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UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
- Thread starter C-H-C
- Start date
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
JB - I always appreciate your analysis because it is typically spot on. Couldn't agree more with your comments on the first line. I love what Thompson brings to the team, but since he became a "goal scorer", the physical part of his game has disappeared. Think back to his game in his Freshman/Sophomore years (even last year for that matter). Fewer goals, but much more of a physical and intimidating presence. I realize he needs to stay out of the penalty box, but I also think there is a happy medium (think Cam Neely). The physical part of the game can often create space which leads to goals. Somehow I have seen that physical presence disappear. The notion that this team needs to win with finesse is nonsense. BC threw/finshed a heck of a lot more checks in the early game than UNH did in the late game. BC wins with both......plus outstanding coaching.
JB - I always appreciate your analysis because it is typically spot on. Couldn't agree more with your comments on the first line. I love what Thompson brings to the team, but since he became a "goal scorer", the physical part of his game has disappeared. Think back to his game in his Freshman/Sophomore years (even last year for that matter). Fewer goals, but much more of a physical and intimidating presence. I realize he needs to stay out of the penalty box, but I also think there is a happy medium (think Cam Neely). The physical part of the game can often create space which leads to goals. Somehow I have seen that physical presence disappear. The notion that this team needs to win with finesse is nonsense. BC threw/finshed a heck of a lot more checks in the early game than UNH did in the late game. BC wins with both......plus outstanding coaching.
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
Heck UNH was more physical first half of this year. Not surprisingly it is the best they played this year too.
And thanks. I try to be reasonable, write what I see and admit when I am wrong.
Heck UNH was more physical first half of this year. Not surprisingly it is the best they played this year too.
And thanks. I try to be reasonable, write what I see and admit when I am wrong.
RockTheWhit
New member
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
Tonight, I counted five shifts for BC's fourth liners in the third period alone.
This is the best point made in this recent discussion. I've watched the 4th line playing time quite closely the last few years and I can answer your question. They saw two shifts total in the first two periods. They were coming out for their 3rd shift when Block was whistled for diving which ended their nights. The typical Umile 4th line sees four shifts in the first, three in the second and one in the third period of regular season games subject to adjustments due to penalties. In the playoffs those numbers go down to usually 2-1-0. It was either game 2 or 3 against Vermont last year when the 4th line saw one shift total.
Tonight, I counted five shifts for BC's fourth liners in the third period alone.
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
Remember early in the season when a lot of the talk on the board was about how much time the fourth line was seeing, how much promise that showed for a more balanced team than normal come tourny time? That lasted through the game up in Maine where the UNH radio broadcasters commented again and again how much more tired the top Maine players looked at the end of the game. Also, wasn't Silengo still centering the fourth line when he broke out in that game?
Remember early in the season when a lot of the talk on the board was about how much time the fourth line was seeing, how much promise that showed for a more balanced team than normal come tourny time? That lasted through the game up in Maine where the UNH radio broadcasters commented again and again how much more tired the top Maine players looked at the end of the game. Also, wasn't Silengo still centering the fourth line when he broke out in that game?
RockTheWhit
New member
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
Silengo was on the third line that game centering Goumas and Henrion.
Silengo was on the third line that game centering Goumas and Henrion.
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
Bottomline is you can analyze every aspect of depth and each line and all that..
The same o same o is year in and year out... It's not one or two years it's been going on for decades w/ Umile's teams and at some point it's glaringly obvious:
End of season/postseason:
-PP ends up lackluster (c'mon Dickie maybe it's time to explore a new approach to PP strategy - it's succesful for 3/4 of a regular season sometimes but nearly always becomes horribly ineffective when the important time of year approaches)
-The most talented players often end up showing what appears to be lackluster effort when it counts most. Yes there have
been exceptions but let's face it, the guy at the top is the leader and when the coach can't get the most out of his seniors and captains when it matters most.. well? Yes we see players who develop over and above what we expect as underclassmen and exceed our expectations - that's great, but so many of them under Umile never seem to "turn it on" when the playoffs come.
- How many times in post season do we see a style that shows even less grit, less physical, and less effort then in regular season?
-Finishing becomes obsolete as the postseason arrives.. year after year after year.
-Style of play becomes predictable and what worked in regular season the playoff contenders we face adjust to, use defensive tactics to control the play and neutralize the UNH attacks in postseason.
It's not a little same-o same-o. It's a pile of stuff and it's the same stuff nearly every year.
Then we hear the apologists come out and use the "well we could be a UML" stop complaining defense. BLAH!
How bout a coach after 21 yrs that should be able to figure out post-season adjustments and getting the most out of his players WHEN IT COUNTS!
