Re: UNH Wildcats - 2011 Playoff Quest
Read the last two pages which, as CHC says, should be on an off-season thread. A few observations:
Barry Edgar was a forward, not a defenseman. In '77 they had Langway, Burke, Powers, Harvie, Rando, and Brad Holt. I can remember Edgar playing some defense, but so did Dave Lumley and Bruce Crowder. Charlie always wanted puck moving defensemen and Powers was the prime example. He told me once that he had never played a minute of defense at Melrose High but after a few practices his freshman year Charlie called him in and said he would be on the blue line. He almost quit to go to Merrimack.
Someone mentioned scoring today vs. 10 years ago. Look at scoring nationwide throughout the leagues. The point totals are way down compared to the Krog, Haydar days. In '97 UNH had five 50 point scorers. I think there were two in Hockey East this year (Thompson and Atkinson). That's why Miele's 71 points stuck out and why UNH's clampdown on him (2 shots in the game) was such a shocker.
I don't see Moses as a true center. He has a lot of talent as a puck carrier, not so much as a finisher, never mind someone who dishes the puck. I love Borisenok's tenacious play, but he is what he is. Goumas has tremendous upside, he's got a jump in his skates, knows how to go to space and snap a shot off. I expect big things from him. As for the rest, don't sell Sorkin & Silengo short. They were still learning the game this year, but they showed flashes (Silengo's two up at Maine). They can improve. As for Block & Speelman. They were the last two in two years ago, replacing Dries and Bourque, in June and July. Considering the time frame, they have done more than anyone could have expected. And I agree on Henrion, he needs to be on a line with someone who will dish him the puck. He's got a pro shot, but really didn't have that many opportunities to use it, especially in the last month.
Finally, my opinion is that there are really no juggernauts in college hockey any more. I suppose BC, but teams like North Dakota, Michigan, Notre Dame, etc., they all can be beaten. Does anyone disagree that, if UNH had scored first vs. Notre Dame, they probably would have won the game. There is no doubt in my mind that they would have clamped down on ND just like they did on Miami. They won and lost one goal games (empty netters don't count) and did the same two years ago. For all the gnashing of teeth about Umile, he and his staff know how to compete with what they've got. (at least most of the time. We won't talk about RIT). Times have changed, just have to deal with it.
I mean, the atmosphere is SO exciting at Agganis with the thousands of screaming, non-stop noise-making fans - how can you forget the chills that going to a game there give you??? And it's always so packed...so tough to get a ticket!! 