HockeyRef
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Please let us know when that is would love to watch!
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UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!
- Thread starter Chuck Murray
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NCAA watcher
Registered User
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!
I haven't seen Vela much, but worry about his sniping ability, seeing his 4 goals this year. Overall, the 6'1 power forwards don't translate as well to the NCAA game as smaller players.
On Blackburn, I have seen him a lot more. I don't see his speed as special, and his puck skills are not overwhelming. However, the puck seems to follow him, and he sticks his nose into the corners and in front of the net, and through that manages to create a lot of loose pucks and opportunities for his linemates. I guess that's called the thinking game, knowing where to distribute the puck more than wowing with any particular move/pass.
Although I have commented on the offensive recruits, my bigger worry in seeing the past games is the lack of puck skills on the D. Cleland (who I would have thought had some) and Maller have not shown much, and Chanter was never advertised as having such skills. Marks has not handled the puck much, either. Furgele has pleased me with his skills, which I didn't expect. I see very little D to D breakout help, so I am not surprised with the weaker offense, given the positions in which the forwards get the pucks.
Masonius has decent puck skills (going off the U17 tourney I saw last year), so he should help. The speed of that tourney was pretty fast, and he of course played third fiddle to Hanafin Werenski so would look weaker on that. Didn't over handle the puck, and fumbled a couple, so I'll be interested to see his breakout skills. Doesn't sound like the natural QB, but like Pesce can fill that. Ryczek seems to be wasting a year in the USHL playing as the 6/7th defenseman with little ice time -- like Aaron O'Neil the year before. Why do teams send their 16 year olds out there to dumb down their games and lose their skills/creativity? I'm all for getting them into the a league they can dominate. A lot like McNicholas leaving the USHL and growing his game in the BCHL.
I haven't seen Vela much, but worry about his sniping ability, seeing his 4 goals this year. Overall, the 6'1 power forwards don't translate as well to the NCAA game as smaller players.
On Blackburn, I have seen him a lot more. I don't see his speed as special, and his puck skills are not overwhelming. However, the puck seems to follow him, and he sticks his nose into the corners and in front of the net, and through that manages to create a lot of loose pucks and opportunities for his linemates. I guess that's called the thinking game, knowing where to distribute the puck more than wowing with any particular move/pass.
Although I have commented on the offensive recruits, my bigger worry in seeing the past games is the lack of puck skills on the D. Cleland (who I would have thought had some) and Maller have not shown much, and Chanter was never advertised as having such skills. Marks has not handled the puck much, either. Furgele has pleased me with his skills, which I didn't expect. I see very little D to D breakout help, so I am not surprised with the weaker offense, given the positions in which the forwards get the pucks.
Masonius has decent puck skills (going off the U17 tourney I saw last year), so he should help. The speed of that tourney was pretty fast, and he of course played third fiddle to Hanafin Werenski so would look weaker on that. Didn't over handle the puck, and fumbled a couple, so I'll be interested to see his breakout skills. Doesn't sound like the natural QB, but like Pesce can fill that. Ryczek seems to be wasting a year in the USHL playing as the 6/7th defenseman with little ice time -- like Aaron O'Neil the year before. Why do teams send their 16 year olds out there to dumb down their games and lose their skills/creativity? I'm all for getting them into the a league they can dominate. A lot like McNicholas leaving the USHL and growing his game in the BCHL.
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HockeyRef
Well-known member
Hubby found it wow awesome!!
e.cat
Seasoned Veteran
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!
Agreed Chuck. The candle is flickering at this point. I'm sure Umile has wanted to go out on top but that looks like a pipe dream now. The thing that baffles me is that the team apparently is not responding to Umile. That is not a good sign at all. They are beating to a different drummer and the drummer is not Umile.
Funny you mention that ... the last time I did this was when Eddie Caron was in his final year at PEA, and several of us from this board (well, boardies back then anyway, but that's another story) went to check out the phenom who by then was UNH-bound. Kid looked like the real deal - I think he's already been drafted by Edmonton - and then ... well, most of you know how that turned out. What I took out of the experience was, you never know what you're getting. There are WAY too many variables. From that point forward, I decided I'd leave the recruiting narrative and insight to others, and form my own opinions once they arrived in Durham. BTW that's not a shot at C-H-C or anyone else who writes on the recruiting front. It's nice to have an idea what's coming, and I do read it and take it on board, but beyond that, I can't pretend to have any insight into how they'll perform once they get here.
