was arguably one of his better coaching jobs in a long time.

 

[chickod]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Yup, and all of this is why I'm gradually losing hope that UNH will ever win a title.

I understand your frustration. You almost won it in Anaheim, and Turco stole the game in Boston in 1997 (or whenever it was). But UNH has a winning team every year, and who knows what will happen with a new coach? It's tough to recruit against schools with big endowments who pour money into the program. I look at the new dorms at BU - they're like five-star hotels and I think about my cinder block room with a bed and a desk - they don't realize how fortunate they are. Plus, we're in the city with tons of things to do. As the game moves away from recruiting the small town Canadian kids who are happy just to be down here, it's tougher for schools like UNH, Maine and for that matter, former perennial powers like even Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan, etc to get people to go there. I hope you break through one of these years, because your fans certainly deserve it!

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

I was quite angry after the game, and did not want to see them skate their traditional lap. I was prepared to simply clap as they went by, not pound the glass (best we can do, as the glass is too tall to high-five), but then I saw Butler leading the way, and you could just see the appreciation for the fans on his face, as well as the frustration at the loss(es). I gave him a "high five", and pounded the glass for the rest of the team.

I was with you on that, Matt; it was so frustrating. They almost didn't -- most were headed for the doors -- when a coach said, "you will not be the first team to not take a lap" or something like that.

It was sort of poetic; for much of that lap, Bobby was ahead of the team by 5 or 6 feet -- which is how he played much of the year. Somebody asked me about that 'victory lap' and I said it's not a victory lap, it's a chance to say goodbye. When you sit in the same seats, the players get used to seeing you there, but you never get to interact with them because they're focused on the game. Being able to look Bobby, Peter, Nick, and Brian in the eyes and mouth the words "thank you" to each of them -- regardless of the way the season ended -- is why I spent the extra money to have my normal season seats, rather than GA.

Not since Mike Ayers have I seen a UNH player leave the ice in tears.

Early in the year, we realized that our seats had the 'short glass' and we'd finally be able to high-five the team during the victory lap, after 8 years of sitting in student section. Then they raised the glass . . . oh well

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Yup, and all of this is why I'm gradually losing hope that UNH will ever win a title.

I am not counting our team out if we get into a regional. Look at what happened to the #1 seeds in last year's regionals.

 

[TimU]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Looking at the ECAC, of the four semifinalists in their tourney, only one (Cornell) is in contention for an at-large berth, after Brown shocked Yale in the quarterfinals.

My understanding is that Ylae is very much in contention for an at-large berth, even after last night's loss.

 

[WildShawn]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

My understanding is that Ylae is very much in contention for an at-large berth, even after last night's loss.

The post said 'of the four finalist in their tourney'

 

[BC/HE]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Well, there are two guaranteed NCAA berths already taken by teams outside of the top 16 in the PWR, with Huntsville winning the CHA and whomever comes away as the AHA tourney champ (most likely RIT or Air Force). In Hockey East, BU and Maine are both still alive, and either one of them would eat up an at-large slot by winning the HEA autobid (and we all know what a crapshoot the conference has been this year). Looking at the ECAC, of the four semifinalists in their tourney, only one (Cornell) is in contention for an at-large berth, after Brown shocked Yale in the quarterfinals.

I wouldn't count UNH as a lock in the NCAA field by any means just yet. Their chances may even be less than 50-50 at this point.

UNH's chances are still decent but I found a scenario involving St. Lawrence( a realistic possibility) winning the ECAC that has them out.

 

[goblue]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

My guess is that UNH may squeak into a regional against Wisco or Miami. When was the last time that a big four conference RS winner did not get to the NCAAs?

In all honesty, on what other merit(s) would UNH deserve to go? I suppose one could argue it from a "compelling interest" angle, after their dramatic defeat of UND, and near defeat of BU last year. But there are other teams that haven't had the chances in the NCAAs that UNH has had, who would be equally compelling, if not more so.

If UNH doesn't get to the regionals again, I believe that it will be a setback to the program, which brimmed with hope after last year's aforementioned gritty performances in Manchester. After that weekend, many of us felt confident that perhaps the team culture had changed, and that this year's upperclassmen would instill the notion in the younger players that success is possible for UNH in the post season. It's like building a road.

We'll see how this all plays out. Although I rely on others for Pairwise analyses of what could happen, I think UNH played its last game of the season last night.

C'est la vie. Or, if you're a cynic, plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.

