UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

he's been saying this all year long that he likes the 'cats this year, honestly, he has.

Not that part... which he has been saying all year. The other part... "Losing the RS title was the best thing to happen for this team."

 

[thecomicbookguy]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Or maybe BC would win because they are the more talented/better coached team and hunger/overlooking BC/overconfidence would not really be reasons for that result but excuses?

So, if UNH plays BC in this postseason, and loses, it's not a choke? Then I say bring on BC!

UNH was not looking past anybody in 2007, they just stunk. One of the more disappointing regionals ever.

Perhaps you're forgetting the comments from the team about how they were looking forward to having another shot at BC, before the game against Miami. If that's not looking past an opponent, I don't know what is (perhaps us formulating HE finals and NCAA regionals scenarios? ).

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Perhaps you're forgetting the comments from the team about how they were looking forward to having another shot at BC, before the game against Miami. If that's not looking past an opponent, I don't know what is (perhaps us formulating HE finals and NCAA regionals scenarios? ).

Maybe so, but I think of that stretch from 2005-2009 when I don't think the team was ever ready to play in the NCAA's. Miami was a bad game, but so was Michigan State in Albany, and Michigan at the Verizon. When I think of UNH's performance last Friday at Conte, those games come to mind. I believe that a different mindset did come, triggered by the North Dakota game two years ago. Let's hope it didn't end with the RIT debacle last year.

 

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Perhaps you're forgetting the comments from the team about how they were looking forward to having another shot at BC, before the game against Miami. If that's not looking past an opponent, I don't know what is (perhaps us formulating HE finals and NCAA regionals scenarios? ).

Yep, good old Josh Ciocco guaranteeing a victory over BC in the regional final. Boy was that dumb. Of course, I'm not necessarily sold that it affected their play when it came time to play Miami but it had to affect their preparation to some (likely small) degree.

 

[Chris_NH]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Is it mathematically possible for UNH to drop out of the field of 16 altogether? There are four teams that would have to leapfrog them, right? I recall a time in Worcester when BU was host and they weren't even in the NCAAs that year. That was a rather satisfying memory.

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Is it mathematically possible for UNH to drop out of the field of 16 altogether? There are four teams that would have to leapfrog them, right? I recall a time in Worcester when BU was host and they weren't even in the NCAAs that year. That was a rather satisfying memory.

I'm sure it's possible; however, the team needs to not think about math (PWR) and just freaking win.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

I'm sure it's possible; however, the team needs to not think about math (PWR) and just freaking win.

Just winning always makes sense, but the team should be aware of the PWR and it should scare them. jcarter7669 posted on the game thread why VT could win these games. Biggest reason: Madore. He shut out Bobby Butler in two games last year so it is foolish to think he can't do it against Sislo, PT, etc. Unless VT and Madore lay a couple of eggs, we better be in gritty, fire lots of shots (((on goal)) and crash the net mode.

 

[e.cat]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

I'm sure it's possible; however, the team needs to not think about math (PWR) and just freaking win.

......and to quote Charlie Sheen, "Duh winning!!!!!!!!"

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Nick -- you know, it's too bad that there isn't a "tongue-in-cheek" icon -- it would certainly help in parsing your posts for their intent from time to time.

 

[goblue]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Um, that's a tongue sticking out of cheek.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Um, that's a tongue sticking out of cheek.

 

[unh_hockey]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Just winning always makes sense, but the team should be aware of the PWR and it should scare them.

The president of the Caps was asked about his thoughts of the pundits when washington was in its tailspin back in December. His response was something along the lines of ' they aren't here because they don't know'. You fit that describtion perfectly. The LAST thing you want to do is instill fear into your team. The PWR is great, but focusing on a solid ( not fluky) win is key moving forward. Even if your club wins , I am sure coaches still make appropriate adjustments as required. As my old signature said, admit mistakes, focus on improvement, make no excuses.

Most of you put it best. Just win. They can't limp into the NCAAs this year, and they need to prove they can string together wins when it counts. Pretty much since 2003, this club has not shown it can do this. I don't expect any different this year, but if they do...it'll be fun to watch!

And for the record, this tournament and the NCAAs are BC's to lose. What a friggan dominate club. No fear. Perfect execution. Winning. period.

