UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Crushes, plural. While he was right about Vecchione (another great call by Borek, deferring him!), his admiration of Rick Bennett is a bit overstated. Not that he is a bad or average coach -- he may well be above average -- but I think Union shows how difficult it is for an ECAC team to sustain and not be a "one off." Yale, that means you, too. (Providence will have a hard time getting a second, though its recruiting is 3rd best in HE, so they should be in, or on the cusp of, the NCAAs for the future). Union got a unique group in Gostebiere, Carr and Bodie (the latter two I wanted UNH to get) and now have solid recruits, but hardly elite kids that get them to the "near or in NCAAs" for the future.

Speaking of Carr, he was a top AJHL kid, and UNH needs to compete there. They did get Hardowa, Correale and (going back to ancient times) Poole and Dellezay. Let's see how UNH is able to compete for Biro, Mitchell and other Alberta kids, who remain uncommitted.

I pity those Union boys after this weekend after listening to his radio blurb...where he gives Coach U props for preparing his team after the Friday night debacle (not his words) while he, did not. (his words). Sounds like heads are gonna roll in Schenectady! Agree, he was loaded in 2014 with major talent, the likes of which I hope like you we are able to find in our recruiting. Carry on.

 

[Aerman]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Ah yes, sartorial inadequacy. Explains why Bellichick is such a lousy coach.

 

[Greg A]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

I think we might need to give Clark a bit of a shot for a while, or at least a temporary rotation to sort things out. It's only four games, and with a different set of blue-liners, but DT's save % is down from .924 to .867, and GA up from 2.1 to 3.9, over last year's strong performance. And not exactly against world-beating competition.

Maybe it's mechanics, or a sophomore slump, etc., but a little competition for the spot might help before we launch into the meat of the HEA schedule.

2-2-1. Not where we want to be (or COULD be), but at least we're not 0-2-3

Having been at both games this weekend, I can tell you that the team seemed too play with a bit more confidence and aggressiveness in front of Clark. The big problem with Tirone, at least to me, is that his athleticism has allowed him to get by (at least up to now) without having to depend on certain basics in the goaltending trade. Unlike Tirone, Clark is upright most of the time. Perhaps because of his size, he rarely is down on the ice and, instead, crouches. This allows him to smother pucks from a somewhat kneeling position, although I will say that he has a bad habit of trying to snatch the puck into his glove as he covers it. This led to a couple of unnecessary scrambles Saturday night. The big thing with Clark is that, on Saturday, he made the stops he was supposed to make and he allowed his defensemen to start moving the puck out of the zone. On Friday night with Tirone, the whole third period the team was in scramble mode. And while Tirone made 2 or 3 good stops, he also whiffed on a couple more or less similar to the winning goal by Clarkson a week ago. Team confidence sags when that happens.

All that being said, and despite giving a good account of themselves against Union, UNH still has a lot of room for improvement. I'll start with the senior forwards who seem to be getting their ice time and prominent roles (first power play) because they have a letter on their sweater and not because of how they are performing on the ice. I know we are only five games in and, in the past, Umile has allowed seniors to play themselves out of certain roles, but enough is enough. We have a league game coming up on Saturday night against a weak opponent in their barn, always a tough place to play. Bottom line, the players who are moving the puck, the players who are scoring, are the ones who should be out there, not ones who, experienced wise, are the equivalent of second semester sophomores.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

All that being said, and despite giving a good account of themselves against Union, UNH still has a lot of room for improvement. I'll start with the senior forwards who seem to be getting their ice time and prominent roles (first power play) because they have a letter on their sweater and not because of how they are performing on the ice. I know we are only five games in and, in the past, Umile has allowed seniors to play themselves out of certain roles, but enough is enough. We have a league game coming up on Saturday night against a weak opponent in their barn, always a tough place to play. Bottom line, the players who are moving the puck, the players who are scoring, are the ones who should be out there, not ones who, experienced wise, are the equivalent of second semester sophomores.

I thought it sounded like the seniors line was getting the first call on the PP the other night, but didn't want to jump to conclusions. Good to have first person confirmation. Agree 100% that's gotta come to an end. There's too many talented players being held back otherwise.