Last night was abysmal. UNH used to get ribbed with the "University of No Hardware" thing, but now they are opening themselves up to the whole "University of No Heart" issue. Really just plain embarassing, and I'm glad Coach Umile said that in the post-game.
As far as the future ... when I did come back and express concerns about the UNH program dipping, and perhaps following the same downsliding pattern that Coach Holt's teams experienced in the mid-'80's, that was my concern then, and I hoped Coach Umile would take steps to avoid following the same pattern at the tail end of his career. I'll give him credit for what the team achieved in bits and pieces of the last two seasons, but after some promising early play this season, the performances are trending in a scary direction in recent weeks. And if the team plays with the same lack of intensity and focus as they've done over the last couple of weekends going forward, the idea of some late-season uptick is going to prove to be a fantasy. And let's face it folks ... if there's anything we all know from the years Coach Umile has been in charge, it's that rarely do his teams perform better after the break than before the break.
Hopefully the boys will not cause further embarassment to the program or themselves tonight in Portland, but I'm honestly really starting to worry about what the rest of this season might look like. A team with marginal and/or developing talent cannot afford to be lackadaisical in their application. Yes, I understand the Yugo vs. Audi scenario, but there has to be a baseline of effort and of personal accountability for same from ALL players who wear the jersey, and if that's not out there, this "rebuild" will never get the foothold they are going to need to get things moving back in the right direction.
There's a reason why strong programs usually stay strong, and also-ran programs struggle to move up to the next level. Right now UNH is wavering on the precipice - not as strong as in the past, but still a HE Finalist last season, and borderline winning records until this year - so that's why this season AND next should be pivotal in what the medium range future in Durham is going to look like.
Coach Umile has earned the right to try to turn this around, but he seemed genuinely p.o.'ed after last night's *performance* and I have to wonder how much more of this he is willing to take before he decides he's done enough. I give him no better than a 50% chance of being the head coach come the start of the 2016 season. JMHO.
Agreed Chuck. The candle is flickering at this point. I'm sure Umile has wanted to go out on top but that looks like a pipe dream now. The thing that baffles me is that the team apparently is not responding to Umile. That is not a good sign at all. They are beating to a different drummer and the drummer is not Umile.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!
Here's the link to the World Junior A Challenge website - it shows the schedule and a link for watching each game live. Marcus Vela plays for Canada West.
http://stats.hockeycanada.ca/schedule/league_instance/22185?subseason=176603
Here's the link to the World Junior A Challenge website - it shows the schedule and a link for watching each game live. Marcus Vela plays for Canada West.
http://stats.hockeycanada.ca/schedule/league_instance/22185?subseason=176603
e.cat
Seasoned Veteran
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!
It was a sweet play for sure. RJ Harris is a special player.
It was a sweet play for sure. RJ Harris is a special player.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
We are going to go next weekend my first UNH FB game since 1977!
e.cat
Seasoned Veteran
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!
Me too. Gotta go to this game. Hope they pack the house and blow the doors off of what's left of the old Dungeon!
Me too. Gotta go to this game. Hope they pack the house and blow the doors off of what's left of the old Dungeon!
HockeyRef
Well-known member
While I agree that a team chemistry includes being able to respond to the coach the team must perform when all is said and done. They have to decide that they are going to push all 3 periods and the last time we did that was our win v NU . Chuck alluded to our earlier successes and I said what changed since MI? And that was how many games ago??? Dig in Wildcats..it's the only way.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!
With their erratic play of late, I'm left wondering if that drummer might be Keith Moon???
To 'Watcher's comments ... I was struck with just how poorly this year's team transitions play up ice, compared to past UNH teams. A lot of that has to do with the sheer volume of new faces in new places, I'm sure, and that should improve over time. But as pointed out the current D crew is unimpressive in their ability to skate the puck effectively out of their own end, and the absence of Pesce has really shown how limited the rest of the defensemen are.
Throw in the simple fact that both BC and UMaine have made it look like UNH is skating in quicksand, and it's frightening right now just how vulnerable this team looks out there. Even with the 2-0 lead last night ... as they use the term in soccer, it was "against the run of play", and by the time the game was finished, I was honestly surprised it wasn't 7-2 or 8-2.
