UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

[snively]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

On the D end I think they are actually deeper than they have been, maybe ever.

I dunno. Sorry for another of my habitual the "back in the day" posts, but when our blueliners consisted of Rod Langway, Tim Burke (all American), Barry Edgar and Paul Powers, that was a pretty solid lineup.

 

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Forwards
Goumas (LC), So. - Borisenok (LC), Sr. - Moses (RC), Sr.
Speelman (LW), Jr. - Downing (LC), Fr. - Henrion (RW), Jr.
Burke (LC), Jr. - Silengo (RC), So. - Sorkin (LC), So. (this was a 4th line before Burke got hurt again)
Willows (RC), Fr. - Block (RC), Jr. - McCarey (RW), Sr.

Et da playmakeurs is who? Downing I guess from what i here mais if you can't see dat aint Gare, Prudden, Saviano, et Aiken down da middle den you juste aint trying, eth?

Agreed, you are hunting for true playmakers. Silengo is a solid responsible center everywhere but the offensive zone play making. I think Moses has potential for play making but not the rest of the skill set or setup mentality to be a center. Although many of these guys played center at the previous level most project out as 3rd or 4th line centers in college or wings.

 

[Jacques "Rabbit" Poriveau]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

UNH skille set

Goaltending - I was wronge bout Digiralamo, e solide. I tinked e gonna be bad mais I was wronge. Dis not da probleme compare to udder year

Defence - dis group as goode as any udder dey ad. Some pucke moveurs, good size, actuallment pretty consistente et solide.

Forward - still faste, still can shoot, mais I use to go to UNHs game et see smooth flat just da rite speed passes to da tape in a guy wheelhouse. You cant picteur Hemingway, Nickalus, Bekar, Callander, Collins getting one a dem passes mid circle et juste bury eet before da goaltendeur e can move? Non? Maintenant eet bouncy on edge crap dat de guy need a settle et pull out a he foots before e can shooting it. Guess what mes amies, to late,

 

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

I dunno. Sorry for another of my habitual the "back in the day" posts, but when our blueliners consisted of Rod Langway, Tim Burke (all American), Barry Edgar and Paul Powers, that was a pretty solid lineup.

I'll give you Langway and Burke but I am not sure on Edgar and Powers. It was a different game then so going by points doesn't cut it IMO.

 

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Forward - still faste, still can shoot, mais I use to go to UNHs game et see smooth flat just da rite speed passes to da tape in a guy wheelhouse. You cant picteur Hemingway, Nickalus, Bekar, Callander, Collins getting one a dem passes mid circle et juste bury eet before da goaltendeur e can move? Non? Maintenant eet bouncy on edge crap dat de guy need a settle et pull out a he foots before e can shooting it. Guess what mes amies, to late,

Can shoot I am not sure I 100% agree. When the puck is flat they hit the boards far to often. If you can truely shoot that puck is on net.

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Here's a very quick (therefore, probably some errors) summary of Freshmen stats beginning in the 1999-2000 season (when the archives on UNHWildcats.com begins):

1999-2000
Lanny Gare - 32; 6-14-20
Jim Abbott - 28; 7-6-13
Garrett Stafford - 38; 3-9-12
Patrick Foley - 30; 3-7-10
Colin Hemingway - 22; 3-5-8
Joshua Prudden - 16; 2-3-5
Kevin Truelson - 28; 0-0-2

2000-2001
Nathan Martz - 37; 5-14-19
Mike Mounsey - 37; 1-4-5
Mike Lubesnick - 34; 1-3-4
Steve Saviano - 16; 1-1-2
Travis Banga - 13; 0-2-2
Tim Horst - 8; 0-0-0

2001-2002
Sean Collins - 40; 20-25-45
Tyson Teplitsky - 35; 4-1-15
Ed Caron - 34; 6-7-13
Preston Callander - 24; 4-8-12
Justin Aikens - 29; 4-4-8
Tyler Scott - 22; 1-5-6
Robbie Barker - 24; 0-1-1
Matt Hoppe - 2; 0-0-0

