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

[e.cat]

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

Yeah, I would say at this stage of the game, they most certainly do...pressers I heard from Coach U he was really hoping/expecting to get this monkey off his back but we all know the result. Time to roll up our sleeves and move ahead..! Is it Friday yet??

Ya I'm looking forward to getting rid of the putrid taste in my mouth after this weekend.

 

[Darius]

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

FWIW you could house the Florida Panthers average attendance in the Verizon Wireless in Manchester and still have 1,000 empty seats. Phoenix has proved to be a disaster as well.

Not surprising. A fair number of AZ, FL and CA players on college rosters, though.

 

[Darius]

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

Funny, as I never thought of Mr High and Wide as a sniper. Although he did notch 22 goals and 13 assists his senior year, 8 of those goals were against Huntsville and Dartmouth in laughers. Good first line in 2011-2012 with Sorkin and Goumas, nonetheless.

Neither did I at the time. He'd be the go to guy on any of the subsequent teams though, right? Offensively no one has had a similar progression from Junior to Senior year.

 

[Snively65]

Neither did I at the time. He'd be the go to guy on any of the subsequent teams though, right? Offensively no one has had a similar progression from Junior to Senior year.

I think that junior to senior year transitions were similar for Block and Henrion in 2013, and Goumas and Sorkin in 2014, with Sorkin improving the most because of his mediocre junior season (played injured). We will see if Willows and Thrush can do the same, I guess. Although I do not think of any of these forwards as snipers, at least a couple of seniors have had decent final seasons the past three years. I think that the biggest difference in this year's team will be lack of senior (or junior) leadership on the blue line, unless Pesce comes through.

 

[HockeyRef]

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

I think that junior to senior year transitions were similar for Block and Henrion in 2013, and Goumas and Sorkin in 2014, with Sorkin improving the most because of his mediocre junior season (played injured). We will see if Willows and Thrush can do the same, I guess. Although I do not think of any of these forwards as snipers, at least a couple of seniors have had decent final seasons the past three years. I think that the biggest difference in this year's team will be lack of senior (or junior) leadership on the blue line, unless Pesce comes through.

This is such a "question mark" kind of season to be sure...I would think Pesce would want to be that leader; who else would be? Have to say so far that Cleland and Maller have played hard and they too..have defensive leadership potential. We need that offensive minded D man and Brett put a few shots on goal this weekend. He is capable of getting to the net (which was sorely lacking Sat. night from our offense despite our SOG stats.) It's going to take some time to get that right combination and of course we deal with who will come to play etc. This game I've discovered is soooo volatile on that front. We have some really young kids out there; getting their feet wet and jumping into the deep end of the pool every night! Keeping perspective....will be the challenge.

 

[Snively65]

Not for nothin' but Chuck is 3-3 on the front!

I believe that we gave Chuck a tie for the second Michigan game, given it was only a 2 SOG differential (SOGD). So, Chuck now stands at 3-2-1, after his strong sweep this past weekend.

 

[e.cat]

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

I believe that we gave Chuck a tie for the second Michigan game, given it was only a 2 SOG differential (SOGD). So, Chuck now stands at 3-2-1, after his strong sweep this past weekend.

Okay. I'm feeling generous today. We'll go with 3-2-1 (smiley face intentionally omitted!).

 

[Darius]

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

I think that junior to senior year transitions were similar for Block and Henrion in 2013, and Goumas and Sorkin in 2014, with Sorkin improving the most because of his mediocre junior season (played injured). We will see if Willows and Thrush can do the same, I guess. Although I do not think of any of these forwards as snipers, at least a couple of seniors have had decent final seasons the past three years. I think that the biggest difference in this year's team will be lack of senior (or junior) leadership on the blue line, unless Pesce comes through.

You are right on with Goumas who was clearly the best we had, often the best on the ice. The others did progress, but what we are not seeing lately is PT, Butler, Sislo, Radja progression. Looking back from their senior years, Sorkin, Block and Henrion were not what I thought they might have been. They were good players and leaders. Downing is fitting into that trend. Kelleher may be another Henrion (USNTDP touted prospect, not style). Hopefully Eiserman, Poturalski, etc. understand that big contributions are needed for the 'cats to be where we all want them to be, have the skill and are given room to find their games.

One thing I liked in Lowell was players taking chances. A glaring example was on the breakaway goal off Quast's turnover. He was attempting a nifty spin move that he would not have tried last year. It failed gloriously, but I'd rather see a turnover from a play like that than a turnover off a safe play with no upside. Hopefully he wasn't told not to try again and next time or the time after he makes the play resulting in a quality shot or pass.

You are also right about the blue line contribution, but the majority of the offense shouldn't have to come from the D. Without the past few years D-men the "Fire Dick Umile" thread would have been entering its 3rd year in the top 10 of this forum.