Earlier in the overnight posts, I saw some criticism of Clark, and another poster was trumping up Tirone as the incoming savior. That's harsh on Clark, who's been asked to shoulder a burden he never expected due to circumstances well beyond his control, and my thought is that he's exceeded my expectations up to this point. I'm sure his confidence - like that of several of the other younger players - is a little suspect right now, so let's cut him some slack AND give him some credit. And in fairness to Tirone, building up expectations of his own performance before he even skates out for the 'Cats is not exactly doing him any favors either.
Finally ... to answer the question WAY back on who the "color analyst" was for last night's broadcast with Eric Frede ... it was none other than Greg Kretschmar, radio host for the "Morning Buzz" on WHEB and other local stations.
The last time I saw Bob Norton in public was at a CE seminar in connection with his new job, far away from hockey.
With all due respect to those named above, it's clear the bar has been lowered on AND off the ice at UNH Hockey.
With their erratic play of late, I'm left wondering if that drummer might be Keith Moon???
To 'Watcher's comments ... I was struck with just how poorly this year's team transitions play up ice, compared to past UNH teams. A lot of that has to do with the sheer volume of new faces in new places, I'm sure, and that should improve over time. But as pointed out the current D crew is unimpressive in their ability to skate the puck effectively out of their own end, and the absence of Pesce has really shown how limited the rest of the defensemen are.
Throw in the simple fact that both BC and UMaine have made it look like UNH is skating in quicksand, and it's frightening right now just how vulnerable this team looks out there. Even with the 2-0 lead last night ... as they use the term in soccer, it was "against the run of play", and by the time the game was finished, I was honestly surprised it wasn't 7-2 or 8-2.
Earlier in the overnight posts, I saw some criticism of Clark, and another poster was trumping up Tirone as the incoming savior. That's harsh on Clark, who's been asked to shoulder a burden he never expected due to circumstances well beyond his control, and my thought is that he's exceeded my expectations up to this point. I'm sure his confidence - like that of several of the other younger players - is a little suspect right now, so let's cut him some slack AND give him some credit. And in fairness to Tirone, building up expectations of his own performance before he even skates out for the 'Cats is not exactly doing him any favors either.
Finally ... to answer the question WAY back on who the "color analyst" was for last night's broadcast with Eric Frede ... it was none other than Greg Kretschmar, radio host for the "Morning Buzz" on WHEB and other local stations.
The last time I saw Bob Norton in public was at a CE seminar in connection with his new job, far away from hockey.
With all due respect to those named above, it's clear the bar has been lowered on AND off the ice at UNH Hockey.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
With their erratic play of late, I'm left wondering if that drummer might be Keith Moon???
To 'Watcher's comments ... I was struck with just how poorly this year's team transitions play up ice, compared to past UNH teams. A lot of that has to do with the sheer volume of new faces in new places, I'm sure, and that should improve over time. But as pointed out the current D crew is unimpressive in their ability to skate the puck effectively out of their own end, and the absence of Pesce has really shown how limited the rest of the defensemen are.
Throw in the simple fact that both BC and UMaine have made it look like UNH is skating in quicksand, and it's frightening right now just how vulnerable this team looks out there. Even with the 2-0 lead last night ... as they use the term in soccer, it was "against the run of play", and by the time the game was finished, I was honestly surprised it wasn't 7-2 or 8-2.
Earlier in the overnight posts, I saw some criticism of Clark, and another poster was trumping up Tirone as the incoming savior. That's harsh on Clark, who's been asked to shoulder a burden he never expected due to circumstances well beyond his control, and my thought is that he's exceeded my expectations up to this point. I'm sure his confidence - like that of several of the other younger players - is a little suspect right now, so let's cut him some slack AND give him some credit. And in fairness to Tirone, building up expectations of his own performance before he even skates out for the 'Cats is not exactly doing him any favors either.
Finally ... to answer the question WAY back on who the "color analyst" was for last night's broadcast with Eric Frede ... it was none other than Greg Kretschmar, radio host for the "Morning Buzz" on WHEB and other local stations.
The last time I saw Bob Norton in public was at a CE seminar in connection with his new job, far away from hockey.
With all due respect to those named above, it's clear the bar has been lowered on AND off the ice at UNH Hockey.
Absolutely agree regarding Clark...hope he hangs in there!! As per Tirone A: is he coming for sure and B: the problems are bigger than the GK as has been pointed out. Besides even IF Tirone comes in he will face a most certain learning curve and we honestly won't be any better off. Can't wait for Brett P to return...
HockeyRef
Well-known member
BTW folks the first game is this Sunday the 14th at 8:30 pm EST I will definitely check this out thanks again!