 

[goblue]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

WOW YOUR RIGHT , I PUT IN RIT LOSING , AND GOT THEM TO 10TH, SCARY. IN FACT I CHANGED A FEW SCENARIOS AND HAD BU BEATING UVM IN FINALS AND THEY ENDED UP 8TH. NOT THAT I THINK THAT WILL HAPPEN ..

Is your "Caps Lock" button stuck or something?

 

[WildShawn]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

In all honesty, on what other merit(s) would UNH deserve to go? I suppose one could argue it from a "compelling interest" angle, after their dramatic defeat of UND, and near defeat of BU last year.

We'll see how this all plays out. Although I rely on others for Pairwise analyses of what could happen, I think UNH played its last game of the season last night.

[/I]

It has nothing to do with 'compelling interest' or 'deserving to go'. Its based on the numbers, and the numbers only, and UNH has a very good chance to be one of the 16 teams in the tournament. Its not like college hoops where subjectivity comes in to play. Whether thats good/bad, fair/unfair, if the numbers fall right, and there's a very good chance they will (unless you're a 'fan' who would rather see UNH not play again), UNH will be playing in the NCAA's, and I'll be either there, or watching at home, hoping for another unexpected win like last March...

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Tough loss for the wildcats. Kudos on a great regular season and the RSC. I think you guys will be in the NCAA's no problem.

Good luck in that regards.

Here's hoping for another Cat v. Cat fight ......for the NC.

 

[goblue]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

It has nothing to do with 'compelling interest' or 'deserving to go'. Its based on the numbers, and the numbers only, and UNH has a very good chance to be one of the 16 teams in the tournament. Its not like college hoops where subjectivity comes in to play. Whether thats good/bad, fair/unfair, if the numbers fall right, and there's a very good chance they will (unless you're a 'fan' who would rather see UNH not play again), UNH will be playing in the NCAA's, and I'll be either there, or watching at home, hoping for another unexpected win like last March...

I understand it's about the numbers, Wildshawn. And I know Pairwise Comparisons will change after every game. The fact is, UNH can't do anything to help themselves now. That's what this weekend was for.

As I said, we'll see what happens. I haven't jumped off the boat quite yet. If they do get in, then I'm behind them. But believe me -- I won't be more disappointed if they fail to make it, than I was at last night's outcome (and I was there to watch it.) I'm taking a realistic view, and I'm ready to accept the fact that their season may indeed be over.

 

[TimU]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

The post said 'of the four finalist in their tourney'

Yup. My mistake.

 

[WildShawn]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

I understand it's about the numbers, Wildshawn. And I know Pairwise Comparisons will change after every game. The fact is, UNH can't do anything to help themselves now. That's what this weekend was for.

As I said, we'll see what happens. I haven't jumped off the boat quite yet. If they do get in, then I'm behind them. But believe me -- I won't be more disappointed if they fail to make it, than I was at last night's outcome (and I was there to watch it.) I'm taking a realistic view, and I'm ready to accept the fact that their season may indeed be over.

I understand, and I'm with you as far as being disappointed last night, and in the weekend's outcome (0 goals in 150 minutes at home is... just not acceptable), but when you say 'I think UNH played its last game last night', thats likely not the case. I won't be disappointed or even surprised if they don't make it, but the fact is, it would take a number of things to fall just right/wrong for them to miss out on a shot to redeem themselves.

NCAAW's post is just scary though

 

[PKN]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

I understand, and I'm with you as far as being disappointed last night, and in the weekend's outcome (0 goals in 150 minutes at home is... just not acceptable), but when you say 'I think UNH played its last game last night', thats likely not the case. I won't be disappointed or even surprised if they don't make it, but the fact is, it would take a number of things to fall just right/wrong for them to miss out on a shot to redeem themselves.

NCAAW's post is just scary though

I have been playing around with the pairwise pedictor, and have only been able to find one scenario where UNH is out of the tournament. It was with like all the #3 seeds winning their conferences.

 

[unh_hockey]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Sad to say, but the good old days of sitting up at front row with dan, josh and dave were also the good old days when UNH was a threat. A trend since 2003 is evident, and sad to say with defections like cam ried, i don't see it changing all that much.

maybe instead of firing Umile, lets re-hire coach mac. I don't know how many more girls have to leave that squad before they realize he should be coaching the mens squad!

 

[UNHSince1969]

Re: UNH Wildcats - '10 Playoff Edition

Go Cornell!!