 

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

And for the record, this tournament and the NCAAs are BC's to lose. What a friggan dominate club. No fear. Perfect execution. Winning. period.

Completely agree. BC seems to stack winning shift on winning shift, surgically. They are just playing amazing hockey right now, York has clearly figured out how to coach them into a machine. Other than some of their fans (well and against UNH) they are fun to watch. They would need to choke this one away not to win their next 8.

The thing is with 3 seniors (?) and the way York is coaching that team, there is the making of a modern college hockey dynasty. Something I don't think we have seen since the 70's (I'm thinking Minnesota - Brooks, Wisco - Badger Bob). The big difference is I don't see York wanting to try the NHL so his run might not get cut short like those two... Actually pretty scary...


As for this game, I just want UNH not to come out flat, get on that ice and move your feet. Just play solid smart hockey, do that and they win against this UVM team.

 

[WildShawn]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

The thing is with 3 seniors (?) and the way York is coaching that team, there is the making of a modern college hockey dynasty. Something I don't think we have seen since the 70's (I'm thinking Minnesota - Brooks, Wisco - Badger Bob). The big difference is I don't see York wanting to try the NHL so his run might not get cut short like those two... Actually pretty scary...

They will always be good under York. That said, they lose 3 seniors, but they have serious flight risks with some underclassmen. Just from a discussion today on BC's thread:

I'd put Atkinson at 99% likely gone. Hayes at 85%. Dumoulin at 75% (tough to get a read on him), Kreider at 45%, Cross at 30%, Wey at 25%. I bet there will be fewer defections than people think.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

...The LAST thing you want to do is instill fear into your team.

My point isn't that Coach should try to scare them. If they don't make it to the Garden they are an (other) conference tournament or two upset away from not qualifying for the NCAA tournament. They are a team that plays well with a sense of desperation.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

The big difference is I don't see York wanting to try the NHL so his run might not get cut short like those two... Actually pretty scary...

York is 66, he just signed a new 5 year contract (right BC guys?) and he is 48 wins shy of being the all time leader. I think in 4-5 years at the ripe age of 70/71, Jerry will be securely in first place in all time wins, have a NC ring for each digit on his right hand and be ready for the rocking chair. His run might not get cut short?? He has been coaching for 4 decades, and is likely on his way out due to retirement.

 

[zoofer]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

In regards to scaring them darius, how does a Coach get young adults up for a game they've been playing for all year? When I talk with Umile, before or about so and so games, it always comes down to what the players on the team do....last weekend was the perfect example of Jekyll and Hyde....what did Umile do that created such an event......as has been noted in the other thread, our 77 team had some 11 future NHL players....Coach Holt was a most mellow coach....if we couldn't get ready for Wisconsin we had no business being on the ice! The Wildcats will be ready.....

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Re-reading my original post I should have omitted "and it should scare them". I didn't mean to stir things up, nor somehow imply that Coach need do something to motivate the team, just that this could be a tough series. I hope we win going away, both games are early blow outs and the crowd is circling both hands in the air yelling "sieve" by the second period each night.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

They would need to choke this one away not to win their next 8.

If they were to lose to anyone but North Dakota... yes. But a loss to ND in the semifinals might even be expected. It's going to be a toss-up. They're deep and every bit as good as BC (and ranked ahead of BC). I'd take Muse and York over Dell and Hakstol in the NCAAs, but it's a 50/50 shot with them and they have the law of averages on their side.

But it won't matter since UNH is going to win the last 4 anyway.

 

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

If they were to lose to anyone but North Dakota... yes. But a loss to ND in the semifinals might even be expected. It's going to be a toss-up. They're deep and every bit as good as BC (and ranked ahead of BC). I'd take Muse and York over Dell and Hakstol in the NCAAs, but it's a 50/50 shot with them and they have the law of averages on their side.

But it won't matter since UNH is going to win the last 4 anyway.

I have had a chance to watch North Dakota a bit on the tube this year. My impression is they are extremely good, the talent is there just not as focused/mistake free/machine like (can find the right word) as BC. Honestly I am as impressed with BC this year as I have been with any team I can recently remember.

As always I hope you a right with UNH. Just winning the last 4 would do for me, but while we are wishing, it sure would be nice to take out BC along the way, one can dream.