UNH Wildcats 2013-14 Season Thread (Part 2)

[Greg Ambrose]

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

Thanks Debbie Downer. Enjoy the win and the home ice clinching. I mean it hasn't even been 24 hours.

I enjoyed it last night. Had a couple of beers after at the 99 with friends in fact. But the improbable good fortune that befell the Wildcats last night does not obscure the fact that they will have to play a lot better against NU than they did against Merrimack in order to advance.

 

[UNHhockey29]

yes and we forgot one other caveat ,UNH's stellar home record this year. Dont worry they got this one in the bag.Haven't we heard that a million times.

I don't think I said anything like that. Just that it hadn't even been 24 hours and the wet banket already had been out. The next game is 2 weeks away. Just enjoy the win for a day.

 

[unh1982]

I don't think I said anything like that. Just that it hadn't even been 24 hours and the wet banket already had been out. The next game is 2 weeks away. Just enjoy the win for a day.

unhhockey, I wasn't implying anything was using my cell phone easier to repost than create new link.

 

[Happy Husky]

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

Looking forward to see UNH in a couple weeks,was wondering if WBIN will be broadcasting any of the 3 games?

 

[C-H-C]

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

"UNH Gets Physical, Downs Merrimack 5-2, Earns Home Ice"

 

[e.cat]

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

Okay, we are all giddy after the improbable clinching of home ice. I doubt anyone had the scenario where one win vs. Merrimack while NU and Maine lost twice would be all that was needed. And the prospect of playing NU, a team that they beat twice this year, at home makes it even more enticing to think that UNH could actually make the Garden. But let me be the first to throw some cold water on this. Despite the victory last night, UNH again was gawd awful. They gave up 51 shots to the worst team in the league and only won because DeSmith was beyond solid in the net. Frankly, UNH didn't look any better defensively last night than they did the night before. Only difference is that they got a couple of more pucks past the Merrimack goalie. So now they have two more weeks to prepare (they will have played two games in 25 days when they finally take the ice again on March 14). Is preparation time going to be any more productive leading up to NU than it was in the two weeks leading up to Merrimack? I hope so.

Greg, I agree it's natural to be a little jaded at this point but to my mind the time off again will help them more than the preparation time. If the x's and o's aren't there by now they never will be but the time off will be a benefit. I would much rather be in our shows than the following:

First Round - Single Elimination (Campus sites; March 6-7, 2014)
(10) Massachusetts at (7) Vermont – Friday, 7:05pm (TV-NESN)
(9) Boston University at (8) Notre Dame – Saturday, 7:00pm
(11) Merrimack at (6) Maine – Saturday, 7:07pm

Our border rival friends to the north are probably apoplectic right about now letting home ice slip away and would love to be in our shoes.

 

[ClOuD 9]

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

UNH all time vs Northeastern: 91-58-13
UNH vs NU at the Whittemore Center: 23-3-4
UNH vs NU in the Hockey East Tournament: 3-1-1 (2 advancements, 1 elimination, 1 n/a)

Previous meetings:
2005 Hockey East Quarterfinals (best of three)
UNH 6 - NU 0
UNH 4 - NU 0

1994 Hockey East Consolation Game
UNH 4 - NU 4

1992 Hockey East Quarterfinals (single elimination)
UNH 4 - NU 2

1989 Hockey East Quarterfinals (single elimination)
NU 5 - UNH 4 (OT)

 

[Chuck Murray]

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

I totally agree with the tenor of your post Greg. I will also point out however, that sometimes it is better to be lucky than be good. This team has gotten a number of breaks during the past three weeks, beginning with the postponement of the BU game, through the NU and ME chokes of this weekend. Even the draw of NU as first round opponent is a break.