Bottomline is you can analyze every aspect of depth and each line and all that..
The same o same o is year in and year out... It's not one or two years it's been going on for decades w/ Umile's teams and at some point it's glaringly obvious:
End of season/postseason:
-PP ends up lackluster (c'mon Dickie maybe it's time to explore a new approach to PP strategy - it's succesful for 3/4 of a regular season sometimes but nearly always becomes horribly ineffective when the important time of year approaches)
-The most talented players often end up showing what appears to be lackluster effort when it counts most. Yes there have
been exceptions but let's face it, the guy at the top is the leader and when the coach can't get the most out of his seniors and captains when it matters most.. well? Yes we see players who develop over and above what we expect as underclassmen and exceed our expectations - that's great, but so many of them under Umile never seem to "turn it on" when the playoffs come.
- How many times in post season do we see a style that shows even less grit, less physical, and less effort then in regular season?
-Finishing becomes obsolete as the postseason arrives.. year after year after year.
-Style of play becomes predictable and what worked in regular season the playoff contenders we face adjust to, use defensive tactics to control the play and neutralize the UNH attacks in postseason.
It's not a little same-o same-o. It's a pile of stuff and it's the same stuff nearly every year.
Then we hear the apologists come out and use the "well we could be a UML" stop complaining defense. BLAH!
How bout a coach after 21 yrs that should be able to figure out post-season adjustments and getting the most out of his players WHEN IT COUNTS!
thecomicbookguy
Nobody.
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
I didn't get that at all. If anything, Meloni praises Digi and criticizes pretty much everyone else involved.
And, I think he sums up by suggesting that fans take a look at who is really at fault when UNH loses close games:
Digi has been huge for UNH this year. At the end of the game on Friday, we tried to cheer for him as he left the ice, but I think it might have come off as sarcastic (I hope not).
I didn't get that at all. If anything, Meloni praises Digi and criticizes pretty much everyone else involved.
And, I think he sums up by suggesting that fans take a look at who is really at fault when UNH loses close games:
Digi has been huge for UNH this year. At the end of the game on Friday, we tried to cheer for him as he left the ice, but I think it might have come off as sarcastic (I hope not).
i'zonprize
GRANITE STATE PRIDE
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
ya- he does say some of that! Perhpas i rushed through it too quickly.
ya- he does say some of that! Perhpas i rushed through it too quickly.
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
The Meloni article in College Hockey News is similar to the one written by Mike Zhe in January:
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110116/GJSPORTS_01/701169884/-1/FOSSPORTS04
The storyline in the press is now firmly established - "no more excuses UNH; play to your potential, and get it done in March"
With the exception of the NCAA Regional in Colorado Springs in 2008, I've been to every NCAA Regional since the one at UMass Amherst in 2005. I was trying to think back and remember which seniors really stepped up their game and effort in the playoffs. Some obvious ones come to mind:
Bobby Butler - 2010
Jerry Polastrone & Greg Collins - 2009
Sean Collins, Preston Callander, & Tyson Teplitsky - 2005.
However, there are also examples of seniors not excelling in the playoffs:
Matt Fornataro, Mike Radja & Kevin Regan - 2008
Josh Ciocco & Brett Hemingway - 2007
Daniel Winnik (who probably knew he was leaving early) & Brian Yandle - 2006
Win or lose, I hope Thompson, DeSimone, & Sislo play one or more of their best games as UNH Wildcats next weekend. If not, there will be legitimate disappointment and resentment among fans.
The Meloni article in College Hockey News is similar to the one written by Mike Zhe in January:
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110116/GJSPORTS_01/701169884/-1/FOSSPORTS04
The storyline in the press is now firmly established - "no more excuses UNH; play to your potential, and get it done in March"
With the exception of the NCAA Regional in Colorado Springs in 2008, I've been to every NCAA Regional since the one at UMass Amherst in 2005. I was trying to think back and remember which seniors really stepped up their game and effort in the playoffs. Some obvious ones come to mind:
Bobby Butler - 2010
Jerry Polastrone & Greg Collins - 2009
Sean Collins, Preston Callander, & Tyson Teplitsky - 2005.
However, there are also examples of seniors not excelling in the playoffs:
Matt Fornataro, Mike Radja & Kevin Regan - 2008
Josh Ciocco & Brett Hemingway - 2007
Daniel Winnik (who probably knew he was leaving early) & Brian Yandle - 2006
Win or lose, I hope Thompson, DeSimone, & Sislo play one or more of their best games as UNH Wildcats next weekend. If not, there will be legitimate disappointment and resentment among fans.
