UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

[GoUNH]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Yup. Blew 50 bucks on a couple t - shirts and left them in the bag under my seat. Idiot.

 

[PC91]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Congratulations on a game well played last night. As always it was nice talking to the UNH fans that I spoke to last night. Goumas is a player and I like DeSmith's quickness. All the best!

 

[snively]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Great win, and an excellent by everyone!

That said, it seemed on TV that the Garden was nowhere near full. Am I right about that? No fault of UNH fans of course, who did show up. I really hope it will be near full tonight.

This gets back to something I mentioned earlier -- that Joey B. can't be at all happy that there are no Boston teams in the Final Four. Even factoring that in, I can remember the old Garden seemingly packed way back when for an ECAC semifinal between UNH and Cornell.

Even worse, the crowd size of the clips they were showing from this year's ECAC tournament -- and even those they showed from those of the other conferences -- were appalling. Every conference they switched to was at best two thirds full. The ECAC's in Lake Placid really looked as if were a team's intra-squad practice session.

Has interest in college hockey fallen among the general public to the point where large arenas are no longer filled because of turnout by the general public? Thoughts?

PS: It's rare that I get to see a Hockey East game on TV down here, so having both the semis and the final for Hockey East broadcast by NBC's Sports Network was a nice surprise. Only the second time I've been able to see UNH play all season, so that was a rare treat.

 

[Snively65]

First of all ... my apologies for missing the get-together last night. I wandered around the lower concourse between periods, but had lost track of what the plans were, as I do not have a SmartPhone (much to the ridicule of my kids BTW). I probably walked by most of you folks at some point, but I think the only folks I recognize from the old days are Greg Ambrose and (maybe?) e.cat, and I saw lots of UNH jerseys, but no one familiar. In retrospect, I probably should've put it out there that the confused looking, middle-aged guy with a faded Northwestern cap (yes, the old Expos' cap has officially been retired) was yours truly, and we all could have had some additional *fun & games* with the "Where's Waldo? Newfields version" that mess would have turned into.

Anyway ... I'm thrilled with how well the team played. As much credit as we all want to give to the players - and deservedly so - this was a team that was 100% prepared for its opposition. I'm not sure you could say the same about PC's preparation. You know what that means? I want some of our regular posters to make sure they are sitting down when they read this next bit ... but yes, last night was a tremendous example of UNH out-coaching the opposition in a post-season game. I know some of the PC fans have called into question the effort of their team, and I know PC has certainly played better than they did last night ... but what I saw out there was a PC team that was taken out of its game, ground down by a surprisingly effective UNH forechecking game, and one that saw a thoroughly frustrated PC team by the end of the evening. And while UNH certainly enjoyed some good bounces (Agosta) and barely beat the clock on Goal #3 - which I think I personally "quit" on nearly as much as some of the PC players did - let's not forget the only PC goal of the evening was directly as a result of a takedown of Maller that should have been penalized.

Past UNH teams might have been shaken by that goal ... but not this team, not last night.

It's a pleasure when your team shows up ready to compete, with a game plan, and pulls off a deserved postseason win in a "win or go home" setting. IF they can prepare AND play like that again for tonight's game, good things will happen.

Not going to be there tonight due to coaching duties elsewhere. Nevertheless ... GO CATS!!!

Sorry that we missed you, Chuck.

Agree with your take on Umile's coaching last night, as those sitting next to me can testify. Using his time out with two minutes left was brilliant, as his guys were spent but could not change up because of the icing and face off to DeSmith's left. Little stuff like that can be important. My girlfriend who attends a couple games with me each year is always impressed with Dick's whistles for line changes, and asked me how other coaches call for changes, which got me wondering, too.

I am staying in Waltham an extra day this weekend so that I can be back at the Garden his evening. Will try for a ticket in Section 13 again, just for luck. I am wearing the same shirt also.

Go Cats!

 

[e.cat]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Yup. Blew 50 bucks on a couple t - shirts and left them in the bag under my seat. Idiot.

That sux. Call lost and found. There must be one at the Garden. Hope so for ya!

 

[FiveHole12]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Congrats to the Cats. UNH just wanted that game a whole lot more than the Friars. Hard work pays off.
Lowell will be a tough out tonight as they played a near perfect game last night, but if UNH brings their lunch pails again, they could pull this off.
I'll be there again to see some great hockey. Sitting in Section 20... which enemy's territory is that?

