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UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!

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Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!

I liked what I saw Saturday, both in the players and the style. UNH did a better job of hunting the puck and playing physical (for UNH) hockey.

The physical side wasn't just hits it was also leaning on CC. It seemed every time McDonald-Smith-Eiserman were on the ice they spent the entire shift hitting and leaning on CC. The D aren't shy either with Boyd, Cleland and Maller all willing to hit.

I like the line of Foegele-Poturalski-Kelleher. Foegele is fun to watch fast and clearly skilled but is trying too hard to get a goal right now. On the Kelleher goal in the 3rd Foegele had a beautiful chance and didn't get a good shot off. Poturalski seems calm and mature on the puck. I keep wanting more from Kelleher since he was so good on the U-18 team 2 years ago but he is coming along.

Not really sure what I think of the other two lines both seem like 2 good pieces but the third isn't exactly right yet. Downing and Willows are good players but I am not sure Correale exactly fits. Plus Willows seems a speed it up player and Downing wants to slow the game. Thrush and Gaudreault seem to have a similar style, up tempo solid defensive forwards, so they fit I just don't know yet about Salvaggio.

As for the D Randall playing really surprised me. I know Furgele is out with an ankle injury. However I was surprised at Randall over Chanter or even Quast.

Clark has looked good. Big and fills up the net and played well on the break away. Couple times did a nice job moving post to post to take away an opportunity.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!

JB said:
As for the D Randall playing really surprised me. I know Furgele is out with an ankle injury. However I was surprised at Randall over Chanter or even Quast.
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Wasn't surprised to see Randall getting the nod - a senior playing in front of his hometown crowd against a less-than-stellar opponent.
 
Scott said:
Wasn't surprised to see Randall getting the nod - a senior playing in front of his hometown crowd against a less-than-stellar opponent.
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Randall a +2 in his one game; only Maller (+5), Poturalski (+3), and Pesce (+3) better on the season.
 
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Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!

JB said:
I liked what I saw Saturday, both in the players and the style. UNH did a better job of hunting the puck and playing physical (for UNH) hockey.

The physical side wasn't just hits it was also leaning on CC. It seemed every time McDonald-Smith-Eiserman were on the ice they spent the entire shift hitting and leaning on CC. The D aren't shy either with Boyd, Cleland and Maller all willing to hit.

I like the line of Foegele-Poturalski-Kelleher. Foegele is fun to watch fast and clearly skilled but is trying too hard to get a goal right now. On the Kelleher goal in the 3rd Foegele had a beautiful chance and didn't get a good shot off. Poturalski seems calm and mature on the puck. I keep wanting more from Kelleher since he was so good on the U-18 team 2 years ago but he is coming along.

Not really sure what I think of the other two lines both seem like 2 good pieces but the third isn't exactly right yet. Downing and Willows are good players but I am not sure Correale exactly fits. Plus Willows seems a speed it up player and Downing wants to slow the game. Thrush and Gaudreault seem to have a similar style, up tempo solid defensive forwards, so they fit I just don't know yet about Salvaggio.

As for the D Randall playing really surprised me. I know Furgele is out with an ankle injury. However I was surprised at Randall over Chanter or even Quast.

Clark has looked good. Big and fills up the net and played well on the break away. Couple times did a nice job moving post to post to take away an opportunity.
Click to expand...


Awesome reflection of the game! Playing physical is what they absolutely need to do especially against teams like UML...that is their hallmark from what I saw watching their MI game. At first glance I wasn't sure about that third line; thinking Kelleher belonged up front on the top line. Second glance? They are a great line that could prove to be dangerous... Still so early in the season anything could happen and this weekend will surely show us what we are made of! I like the up tempo I've seen so far from UNH...they have to push it and that may prove to be their saving grace!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!

As e.cat said, you “Gotta win the games you are supposed to win” which we convincingly did. It was fun seeing the young players get a great result, but CC is not a good team right now. Clark saved UNH several times, the D will (have to) improve. Clark’s breakaway save resulted from one of two Boyd miscues. He was +2 while playing aggressively so as long as a he enlists someone of legal age to buy Clark a Thank You beer he gets a pass.