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
Its also basically a newer version of the one he wrote two weeks ago after BC took the HE RS title...just another hack writer in the mold of Dan Shaughnessy or Derrick Jackson, taking the same theme and hammering it into the ground...must be auditioning for a gig on Morrisey Boulevard
Its also basically a newer version of the one he wrote two weeks ago after BC took the HE RS title...just another hack writer in the mold of Dan Shaughnessy or Derrick Jackson, taking the same theme and hammering it into the ground...must be auditioning for a gig on Morrisey Boulevard
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
Their approach seems to be to go for the pretty, back door one timer or tap in goal, as Bret Hemingway was so good at doing.
McCloskey, on the other hand, has always tried to screen the goalie and look for deflections and rebounds, at least since he took over the women's squad.
Their approach seems to be to go for the pretty, back door one timer or tap in goal, as Bret Hemingway was so good at doing.
McCloskey, on the other hand, has always tried to screen the goalie and look for deflections and rebounds, at least since he took over the women's squad.
Carmine Scarpaglia
My bad.
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
OK so who is booking their trips to St. Paul? You guys are going to win this bracket!
OK so who is booking their trips to St. Paul? You guys are going to win this bracket!
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
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The really effective power plays do multiple things. One time they try for the back door, the next wrister from the point with traffic looking for tips and rebounds, the next shot off next looking for the redirect in (UNH did this earlier this year I think 5 on 5 DeSimone to Thompson), the next try to feed a guy out front for a shot from the low slot, the next a cross box pass for a one timer. In all cases these different approaches never let the D be comfortable and the best cases it involves moving your feet hence moving the box.
This PP problem is also why UNH has issues scoring when the game style limits transition. If UNH must "setup" in zone they are limited with their skill set for generating goals. At least 5 on 5 the D pressure forces people to move. It is the UNH classic never anyone crashing the net for rebound or tip. UNH is too focused on the pretty goal.
0
The really effective power plays do multiple things. One time they try for the back door, the next wrister from the point with traffic looking for tips and rebounds, the next shot off next looking for the redirect in (UNH did this earlier this year I think 5 on 5 DeSimone to Thompson), the next try to feed a guy out front for a shot from the low slot, the next a cross box pass for a one timer. In all cases these different approaches never let the D be comfortable and the best cases it involves moving your feet hence moving the box.
This PP problem is also why UNH has issues scoring when the game style limits transition. If UNH must "setup" in zone they are limited with their skill set for generating goals. At least 5 on 5 the D pressure forces people to move. It is the UNH classic never anyone crashing the net for rebound or tip. UNH is too focused on the pretty goal.
unhpuckfan2001
Local Fire Extinguisher
unhpuckfan2001
Local Fire Extinguisher
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
Two recurring themes here:
a) lack of effort b) bad power play.
The two were going hand-in-hand Friday night. With the much-lauded skill our players are supposed to have, I always question the constant "dump-and-chase" offense on the power play. Why not mix it up, and try carrying it across the blue line for a change? Use that team speed we're supposed to have, and try to get the defenders on their heels and create some open ice?
Dump and chase drives me bug****; dump and coast is even worse. UNH was so lazy Friday night, they literally looked offended when the Warriors would jump onto the puck in their own zone when on the PK. So annoying. But yeah, boys, keep trying the same ****ing thing every rush up ice - the other team'll probably get bored and stop defending it eventually.
Two recurring themes here:
a) lack of effort b) bad power play.
The two were going hand-in-hand Friday night. With the much-lauded skill our players are supposed to have, I always question the constant "dump-and-chase" offense on the power play. Why not mix it up, and try carrying it across the blue line for a change? Use that team speed we're supposed to have, and try to get the defenders on their heels and create some open ice?
Dump and chase drives me bug****; dump and coast is even worse. UNH was so lazy Friday night, they literally looked offended when the Warriors would jump onto the puck in their own zone when on the PK. So annoying. But yeah, boys, keep trying the same ****ing thing every rush up ice - the other team'll probably get bored and stop defending it eventually.
Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
If, heaven forbid, Merrimack survives the Northeast Regional at the expense of UNH, the pressure on the coach will be astronomical. I firmly believe that the demise of the UMass Lowell coach was at least in part a byproduct of them glancing about seven miles up Route 495 and seeing Merrimack essentially appearing like a Genie out of a bottle.
If, heaven forbid, Merrimack survives the Northeast Regional at the expense of UNH, the pressure on the coach will be astronomical. I firmly believe that the demise of the UMass Lowell coach was at least in part a byproduct of them glancing about seven miles up Route 495 and seeing Merrimack essentially appearing like a Genie out of a bottle.