 

[HockeyRef]

You are right on with Goumas who was clearly the best we had, often the best on the ice. The others did progress, but what we are not seeing lately is PT, Butler, Sislo, Radja progression. Looking back from their senior years, Sorkin, Block and Henrion were not what I thought they might have been. They were good players and leaders. Downing is fitting into that trend. Kelleher may be another Henrion (USNTDP touted prospect, not style). Hopefully Eiserman, Poturalski, etc. understand that big contributions are needed for the 'cats to be where we all want them to be, have the skill and are given room to find their games.

One thing I liked in Lowell was players taking chances. A glaring example was on the breakaway goal off Quast's turnover. He was attempting a nifty spin move that he would not have tried last year. It failed gloriously, but I'd rather see a turnover from a play like that than a turnover off a safe play with no upside. Hopefully he wasn't told not to try again and next time or the time after he makes the play resulting in a quality shot or pass.

You are also right about the blue line contribution, but the majority of the offense shouldn't have to come from the D. Without the past few years D-men the "Fire Dick Umile" thread would have been entering its 3rd year in the top 10 of this forum.

Interesting spin you put on the Quast move Sat night! Hopefully he continues to be creative rather than stifled. Those past players you speak of ... Do you think they had inherent talent or did it develop as a course of playing games coaching etc? This is not a bash our coaches question...I believe like many of you that we have some real raw talent in this current group of Frosh And as for the others you mention ...wish I had known them!

 

[Darius]

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

Interesting spin �� you put on the Quast move Sat night!

Yeah, by the end of the night there wasn't much positive reflection. At the time he was making the move I commented: "Nice mo... oh sh*t".

Those past players you speak of ... Do you think they had inherent talent or did it develop as a course of playing games coaching etc? Careful loaded question ...Wish I had known them!

They definitely developed and I suspect were more talented. I'd like to hear what others think about that. I also wonder about hockey sense which Butler had in spades. His Dad was a coach and Bobby just got it.

For the first time I am creeping into the things must change camp. The Patriots have been good for a decade because they adapt their game plans to their strengths. They stopped relying heavily on deep sideline routes when Moss left and they didn't have a receiver with the strength, size, speed and smarts to make those routes work. The 'cats PP is making me crazy. It seems like we keep looking for that wide open net on the back side and even if the players have the timing to be there when the puck is do we have anyone who can finish? Not finding anything down low we resort to the shot from the point which is a good option to have and the new defensemen need to work on it. Pesce will be OK and Boyd looks like he will get it, but relying on that for offense isn't a plan. I don't know the answers (maybe crash the net with a sense of desperation?), but the questions are getting annoyingly old.

Hopefully our season is like this year's Pats. Start out .500 and by mid season look like championship contenders.

 

[HockeyRef]

Yeah, by the end of the night there wasn't much positive reflection. At the time he was making the move I commented: "Nice mo... oh sh*t".

They definitely developed and I suspect were more talented. I'd like to hear what others think about that. I also wonder about hockey sense which Butler had in spades. His Dad was a coach and Bobby just got it.

For the first time I am creeping into the things must change camp. The Patriots have been good for a decade because they adapt their game plans to their strengths. They stopped relying heavily on deep sideline routes when Moss left and they didn't have a receiver with the strength, size, speed and smarts to make those routes work. The 'cats PP is making me crazy. It seems like we keep looking for that wide open net on the back side and even if the players have the timing to be there when the puck is do we have anyone who can finish? Not finding anything down low we resort to the shot from the point which is a good option to have and the new defensemen need to work on it. Pesce will be OK and Boyd looks like he will get it, but relying on that for offense isn't a plan. I don't know the answers (maybe crash the net with a sense of desperation?), but the questions are getting annoyingly old.

Hopefully our season is like this year's Pats. Start out .500 and by mid season look like championship contenders.

Def agree our PP needs mega work you have got to go with what you currently have for talent not years gone by "if it ain't broke don't fix it" mentality. Crashing the net? Sure worked for UML all night can't think of one of the 10 goals they scored on us that wasn't a net crasher! Eiserman, Poturalski, Willows all have that ability, and I saw McNicholas getting into the act as well. Good convo for a Monday...even Bellicheck (sp)has to wear a different hoodie eventually

 

[e.cat]

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

Def agree our PP needs mega work you have got to go with what you currently have for talent not years gone by "if it ain't broke don't fix it" mentality. Crashing the net? Sure worked for UML all night can't think of one of the 10 goals they scores on us that wasn't a net crasher! Eiserman, Poturalski, Willows all have that ability, and I saw McNicholas getting into the act as well. Good convo for a Monday...even Bellicheck (so) has to wear a different hoodie eventually

Sean McDonnell too

 

[Chuck Murray]

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

The only cautionary note I'd strike about the 8-2 loss this past weekend would be based on reports/observations that some UNH players were supposedly "going through the motions" as the game slipped away. That is downright poison to ANY team, and any such behavior (basically, quitting) simply cannot be tolerated by the coaching staff, and MUST be nipped in the bud immediately. There are too many impressionable young players on this year's team to put the medium- and long-term future of the program in jeopardy. There are plenty of players available to compete for ice time (and more basically simply dressing for games) to allow certain select players to take their positions on the team for granted. And that goes all the way up to the senior leaders - even those with letters on their jerseys.