I'm sure Tirone will rediscover his form again before too long, but UNH arguably has dropped at least 3 attainable points (attached to potentially important PWR numbers) due to erring on the side of too much patience in goal already this season. And while a BC or BU can probably survive that and still qualify comfortably ... that's clearly not the case with UNH, who IF they qualify will almost certainly be a "bubble team". Hope this doesn't cost the program in the end.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Greg,
Rather than repost your post and I appreciated your info about being at the games...must've been interesting Friday!!!

Just want to ask, and with all due respect, why do you see MC as a "weak opponent" when they beat both Clarkson and SLU by sizable amounts (which we could've done the same) and they tied UML, twice? I don't know anything about them really, 'cept that they have Mike Babcock jr playing for them FWIW dept. Right now they are ranked at 17...

Personally, I think we are going to have more than our hands full especially as you pointed out, playing there. Hope we are practicing ways to break that defensive trap they set which suits their rink size. UNH always, always struggles with that in that barn. To me these 2 points are huge...very huge.

ps Congrats to our very own Asst. Captain Dan Correale for being named Hockey East Player of the week! This past weekend Dan had 4 goals (hattie Friday at UMass) and 1 assist!

 

[sonar]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

If the President for Life of WIC, and the President for Life behind the bench cannot agree on the idea that UNH should ride Clark until he needs a breather, and that the current 1st Line should be the 3rd Line and work their way up ........ well then, well then, who knows?

 

[wildcatdc]

I thought it sounded like the seniors line was getting the first call on the PP the other night, but didn't want to jump to conclusions. Good to have first person confirmation. Agree 100% that's gotta come to an end. There's too many talented players being held back otherwise.

I'm sure Tirone will rediscover his form again before too long, but UNH arguably has dropped at least 3 attainable points (attached to potentially important PWR numbers) due to erring on the side of too much patience in goal already this season. And while a BC or BU can probably survive that and still qualify comfortably ... that's clearly not the case with UNH, who IF they qualify will almost certainly be a "bubble team". Hope this doesn't cost the program in the end.

100%.

I could forgive Coach for leaving DT out there perhaps a game too long before giving Clarky a look, but this senior loyalty has me befuddled. Especially in an era of early leavers, why the heck would we not maximize our chances by leveraging our best lines to the hilt.

Loyalty is GREAT for airline programs and marriages. But this is hockey, dadgummit!!

 

[wildcatdc]

Having been at both games this weekend, I can tell you that the team seemed too play with a bit more confidence and aggressiveness in front of Clark. The big problem with Tirone, at least to me, is that his athleticism has allowed him to get by (at least up to now) without having to depend on certain basics in the goaltending trade. Unlike Tirone, Clark is upright most of the time. Perhaps because of his size, he rarely is down on the ice and, instead, crouches. This allows him to smother pucks from a somewhat kneeling position, although I will say that he has a bad habit of trying to snatch the puck into his glove as he covers it. This led to a couple of unnecessary scrambles Saturday night. The big thing with Clark is that, on Saturday, he made the stops he was supposed to make and he allowed his defensemen to start moving the puck out of the zone. On Friday night with Tirone, the whole third period the team was in scramble mode. And while Tirone made 2 or 3 good stops, he also whiffed on a couple more or less similar to the winning goal by Clarkson a week ago. Team confidence sags when that happens.

All that being said, and despite giving a good account of themselves against Union, UNH still has a lot of room for improvement. I'll start with the senior forwards who seem to be getting their ice time and prominent roles (first power play) because they have a letter on their sweater and not because of how they are performing on the ice. I know we are only five games in and, in the past, Umile has allowed seniors to play themselves out of certain roles, but enough is enough. We have a league game coming up on Saturday night against a weak opponent in their barn, always a tough place to play. Bottom line, the players who are moving the puck, the players who are scoring, are the ones who should be out there, not ones who, experienced wise, are the equivalent of second semester sophomores.

Awesome insight on his mechanics/performance - thanks!

 

[HockeyRef]

100%.

I could forgive Coach for leaving DT out there perhaps a game too long before giving Clarky a look, but this senior loyalty has me befuddled. Especially in an era of early leavers, why the heck would we not maximize our chances by leveraging our best lines to the hilt.

Loyalty is GREAT for airline programs and marriages. But this is hockey, dadgummit!!

Hasn't there always been Senior loyalty? I mean this doesn't surprise me?
Would like to say that we r getting good offense from Gaudreault and Corealle at this point ...Personally I've been looking for more from our Jr. D men and was glad to see a better game from them Sat..

