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

[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"??

Read it and weep naysayers, SOG MATTERS!

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2015/10/13_second_thoughts.php

I'm holding you personally responsible for wasting 5 minutes of my life I'll never get back on this snooze-fest. Having said that, I did drag out the following nugget, which certainly opened my eyes, kudos to the author ...

It should come as very little surprise that goals are the most predictive statistic for winning, because good teams score the most goals and win the most games, obviously.

 

[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'm holding you personally responsible for wasting 5 minutes of my life I'll never get back on this snooze-fest. Having said that, I did drag out the following nugget, which certainly opened my eyes, kudos to the author ...

It should come as very little surprise that goals are the most predictive statistic for winning, because good teams score the most goals and win the most games, obviously.

That's it?

The authors' conclusion based on the statistical analysis that "So when it comes to winning hockey games, attempting more shots than your opponent at 5-on-5 is literally half the battle." didn't "open your eyes"? The author does lump shot attempts and SOG together, with no mention of quality by the way, as a direct correlation to offensive zone time being the key.

 

[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"??

That's it?

The authors' conclusion based on the statistical analysis that "So when it comes to winning hockey games, attempting more shots than your opponent at 5-on-5 is literally half the battle." didn't "open your eyes"? The author does lump shot attempts and SOG together, with no mention of quality by the way, as a direct correlation to offensive zone time being the key.

Yup, that's it. A 50%-ish "indicator" of winning games - most of us could do that just picking at random, no?

As far as "offensive zone time" goes ... since 99% of goals (a guesstimate, and I'm excluding ENG's) these days are scored from somewhere in the offensive zone ... does that really offer us any amazing new insights?

But let's assume "attempted shots" is some great new concept on winning hockey games. Does the coach then forego all other drills and instruct his players to "shoot at all costs"? Does the coach dissuade defenders from blocking shots - in doing so saving themselves from needless pesky injuries - since it's going to be an attempted shot anyway, regardless of whether it's blocked, wide of the mark, on target or a goal??

To say there are gaping holes in even the simplest of these theories would be an understatement.

Hey, if you want to buy into this stuff, knock yourself out. I'm just not sold - especially not with hockey.

But rejoice, and know that the whole "advanced analytics" issue has fallen to second place on my $h!t list behind the detestable blight that is "fantasy sports". The Jumbotron thing is holding firm in 3rd place.

 

[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"??

Yup, that's it. A 50%-ish "indicator" of winning games - most of us could do that just picking at random, no?

As far as "offensive zone time" goes ... since 99% of goals (a guesstimate, and I'm excluding ENG's) these days are scored from somewhere in the offensive zone ... does that really offer us any amazing new insights?

But let's assume "attempted shots" is some great new concept on winning hockey games. Does the coach then forego all other drills and instruct his players to "shoot at all costs"? Does the coach dissuade defenders from blocking shots - in doing so saving themselves from needless pesky injuries - since it's going to be an attempted shot anyway, regardless of whether it's blocked, wide of the mark, on target or a goal??

To say there are gaping holes in even the simplest of these theories would be an understatement.

Hey, if you want to buy into this stuff, knock yourself out. I'm just not sold - especially not with hockey.

But rejoice, and know that the whole "advanced analytics" issue has fallen to second place on my $h!t list behind the detestable blight that is "fantasy sports". The Jumbotron thing is holding firm in 3rd place.

Now that's more like the Chuck we have all come to know and love!

Are horseless carriages, flying machines and telephones on your $h1t list too?

 

[wildcatdc]

It's a bigger *problem* IF - as in the early MacDonnell/pre-MacDonnell eras - you can't even sell half of what you have available.

For years, the *stadium* has been gradually shedding seats, with the loss (condemnation?) of prior bleacher seating areas.

None of this happened overnight - neither the increased demand nor the dwindling supply.

Thankfully, we have the proudly uber-experienced BS35+3 in charge to manage such issues ...

Silly question from an inexperienced, non-AD type. Why couldn't the heavy construction get done last/next Spring?

Same reason 9 women can't have a baby in one month.

 

[wildcatdc]

Yup, that's it. A 50%-ish "indicator" of winning games - most of us could do that just picking at random, no?

As far as "offensive zone time" goes ... since 99% of goals (a guesstimate, and I'm excluding ENG's) these days are scored from somewhere in the offensive zone ... does that really offer us any amazing new insights?

