UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

[thecomicbookguy]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

2) Not sure what fan noise has to do with anything. UNH was playing in an arena they're used to and didn't have to travel. That ought to be an advantage, as should be the added motivation of winning a FF berth in front of your fans in your home state.

This argument actually works better against having the HE semis/finals in the Garden, because BU, BC, and NU have an advantage. UNH plays at the VWA once a season. I doubt they're exactly "used to" playing there. The travel is the only viable argument, but it's still an hour (give or take) bus ride.

And, by the second day, both teams have spent the night in hotel rooms, and any travel effects should have worn off (unless it's one of the Alaska schools).

 

[ClOuD 9]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

but they were playing practically a home game vs a good but not great Notre Dame team.

UNH was playing in an arena they're used to and didn't have to travel. That ought to be an advantage, as should be the added motivation of winning a FF berth in front of your fans in your home state.

UNH plays their home games on Olympic ice, not NHL. UNH has played 1 game at the Verizon Wireless this year and the arena is almost 40 miles from campus. I guess BU should never lose at the Garden (6.8 miles) because it's a "home game" at an arena that "they're used to" and that they "don't have to travel" to.

The booing of the team was the most embarrassing part of that game and really made me shake my head to all of those around me, just downright embarrassing.

The only booing I heard was a brief spat (a few seconds?) in their own zone aimed at the PP when they weren't moving.

Is it really an upset that Miami had to travel to and play in NH?

It was an upset that #13 UNH (4-4-2 in their last 10) beat #4 Miami (9-0-1 [shootout loss] in their last 10 + CCHA Tournament Champions).

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

But you can't play a style that your talent is not suited for. If you want to change styles, you have to change your personnel. You can't do that 40 games into the season...

You sound like Herb Brooks....... or the exact opposite. But who's counting?

Anyway, I was bummed to see UNH fall last night and have the flame of Hockey East blown out. Really thought they were going to STP and beyond. It's misery loves company in Hockey East this summer. Good season by the Wildcats.

 

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

I suppose but I was laughing at Miami's D during that game. UNHs forwards were absolutely smoking them. To see them play flat against ND was shocking to me.

I'm not sure flat is how I would describe it. UNH had many solid scoring chances and couldn't put the puck away. Finishing has been a problem all second half. Some of that is the ND goalie, there were several quality shots he picked out the the air. Some of it was UNH's ability to actually hit the next and force the goalie to make a save.

Once up ND went to clogging the middle and forcing UNH to dump it in. UNH has never been good at that. The one UNH goal happened when Campanale relized the ND D was just going to slack off him and he carried the puck al the way to the end wall. He tried it again later and just didn't have the results. I don't see many places you put blame on a 1-2 loss to a higher seeded (1-place, essentially equal) team.

I see 3 big things UNH needs to figure out all are coaching related:
1) How do you generate offense off the dump & chase with your personel?
2) How do you break a trap. Breaking the trap they seem to have improved on the last two years but it still needs work.
3) Develop multiple styles during the regular season. It makes the team less predictable to defened. It also opens up options when combating what your oponent is doing.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

The booing of the team was the most embarrassing part of that game and really made me shake my head to all of those around me, just downright embarrassing.

Pathetic. Not true fans. A lot of people who never/rarely go to Durham attended last night.

Is it really an upset that Miami had to travel to and play in NH? I don't want to whine here, but the NCAA really needs to look at the set up of this tourney so that the No. 1 seed does not play in the No. 4 seeds back yard.

Miami should host a regional.

I've heard that the NCAA is looking at conferences, not teams, hosting, but suspect that conferences don't have the resources to match the effort put in by the host teams.

 

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Miami should host a regional.

I've heard that the NCAA is looking at conferences, not teams, hosting, but suspect that conferences don't have the resources to match the effort put in by the host teams.

Anybody who cries about getting sent to a "host" regional should get their school to submit a bid. Yale started bidding a few years back and is regularly receiving regionals in Bridgeport, for a long time Michigan would host at Yost because they were the one of the only ones that would bid on it. Just find an arena and get them to work with the school and put in a bid, and do all the rest of the work after the award.

As for conferences hosting Jerry York just suggested that after the H.E. championship but I am not sure the NCAA is looking into it. My guess is the NCAA could careless who hosts as long as they get their money. If the conference wants to put in a bid I am sure it would be accepted and considered.

