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

[HockeyRef]

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

Be VERRRY careful, HR!!! You run the risk of burdening an impressionable rookie goalie with your unreasonable expectations.... I mean, God forbid you appear to be a fan on this (what do they call it??) - oh yeah, "Fan" Forum!!

Is that what this is? Who knew?!?

Pretty sure D.T., Ti Rone, Tironasaurus, whatever, will read your post and immediately sink into mediocrity... Will be all your fault!,

I am ready for that responsibility! Tironasaurus...hmm...I like that.

 

[Chuck Murray]

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

Pretty sure D.T., Ti Rone, Tironasaurus, whatever, will read your post and immediately sink into mediocrity... Will be all your fault!,

Great, just what we needed, our very own UNH version of Chris Berman ...

 

[wildcatdc]

Great, just what we needed, our very own UNH version of Chris Berman ...

Tongue firmly in cheek when typed, though I guarantee you someone from Fosters/Union Leader/MUR introduces something equally nauseating. Add it to your list of predictions with an over/under on date.

 

[Snively65]

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

When will we learn who our goal keeper is in Orono? Thursday morning? Friday afternoon?

 

[HockeyRef]

When will we learn who our goal keeper is in Orono? Thursday morning? Friday afternoon?

My guess is when the line sheets get printed think it's going to be on the QT...Coach U said he'd evaluate and have a decision by Thursday before they leave for Orono (read that in the paper?).

And what we can't call him Tironasaurus? No? Aw ok you guys are no fun
My baseless prediction : Clark gets Orono start, Tirone Home.

 

[wildcatdc]

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

i fully understand what Chuck and others are saying, and realize Umile has a long history of rotating goalies.

That stated, I'm a huge fan of Red Berenson. His Sharples to Shields to Turco to Blackburn, primarily one goalie approach led to some fairly decent outcomes over 16 years. More than a few FF's and a couple NC's along the way, I believe.

What's the cliche? If you do what you always do, you get what you always got??

Far be it from me to suggest that Umile will find religion late in his career, but I'm not opposed to hitching my wagon to a single horse (once earned, definitively) and seeing where it takes us....

 

[Felger]

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

I have a higher opinion of Dick Umile than most on this board do. Or should I say most on this thread.

But to shelve Clark at this point would be a totally classless move and I will lose some of my respect for him.

Ordinarily I say that reasonable minds can differ, but in this case I don't think that's the case.

 

[C-H-C]

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

"4-Goal Blitz Lifts UNH Over UMass: Goal-by-Goal"
Includes video highlights.

 

[Snively65]

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

If by rotating goalies, one means a predictable every other game rotation, I do not think that has really happened since the aforementioned 2001-2002 season, but those two net minders were about as equal as two could be that season, and playing behind a FF team. There was not much rotating with Conklin in 1997-98 and 1998-99 or Ayers in 2002-03 and 2003-04. Will be interesting to see how the goalie duties play out the remainder of this season, and the next three years. Good "problem" to have. I think.

On another note, no frosh red-shirting this year (right?), which I also think is a good thing moving forward.

 

[wildcatdc]

I have a higher opinion of Dick Umile than most on this board do. Or should I say most on this thread.

But to shelve Clark at this point would be a totally classless move and I will lose some of my respect for him.

Ordinarily I say that reasonable minds can differ, but in this case I don't think that's the case.

Felger - please read my post again. See the parenthetical, "once earned, definitively". Clearly, I am not suggesting an immediate move.

Nor, for that matter, am I suggesting that Umile is a hopeless bumbler. Being on campus in the late 80's/early 90's, I had to suffer through some pretty crappy times (27-69-6 in my first three years before we got things turned around a bit in 90-91). I am quite thankful for what Coach Umile has done for the program. That stated, I think few would suggest that he is quick to change his approach. My only point.

 

[wildcatdc]

If by rotating goalies, one means a predictable every other game rotation, I do not think that has really happened since the aforementioned 2001-2002 season, but those two net minders were about as equal as two could be that season, and playing behind a FF team. There was not much rotating with Conklin in 1997-98 and 1998-99 or Ayers in 2002-03 and 2003-04. Will be interesting to see how the goalie duties play out the remainder of this season, and the next three years. Good "problem" to have. I think.

On another note, no frosh red-shirting this year (right?), which I also think is a good thing moving forward.

Fair points.

On the red-shirt note, what does that mean for Tirone? Is it 3.5 years and done, assuming he plays out his string here.? Surely he wouldn't play the first half of a season?