2002-2003
Brian Yandle - 31; 1-5-6
Andrew Leach - 13; 2-2-4

2003-2004
Jacob Micflikier - 39; 11-15-26
Brett Hemingway - 34; 7-12-19
Daniel Winnik - 38; 4-10-14
Josh Ciocco - 17; 0-2-2
Chris Murray - 2; 0-0-0
Shawn Vinz - 10; 0-0-0

2004-2005
Matt Fornataro - 41; 8-12-20
Mike Radja - 42; 8-12-20
Craig Switzer - 41; 1-13-14
Brad Flaishans - 30; 2-8-10
Brian Pouliot - 33; 3-1-4

2005-2006
Trevor Smith - 39; 10-10-20
Jerry Pollastrone - 37; 4-12-16
Thomas Fortney - 37; 5-8-13
Greg Collins - 39; 5-1-6
Joe Charlebois - 32; 2-3-5
Kevin Kapstad - 3; 0-1-1
Alan Thompson - 4; 0-0-0

2006-2007
Bobby Butler - 38; 9-3-12
Peter LeBlanc - 39; 1-4-5
Danny Rossman - 18; 1-3-4
Nick Krates - 1; 0-0-0

2007-2008
James van Riemsdyk - 31; 11-23-34
Danny Dries - 37; 11-17-28
Phil DeSimone - 38; 3-10-13
Paul Thompson - 35; 6-6-12
Mike Sislo - 38; 3-5-8
Greg Manz - 7; 1-0-1
Mike Beck - 1; 0-0-0
Matt Campanale - 6; 0-0-0

2008-2009
Blake Kessel - 37; 6-7-13
Stevie Moses - 34; 5-8-13
Mike Borisenok - 11; 1-1-2
Damon Kipp - 27; 1-1-2
Kevin McCarey - 8; 0-0-0

2009-2010
Brett Kostolansky - 28; 0-12-12
Greg Burke - 32; 2-8-10
Dalton Speelman - 32; 3-4-7
John Henrion - 30; 3-1-4
Austin Block - 25; 1-2-3
Connor Hardowa - 29; 0-2-2
Scott Pavelski - 12; 0-0-0

2010-2011
Kevin Goumas - 32; 6-12-18
Jeff Silengo - 35; 3-5-8
Nick Sorkin - 35; 3-2-5

 

[Jacques "Rabbit" Poriveau]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Can shoot I am not sure I 100% agree. When the puck is flat they hit the boards far to often. If you can truely shoot that puck is on net.

It ave goed down hill, I cant argue.

 

[WIrinkrat]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

For Henrion and Speelman to be successful next year they will need to be paired with a playmaker.....that is the issue this year. Moses will be set with Borisenok, who has turned into a very nice set up guy for him. Goumas will add to that line. Block and Silengo have not really showed signs of being set up guys....especially when it comes to Henrion...We need another center who can make plays...

While that 2nd line was very good for UNH this year down the stretch I for one hope that Umile doesn't just automatically throw them together next season. I think it would be a mistake.

Borisenok is what he is...and that is a fantastic 3rd line checking center. He is the kind of guy that can be paired with two other kids that can fly around and he can create a lot of havoc out there...but he is NOT a top 6 skill forward that should be relied on to help carry the load offensively. That is just not his game. That isn't to say that with injuries or lack of production from the young guys that he won't be called upon to play in that role...but I am hopeful that Umile will give a shot to some other guys to carry the bigger load offensively so that Borisenok can really focus on what he does best.

The biggest problem is that NONE of the returning centers have much upside offensively. Block, Silengo, Borisenok...they are all best suited for prototypical 3rd line checking forward/penalty killer roles. So either some new guys are gonna have to fill that role, or someone is going to have to move off the wing and play center.

