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UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

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Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

Greg Ambrose said:
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Right now UNH is one of six teams that could finish anywhere from first to sixth. Given the fact that they have the easiest schedule the rest of the way, I would be pretty disappointed if they didn't get home ice, and preferably not the third or fourth seed. If there is any year that the lower seeds have a good chance to win it all, this is the year. No a great team in the bunch. The one that wins will be the one that is hottest down the stretch. That's not exactly an earth shattering opinion but the obvious analysis I'd say.
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UNH has been ruggedly durable throughout the season, in my opinion. Sure, they performed better in the 1st half than in the 2nd, but they have maintained position on the conference level as well as in the PWR.

Durable doesn't necessarily equate to being hot, however. I'm looking for PC and MC to do some damage in the HE tourney, and good for them, if that's the case. (Aren't we all bored with BC's dominance, their fans excepted?) I hope UNH is in it, but fear a quarterfinal matchup (and on home ice) that doesn't go well for us.

Despite the possibility that UNH may not make it to the Gahden, I think it's fantastic that everything is so wide open now in terms of tourney configurations. It could be the first time since -- when -- forever? that BC, BU, Maine and UNH doesn't field a team in Boston. Perhaps that won't be a good thing in terms of attendance, but for college hockey fans in general who attend the series regardless, it could be quite exciting.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

unhpuckfan2001 said:
So, does the Dartmouth Tourney this December / January not count?

And not for nothing - the amount of clutch and grab that Vermont plays, it was a credit to UNH they didn't A) get too bogged down and B) retaliate. A lot of borderline hits with elbows and sticks up. Twice on Friday, Camper was hit with a boarding UVM players that could and probably SHOULD have been a 5 minute major.

My biggest concern for them in the Postseason is their legs; if they play a physical team in a 3 game series the 3rd game could be tough. UNH had the will to win Saturday, but were beat up the night before. I know the penalties were heavily in their favor, but there could have been even more if Bunyon and Shea had not reffed the game according to the number of penalties already called.

But they are at least aware of their shortcomings from the weekend, I can tell you that.
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Face it, Hockey East has become the thug league. Jack Parker kicks a kid off his team weekly, and the play at the Gutt was not clean to say the least. The SMT's better be ready.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

Interesting that even if the Cats do not win another regular season or Hockey East tourney game, they will still play a game in Manch, thanks to their early season OOC record. But, I think that the Cats may pick up another 3 or 4 points in the final four games, which should give them home ice in the first round, although I doubt that they will make it to the Garden again this year.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

Snively65 said:
Interesting that even if the Cats do not win another regular season or Hockey East tourney game, they will still play a game in Manch, thanks to their early season OOC record. But, I think that the Cats may pick up another 3 or 4 points in the final four games, which should give them home ice in the first round, although I doubt that they will make it to the Garden again this year.
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Wow! I thought I was pessimistic....:)

That stated, I see us picking up 6 points in the final four games, and certainly making it to the Garden. I'm actually (maybe too optimistically) seeing a stretch goal of a HEA RS championship (assuming PC takes one from BC this weekend). Still think a #1 seed in the NCAA's is a bridge too far, since there are no TUC's left for us until the HEA tourney - so we'd probably have to win that.

In summary, then, I'll go out on a limb.... 6 points in next 4 games, #2 seed in HEA tourney, loss in finals to BC in HEA tourney, #2 seed in Manch Vegas.

Fire away.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

Could make the Garden, also completely capable of tanking it in the first round and getting knocked out. Likely one and done in Manchester. The highlight of this season was the first two or so months.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

Was really hoping for UNH to host Maine in the first round, but have sort of shifted to hoping for BU at UNH. Then at least one of the woefully underachieving second half teams would have to make to the Garden.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

wildcatdc said:
Wow! I thought I was pessimistic....:)

That stated, I see us picking up 6 points in the final four games, and certainly making it to the Garden. I'm actually (maybe too optimistically) seeing a stretch goal of a HEA RS championship (assuming PC takes one from BC this weekend). Still think a #1 seed in the NCAA's is a bridge too far, since there are no TUC's left for us until the HEA tourney - so we'd probably have to win that.
In summary, then, I'll go out on a limb.... 6 points in next 4 games, #2 seed in HEA tourney, loss in finals to BC in HEA tourney, #2 seed in Manch Vegas.