Seniors...its how we roll. As per the GK situation it's anyone's guess but thinking Clarky gets another shot at it Sat...Onward 'Cats!

 

[wildcatdc]

Hasn't there always been Senior loyalty? I mean this doesn't surprise me?
Would like to say that we r getting good offense from Gaudreault and Corealle at this point ...Personally I've been looking for more from our Jr. D men and was glad to see a better game from them Sat..

Seniors...its how we roll. As per the GK situation it's anyone's guess but thinking Clarky gets another shot at it Sat...Onward 'Cats!

Senior loyalty is for Perkins and Cracker Barrel!!!

Gaudreault and Correale (and Smith, frankly) notwithstanding, I guess I was more reacting in agreement with Greg and Chuck's observations. Very fair point t you raise, though!

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

I thought it sounded like the seniors line was getting the first call on the PP the other night, but didn't want to jump to conclusions. Good to have first person confirmation. Agree 100% that's gotta come to an end. There's too many talented players being held back otherwise.

I'm sure Tirone will rediscover his form again before too long, but UNH arguably has dropped at least 3 attainable points (attached to potentially important PWR numbers) due to erring on the side of too much patience in goal already this season. And while a BC or BU can probably survive that and still qualify comfortably ... that's clearly not the case with UNH, who IF they qualify will almost certainly be a "bubble team". Hope this doesn't cost the program in the end.

I have only seen one game so far, and indeed the senior line of Gaudreault-Smith-MacDonald got the first minute or so on all five PPs (two Saints penalties were matching), with only two PP SOGs, including the goal by Gaudreault (MacDonald logged the other shot). So sad that this ridiculous losing strategy continues.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Senior loyalty is for Perkins and Cracker Barrel!!! ��

Gaudreault and Correale (and Smith, frankly) notwithstanding, I guess I was more reacting in agreement with Greg and Chuck's observations. Very fair point t you raise, though!

Just my observation from what I've seen, and what others have said here, that Seniors get "first dibbs". Just not surprising. Now, when/if anyone has an opinion of that decision making, that's another story.

Gotta go back to my reading about the Warriors...ha! Oh, and, to your being fair point, I take that as a compliment, being a ref ya know. (and also a Libra sigh.)

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Hasn't there always been Senior loyalty?

Seniors...its how we roll. As per the GK situation it's anyone's guess but thinking Clarky gets another shot at it Sat...Onward 'Cats!

Yes, there has always been senior loyalty - but that doesn't mean it is what is best for the team. I am determined not to criticize the players (they bust their butts and do their best), but the coach is fair game and he continues to hurt the program in many ways with his brand of loyalty. Not only the team on the ice this season, but future teams...

Recruits want to play - and if they don't believe they will be given an even chance to compete right away it is going to effect their decisions. If you are coaching a college athletic program and your coaching philosophy is anything other than playing the best players than you are cheating the entire team. UNH has had an incredible amount of forward talent come through the program since the mid-90's. I can only remember five players - Mowers, Haydar, Collins, JVR, Poturalski - playing top-6 roles as freshman (I may be forgetting someone, of course). Whether its just those five or a few more, it is still telling. It's one thing when Paul Thompson is playing a diminished role because the team also includes players like Fornataro, Radja, JVR, Pollastrone, Dries, Butler, Leblanc and Desimone, but that is not the case this year...

UNH missed the NCAA playoffs by a few games in 2013-14 - would they have made the tournament if Kelleher didn't play the last 85% of the season on the fourth line? We'll never know! What we do know is he was one of the most talented forwards on the team.

I don't think anyone has a problem with certain players dressing - but you're not doing them or the team any favors if you don't play them in roles they're suited for or if you give them opportunities they haven't earned. I went to the BC/CC game last Friday. BC has three seniors and not one was dressed. Who knows if any of the three even made the trip. Jerry York gives his team the best chance to win every night out because he owes it to the entire team...

Tirone played great down the stretch last year - so a little extra rope was really not surprising. But, Clark deserves the chance to at least be the lead man in the rotation now. We talk about loyalty all the time, where was the loyalty showed to Clark for bailing out the team last year? He comes to UNH expecting to back up DeSmith, is thrown into the spotlight, plays nearly every first-half minute more than admirably and gave the team a chance in most games when the play of the skaters certainly didn't deserve it and he was rewarded by sitting the entire second half of the season and only getting into a game this season when the coaches had no other choice. If he doesn't get the start at Merrimack it is another slap in the face...