I don't know enough about most of the freshmen coming in next year to know who will fit the offensive bill best outside of Downing, who seems to be a consensus choice to come in and contribute right away. However, I do feel that Sorkin and Burke (please let that kid stay healthy for more than 5 minutes!) have more offensive upside than Borisenok. The real question is which kids on the roster now or coming in can effectively play in the middle?

Personally I'd like to see Henrion playing with Moses and Goumas next year. Obvious problem is all three of these guys played wing this year, but I see no reason that a guy like Moses couldn't play in the middle. I think Goumas is a kid who is fine in a setup role and happy to crash the net and Henrion is also a guy who can clean up some of the chances that Goumas and Moses are going to create around the net.

For the 2nd unit I'd like to see Speelman and Burke (assuming he is healthy...otherwise Sorkin) playing with Downing. Can Downing play center right off the bat at this level? That remains to be seen. If not, could a kid like Speelman?

Then you have the issue with the number of defenseman. Could Randall be going back to forward? Staying at juniors? Showing up and sitting in the stands all year? What about Kessel? Hopefully he will be back, but you just won't know until the guys show up on campus in the Fall. UNH could have 9 D next year...personally if they all show up and enough are able to play at a high level I wouldn't be opposed to a kid like Hardowa being moved up front to play on a 3rd or 4th line. He's big, strong, can be solid down low defensively and will bang bodies on the forcheck. UNH needs to be tougher to play against offensively in the corners and he's a big strong kid that can be tough to take off the puck and will make opposing defensemen pay a price on the wall. No problems with Hardowa as a defenseman either, but if we have the numbers on the blueline I see him as a better option than some of the bottom end forwards.

One thing that is for sure is that it won't be the most talented UNH roster ever, but depending on what the final makeup of the roster looks like there should be a lot of different lineup options. So in that sense I hope Umile doesn't just decide to stick with the status quo.

 

[snively]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

I'll give you Langway and Burke but I am not sure on Edgar and Powers. It was a different game then so going by points doesn't cut it IMO.

My recollection is that Edgar could (and did) hit, while Paul, though small, was both quick and a skilled puckhandler (later got to know his brother, a real nice guy who played at Harvard).

But I could almost have stopped with Rod Langway and Tim Burke, eh?.

It was indeed a different game then...

 

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

2009-2010
Brett Kostolansky - 28; 0-12-12
Greg Burke - 32; 2-8-10
Dalton Speelman - 32; 3-4-7
John Henrion - 30; 3-1-4
Austin Block - 25; 1-2-3
Connor Hardowa - 29; 0-2-2
Scott Pavelski - 12; 0-0-0

Ryan Bourque's 19-24-54

2010-2011
Kevin Goumas - 32; 6-12-18
Jeff Silengo - 35; 3-5-8
Nick Sorkin - 35; 3-2-5

Matt White's 14-11-25
Cam Reid's 8-21-29

Those number would have helped each of those classes significantly. It is these losses that are causing a big chunk of the current problems.

Plus when you now have a true 3rd liner on the 2nd line he plays against better competition and so his numbers are skewed down further.

 

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

But I could almost have stopped with Rod Langway and Tim Burke, eh?.

It was indeed a different game then...

Langway is easily UNH's best D-man all time, not even a close second I can come up with.

Tim Burke was a very solid player in his day.

However 1-6 I still think UNH is in better shape on the D these days than ever before. Although Freshman (and Sophomore's that haven't played) are not a sure thing next year’s 1-6 look even better than this past year (assuming Kessel stays).

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

The biggest problem is that NONE of the returning centers have much upside offensively. Block, Silengo, Borisenok...they are all best suited for prototypical 3rd line checking forward/penalty killer roles. So either some new guys are gonna have to fill that role, or someone is going to have to move off the wing and play center.

