UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

[unh1982]

I wanna puke. How do you let up 3 unanswered to lose it in OT. Just a disgraceful form of hockey out there for the second half of the game.

I already did puke. Are you really surprised thou..PC coach Leaman comes in and all three years have gone on to Boston..why cant we land a coach like that

 

[wildcatdc]

Radio guys said that DeSmith left a lot of pucks in front for rebound opportunities all night long. Sounded like the first line tried too many extra passes on several odd man rushes? Just shoot the puck! No excuse for not getting more quality shots on nearly 2 minutes of 5 on 3. Good to see Tyler Kelleher score a couple of goals the past two nights. Not sure what else the Cats can do tomorrow, as I think that the Huskies have more talent.

Agree with the radio guys. He left a good bit of slop lying around the crease all night. That stated, NU was very aggressive in getting to the net and causing havoc. They flat-out outplayed us for major chunks of the game, including the last 30 minutes and overtime.

 

[e.cat]

If my 5 years of French serves me correctly It means the more things change the more they stay the same. Or put it this way...same stuff different year! I'm keeping the faith...disappointed of course but have come this far and will see this through! Let's go 'Cats!

I think Chuck's pig latin translates to; "Man am I glad I stayed home and watched a chickflick with the little woman!"

 

[scoreboard]

I wanna puke. How do you let up 3 unanswered to lose it in OT. Just a disgraceful form of hockey out there for the second half of the game.

Easy answer, they are UNH and they have been doing it for years now. No other team chokes like they do in a critical game. My guess, although I hope I am very wrong, is that they lose tomorrow. Also, if I read in the Herald correctly, UNH has only lost 3 times at the Whitt to NU since it opened. Will they lose twice this weekend alone?

 

[HockeyRef]

Agree with the radio guys. He left a good bit of slop lying around the crease all night. That stated, NU was very aggressive in getting to the net and causing havoc. They flat-out outplayed us for major chunks of the game, including the last 30 minutes and overtime.

Very astute observation about rebounds etc and yes I would agree with being out played as you said. Not the same team on the ice tonight. Can someone verify for me the penalty shot rule some were saying you have to use the same player fouled take the shot and that Roy was not that player? Of course this came from a UNH fan . Hey whatever I'm not making excuses just asking!

 

[ClOuD 9]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

amazed at how empty the Whitt is for the game, student break or not....when will someone there take note of how the program has fallen off the last decade?

This is honestly pretty standard for home playoff games at UNH since they began falling over break, I remember putting together some numbers on quarterfinal attendance a few years ago but can't find them at the moment, I will report back if I do.
FWIW, after winning the Regular Season title in 2010 UNH only drew 2,531 for a decisive quarterfinals game 3 against Vermont, the lowest attendance number they've had since the 1999-2000 season (the furthest back I could find attendance numbers for).

EDIT:
Hockey East Quarterfinals At The Whittemore Center 2000-2014

2000-2001 UNH-UMass Lowell
Game 1 (3/8/01): UNH 4 UML 2 Attendance: 4,868
Game 2 (3/9/01): UML 2 UNH 1 Attendance: 5,220
Game 3 (3/10/01): UML 2 UNH 1 Attendance: 5,642

2001-2002 UNH-Merrimack
Game 1 (3/8/02): UNH 6 Merrimack 2 Attendance: 6,501
Game 2 (3/9/02): UNH 5 Merrimack 4 Attendance: 6,501

2002-2003 UNH-UMass Lowell
Game 1 (3/7/03): UNH 8 UML 4 Attendance: 6,501
Game 2 (3/8/03): UNH 8 UML 4 Attendance: 6,501

2003-2004 UNH-Providence
Game 1 (3/11/04): UNH 2 PC 1 Attendance: 5,612
Game 2 (3/12/04): PC 4 UNH 3 Attendance: 5,495
Game 3 (3/13/04): UNH 1 PC 0 Attendance: 5,054

2004-2005 UNH-Northeastern
Game 1 (3/10/05): UNH 6 NU 1 Attendance: 4,253
Game 2 (3/11/05): UNH 4 NU 0 Attendance: 4,723

2005-2006 UNH-Providence
Game 1 (3/9/06): UNH 4 PC 0 Attendance: 4,152
Game 2 (3/10/06): UNH 2 PC 1 Attendance: 4,792

2006-2007 UNH-Providence
Game 1 (3/8/07): UNH 4 PC 0 Attendance: 3,952
Game 2 (3/9/07): UNH 6 PC 0 Attendance: 4,423

2007-2008 UNH-UMass
Game 1 (3/14/08): UNH 4 UMA 1 Attendance: 4,478
Game 2 (3/15/08): UNH 7 UMA 2 Attendance: 4,865