I was pleasantly, but not overly surprised to see Randall start. Scott is right on about “a senior playing in front of his hometown crowd against a less-than-stellar opponent”, especially with Coach’s fondness for rewarding hard working seniors. Randall may not be the most naturally skilled player, but understands the concepts and his limitations. Twice he appeared to be beaten and somehow recovered enough to not win, but at least draw the individual battle. He directed teammates’ position at least twice. During a 2nd period full line change he was skating to the bench from the far side, leaving room for a CC player moving through the neutral zone. I glanced away to see if help was coming and when I looked back, there was Randall making a play. He’d figured it out and stayed on the ice.

Our PK looked lost without Willows when he took a slashing penalty. There were some young players on the PK.

Kelleher was ready from the drop of the puck. Perhaps a result of time to adjust to the NCAA level and the decent size and solid skill of his line mates? He looks like he may have gained a little weight. We’ll see if UML knocks him off his game.

I liked Silengo from his 1st Freshman game, but have to say that the number 18 sweater has been significantly upgraded with Poturalski.

The recruiting thing is only marginally on my radar, but after reading about Eiserman for a while thanks to C-H-C, I was looking forward to seeing him play. We are unlikely to have him for four years, but he is the real deal. He is all there mentally around the net. Once he adjusts to the NCAA level of play (probably this weekend, smiley intentionally omitted) look out. While not from NH, he is local!

I have a tendency at this time of year to think that our all our freshman will progress at a Bobby Butler rate and we are on the way to the Frozen Four. Regional tix on sale today. I’m sticking with my UML split prediction.

Travel kept me from posting sooner. Going back a few months to a set of trolled posts, Schenectady. Is that an Old Dutch word for arm pit?
 
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Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!

Thoughts from the CC game...

Thought I saw a lot of the same things against CC that I saw against Union. Obviously against a lesser talented team, the results were at opposite ends of the spectrum. I still believe UNH may have some head scratchers (in a bad way) this year, but I think they'll win more than a few that we may not expect against quality opponents.

Clark looked sharper than against Union. Not as many rebounds, and made a few good saves when needed. Not much negative to say about either goal he allowed. UNH needed him to come in and be more than just a big body, and thus far anyway he has been able to give the team what they needed.

On D, I do think this is a more physical UNH team than we've in a long time. Maybe not bone crunching all the time, but there is a presence that they haven't often had. Marks reminds me a lot of Pesce in his first season. He may not have the upside that Pesce has shown in growing his offensive game the last couple seasons, but I think that Marks is similar in the way he plays in the defensive end and I think he could end up being a real good player. Randall getting to play was nice. You don't see many guys make it through 4 seasons when they've played 1 game in their first 3 years...so credit him for sticking with it and getting a reward. He did what he needed to do, and you have to be happy for him. Thought Cleland looked good and is showing a bit more willingness to get involved offensively this year. I like what he brings to the table. I had said after Union that I thought Boyd could be the puck moving D they were looking for, but if he wasn't getting played that there was probably a good reason because of the transition from prep to UNH. I know he's played a few games in a row now, but secondary assists aside, he looked like a guy that didn't have much confidence with the puck on his stick...like the game was just moving too fast for him. It actually reminds me a lot of the way I felt about Matt Willows when he was a freshman. Obviously Willows has gotten better and better each season, and I expect Boyd will have a similar curve to his game. There is upside and I think he can be a solid puck mover with good size, but at this point I feel like he's a bit of a project and we're going to have to be patient. Hopefully the payday will be worth it. Will be interesting to see what the top 6 looks like if and when everyone is healthy on the blueline.