I don't know enough about most of the freshmen coming in next year to know who will fit the offensive bill best outside of Downing, who seems to be a consensus choice to come in and contribute right away. However, I do feel that Sorkin and Burke (please let that kid stay healthy for more than 5 minutes!) have more offensive upside than Borisenok. The real question is which kids on the roster now or coming in can effectively play in the middle?

I don't know how Kyle Smith or Matt Willows will perform as Division 1 Freshman next year but there assist numbers as EJHLer's were very good:
Smith - 45 GP, 15-38-53
Willows - 40 GP, 27-43-70
Smith impressed me as a pure passer. Willows is more like Borisenok in stature and speed but he may have potential to be a better goal scorer. Probably will be a big challenge for either one of them to break into a college lineup.

 

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Then you have the issue with the number of defenseman.

Randall is either 2011 or 2012. Even in the paper last week with Randall commenting on it and he still didn't know. I think that it is pretty clear Randall comes in 2011 if Kessel leaves. I think it would be surprising if they are both on the team next year.

While that 2nd line was very good for UNH this year down the stretch I for one hope that Umile doesn't just automatically throw them together next season. I think it would be a mistake.

...

One thing that is for sure is that it won't be the most talented UNH roster ever, but depending on what the final makeup of the roster looks like there should be a lot of different lineup options. So in that sense I hope Umile doesn't just decide to stick with the status quo.

I think that line will be together to start the year. They were developing at the end of the year and Umile had juggled lines all year hunting for a combo that worked. I also think they will be the announced starting line (1st) but I don't think it will be the line depended on for scoring like this year’s 1st line.

I think we will see more balanced scoring.

I also have no doubt you will see lots of combos. Umile moved guys around this year hunting for groups that clicked on both ends of the ice. I would be surprised if that didn't happen again. Looking back when Burke was in the lineup it did change the team and that 4th line was played/trusted more in those games.

I think you will see the 2nd line as the 1st to start the year.

Then you have the issue with the number of defenseman.

 

[snively]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Can shoot I am not sure I 100% agree. When the puck is flat they hit the boards far to often. If you can truely shoot that puck is on net.

Execution and passes on tape (UNH), courtesy of C-H-C: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUEHAUJsKDE

 

[Jacques "Rabbit" Poriveau]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Offense lack playmakeurs. Dat a recruting issue. If dey wasnt playmakeurs in lower level der aint no way in ell you gonna make dem one in college.

Maybe Bourque et White would ave been dos guys. Mais dey not ere. Et sure, dat gonna appen sometime, mais it appening A LOTS pour UNHs lately. Et dat a recruiting issue to.

Lately it ben if you can skate we want you if you can shoot we want you if you can pass, eh, not so much...oh and maybe you get in et maybe you dont we dont really seem to care.

 

[Craig P.]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

Interesting that Notre Dame had 12 freshmen on their squad this year. Yikes.

And the top two scorers on the team are freshmen, TJ Tynan with 53 points (22/31) and Anders Lee with 44 (24/20) including the game-winner on Saturday.

It should be noted that one of the 12 is the third-string goaltender.

 

[freak]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

You know, if a kid comes in at 18 or 19 and does well from the beginning, he clearly has talent. But if a kid is developing and finally starts producing at 21 or 22 as a senior... sure there is some talent there but of course he should be doing well at that age playing against younger players.

So the answer is 22-23 year old freshmen, so that they're always older than their counterparts on other teams?

To me it is simple... The top end talent that UNH is getting isn't to the level of ten years ago, and the team isn't as deep.

 

[PSW]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

While that 2nd line was very good for UNH this year down the stretch I for one hope that Umile doesn't just automatically throw them together next season. I think it would be a mistake.