I'm on board with Felger (and Greg) ... UNH has been beyond fortunate to have emerged as the #4 seed over the last few weeks, when they finished up with a 3-3-0 record over their final 3 weekends of league play. It took a combined choke-a-palooza from both UMaine and Northeastern ... but if you think us UNH fans are pinching ourselves, try being a PC fan - moving out of the perilous #6 slot all the way up to #3, and avoiding a match-up with BC until the HE Finals. When was the last time UMaine got swept at home in a key late season series like that? Wonder what TIMMAY is thinking at this moment??

Opportunity knocked on UNH's door twice this weekend. Maybe they didn't answer the first time, but when they were fortunate enough to get a rare second chance, they found a way to get the job done. Two more wins weekend after next, and UNH reaches my (modest) goal for slight improvement over last year's team. Hosting the QF round for the first time since this year's seniors were freshmen is a nice development, but knowing the season is on the line IF they don't take care of NU should - and I emphasize SHOULD - have them completely focused and prepared to lay it all on the line for that increasingly rare March trip to Boston. Make it happen, 'Cats!!

 

[Dropkicknh]

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

Credit to Dropkicknh for keeping the faith last night in the face of a seemingly typical end-of-season crash-and-burn scenario.

I would love to sit here and say I kept the faith 100% but that post was the 4th one I had typed out that night before finally submitting it. I had calmed back down and was thinking a little more clearly. That being said, I went to High school in Dover from 98-02 and to UNH from 02-05 so I went to a lot of games during the good times. After that I moved to Michigan for a few years (Don't ever do that) and came back with an adult job and ready to finally brave the vaunted waitlist and get season tickets. I had missed the early part of the decline and was surprised to see what it had come to.

I would consider myself fortunate that most of my memories of UNH hockey were from those early days, losing in the title game is manageable as long as the future looks positive. Those memories being my first and still relatively fresh allow me to stay a little more positive than some of you long time ticket holders. While I during games I'm screaming at Umile for constantly adjusting lines, and playing his sit back and weather the storm defense with the lead, I am able to come on here and remain relatively upbeat. Hopefully that is something I can hold onto, with hopes that maybe the naivety some of the younger fans have can help the long sufferers get through each season. Unfortunately looking at the past and present along with the outlook for the future I fear that I may soon lose that positivity as well.

 

[unh1982]

If you were a number one seed, and you had a choice for your opponent, the following week who would you pick..Uvm, NU, Maine, ND...UNH has caught the greatest brake since yesterdays game..lets see if they can surprise us.

the team I wouldn't want to play is ND, their on a collision course with BC..ouch

 

[FiveHole12]

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

so if I haven't confused you, UNH needs to beat NU than win the semi against PC..than their in .

I don't believe I have seen the English language butchered quite like that in a full paragraph, let alone in a partial sentence.

Puppets will help you Learn the Language

 

[unh1982]

I don't believe I have seen the English language butchered quite like that in a full paragraph, let alone in a partial sentence.

Puppets will help you Learn the Language

five holer didn't know English was a prerequisite for this thread.Promise I'll do a better job, wouldn't want to offend anyone.

 

[e.cat]

I'm on board with Felger (and Greg) ... UNH has been beyond fortunate to have emerged as the #4 seed over the last few weeks, when they finished up with a 3-3-0 record over their final 3 weekends......

NU record last six games is 2-3-1. Smart money is on UNH in this series

I agree with you about getting to the garden for this team is a big deal. Hard to believe they haven't been since 10/11 season!!

 

[HockeyRef]

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

NU record last six games is 2-3-1. Smart money is on UNH in this series

I agree with you about getting to the garden for this team is a big deal. Hard to believe they haven't been since 10/11 season!!

I don't think anyone on this board thinks otherwise about our very good fortune at being where we are despite all of the obstacles of the season, etc, etc, etc. But home ice we have and that's the here and now! Despite NU's major 'hiccup' of the weekend; they remain a formidable team. Pimm and Roy are two great players that come to mind not to mention their keeper Witt who has had a decent season. I saw their performance at the Beanpot v BC and they gave them all they could handle. UNH has adjustments to make defensively (uh, how many SOG's last night; was it the small ice surface or...) Casey D continues to play well, lots of things we know have to come about to make it to the Gahden as you all like to say! Can't get there without 2 wins so that's the priority.