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!
Even though it was in late January or early February that game had an NCAA like feel to it, which I attributed at least partially to the venue as well as the fact that the two teams had met in the FF a year earlier. You are correct about tickets - I had an extra and had more inquiries for that one that I did for an extra I had for the final home game of the 99 season.
Somewhere I still have the picture from Sports Illustrated of the two teams taking a moment of silence for the astronauts that had been lost that morning when the shuttle broke up over Texas.
But as I said earlier, alot has changed since then
P.S. That game was a lot more fun for a UNH fan than the following night was at the Whitt
Even though it was in late January or early February that game had an NCAA like feel to it, which I attributed at least partially to the venue as well as the fact that the two teams had met in the FF a year earlier. You are correct about tickets - I had an extra and had more inquiries for that one that I did for an extra I had for the final home game of the 99 season.
Somewhere I still have the picture from Sports Illustrated of the two teams taking a moment of silence for the astronauts that had been lost that morning when the shuttle broke up over Texas.
But as I said earlier, alot has changed since then
P.S. That game was a lot more fun for a UNH fan than the following night was at the Whitt
With their erratic play of late, I'm left wondering if that drummer might be Keith Moon???
To 'Watcher's comments ... I was struck with just how poorly this year's team transitions play up ice, compared to past UNH teams. A lot of that has to do with the sheer volume of new faces in new places, I'm sure, and that should improve over time. But as pointed out the current D crew is unimpressive in their ability to skate the puck effectively out of their own end, and the absence of Pesce has really shown how limited the rest of the defensemen are.
Throw in the simple fact that both BC and UMaine have made it look like UNH is skating in quicksand, and it's frightening right now just how vulnerable this team looks out there. Even with the 2-0 lead last night ... as they use the term in soccer, it was "against the run of play", and by the time the game was finished, I was honestly surprised it wasn't 7-2 or 8-2.
Earlier in the overnight posts, I saw some criticism of Clark, and another poster was trumping up Tirone as the incoming savior. That's harsh on Clark, who's been asked to shoulder a burden he never expected due to circumstances well beyond his control, and my thought is that he's exceeded my expectations up to this point. I'm sure his confidence - like that of several of the other younger players - is a little suspect right now, so let's cut him some slack AND give him some credit. And in fairness to Tirone, building up expectations of his own performance before he even skates out for the 'Cats is not exactly doing him any favors either.
Finally ... to answer the question WAY back on who the "color analyst" was for last night's broadcast with Eric Frede ... it was none other than Greg Kretschmar, radio host for the "Morning Buzz" on WHEB and other local stations.
The last time I saw Bob Norton in public was at a CE seminar in connection with his new job, far away from hockey.
With all due respect to those named above, it's clear the bar has been lowered on AND off the ice at UNH Hockey.
I don't believe anyone was trumping up Tirone as a savior., or creating irrational expectations. Mine was merely an easily seen joke (impossible dream scenario) about the ONLY way we could possibly make it to the NCAA's.
IMHO, at this point, this season seems to be coming down to getting mucho ice time for those who will carry us into the next few seasons, and getting serious about evaluating our coaching situation.
Hope so as well. Unfortunately, the winner of the Ill State/E Washington matchup will probably be one of the best teams to visit the dungeon in a really long time. Pick your poison. Hope we're schooling our d-backs right now!
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!
I seem to be missing everyone's jokes lately. Part of getting old(er) I guess. Sorry.
Just curious ... who do you think is going to "get serious" and "evaluate the coaching situation"?
I think I know the answer, but I'm not sure you're going to like it ...
I seem to be missing everyone's jokes lately. Part of getting old(er) I guess. Sorry.
Just curious ... who do you think is going to "get serious" and "evaluate the coaching situation"?
I think I know the answer, but I'm not sure you're going to like it ...
skyraider0609
Lighten up, Francis
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!
It looks like it'll be Illinois State next round at Cowell. They're crushing E Washington late in the 4th quarter. We're down to the four best teams in the country in FCS...no easy games any more.
It looks like it'll be Illinois State next round at Cowell. They're crushing E Washington late in the 4th quarter. We're down to the four best teams in the country in FCS...no easy games any more.
Not sure if anyone posted a link but you can see the play on the NCAA fcs site.
The Zlax45
Registered User
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014/2015 - Wait 'Til Next Year!!!
When is the game going to be?
When is the game going to be?
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