This is a season that - if nothing else - offers UNH an opportunity to reboot, and even change the culture of the program, what with sonar's new favorite assistant coach/talking point Glenn Stewart, and the large influx of freshmen into the ranks. If you are going to get this right for the long run, you had better be prepared to make some hard decisions, and make examples of those who are not prepared to give their all for the TEAM. And while things like talent and experience can be variables from player to player, there should never be ANY excuse for ANY player not giving total 60 (or 65 if necessary) minute effort. Sitting a few players who may now see themselves as the "chosen" or entitled ones who may have taken a competitive siesta in the latter stages of Saturday's game would send an important message to the entire team on what the UNH program should be all about from this point forward.

Work beats talent, unless talent works. There's always a virtuous circle element to consider, with hard work supplementing talent to produce results, and those results not only embedding hard work into the culture, but likewise attracting more talent over time. See UMass Lowell (my apologies if this sounds repetitive, but I think it bears repeating). JMHO.

 

[Darius]

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

Chuck, FWIW "the motions" never entered my mind during Saturday's game, but thinking back it is not an unreasonable accusation. The previously mentioned Willows hook was abysmal. Gaudreault didn't quit at least on his goal which was all about desire. Less than a minute later UML scored an unassisted goal and as fans we kicked back to enjoy chatting, quality beverages and Sal's pizza. Our version of chicken and beer, I suppose. The game was freakin' OVER, even the players had to know.

A side effect of coach's treatment of Seniors vs. underclassmen is that while 3 year grinder types are rewarded with consistent playing time, a poor attitude skilled player might take his position for granted. Coach isn't blind. It will be interesting to see who plays and starts this weekend and this week's practices are probably devoid of group hugs.

I keep mentioning Eiserman, Poturalski and should be mentioning Foegele. I feel like these guys have the skill and understanding of the game, more than Freshman of the past few years, just need a little time. My fear is that for the past few years our Freshman looked good, but never developed into top NCAA players. I don't want to knock guys like Sorkin, Downing and others who were/are good players, but as Freshman I saw them and thought as Seniors they had potential to be on the Sislo, Radja, PT, level and it just didn't (isn't) happen(ing).

 

[WIrinkrat]

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

One concern I have is that thru 2 conference games the 3 shots on goal leaders on the UNH team are Boyd, Quast, and Pesce. Wait what?!?

2 games is a small sample, but to not have a single forward among the top THREE in shots on net after any number of games is pretty embarrassing IMO. You can say what you will about SOG being meaningless, but when you aren't generating any it means you are either not very good, or you are not competing very hard to get to those 2nd and 3rd opportunities. .

 

[Snively65]

One concern I have is that thru 2 conference games the 3 shots on goal leaders on the UNH team are Boyd, Quast, and Pesce. Wait what?!?

2 games is a small sample, but to not have a single forward among the top THREE in shots on net after any number of games is pretty embarrassing IMO. You can say what you will about SOG being meaningless, but when you aren't generating any it means you are either not very good, or you are not competing very hard to get to those 2nd and 3rd opportunities. .

Nailed it exactly. Forwards not going to the hard areas?

 

[HockeyRef]

One concern I have is that thru 2 conference games the 3 shots on goal leaders on the UNH team are Boyd, Quast, and Pesce. Wait what?!?

2 games is a small sample, but to not have a single forward among the top THREE in shots on net after any number of games is pretty embarrassing IMO. You can say what you will about SOG being meaningless, but when you aren't generating any it means you are either not very good, or you are not competing very hard to get to those 2nd and 3rd opportunities. .

Wow...that is one stat I had not noticed but will from here on out! While we need to move on they have to be disappointed as this weekend was supposed to make a '"statement" about this team being ready and able to compete. Sure seemed that way Friday; not so much Saturday. Fact is they are going to take some time gelling and that's all there is to it. Just too many holes and roles to fill but it CAN be done. Chuck is right in that the veterans either show their stuff and lead this team from the front or ... Heck all I want for them is to compete at the level they truly are capable of competing and look forward to seeing what transgresses this weekend...and beyond. Making the choice to go see Kevin G play at the Verizon Friday night so will watch from my Twitter feed. Onward 'Cats!

 

[Felger]

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

Nailed it exactly. Forwards not going to the hard areas?

On Friday night did anyone else notice that whenever the Lowell D was under pressure in their own zone they moved the puck to the front of their own net? No chance of a UNH forward there.

 

[UML Puck Hawk]

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

On Friday night did anyone else notice that whenever the Lowell D was under pressure in their own zone they moved the puck to the front of their own net? No chance of a UNH forward there.

Thats something they've been doing in the second and third periods since the Michigan game. Scares the hell out of me, but it hsan't bit them in the butt yet.

 

[Snively65]

On Friday night did anyone else notice that whenever the Lowell D was under pressure in their own zone they moved the puck to the front of their own net? No chance of a UNH forward there.

Darius mentioned above Paul Thompson, who made his UNH career by hanging tough around the net, where he collected his share of goals off rebounds.