Up front I continue to be impressed with the freshmen, particularly Foegele and Eiserman. Foegele took some bad penalties early, but you cant deny he plays with a lot of effort and like Eiserman, appears to be one of those players who can beat you at any kind of game you want to play....skill, skating, physical, whatever. Poturalski is looking more comfortable and I think those two together could grow a lot of chemistry over the next few seasons. I think Kelleher is a good fit with those two. I've admittedly never been a huge Gaudreault fan, but I like the way he was utilized in the CC game. I don't think they had him on PP...but they used him on PK and he played a straight up and down game with Thrush. I think he's best suited for that kind of role, and those guys did a great job playing together. Unlike previous posters I do like Correale as a top 6 guy, and I think he is a good fit on that top unit. I do agree that Downing's style is maybe not the ideal fit for those two wingers, but he is probably the best fit on the roster. With all that said, I'd certainly be open to trying a couple of other players in Correale's spot to see if you can find that group that just really clicks. But with the other units looking solid, maybe it's best to leave well enough alone, at least for the time being.

All in all, who knows what the end result will be, but you have to admit, it's exciting to go to the rink and see what some of these new guys are going to do.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!

Darius said:
Travel kept me from posting sooner. Going back a few months to a set of trolled posts, Schenectady. Is that an Old Dutch word for arm pit?
Click to expand...

Bingo. We have a winner here.

BTW greatly enjoyed reading the quality posts and observations of the players, new and old alike. Missed last Saturday night's game due to family commitments, but hoping to be there on Friday to see UMass Lowell. GO CATS!!
 
Scott said:
Wasn't surprised to see Randall getting the nod - a senior playing in front of his hometown crowd against a less-than-stellar opponent.
Click to expand...

Who was the last Durham townie to play for the Cats before Ryan Randall? I know Bobby Grant from 1967-1971, but anyone else since then?
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!

Darius said:
... goal tenders who look small and ineffective compared to Hellebuyck.
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Yes, Lowell's transfer from Amherst and two freshman* look ineffective compared to the best goalie in college hockey last season. That's some hard hitting analysis, Lou.

As for smaller, Smith is 6'2" but has 20lbs on Hellebyuck, and the Fin is the same height at 6'4".


*you can insert any current goalie in Division I hockey into this spot and the statement remains true.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!

Patronick said:
Yes, Lowell's transfer from Amherst and two freshman* look ineffective compared to the best goalie in college hockey last season. That's some hard hitting analysis, Lou.

As for smaller, Smith is 6'2" but has 20lbs on Hellebyuck, and the Fin is the same height at 6'4".


*you can insert any current goalie in Division I hockey into this spot and the statement remains true.
Click to expand...
Just saying we have a (better) chance of scoring against them this weekend than we did last year. UML goal tenders and team played like crap against MI. I am sticking with my weekend split prediction.

Lou? Nanne? Not a bad hockey association, but my favorite Lous are musical: Reed and 'cille.

:p ;) :D
 
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Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!

C-H-C said:
Informative article on Matias Cleland:

http://thenewhampshire.wordpress.com/2014/10/31/mens-hockey-mile-high-expectations-for-cleland/
Click to expand...
Go 'cats! (we) Beat BU!

It is so cool how hockey seeds itself. My interest, as with many my age, is clearly pegged to Bobby Orr and the big bad Bruins. I figured LA, Dallas, FL, etc. were all ridiculous moves to climates that had no business having hockey teams. Bzzzz. Wrong answer, Lou.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!

Darius said:
I am sticking with my weekend split prediction.
Click to expand...

I'm sticking with "Lou" (Piniella? Merloni??) and will predict a surprise split for the 'Cats.

Should UNH sweep :eek: the "Champions of November" have winnable games the next two weekends.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!

Chuck Murray said:
I'm sticking with "Lou" (Piniella? Merloni??) and will predict a surprise split for the 'Cats.

Should UNH sweep :eek: the "Champions of November" have winnable games the next two weekends.
Click to expand...

Chuck not sure why you think a UNH win (or wins) would be a surprise. I see a lot of support for the Cats over on the NCAA pick thread.

The fanbase is even more manic than usual...
 
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