 

[freak]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Agreed on Digi, but I think you're being extremely harsh on the rest of the team. Was it their best game? Nope. Was it their worst? Hardly. There were a few players who were either dogging it (or were just exhausted), but we saw some great efforts, most notably from Kevin Goumas and Stevie Moses.

I don't think it was their worst game, and I said as much to those I wad sitting with. That said, for the most part, I didn't think the team put in the necessary effort. It is one thing to play hard, leave it all on ice, and just get beat. See 2009. But it was like the will went away after the initial 7 minutes and getting nothing for it, and then finding themselves down 1.

The story of the night to me, was that ND simply out worked UNH. As we saw all too often over the second half, they were beat to almost every lose puck, and lost almost every battle along the boards. Hence, the banging head against a wall.

Midway through the third, a ND skates the puck up along the left side as the rest of his team went for a change. One UNH player skates back to defend, while two others are trying to get back in the play. Great. But then those two hit the red line, stop skating, and coast into their zone. And except for a few bursts, I saw that all night.

No, it wasn't their worst game, but it was a far cry from what was needed, and what the 2009 team gave us.

 

[Rover]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

CBG, if UNH can't get up for playing in their home state and use that as extra motivation somethings wrong with the program. I can understand if they were playing a powerhouse team but while Notre Dame is good they were beatable. There's no excuse and again I was rooting for them because you fans have suffered enough. Most players should have had a few games in there during their careers and they're playing in their back yard practically. That ought to count for something or why bother hosting the regional?

To your other point, yes BU, BC and NU should have an advantage playing in the Garden over UNH and Maine lets say. However, as the Garden is the only appropriate venue for the event, c'est la vie (Jacques help me out here with the French).

chickod, I will defer to your knowledge of the East-West power balance starting 38 years ago and ending 20 years ago. Might I suggest recent history is a bit more relevant though?

Regarding UNH fans, maybe they're just sick of playing the same old record again and again. If I were them, I would have been booing too.

 

[RockTheWhit]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Congrats to Paul Thompson on signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins!

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

...for the most part, I didn't think the team put in the necessary effort. It is one thing to play hard, leave it all on ice, and just get beat. See 2009. But it was like the will went away after the initial 7 minutes and getting nothing for it, and then finding themselves down 1.

The story of the night to me, was that ND simply out worked UNH. As we saw all too often over the second half, they were beat to almost every lose puck, and lost almost every battle along the boards. Hence, the banging head against a wall.

Midway through the third, a ND skates the puck up along the left side as the rest of his team went for a change. One UNH player skates back to defend, while two others are trying to get back in the play. Great. But then those two hit the red line, stop skating, and coast into their zone. And except for a few bursts, I saw that all night.

No, it wasn't their worst game, but it was a far cry from what was needed, and what the 2009 team gave us.

Agreed on 2009. Those guys could barely stand when it was over.

It was likely hard for the 'cats to match Saturday's intensity on Sunday. No excuses, just sayin'.

The other thing is the go with your best vs. spread the playing time around strategy. It can be argued indefinitely. I argue with myself about it. Last night the first line just looked tired. They played a lot of minutes. Maybe if the 3rd and especially 4th line had played more then a fresh 1st line would have scored another goal at the end. Then again maybe the 4th line gives up a few.

 

[RENCEB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Well said. There was zero outcoaching going on in the Merrimack game for ND, no disrespect towards ND but they won that game purely off of a couple of fluke goals, Merrimack should have won that game. If I recall correctly right before the winning OT goal they showed the OT shot stats and it was something like 8-0 in favor or 'Mack. And although ND played the better game on Sunday, I wouldn't go as far as to labeling it outcoached. If a team is outcoached I think of it in every sense of the game, and really ND was only able to "shut down" UNH's offense by forcing them into the dump-and-chase.

As much as it pains me to say it, I can't totally agree with the "zero outcoaching going on in the Merrimack game for ND..." Dennehey admitted in his post game presser that he regreted being slow to adjust in the 3rd when it was apparent ND had figured out what MC was doing and began to dominate. MC was in survival mode for long stretches in the 3rd. Conversely, I guess you could say Dennehey outcoached Jackson for the first 35 minutes and the OT when the Warriors carried the play (especially the OT).

