Pros and cons of the "choke" argument ... something that's been in and out of vogue over the history of the USCHO boards for sure, but something that seems to be out there less in recent times. First, I agree 100% that in order to "choke", you have to have significant talent that somehow underperforms when it counts. There have been several UNH instances mentioned in the last page or so of this thread, and to that I'd probably add the infamous NCAA loss to Niagara circa 2000, and even the latter stages of the NCAA Finals in 2003 against Minnesota (I'll forever remember goalie Mike Ayers screaming from halfway out of his goal at a listless and dispirited UNH bench during a break in the 3rd period as the Gophers broke open a 1-1 game). BU last season? Hate to admit it, but yeah, that one too.
Others on the list I'm not sure I'd agree ... losing to a loaded Michigan squad in the Frozen Four semis in 1998 may have been seat-squirming, but that was a very good team with lots of big-game experience, and it was really just the beginning of UNH's best-ever run (4 Frozen Fours in 6 seasons 1998-2003). 1999 Finals - no way, tough game and tough OT loss, but not a "choke" (and I'll always believe if Derek Bekar stays in school with Krog just that one more year, they win it all). e.cat and I met for the first time in St. Paul after the Frozen Four semis choke-a-rama in 2002 against UMaine. And so on and so on.
This year, as I've said increasingly often as this season has played out, I think UNH is overachieving in a big way, and probably benefitting from some other programs' struggles (see BC recently, and to a lesser extent BU) to be unexpectedly in the mix this late into the season. There really have not been realistic expectations for hardware of any kind going into this season, so this year I think UNH has no real "pressure" to perform, and that almost insulates them from the poisonous "choke" tag ... unless of course they gack up a home QF series against UVM or UMaine/UMA, or blow another late 3 goal lead in either of the tourneys.
I thought last night's performance was very encouraging. The comments from some of the players to the media afterwards seem to reflect a determined and focused, no BS mindset to just go out there and get things done. Talk is cheap of course, and actions speak louder than words, but the actions out there last night were pretty convincing. DeSmith is looking sharp, steady and very reliable again. The flame of hope was flickering just a little brighter on the WIS Estate last evening. Let's hope it continues to go in the same positive direction from here on out. But regardless, it's been a fun and positive season for UNH Hockey.