Too bad the student body is on Spring break week after next so hopefully the 'Whitt will have some energy. (MC kids were this week)

Question; for those of you with experience at this HE stuff when tix go on sale do you have to buy all 3 days or single days? Wonder if any of the games will be on TV (doesn't matter to me coz I'll be at all three if it gets that far of course ). And if my memory serves me from last year when we went to PC will they play Fri/Sat night and then Sunday during the day? Guess all of that will come out shortly when tix go on sale this Wednesday...

Psyched!

 

[HockeyRef]

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

I would love to sit here and say I kept the faith 100% but that post was the 4th one I had typed out that night before finally submitting it. I had calmed back down and was thinking a little more clearly. That being said, I went to High school in Dover from 98-02 and to UNH from 02-05 so I went to a lot of games during the good times. After that I moved to Michigan for a few years (Don't ever do that) and came back with an adult job and ready to finally brave the vaunted waitlist and get season tickets. I had missed the early part of the decline and was surprised to see what it had come to.

I would consider myself fortunate that most of my memories of UNH hockey were from those early days, losing in the title game is manageable as long as the future looks positive. Those memories being my first and still relatively fresh allow me to stay a little more positive than some of you long time ticket holders. While I during games I'm screaming at Umile for constantly adjusting lines, and playing his sit back and weather the storm defense with the lead, I am able to come on here and remain relatively upbeat. Hopefully that is something I can hold onto, with hopes that maybe the naivety some of the younger fans have can help the long sufferers get through each season. Unfortunately looking at the past and present along with the outlook for the future I fear that I may soon lose that positivity as well.

Hey Dropkick like I said earlier I was glad you put things in perspective and offered some "possibility thinking" to the mix of the night!! I'm prob. one of those 'naïve younger (not too young haha) fans' you speak of but my ride back to my hotel Friday night was fraught with 'ok, that' it...can't do it one more game' but then again I held in my hand a ticket for Saturday night didn't I???
That's because there's something that caught my attention last season when I went to one of their last home games of the season (Maine, we lost 4-3 btw). Went to the Regionals, and was 'hooked' on what I wasn't quite sure of. Most likely will be a season's tix holder next year...etc, etc. So...I guess you can look back on those 'glory days' and pine for them (can't blame anyone for doing that!) or be in the present. Doesn't mean we can't have our opinions about the here and now either. All I know all that is moot when I walk into the 'Whit, or the Alfond, or the Agganis; see the team on the ice and the first face off. It's totally on! You have to admit...there's something about the past, that meshes with the present, that keeps newbies and vets coming back for more. So in closing when 'outsiders' to this board complain we are too hard on the team, negative, etc, they don't get it...Go read another board here and see negative! It's because of the past that the present matters so much...I mean it's UNH hockey!! Get it? You keep the faith and hope to see ya here more often...

 

[e.cat]

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

I don't think anyone on this board thinks otherwise about our very good fortune at being where we are despite all of the obstacles of the season, etc, etc, etc. But home ice we have and that's the here and now! Despite NU's major 'hiccup' of the weekend; they remain a formidable team. Pimm and Roy are two great players that come to mind not to mention their keeper Witt who has had a decent season. I saw their performance at the Beanpot v BC and they gave them all they could handle. UNH has adjustments to make defensively (uh, how many SOG's last night; was it the small ice surface or...) Casey D continues to play well, lots of things we know have to come about to make it to the Gahden as you all like to say! Can't get there without 2 wins so that's the priority.