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Yup. Blew 50 bucks on a couple t - shirts and left them in the bag under my seat. Idiot.

Been there done that with an ELP shirt a few decades back. Fortunately in the way back machine the cost was much less. I now make a point to purchase when exiting the venue, but mostly forget to stop at the souvenir stand when leaving so I don't get the shirt, but do save the $.

 

[UNHhockey29]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

On that note anyone know if there will be a unh section and if unh is selling tix going down again tonight like to be I a unh section again. Will be taking the train so will be at the Whitt if they are selling tickets

My seats are still in Loge 13 row 2. That still is the "UNH" section according to UNH's box office but you had to buy the tickets through them prior to Wednesday.

 

[goblue]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

If the Cats play as well as they did last night and lose to UML, so be it. All I ask is that they play a full game 60 minutes or longer, if needed), and end-to-end hockey. Had to love the effort
last night for sure. Keep playing that way, and anything can happen for the Cats.

It's been way too long since we've played for the championship, and 11 years now since Whitney won it for us in OT against BU. We've had luck riding on our shoulders the last few weeks, including last night's double carom goal from Agosta. Keep burning that sage, Snively65!
I'm there again tonight -- I also missed the gathering between periods last night.

 

[Snively65]

Great win, and an excellent by everyone!

That said, it seemed on TV that the Garden was nowhere near full. Am I right about that? No fault of UNH fans of course, who did show up. I really hope it will be near full tonight.

This gets back to something I mentioned earlier -- that Joey B. can't be at all happy that there are no Boston teams in the Final Four. Even factoring that in, I can remember the old Garden seemingly packed way back when for an ECAC semifinal between UNH and Cornell.

Even worse, the crowd size of the clips they were showing from this year's ECAC tournament -- and even those they showed from those of the other conferences -- were appalling. Every conference they switched to was at best two thirds full. The ECAC's in Lake Placid really looked as if were a team's intra-squad practice session.

Has interest in college hockey fallen among the general public to the point where large arenas are no longer filled because of turnout by the general public? Thoughts?

PS: It's rare that I get to see a Hockey East game on TV down here, so having both the semis and the final for Hockey East broadcast by NBC's Sports Network was a nice surprise. Only the second time I've been able to see UNH play all season, so that was a rare treat.

Hi Snively,

Good to hear that you could catch the games on NESN yesterday. USCHO says 11,112 attendance, but that is listed for both games, so I am guessing maybe 8000 for each game? Not nearly as many ND or PC fans as UML or UNH fans, so I am thinking could be 8000 again this evening? Lots of fans without a horse, too, like Fivehole12 here, who just love great college hockey, even when their teams are not there.

My brother in Colorado says hello; his Pioneers need to win their tourney today to reach the NCAAs as an auto seed also.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Lowell plays the trap? Not a Lowell fan, but they play an up tempo aggressive game which you obviously have no clue. Lol

Um, that game tonight against ND was incredibly boring. Multiple people in my seating area did not enjoy the way the game was played. Lowell is a good team, they just play boring hockey. I suggest you go to a UNH /BC game to see uptempo hockey. Unfortunately, UNH hasn't had the guns to keep up with them recently.

Up tempo, aggressive and very solid defensively. Video of their body and stick positioning could be used in a clinic. It's not for everyone. It is like baseball, some like the big bashing multi run games, some like no hitters, some like both. Watching UML with a Lester, Buchholz commanding all their pitches mind set is a thing of beauty. Defense wins championships. UML looked like a team with unfinished business from last year, the HEA championship is a step on their way.

Coach Bazin proudly refers to his team as having 4 2nd lines. They wear you down and if you snooze for a second the puck is in your net.

And on a similar note I doubt both of Goumas' goals go in on Hellebuyck. Don't get me wrong UNH played great tonight but they're going to have a harder time scoring tomorrow because Lowell is very good defensively. And UNH's goals weren't that pretty tonight. Hate to be a downer and 'that' guy and I'm definitely pumped they're back in the finals (never would have guessed that 2-3 months ago) but UNH will certainly have a tough time scoring tomorrow.

Agreed. We'll take the puck luck. The double deflection goal was from the hockey gods. I suspect Gillies takes nothing nothing away from Goumas' incredible wrap around SHG effort, but wants that one back. He probably wants the < 1 second goal back as well, but doesn't get it because Sorkin should have buried it a few seconds before.