But let's assume "attempted shots" is some great new concept on winning hockey games. Does the coach then forego all other drills and instruct his players to "shoot at all costs"? Does the coach dissuade defenders from blocking shots - in doing so saving themselves from needless pesky injuries - since it's going to be an attempted shot anyway, regardless of whether it's blocked, wide of the mark, on target or a goal??

To say there are gaping holes in even the simplest of these theories would be an understatement.

Hey, if you want to buy into this stuff, knock yourself out. I'm just not sold - especially not with hockey.

But rejoice, and know that the whole "advanced analytics" issue has fallen to second place on my $h!t list behind the detestable blight that is "fantasy sports". The Jumbotron thing is holding firm in 3rd place.

Pretty sure that's not what the writer is saying. He's calculating correlations, which vary from 1.0 to -1.0. Big difference. He's not saying that the SOG leader wins 51.7% of the time. (Can you imagine saying that the team with the most goals wins 82.8% of the time??)

The writer does err by putting %'s in the table rather than just using the decimal. Should just have been .52.

Either way, he's drawing a decent correlation to wins for SOG, as opposed to the other metrics.

I too despise fantasy sports, FWIW

 

[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"??

Same reason 9 women can't have a baby in one month.

No, seriously ... heavy construction (and this is not Gillette Stadium - it's barely Exeter HS Stadium), you know, shovels in the ground when it thaws circa April (give or take - cue northern New England humor regarding lengthy winters), and have most of the structure completed by mid-September, or later by a couple of weeks if you can configure your schedule for home games later in the season.

Not talking about all the finishing touches, and not even talking about sitting people in the new stands this year without the finishing touches, but rather just not restricting the standing room areas that are now being restricted. 5-6 months to put up the structure and secure it from trespassers ... play your home schedule in October/November, some of the final touches can continue over the winter, and then you have another 4-5 months to finish everything well ahead of the September 2016 kickoff.

Like I said earlier ... the increased demand, dwindling supply, and plans for construction did not happen overnight. I'm very happy it's getting done, and all of this will be a temporary inconvenience once the new place opens. Lord knows, my Effingwoods homeys are all still quite agog over them newfangled lights thingies, ain't never seen nuthin' like 'em ever before, what a revelation. But the Pres can't be thrilled to wake up Sunday morning with this *problem* spewed all over the front pages/home pages of the Seacoast media, and is probably hoping no one's noticed over in Concord. Just sayin' ...

... and no, I'm not engaging in the silly advanced metrics debate. I've wasted too much time on that already, and you folks all know where I stand on it. In the end, at least as far as hockey goes, I think it's just a bunch of geeky spreadsheet/pencil pushers looking to justify their phony-baloney jobs. But I'm sure e.cat is relieved his, er ... *expert* baiting finally reeled me in.

 

[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"??

Have you graduated to two pom-poms yet??

haha Nope...having to get by with just one...for now I mean, I had two, but gave one away to a little girl last game of the season. Felt it was the right thing to do. Is it Friday yet?

Annnnd in far more important news, Brett Pesce gets his first NHL call up! Goooo Brett!!!

http://gocheckers.com/articles/1323-brock-mcginn-and-brett-pesce-earn-first-nhl-recalls

 

[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"??

... and no, I'm not engaging in the silly advanced metrics debate. I've wasted too much time on that already, and you folks all know where I stand on it. In the end, at least as far as hockey goes, I think it's just a bunch of geeky spreadsheet/pencil pushers looking to justify their phony-baloney jobs. But I'm sure e.cat is relieved his, er ... *expert* baiting finally reeled me in.

Well you do and have had strong opinions about this so yeah I enjoy the back and forth with you on this.

 

[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"??

Thanks, Dan! BTW, where do you live in DC?

I don't anymore - guess I should change that. I lived in Arlington (Ballston/Virginia Square) and worked in Foggy Bottom from 2010-14. Now I'm out in Denver. Go Pios!

 

[Snively65]

I don't anymore - guess I should change that. I lived in Arlington (Ballston/Virginia Square) and worked in Foggy Bottom from 2010-14. Now I'm out in Denver. Go Pios!

Watching B's-Avs tonight; good for the B's after one. And, after one more inning, three of my MLB picks will be moving on, with the fourth to be decided tomorrow. So, somehow, I think that all of these events have me thinking sweep for the Cats this weekend.

 

[ClOuD 9]

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"??