Too bad the student body is on Spring break week after next so hopefully the 'Whitt will have some energy. (MC kids were this week)

Question; for those of you with experience at this HE stuff when tix go on sale do you have to buy all 3 days or single days? Wonder if any of the games will be on TV (doesn't matter to me coz I'll be at all three if it gets that far of course ). And if my memory serves me from last year when we went to PC will they play Fri/Sat night and then Sunday during the day? Guess all of that will come out shortly when tix go on sale this Wednesday...

Psyched!

Very good post Ref. You're not a "newbie" in my mind Anyway, I agree we all know how fortunate UNH is to get home ice. There's a YouTube out there where Umile said the Mc weekend wasn't going to be easy and boy was he right! No easy games in HE and NU will not be a cake walk by any stretch as you allude. Home ice will help big time though

You do not have to purchase all three games. In fact you can purchase individual game tix. Like you I plan on all three hoping it goes only two though CYA there

CAVEAT: If you are a season ticket holder and want your own seats, you may have to purchase all three games, not sure. I think that's the way they used to do it anyway!

 

[Chuck Murray]

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

So in closing when 'outsiders' to this board complain we are too hard on the team, negative, etc, they don't get it...Go read another board here and see negative! It's because of the past that the present matters so much...I mean it's UNH hockey!! Get it? You keep the faith and hope to see ya here more often...

Well said, HockeyRef. I think the long-time "vets" appreciate the energy that the "newbies" bring to the table, especially when they can understand and tolerate some of the negativity residue that us old-timers may have built up over the years. I've probably taken more heat for the "negativity" thing than most over the years - and sometimes admittedly deserved - so I try to balance that with the naive hopefulness (is that a word even?) that things are bound to improve at some point. My kids and their fresh perspective have helped me with that as well. I may be adding more years to my personal calendar than I'd care to admit, but I can still remember vividly sitting in the old Garden watching UNH beat Dartmouth (Bobby Gould at 17:17 of the 3rd period!!) in the 1979 ECAC's for the first ever real piece of hardware. When I've gone to games with the kids over the years, I can see that same novelty and excitement all over again through their eyes. They have their favorite players ... they experience the highs and lows ... and so it goes.

Moral of the story ... if you're new to all of this, don't let others set your expectations for you. Enjoy it on your terms - not mine, not Greg's, not e-cat's or sonar's or C-H-C's or 'watcher's. As wonderful and all-knowing as we all like to think we are, we are all only fans of the program and fans of the sport - just like you. Maybe sometimes we will disagree with you, and sometimes i'm sure you will disagree with one or more of us. That's the lifeblood of this great forum. Embrace debate (sorry ESPN2) and please don't take it personal. JMHO.

 

[e.cat]

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

Great post Chuck. Nicely done

 

[Czarry]

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

Chuck....1 better IMO .... I can remember sitting in upper level at the old garden... 1977 vs Cornell... Gould, as a freshmen, I think, scores in 2nd overtime to win 10-9. Believe it was ecac quarterfinal...way too long ago... That game and sadly, Anaheim, stick in my memory most of all...

 

[sonar]

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

Well said, HockeyRef. I think the long-time "vets" appreciate the energy that the "newbies" bring to the table, especially when they can understand and tolerate some of the negativity residue that us old-timers may have built up over the years. I've probably taken more heat for the "negativity" thing than most over the years - and sometimes admittedly deserved - so I try to balance that with the naive hopefulness (is that a word even?) that things are bound to improve at some point. My kids and their fresh perspective have helped me with that as well. I may be adding more years to my personal calendar than I'd care to admit, but I can still remember vividly sitting in the old Garden watching UNH beat Dartmouth (Bobby Gould at 17:17 of the 3rd period!!) in the 1979 ECAC's for the first ever real piece of hardware. When I've gone to games with the kids over the years, I can see that same novelty and excitement all over again through their eyes. They have their favorite players ... they experience the highs and lows ... and so it goes.