 

[Snively65]

My seats are still in Loge 13 row 2. That still is the "UNH" section according to UNH's box office but you had to buy the tickets through them prior to Wednesday.

Always good to see the moves from your group along the glass to support our band, whether at Lake Whiit or the Garden, 29.

Let's meet again tonight between periods along the outside windows behind escalators opposite sections 16-17? I will wear my Bentley cap and UNH white jersey again tonight for good luck. My girlfriend gave me a blue jersey a few years ago, but it was way too large, so gave it to my brother in Colorado, who wears it for UNH visits to CC and DU.

 

[UNHhockey29]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Always good to see the moves from your group along the glass to support our band, whether at Lake Whiit or the Garden, 29.

Thanks. We like to have fun. Can't take everything too seriously

 

[Nifty16]

My seats are still in Loge 13 row 2. That still is the "UNH" section according to UNH's box office but you had to buy the tickets through them prior to Wednesday.

Thanks this is where we where last night. Will try to get there tonight to when we get down there.

 

[UNHHKYRKS]

Thanks this is where we where last night. Will try to get there tonight to when we get down there.

I will try as well!

 

[Runsub5]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Congrats to UNH. They took PC out of their offense with tremendous defense, something Maine couldn't do in four attempts. Should be a great game tonight against the River Hawks. Nice to see the two goal tenders acknowledge one another at the end of the game. I know, they were once team mates, but still a nice gesture.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Congrats to UNH. They took PC out of their offense with tremendous defense, something Maine couldn't do in four attempts. Should be a great game tonight against the River Hawks. Nice to see the two goal tenders acknowledge one another at the end of the game. I know, they were once team mates, but still a nice gesture.

“We talked about trying to make Gillies stay on the ground and move side to side,” Goumas said, “and I thought that was an opportunity to do that.” Hmmm.

Full article: http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140322/GJSPORTS_01/140329664/-1/fossports

 

[Ryan422]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

The way Goumas is playing he'll probably find a way on Hellebuyck. Still IMO any goalie would have had a tough time stopping both those goals.

I agree Goumas is hot and he will find a way to score. And I don't care if the goals are pretty or not, just put the puck int he back of the net. And UNH did that last night and they played a great game so I'm pretty pumped. But Gillies did not not look good on two of the goals. On the wrap around (which was just a great effort by Goumas) Gillies over committed to his left and fell backwards and still almost got over in time. Not sure why you think any goalie at this level would have a tough time stopping a wrap around. And on the third goal Gillies did initially get lucky b/c Sorkin should have buried it. Then it was a scramble behind the net so maybe Gillies lost track of the puck. But then Gillies was almost completely in the net. Not sure what he was doing. Was he knocked in? I'd have to watch a replay. So as people like to say, I'm sure he would like to have those back. But I'll take it and it's not like PC outplayed UNH and UNH got lucky to get the W. UNH definitely earned the win last night.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

In the prediction department my head tells me that UML's style, rolling 4 lines and experience will be too much for the 'cats. The mojo factor tells me that the 'cats win because while early in the season we made a lot of opposing goalies look better than they were we are now making good goalies look average.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale

Always good to see the moves from your group along the glass to support our band, whether at Lake Whiit or the Garden, 29.

Let's meet again tonight between periods along the outside windows behind escalators opposite sections 16-17? I will wear my Bentley cap and UNH white jersey again tonight for good luck. My girlfriend gave me a blue jersey a few years ago, but it was way too large, so gave it to my brother in Colorado, who wears it for UNH visits to CC and DU.

Hey Snively65 we were staying in Waltham last night at the Westin! Again so fun to meet you all...I would go down in a heartbeat tonight if I had a ride from even Manchester; hate to drive in Boston so if there's anyone out there who is going from the ManchVegas area I'll buy a tix and give gas $$, parking, etc. BTW we parked right across the Gahden last night cheap; 12 bucks bought it online. Don't know if it's available tonight...So you guys have fun and I'll most likely "lose it at home" (aerman..haha) watching it on NESN

Ooops..almost forgot, Sonar, DID go buy some sage today and plan on burning it prior to the game (outside tho; my hubby always thinks its..you know... )

Good Luck 'Cat fans, where ever you are!!!

Bring It 'Cats!!