 

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Agreed on 2009. Those guys could barely stand when it was over.

It was likely hard for the 'cats to match Saturday's intensity on Sunday. No excuses, just sayin'.

The other thing is the go with your best vs. spread the playing time around strategy. It can be argued indefinitely. I argue with myself about it. Last night the first line just looked tired. They played a lot of minutes. Maybe if the 3rd and especially 4th line had played more then a fresh 1st line would have scored another goal at the end. Then again maybe the 4th line gives up a few.

I was surprised by the amount the 3rd line played all night and I even saw the 4th in the middle of the 3rd.

I actualy think UNH was more balanced time wise than they have been for a while (for instance against MC in the H.E. semi's).

There was a power play where DSimone and Thompson were on the ice for the full 2 minutes and were completely gased. Those two should have and could have changed when Sislo did putting fresh legs on the ice.

 

[Nifty16]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

I concur. Not just about billb, but all the people who watch the games and are so angry/upset that they have to post and post about it, blaming everyone from the coach to the guy who washes the uniforms. Take a breath, people, it's just a game, and you're not the ones playing it. Does getting angry about the loss change anything?

I went into the game last night confident UNH would win. It didn't happen. Not the end of the world, and I guarantee everyone in that locker room feels worse about that game than anyone in the stands.


Probably the #1 thing that bugs me about UNH fans is the way they empty out of the rink as soon as the final buzzer sounds (and often, earlier), while the team, even after brutal losses sticks around to salute those same people. Would it kill you to wait a few minutes and cheer the team, maybe applaud their effort?

(A close second is booing your own team. Fortunately, UNH fans don't do that. Oh, except for last night.

Sounded like Philly fans.)

Thanks, as we all know you are one of the true fans and not a fraud like BillB, know he is only on here when they lose. Was more upset with him and the frauds like him then the team. Finally did the smart thing and put him on my ignore list. Think we all know he is a BC fan anyways, or Umile did not take well to the advanced Bill put on him years ago. I agree it is a game, and I am sure the players feel 1000% times worst then anyone on here, was hard to watch Sislo's press conference after the game can tell it really meant something to him, showed he is a true captain.
Agree 100% about people leaving at the end and not sticking around to salute the team for a fine year. People want to complain about the teams effort, which is BS in my book how about the efforts of the so called fans? I for one will be there in my seats next year in section 110 cheering them on and will be there till the end of each game, and will stick around to salute the team when ever the season ends. I have done that at ever regional I have been to, even after last year hard lost to RIT in Albany. I know who the real fans are, guys like you and C-H-C are the true fans and will listen and respect what you say, others like BillB will just go to my ignore list. I have decided I will not turn into a bitter old man like him and will enjoy the ride, and hope that someday that it will end with the grand prize, but will also realize and cherish what we do have, is it a BC or North Dakota? No But are we in the hunt every year, yes. To me you can't get there unless you are in the hunt. I know I am all ready looking forward to next season, can't wait to see the schedule and the incoming freshman and development of the younger players. Every year is a new journey. GO CATS from a believer in section 110!!!

 

[Jacques "Rabbit" Poriveau]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

I concur. Not just about billb, but all the people who watch the games and are so angry/upset that they have to post and post about it, blaming everyone from the coach to the guy who washes the uniforms. Take a breath, people, it's just a game, and you're not the ones playing it. Does getting angry about the loss change anything?

You got da worlde figure out, eh? You so amazing it unreale.

So you not care at all dat dey losed, eh? Cuz dat de only way you nots a hippocrit. Who is you to decide ow much someone should care about laste nite loss? You like da persone who go 75 on de iway et get mad at da guy who go 80. Guess whats mf'er we all speeeding, you ain't da one who get to say how much is ok.

Why dont you let peoples care as much as dey want et worry about youself, cuz to be honeste you got enuff isssues rite der dat you dont needing to worry about billsb ou anyones else, eh?

I guarantee everyone in that locker room feels worse about that game than anyone in the stands.

you neveur playinged da sportes I can tell. oui, der guys on dat teem who still upset today, mais der guys who didnt give zee crap to begin wif et der guys who let eet roll off day back tres vite, it like dat on evury team.