Moral of the story ... if you're new to all of this, don't let others set your expectations for you. Enjoy it on your terms - not mine, not Greg's, not e-cat's or sonar's or C-H-C's or 'watcher's. As wonderful and all-knowing as we all like to think we are, we are all only fans of the program and fans of the sport - just like you. Maybe sometimes we will disagree with you, and sometimes i'm sure you will disagree with one or more of us. That's the lifeblood of this great forum. Embrace debate (sorry ESPN2) and please don't take it personal. JMHO.

I also appreciate the energy of the "newbies" and I get the sense that they may even appreciate some of the perspective (even if sometimes negative) provided by the "vets". Speaking of perspectives .... perhaps the newer posters will appreciate an article I wrote for The New Hampshire almost twenty years ago .... at least I hope they will. I apologize for the length.

"It is late in the afternoon on a windy and cold Thursday. The darkness is showing aside remnants of sunshine and there is an air of excitement and anticipation. Something is happening. There are those who would say that the new UNH arena is just a building, and in some way they are right. However, in watching this building go up I have noticed a number of what I would call 'elders' perusing the scene. I include myself in that group. Now I know that the favorite spectators at construction sites are kids and old people, but this group was somehow different. I realized that I had seen them at many a UNH hockey game. Some were sitting in their cars, either in the parking lot overlooking the back of the building, or in the one near the Dairy Bar. Not much going on at the site on weekends but they came for a visit. There was that sense that they were looking at more than a building.
At some point I began to ask myself why I was making these weekly visits to the construction site. It obviously had something to do with the fact that I have watched UNH men's hockey for the last 28 years and missed approximately a half a dozen home games during that time, but it seemed like more than that. It all seemed very personal to me, kind of like the way I felt when I went to watch my new house being built and doing so on a daily basis.
It has taken me until the eve of the opening to set pen to paper. The stimulus was viewing an elderly couple, standing arm to arm, looking at the frantic activity that surrounded the building's completion. It occurred to me that they were being afforded the luxury of observing their future and their past while remaining in the present. There are times when this observing phenomena is clearly experienced; perhaps at the birth of a child, a daughter's wedding, at graduations or other endings and beginnings. It seems that at such moments in our lives we have a heightened awareness that 'something is happening.'
Walking back to the office after this latest 'sighting' I had a greater awareness of what I was looking at during those construction visits. I was looking at the future while experiencing my own history with UNH hockey. At some level of consciousness I must have been wondering who were going to be the future Rich Davids, Lou Frigons and Graham Bruders who initiated me to UNH hockey and Snively Arena; wondering whether we will be able to avoid the sadness of watching a big strong winger named Warren Brown leaning against the boards during practice and realizing his death a week later; who will provide the rare combination of fire and talent of Dave Lumley; will we ever again experience the elation of the Cox-Clark-Hislop flurry of goals followed by the hollow feeling of being No.1 being defeated by No.8; will we ever see another player as good in the face-off circle as was Dick Umile; will we ever again have to watch the puck go directly off the face-off and into the net and thus the NCAA loss to Wisconsin; will we ever again experience the likes of Bobby Gould #17 scoring at 17:17 in the Boston Garden and the sight of an exhausted Greg Moffett sitting on the ice leaning against the boards, and finally an ECAC championship; will anyone ever duplicate Andy Brickley's rise from a walk-on to All-American; when will see the intensity of a Kevin Thompson again; we know we will never see another last and longest game ever played at Snively and Eric Boguniecki's successful rush up the left side; we also know that it will be a very long time before we once again see the likes of Charlie Holt and Bob Kullen who will always remain exemplary of what college athletics can be. As our journey beyond time and space continues we will find that the answers to the above questions will be yes, no, and maybe.
The present is the birth of the past and when we see this clearly it can make us pause. Whatever season of life we are in it is important to know when to grasp and when to let go, as this is the only way we can allow ourselves to enjoy the present. In retrospect I see that my pauses by the construction site were grand opportunities to experience present moments. Something was happening, something is happening, something will be happening, and it was all happening at the same time."

As you said Chuck, "and so it goes" .......................