 

[HockeyRef]

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

As per the goalie situation... me thinks it will play out most likely as many here have / expect: a rotation. That being said, I thought it spoke volumes when DT skated out for the PC game. Maybe he had a better practice the day before, who knows. Maybe DT is better suited for PC's style of play? Dunno. I don't pretend to know who is the 'better goalie' or who should start, nor can I even begin to second guess Coach U. You guys know how he rolls and what he will most likely do. He seems like a very fair coach who likes to give his boys playing time when he can.

What I do know/believe is he needs / should play who he thinks is the better of the two for that day, for that game, and that's what I expect he will do. This is D1 hockey, not JV hockey. I am hoping, and expecting regardless of our record, that he is playing to win games, not soothe feelings. I think the competition between the two is very healthy, and like has been just said here, how lucky we are to have this "problem".

Nope, don't think he will shelve Clark, and have the utmost faith he and his staff will make the best decision possible for the good of the team! As my hubby is fond of saying when I'm complaining about T Rask when he's getting lit up "a goalie is only as good as the D in front of them, and on some nights, they (goalie) just aren't good!"

 

[HockeyRef]

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

Fair points.

On the red-shirt note, what does that mean for Tirone? Is it 3.5 years and done, assuming he plays out his string here.? Surely he wouldn't play the first half of a season?

This is a q I'd love to have an answer for...anyone know the story about eligibility with DT coming in now? He "lost" the first half of the year, correct just stepping on the ice for that first game he played in? So if I have this right from previous convo he will play the next 3 years after this one? prob. not correct but am all ears!

 

[Chuck Murray]

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

Recapping my position on the goalie situation ... is it really worth possibly undercutting the confidence of one of your frosh goalies to do anything other than a rotation between the two at this point? What goals are you really playing for?

* HE regular season title? No
* First round bye and home ice in HE quarters? .001 likelihood (essentially No)
* Home ice in HE tourney first round? Only realistic competitive target remaining
* HE tourney championship? Highly doubtful but theoretically attainable
* Slot in the NCAA Tournament? Highly doubtful etc. (see above)
* National championship? No

Clark has earned his place in the rotation by carrying the load capably through early December.

Tirone has probably earned his place in the rotation by jumping in and posting some good results.

Honestly, let both players play and learn. Creating a goalie "controversy" now would be totally unnecessary.

And for those comparing the Conklin and Ayers situations ... go through the same list of outlined competitive goals, all those answers were Yes. Different time, different place in the program's history ... different approach entirely.

As for the answer to Tirone's remaining eligibility ... unless he somehow qualifies for an injury redshirt in the next couple of weeks (an occurrence none of us wish for), then I'm 99.9% certain he has 3 years left after this season. It was part of the discussion we had on this thread as part of the "pros and cons" about bringing Tirone in at midseason, basically "burning" a year of his eligibility this season, which could have instead been tacked on for the one year after Clark's projected eligibility would expire.

I was in the "let's wait for a year" camp, but the decision has been made, and it looks like Tirone is ready. I'm sure we are all very interested in seeing how this goalie competition plays out. But I'd rather we not jump the gun, and instead let things play out for the rest of this season, pick things up where they leave off entering next season, and THEN make the important decisions on who gets the big game assignments (or even just more assignments). Again ... what is it that UNH is playing for this season, to warrant pressing this issue?

Keep in mind this is the first time during Coach Umile's recent (entire?) tenure that he's had two same-season goalies. When Conklin came in, he was a soph transfer, and Matile was a senior who held the starting job basically for 2.5 seasons before Conklin earned the nod on the road to Anaheim. Ayers was a soph who eventually beat out senior Carney (who had been a career backup to Conklin up to that point), DeSmith was a frosh who eventually beat out senior Matt DiGirolamo, who was at the end of a very regular series of goalie succession that ran from Conklin to Ayers to Pietrasiak to Regan to Foster to DeSmith to the present, where the successor was always waiting in the wings a couple of years behind the top guy. That's why the current Clark/Tirone situation is unique to UNH in the Umile era.

Having said all that ... let's hope there ARE bigger things to play for when we reach this point of NEXT season, or else this may be much ado about nothing.

 

[Darius]

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

I agree with Chuck yet again. This isn't as much fun as it used to be.