2008-2009 UNH-Boston College
Game 1 (3/13/09): BC 5 UNH 3 Attendance: 3,859
Game 2 (3/14/09): BC 1 UNH 0 Attendance: 3,995

2009-2010 UNH-Vermont
Game 1 (3/12/10): UNH 7 UVM 4 Attendance: 3,712
Game 2 (3/13/10): UVM 1 UNH 0 Attendance: 4,067
Game 3 (3/14/10): UVM 1 UNH 0 Attendance: 2,531

2010-2011 UNH-Vermont
Game 1 (3/11/11): UNH 3 UVM 1 Attendance: 2,854
Game 2 (3/12/11): UNH 4 UVM 3 Attendance: 3,332

All Games Total
Record: 18-7-0 | Average Attendance: 4,715


2013-2014 UNH-Northeastern
Game 1 (3/14/14) UNH 1 NU 0 Attendance: 3,135
Game 2 (3/15/14) NU 5 UNH 4 Attendance: 3,331
Game 3 (3/16/14) UNH ? NU ? Attendance: ??
(probably low, Sunday games always draw poorly)

Michigan and Notre Dame were NOT sell outs this year....unheard of in years past!

The two Saturday games against Michigan and Notre Dame sold out, the Friday games didn't (5,245 for Michigan; 5,679 for Notre Dame)

OR UNH will get too passive, mail it in, and give life to a down-and-out opponent.

Go buy a PowerBall ticket Chuck, you're hot at the moment!

 

[Aerman]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

Well, it has become very simple now. Every game from here til the end is win or go home.

And where is Jacques? I miss him.

 

[Aerman]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

Besides the penalty shot (weak call?) were all the other goals the result of a scrum in front?

 

[ClOuD 9]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

Easy answer, they are UNH and they have been doing it for years now. No other team chokes like they do in a critical game.

Miami of Ohio? Maybe not as frequently, but that loss to BU tops any single UNH post-season collapse that I can think of. 59 seconds away from the national title when BU pulled within one, 17 seconds away from the national title when they let in the tying goal.

Also, if I read in the Herald correctly, UNH has only lost 3 times at the Whitt to NU since it opened. Will they lose twice this weekend alone?

That is correct, two of them came in November of 2007, which was the last time NU had a win in the building prior to tonight.

 

[HockeyRef]

Keep the faith baby. Three of the QF's go to a third game! So we get a bonus game at the Whit. So who's going to advance? I'll go with UNH, UVM and ND. UNH wins in reg, the other two games go to OT!

Thanks e.cat!! Would love to see our Big K slate in the Garden! He deserves it... Let's Go 'Cats!

 

[HockeyRef]

Besides the penalty shot (weak call?) were all the other goals the result of a scrum in front?

Yes...anyone else with a dIff view? No big slap shot heroics. Loved the Agosta goal...I'm sure our C-H-C will have it for us ?

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

UNH is what they are, an average .500 team. Northeastern isn't much better, but tonight they had the better goalie and they took advantage of their opportunities. Very disappointed in the play of DeSmith. Is this the same guy I saw two weeks ago at Merrimack when he singlehandedly saved UNH from total humiliation? He was fighting the puck all night. Also disappointed in the play of the defense. Way too many giveaways in our own end, including one that led to the winning goal. Question now is whether they can bounce back tomorrow afternoon. Given UNH's track record this year, and given UNH's history in home quarterfinal flame outs, I am not terribly optimistic. Will the game be on TV? Hopefully so.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

Up 4 – 2 the 'cats relaxed. NU, facing the end of their season, found a sense of urgency. Momentum swung. We are a .500 team (I was just finishing this as Greg posted) unable to close out opportunities. Both teams will have a sense of urgency Sunday, the 'cats a bit more.

Parity was on display this weekend. 3 HEA series are going to a 3rd game. The # 1 team in the country lost. The # 4 team in the country with top seed in their conference tournament lost twice (to aforementioned Miami of Ohio). Things could be worse. Talk to a Maine fan.

Reading the puke comments below was amusing because this level headed post comes after a ride home with spirit lifting activities that included mock puking. There was also some silliness around some of the NU players' names. Nothing hurtful.

I planned to be in Durham tomorrow regardless of tonight’s outcome, already have a ticket and will be at the game, but for 60 – 90 minutes after the game there was discussion of backing away from UNH Hockey a bit. It is supposed to be fun. Tonight was not.

Sticking with my ‘cats in 3 prediction.

 

[Snively65]

This is honestly pretty standard for home playoff games at UNH since they began falling over break, I remember putting together some numbers on quarterfinal attendance a few years ago but can't find them at the moment, I will report back if I do.
FWIW, after winning the Regular Season title in 2010 UNH only drew 2,531 for a decisive quarterfinals game 3 against Vermont, the lowest attendance number they've had since the 1999-2000 season (the furthest back I could find attendance numbers for).