Fire away.
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Something tells me that the Friars take 3 or 4 points from BC this weekend. Check back with me on Monday next ............
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

cloud 9 said:
could make the garden, also completely capable of tanking it in the first round and getting knocked out. Likely one and done in manchester. The highlight of this season may have been the first two or so months, but it's too soon to say.
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fyp! ;)
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

There really aren't any locks for the Garden this year. Every team in the top six has strengths and weaknesses. If you look at the various team threads, wild eyed optimists are few and far between. That said, I can see UNH winning it all, but only if DeSmith returns to early season form. He hasn't been bad the last few games, just not great. He was okay on Saturday, needs to be somewhat better when facing better offenses. I still think the defense is pretty good, the PK has been pretty solid all year. Now, if Umile can just settle on a top line combination, one that produces, they have a shot. Of course, they have a shot to get bounced in the first round, wait around for two weeks and lose the first game in Manchester too. I guess keep the expectations low and you won't be disappointed, eh?
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

I think Umile has to get Goumas and Downing on a line together. Goumas, Downing, Block. Thrush, Sorkin, Henrion. Speelman, Silengo, Willows. Correale, Pavelski, Gaudreault. Pending Silengo/Sorkin are healthy soon.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

Greg Ambrose said:
... but only if DeSmith returns to early season form.
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I'm of the opinion that DeSmith was on the money in early season interviews when he credited the team for playing great defense in front of him. He can be very good, but (IMO) is not a great goalie. UNH needs the great team defense to go anywhere, because DeSmith can't carry them alone and the offense can't be relied on to produce. For that matter, even in past season when the offense was very good, it could go stone cold in the post-season. This offense isn't that good.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

Saetia22 said:
I think Umile has to get Goumas and Downing on a line together. Goumas, Downing, Block. Thrush, Sorkin, Henrion. Speelman, Silengo, Willows. Correale, Pavelski, Gaudreault. Pending Silengo/Sorkin are healthy soon.
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No love for Burke?
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

Greg Ambrose said:
There really aren't any locks for the Garden this year. Every team in the top six has strengths and weaknesses. If you look at the various team threads, wild eyed optimists are few and far between. That said, I can see UNH winning it all, but only if DeSmith returns to early season form. He hasn't been bad the last few games, just not great. He was okay on Saturday, needs to be somewhat better when facing better offenses. I still think the defense is pretty good, the PK has been pretty solid all year. Now, if Umile can just settle on a top line combination, one that produces, they have a shot. Of course, they have a shot to get bounced in the first round, wait around for two weeks and lose the first game in Manchester too. I guess keep the expectations low and you won't be disappointed, eh?
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As we used to say back in the day; "What he said!"

I think also what you said earlier as well that the hot team will probably emerge victorious but it's going to be a hard fought victory. As it should be. May the best team win!!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

Nick Papagiorgio said:
While that generally would be a good policy, this year I disagree with this notion.

This year is THE YEAR! NCAA CHAMPS!
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Hey Nickpa, one of these years your otherwise provocative and groundless prediction will prove true. You will be hailed as a visionary. Pigs will fly. (OK, I'm lying about the last two.) But thank you for your interest in our program. ;)
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

Every Hockey East team has now played 23 conference games and (1) UNH has allowed the fewest goals and (2) Casey DeSmith has the best GAA, Save% and Win%.
 
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Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

Things just got a lot more interesting with Lowell's win at BC (4-2) and BU's win vs. Merrimack tonight (5-2).
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Season Thread

unh just moved ahead of Boston coll. in power rankings now 4th , unh doesnt playing any tucs over next two weeks , if unh loses a game does there power go down , or do we have to wait till the playoffs or even hockey east quarters when they will play a tuc.
 
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