 

[Craig P.]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Is it really an upset that Miami had to travel to and play in NH? I don't want to whine here, but the NCAA really needs to look at the set up of this tourney so that the No. 1 seed does not play in the No. 4 seeds back yard.

It's what happens when (for legitimate attendance reasons) the committee is bound to keep a regional host at home. The problem is compounded when another #1 is in the same conference as the regional host, and thus is required by rule to be sent elsewhere. Miami drew the short straw by dint of being the worst of the #1 seeds. If the Redhawks had a better regular season, they might have passed North Dakota and pushed the Sioux to Manchester.

 

[Jacques "Rabbit" Poriveau]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Thanks, as we all know you are one of the true fans and not a fraud like BillB, know he is only on here when they lose. Was more upset with him and the frauds like him then the team. Finally did the smart thing and put him on my ignore list. Think we all know he is a BC fan anyways, or Umile did not take well to the advanced Bill put on him years ago. I agree it is a game, and I am sure the players feel 1000% times worst then anyone on here, was hard to watch Sislo's press conference after the game can tell it really meant something to him, showed he is a true captain.
Agree 100% about people leaving at the end and not sticking around to salute the team for a fine year. People want to complain about the teams effort, which is BS in my book how about the efforts of the so called fans? I for one will be there in my seats next year in section 110 cheering them on and will be there till the end of each game, and will stick around to salute the team when ever the season ends. I have done that at ever regional I have been to, even after last year hard lost to RIT in Albany. I know who the real fans are, guys like you and C-H-C are the true fans and will listen and respect what you say, others like BillB will just go to my ignore list. I have decided I will not turn into a bitter old man like him and will enjoy the ride, and hope that someday that it will end with the grand prize, but will also realize and cherish what we do have, is it a BC or North Dakota? No But are we in the hunt every year, yes. To me you can't get there unless you are in the hunt. I know I am all ready looking forward to next season, can't wait to see the schedule and the incoming freshman and development of the younger players. Every year is a new journey. GO CATS from a believer in section 110!!!

You shure spende a lots of time talking bout someone you is ignoring.

Ok, we getting it, you ignore heem, so please start, m'kay?

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

As for conferences hosting Jerry York just suggested that after the H.E. championship but I am not sure the NCAA is looking into it. My guess is the NCAA could careless who hosts as long as they get their money. If the conference wants to put in a bid I am sure it would be accepted and considered.

Gee, why would Jerry bring that up?

Now that you mention it I recall that one of the smaller conferences did host a regional a few years ago?

 

[Catnip]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

I want to start by congratulating the Cats on a great seaon and for giving it their best effort in trying to bring their School and Fans a national championship. I wasn't at the game last night and can only comment from a distance. I too was very disappointed that they didn't beat ND and move on to the Frozen Four. There have already been all kinds of comments on this thread about why that didn't happen. I will only revert back again to my observations from January and state that their lack of success with the Power Play was going to haunt them if they didn't change it. I think in the playoffs and regionals, they were 0 for 24 or something like that. Enough said, if you can't take advantage of those extra man opportunities, you aren't going to be successful. Even worse, we gave up more goals on the power play than we scored. There were times last night when we couldn't even get it in the offensive zone to set up and I think we had 1 shot in the critical last power play, late in the 3rd period. There are all kinds of reasons why the PP didn't work and I am sure many have their observations on that. The main point is it hasn't been working for quite some time and nothing seemed to have been done to try and fix it. That has been my major concern with this team since Xmas and it hasn't changed as of today. Unfortunately, the players are now paying the price for it. Thanks for your efforts Cats and good luck to the seniors who are leaving and to those who will skate back at the Whit next year. I am looking forward to it.

 

[irishfan85]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Gee, why would Jerry bring that up?

Now that you mention it I recall that one of the smaller conferences did host a regional a few years ago?

I believe the CCHA hosted in St. Louis this year. I believe the ECAC has co-hosted with RPI each time the Regional/Frozen Four has been in Albany.

 

[sterlippo1]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Anyway, I was bummed to see UNH fall last night and have the flame of Hockey East blown out. Really thought they were going to STP and beyond. It's misery loves company in Hockey East this summer. Good season by the Wildcats.

i echo this post