EDIT:
Hockey East Quarterfinals At The Whittemore Center 2000-2014

2000-2001 UNH-UMass Lowell
Game 1 (3/8/01): UNH 4 UML 2 Attendance: 4,868
Game 2 (3/9/01): UML 2 UNH 1 Attendance: 5,220
Game 3 (3/10/01): UML 2 UNH 1 Attendance: 5,642

2001-2002 UNH-Merrimack
Game 1 (3/8/02): UNH 6 Merrimack 2 Attendance: 6,501
Game 2 (3/9/02): UNH 5 Merrimack 4 Attendance: 6,501

2002-2003 UNH-UMass Lowell
Game 1 (3/7/03): UNH 8 UML 4 Attendance: 6,501
Game 2 (3/8/03): UNH 8 UML 4 Attendance: 6,501

2003-2004 UNH-Providence
Game 1 (3/11/04): UNH 2 PC 1 Attendance: 5,612
Game 2 (3/12/04): PC 4 UNH 3 Attendance: 5,495
Game 3 (3/13/04): UNH 1 PC 0 Attendance: 5,054

2004-2005 UNH-Northeastern
Game 1 (3/10/05): UNH 6 NU 1 Attendance: 4,253
Game 2 (3/11/05): UNH 4 NU 0 Attendance: 4,723

2005-2006 UNH-Providence
Game 1 (3/9/06): UNH 4 PC 0 Attendance: 4,152
Game 2 (3/10/06): UNH 2 PC 1 Attendance: 4,792

2006-2007 UNH-Providence
Game 1 (3/8/07): UNH 4 PC 0 Attendance: 3,952
Game 2 (3/9/07): UNH 6 PC 0 Attendance: 4,423

2007-2008 UNH-UMass
Game 1 (3/14/08): UNH 4 UMA 1 Attendance: 4,478
Game 2 (3/15/08): UNH 7 UMA 2 Attendance: 4,865

2008-2009 UNH-Boston College
Game 1 (3/13/09): BC 5 UNH 3 Attendance: 3,859
Game 2 (3/14/09): BC 1 UNH 0 Attendance: 3,995

2009-2010 UNH-Vermont
Game 1 (3/12/10): UNH 7 UVM 4 Attendance: 3,712
Game 2 (3/13/10): UVM 1 UNH 0 Attendance: 4,067
Game 3 (3/14/10): UVM 1 UNH 0 Attendance: 2,531

2010-2011 UNH-Vermont
Game 1 (3/11/11): UNH 3 UVM 1 Attendance: 2,854
Game 2 (3/12/11): UNH 4 UVM 3 Attendance: 3,332

All Games Total
Record: 18-7-0 | Average Attendance: 4,715


2013-2014 UNH-Northeastern
Game 1 (3/14/14) UNH 1 NU 0 Attendance: 3,135
Game 2 (3/15/14) NU 5 UNH 4 Attendance: 3,331
Game 3 (3/16/14) UNH ? NU ? Attendance: ??
(probably low, Sunday games always draw poorly)


The two Saturday games against Michigan and Notre Dame sold out, the Friday games didn't (5,245 for Michigan; 5,679 for Notre Dame)


Go buy a PowerBall ticket Chuck, you're hot at the moment!

Thanks for the quarters summary, cloud9.

Makes one nostalgic for that seven-year run between 2002 and 2008, when I visited the Garden every one of those years. And, we made the NCAAs every one of those years, too, even if we were one and done in most of the latter ones. But, in looking over those past rosters, the talent levels were much higher than the past six years, as has been noted over and over in this thread. If the Cats win this afternoon, I think that they will have overachieved this season, especially given the loss of TVR. Go Cats!

 

[The Earl of Bodine]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

Besides the penalty shot (weak call?) were all the other goals the result of a scrum in front?

From this viewpoint, yes. UNH was "out-medivaled" in front of their own net. Time for some more hostility (within the confines of fair play and sportsmanship, of course)

 

[bsaeagle64]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

Besides the penalty shot (weak call?) ....

Called according to the rule book. The NU player was skating in alone with no one between him and the goaltender, he was fouled from behind, lost control of the puck and could not get a shot on net. Clearly penalty shot by the rule book, but not always called as such.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

Up 4 – 2 the 'cats relaxed. NU, facing the end of their season, found a sense of urgency. Momentum swung. We are a .500 team (I was just finishing this as Greg posted) unable to close out opportunities. Both teams will have a sense of urgency Sunday, the 'cats a bit more.