Borisenok is what he is...and that is a fantastic 3rd line checking center. He is the kind of guy that can be paired with two other kids that can fly around and he can create a lot of havoc out there...but he is NOT a top 6 skill forward that should be relied on to help carry the load offensively. That is just not his game. That isn't to say that with injuries or lack of production from the young guys that he won't be called upon to play in that role...but I am hopeful that Umile will give a shot to some other guys to carry the bigger load offensively so that Borisenok can really focus on what he does best.

The biggest problem is that NONE of the returning centers have much upside offensively. Block, Silengo, Borisenok...they are all best suited for prototypical 3rd line checking forward/penalty killer roles. So either some new guys are gonna have to fill that role, or someone is going to have to move off the wing and play center.

I don't know enough about most of the freshmen coming in next year to know who will fit the offensive bill best outside of Downing, who seems to be a consensus choice to come in and contribute right away. However, I do feel that Sorkin and Burke (please let that kid stay healthy for more than 5 minutes!) have more offensive upside than Borisenok. The real question is which kids on the roster now or coming in can effectively play in the middle?

Personally I'd like to see Henrion playing with Moses and Goumas next year. Obvious problem is all three of these guys played wing this year, but I see no reason that a guy like Moses couldn't play in the middle. I think Goumas is a kid who is fine in a setup role and happy to crash the net and Henrion is also a guy who can clean up some of the chances that Goumas and Moses are going to create around the net.

For the 2nd unit I'd like to see Speelman and Burke (assuming he is healthy...otherwise Sorkin) playing with Downing. Can Downing play center right off the bat at this level? That remains to be seen. If not, could a kid like Speelman?

Then you have the issue with the number of defenseman. Could Randall be going back to forward? Staying at juniors? Showing up and sitting in the stands all year? What about Kessel? Hopefully he will be back, but you just won't know until the guys show up on campus in the Fall. UNH could have 9 D next year...personally if they all show up and enough are able to play at a high level I wouldn't be opposed to a kid like Hardowa being moved up front to play on a 3rd or 4th line. He's big, strong, can be solid down low defensively and will bang bodies on the forcheck. UNH needs to be tougher to play against offensively in the corners and he's a big strong kid that can be tough to take off the puck and will make opposing defensemen pay a price on the wall. No problems with Hardowa as a defenseman either, but if we have the numbers on the blueline I see him as a better option than some of the bottom end forwards.

One thing that is for sure is that it won't be the most talented UNH roster ever, but depending on what the final makeup of the roster looks like there should be a lot of different lineup options. So in that sense I hope Umile doesn't just decide to stick with the status quo.

Moses at center?.....here is Moses himself talking about his "D" play

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2011/03/27_new_hampshire_shows_its_depth.php

I think the Mo-Bo-Go will have good chemistry next year, however I do see scroing to be much more spread across lines...

 

[snively]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

And the top two scorers on the team are freshmen, TJ Tynan with 53 points (22/31) and Anders Lee with 44 (24/20) including the game-winner on Saturday.

It should be noted that one of the 12 is the third-string goaltender.

Thanks, Craig P. As I said, "Yikes".

Like your Britney voice description. Superb guitarist Leo Kottke once described his own voice (actually not that bad) as "geese farts on a muggy day".

But boy could he play. Check out this 2 minute Vaseline Machine Gun clip, from about the 30 second mark on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tew_fIhz3eY

 

[Jacques "Rabbit" Poriveau]

Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest

So the answer is 22-23 year old freshmen, so that they're always older than their counterparts on other teams?

To me it is simple... The top end talent that UNH is getting isn't to the level of ten years ago, and the team isn't as deep.

Zee top end lately ave been JVR, Butler, Thompson, Kessel among udders. I see POTY, All Americans, Hobey candidates et NHL playeurs der, eh? Zee deepth, maybe maybe not - zee depth Krog senior year was not much, zay juste ave a brilliant playmakeur Krog wif a birlliant finisheur Aydar, et Souza kinda too.

Zee probleme is dey stop recruting centres.

Et just cuz you stand at da dot et take face off dont make you a centre.