 

[e.cat]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

If the President for Life of WIC, and the President for Life behind the bench cannot agree on the idea that UNH should ride Clark until he needs a breather, and that the current 1st Line should be the 3rd Line and work their way up ........ well then, well then, who knows?

I agree with Senior loyalty to a point but I agree more with your line suggestion sonar! Heck, Gaudreault, MacDonald and Smith would still get a lot of ice time if they were on the 3rd line. And ya, ride Clarky until he needs a breather.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

I agree with Senior loyalty to a point but I agree more with your line suggestion sonar! Heck, Gaudreault, MacDonald and Smith would still get a lot of ice time if they were on the 3rd line. And ya, ride Clarky until he needs a breather.

Absolutely e.cat...now remember last season, that Matt Willows played second line until at least half the season..then the "senior line" was established (Thrush, Downing, Willows) and off they went. And deservedly so! Season before, same thing...took awhile but there it was, the Goumas/Sorkin/Willows line. Hey I am seeing a pattern here in my uber limited time as a fan. I am ALL FOR having the BEST players on the ice at all times. Keepin' the faith..

 

[Dan]

Absolutely e.cat...now remember last season, that Matt Willows played second line until at least half the season..then the "senior line" was established (Thrush, Downing, Willows) and off they went. And deservedly so! Season before, same thing...took awhile but there it was, the Goumas/Sorkin/Willows line. Hey I am seeing a pattern here in my uber limited time as a fan. I am ALL FOR having the BEST players on the ice at all times. Keepin' the faith..

Those seniors are not this years seniors, and - aside from Downing and Goumas - are certainly nothing like the great senior lines/talents that preceded them...

 

[HockeyRef]

Those seniors are not this years seniors, and - aside from Downing and Goumas - are certainly nothing like the great senior lines/talents that preceded them...

Dan just so you know I do indeed recognize the difference in talent from the players we discussed..and wish I had seen those other greats in which you and others speak. And my point has only been this starting Seniors is a pattern. AND that things are always "subject to change". In the past couple of years this has been the case as far as the top line goes. Sorry I have limited UNH hockey background just saying this is what I have observed.

So far it appears that the intent of the first line (this young season) has been to be a "checking line" of sorts, yes? That line has generated some offense (obviously not like the second I know the stats.). Last year I sat game after game in the early part of the season wondering why Willows wasn't starting it drove me nuts.

One can't deny that with the examples I gave things have a way of changing as the season goes along and it wouldn't surprise me to see this again. Or maybe it works as intended? Hey I'm still waiting / hoping to see Chanter out there...and am a McNick fan as well.

Some here are saying that's not working and others need to play and that's fine. I've similar feelings but so far, it hasn't shown itself to be a big 'detriment'! I know we all want what's best for the team. They are what matters most.

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

I do not mind the seniors being a checking first line to slow down the opposition's top line. But, on the PP, the top scorers should get ALL of the ice time, while the seniors rest up to resume their checking, a term that I use loosely. UNH cannot afford to loose any more OOC games; although beating Union in their barn was sweet, no excuse for getting beat by St Lawrence and Clarkson.

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Dan just so you know I do indeed recognize the difference in talent from the players we discussed..and wish I had seen those other greats in which you and others speak. And my point has only been this starting Seniors is a pattern.

I understand, but that is why its a problem and people are confused. I wasn't attacking you, you are correct and that's what is unfortunate. Goumas & Sorkin, two years ago, and Downing & Willows, last season, were easily among the top handful of forwards on the roster. They should have been playing on the PP and against top opposing lines...

 

[e.cat]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??

I understand, but that is why its a problem and people are confused. I wasn't attacking you, you are correct and that's what is unfortunate. Goumas & Sorkin, two years ago, and Downing & Willows, last season, were easily among the top handful of forwards on the roster. They should have been playing on the PP and against top opposing lines...

Totally agree with this.

I do not mind the seniors being a checking first line to slow down the opposition's top line. But, on the PP, the top scorers should get ALL of the ice time, while the seniors rest up to resume their checking, a term that I use loosely. UNH cannot afford to loose any more OOC games; although beating Union in their barn was sweet, no excuse for getting beat by St Lawrence and Clarkson.

Totally agree here as well. Good points all and it seems like we are all pretty much on the same page with this.