Parity was on display this weekend. 3 HEA series are going to a 3rd game. The # 1 team in the country lost. The # 4 team in the country with top seed in their conference tournament lost twice (to aforementioned Miami of Ohio). Things could be worse. Talk to a Maine fan.

Reading the puke comments below was amusing because this level headed post comes after a ride home with spirit lifting activities that included mock puking. There was also some silliness around some of the NU players' names. Nothing hurtful.

I planned to be in Durham tomorrow regardless of tonight’s outcome, already have a ticket and will be at the game, but for 60 – 90 minutes after the game there was discussion of backing away from UNH Hockey a bit. It is supposed to be fun. Tonight was not.

Sticking with my ‘cats in 3 prediction.

You are right, this is supposed to be fun and it has been quite the ride so far for this 'Cats fan! Good points here about the parity of the HE grouping...and the ME sentiments. They are sorely disappointed to be sure. But one thing is; they are very hopeful (seemingly) about their hockey future. All that aside...we have TODAY and that's what it about. Wasn't sure about going today but then my newly found FOMH buds in section 101 told me if I could drive to the Alfond in the snow storm, I could go to Durham for one more shot. That's what I'm doing . Good luck today 'Cat fans; it ain't over yet. "Hope is a good thing; maybe the best of things" said Andy Dufrane in the Shawshank Redemption... Bring it 'Cats!!

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

Called according to the rule book. The NU player was skating in alone with no one between him and the goaltender, he was fouled from behind, lost control of the puck and could not get a shot on net. Clearly penalty shot by the rule book, but not always called as such.

That may be true; a text book call (am an official and I've made those calls before without hesitation. Mind you, not ice hockey ) but guess my question was can a team pick anyone for to take the shot? That's what the buzz was with the people I was talking to after the game; Roy wasn't fouled and shouldn't have been allowed to take it (their view not mine; clueless on this rule.) PLEASE am not making excuses; they (NU) beat us to the puck in front of our net all night, took advantage of our defensive lapses, etc, etc. Yada Yada I could go on. But also as an official my partners would hopefully 'get it right' if one of us had made a gaffe and certainly Dick U and Co. would've. Suppose I could look up the rule.

And here is the NHL ruling anyway and I'm letting this go. Just out of curiosity and my umpire self won't let something go after all of these years til I get it right sorry about that Chief (Maxwell Smart reference; see Scarano thread)

4.2 Procedure - The Referee shall ask to have announced over the public address system the name of the player designated by him or selected by the team entitled to take the shot (as appropriate).

One last thing: most of you prob. read this blog or get it in twitter but I think this is a good view of the game last night:

http://blog.collegehockeynews.com/2...s-at-unh-to-send-series-to-a-decisive-game-3/

Bring it 'Cats!!

 

[bsaeagle64]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

That may be true; a text book call (am an official and I've made those calls before without hesitation. Mind you, not ice hockey ) but guess my question was can a team pick anyone for to take the shot? That's what the buzz was with the people I was talking to after the game; Roy wasn't fouled and shouldn't have been allowed to take it (their view not mine; clueless on this rule.) PLEASE am not making excuses; they (NU) beat us to the puck in front of our net all night, took advantage of our defensive lapses, etc, etc. Yada Yada I could go on. But also as an official my partners would hopefully 'get it right' if one of us had made a gaffe and certainly Dick U and Co. would've. Suppose I could look up the rule.

And here is the NHL ruling anyway and I'm letting this go. Just out of curiosity and my umpire self won't let something go after all of these years til I get it right sorry about that Chief (Maxwell Smart reference; see Scarano thread)

4.2 Procedure - The Referee shall ask to have announced over the public address system the name of the player designated by him or selected by the team entitled to take the shot (as appropriate).

Bring it 'Cats!!

I looked up the NCAA rule on the NCAA website (25.3 Designated Player). It states that if the penalty is called due to 'fouling from behind', the referee shall designate the player who was fouled as the player who shall take the penalty shot. Now, I could not find the rule, but presuming the fouled player was injured, I would suppose that the Captain of the team would decide who should take the shot. I'm not claiming in any way or the other that the NU player fouled was injured, but he did go into the boards quite hard and uncontrolled and "appeared" to be injured to some extent. I was not there, but watching on WBIN, and the camera was not focused on the player when it showed the NU bench. So, unless the rule I read has been changed, or the player fouled was indeed injured enough not to be able to take the shot, I have to presume the officials called it correctly.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

Thanks for the clarification! Fans never know the exact nature of a rule, the 'finer points' as I have discovered in officiating for 30 plus years! As I said I can't imagine 4 officials, plus the UNH coaching staff, would let that one get by them with the magnitude of the game. Sometimes fans "grasp" at straws...it happens, you know?

Bring it 'Cats!!