As per the goalie situation... me thinks it will play out most likely as many here have / expect: a rotation. That being said, I thought it spoke volumes when DT skated out for the PC game. Maybe he had a better practice the day before, who knows. Maybe DT is better suited for PC's style of play? Dunno. I don't pretend to know who is the 'better goalie' or who should start, nor can I even begin to second guess Coach U. You guys know how he rolls and what he will most likely do. He seems like a very fair coach who likes to give his boys playing time when he can.

What I do know/believe is he needs / should play who he thinks is the better of the two for that day, for that game, and that's what I expect he will do. This is D1 hockey, not JV hockey. I am hoping, and expecting regardless of our record, that he is playing to win games, not soothe feelings. I think the competition between the two is very healthy, and like has been just said here, how lucky we are to have this "problem".

Nope, don't think he will shelve Clark, and have the utmost faith he and his staff will make the best decision possible for the good of the team! As my hubby is fond of saying when I'm complaining about T Rask when he's getting lit up "a goalie is only as good as the D in front of them, and on some nights, they (goalie) just aren't good!"

It has been an alternate game rotation regardless of opponent. If it continues we'll see Clark Friday, DT Saturday unless Coach wants to switch it up home/away.

 

[Dan]

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

Benching Clark in favor of Tirone would be ridiculously reactionary for so many reasons. Tirone's three-game sample size is extremely small and Clark has played VERY well for most of the season. Its why coaches coach and fans are fans. Coaches can't afford to be reactionary.

Clark was not good in the loss at UMass - but Tirone was far from exceptional in the win at home. The difference was the UNH defensive effort was embarrassing the night before and the team was playing with something to prove on Saturday. Otherwise, since Tirone's arrival, Clark has allowed just two goals in an OT loss at Omaha and two goals in a tie with Dartmouth - a game in which he was flat-out THE reason UNH was still hanging around with a chance to tie.

Remove Clark's losses to UMass, Lowell & Maine and he has had a pretty exceptional season for a FRESHMAN goalie - he allowed 17 goals in those three games (32% of his total goals allowed!). So that's three clunkers in 19 outings for a FRESHMAN goalie playing behind an incredibly inexperienced defense!

Both goalies are and will be VERY good. Its a fantastic problem to have, but right now its about the process. So lets calm down and let it play out. Right now, I am optimistic about any outcome - a four year rotation or either player playing the majority of the games in the future. They could both handle the job.

Regarding past rotations - Matile was very good, but Conklin was outstanding and simply won the job. Carney was not a high-level HE goaltender and should not have split time with Ayers. That was a situation that demonstrates Umile's loyalty and its exactly why he'll continue to give Clark the opportunities he has earned for the rest of the season...

 

[Dan]

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

Regarding Tirone's eligibility: Unless there is some type of injury redshirt or hardship waiver petition, playing in one minute of one game exhausts the entire year of a player's eligibility. Even with an injury, playing games in the second half of the season likely exhausts the eligibility of an athlete - though that is something that could possibly be successfully petitioned under the right circumstances...

 

[HockeyRef]

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

Appreciate the excellent perspectives in the GK dept... And the answer to the eligibility question... more please! Especially Dan's breakdown of Clarky's performance in games; he has indeed , "stood tall" (Dartmouth game a great example) and has performed quite admirably! Thanks! Still not sold entirely that it was just DT's "turn" for the PC game but that will play itself out I suppose.

I too got to thinking about just what we have to gain and lose this season so Chuck that helped me realize how detrimental it would be to bench Clark. So much to learn this season for this young team! is it Friday yet??? .

 

[HockeyRef]

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

"Hardest Working Team in Hockey East" cool interview with Tyler K on his hockey experiences at UNH, National team (despite the annoying 'buzz' from the lights at the 'Whitt ) Love the team motto!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGaPPO996SU&feature=youtu.be

Also, UNH v Maine blurb (note that Coach U is just 1 win away from 550 and Grayson D need 2 more points to get into the "Century Club")

http://www.unhwildcats.com/sports/mice/2014-15/releases/20150121nhqa89

 

[Snively65]

"Hardest Working Team in Hockey East" cool interview with Tyler K on his hockey experiences at UNH, National team (despite the annoying 'buzz' from the lights at the 'Whitt ) Love the team motto!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGaPPO996SU&feature=youtu.be

Also, UNH v Maine blurb (note that Coach U is just 1 win away from 550 and Grayson D need 2 more points to get into the "Century Club")

http://www.unhwildcats.com/sports/mice/2014-15/releases/20150121nhqa89

Thanks, ref. Wonderful pre-season interview with TK. Makes me recall what a slacker I was at that age. Glad that he chose UNH over UMass.