The video board is high quality with very solid replay use. The associated cost BS is annoying, but the price we have to pay. The intro was cool, will be for another 4, 5 games after which it will become stale unless they change it up. Timing the video ending UNH flag with the skating flag taking the ice was neat, but I miss the crowd clapping > "YOU'RE WILDCATS". The announcing was off all night. Goals took a long time to announce, the 1:00 minute warning was absent in 1st and 2nd periods, late in the 3rd. Realizing it is early in the season and they need time to get it together: More band, please?

Agree on the flag gimmick, nice touch. Not a fan of the music when they hit the ice though, you get an initial crowd reaction when they come out that really you'd get regardless of what is playing and then silence glossed over by loud music - "Live Is Life" has a clapable beat and so the crowd would clap along. For the same reason I don't understand chopping "O Fortuna" in the pre-game build up, crowd interaction is already so low to begin with why take out one of the few things most of the building participated in? I'd also make up some sort of "GOAL!" slide/animation and delay the replay until after Rock & Roll Part II finishes as now everyone looks up to the jumbotron right after a goal.
Seemed like the band got a good chunk of additional time at least early in the game, I didn't notice any pre-recorded music on stoppages in the first period, but then it creeped it's way back in in the second and third periods. Glad they were able to chop out a ton of the ad-reads over the PA that we used to get.

 

[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"??

Agree on the flag gimmick, nice touch. Not a fan of the music when they hit the ice though, you get an initial crowd reaction when they come out that really you'd get regardless of what is playing and then silence glossed over by loud music - "Live Is Life" has a clapable beat and so the crowd would clap along. For the same reason I don't understand chopping "O Fortuna" in the pre-game build up, crowd interaction is already so low to begin with why take out one of the few things most of the building participated in? I'd also make up some sort of "GOAL!" slide/animation and delay the replay until after Rock & Roll Part II finishes as now everyone looks up to the jumbotron right after a goal.
Seemed like the band got a good chunk of additional time at least early in the game, I didn't notice any pre-recorded music on stoppages in the first period, but then it creeped it's way back in in the second and third periods. Glad they were able to chop out a ton of the ad-reads over the PA that we used to get.

Yeah...totally agree!!! Can't see why they can't keep that together with the new stuff..harrumph.

 

[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"??

Speaking of the Jumbotron, the one complaint I do have is the font size of the penalty minutes. I could barely read the minutes because the font size was so small. Also the color scheme on the AIC side made it even more difficult to see. I think this is more of a problem when viewing the tron from the endzones as opposed to center ice seats.

 

[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"??

Brett Pesce called up by Carolina.

 

[wildcatdc]

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 don't anymore - guess I should change that. I lived in Arlington (Ballston/Virginia Square) and worked in Foggy Bottom from 2010-14. Now I'm out in Denver. Go Pios!

Magness is a sweet arena, but I'm guessing you already knew that!

I saw our 'Cats out there a couple Thanksgivings ago when we had a huge come-from-behind win that kept our Champions of December (Copyright 2015, C Murray, Inc. :-D ) run going that year.

 

[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"??

Magness is a sweet arena, but I'm guessing you already knew that!

I saw our 'Cats out there a couple Thanksgivings ago when we had a huge come-from-behind win that kept our Champions of December (Copyright 2015, C Murray, Inc. :-D ) run going that year.

Love Magness! Have not made it to World Arena or Air Force yet. Hopefully, UNH will continue to make trips out to CO. Fortunately, between CC & DU, I'll get to see Miami at least once a year...

 

[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"??

Well you do and have had strong opinions about this so yeah I enjoy the back and forth with you on this.

Cool, and much appreciated. Honestly still waiting for the Hockey AA crew to come up with truly compelling insights into the game. I've said before, and I'll say it again ... the less stoppages in your game, the less measurable it is for the AA crowd. Baseball first, football and hoops comfortably behind but in the mix ... and with hockey and soccer far removed from the pocket protector brigade IMO. No wonder those last two are my two favorite sports.

 

[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"??

'Cats gear up for the ECAC invasion! Snively65 note the info about half price tix for both nights...

http://unhwildcats.com/news/2015/10/15/blog_1015150238.aspx

 

[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"??

Aerman, is there a FOMH event this weekend? I need to check in and see what's what...hope to see you and Snively at the game!

I'll be at the game, but don't know anything about any Friends events. No luck finding anything on line. Perhaps Darcy knows something???