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

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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"??

Wah. Kind of thought UNH would be nationally ranked this morning after two back to back wins over 2 undefeated teams? Pairwise more important in the long run?

Also while sweeping MSU would be nice how much does that matter with where they (MSU) currently is in PWR? I know it's way to early in the season just trying to understand the big pic.
 
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"??

HockeyRef said:
Wah. Kind of thought UNH would be nationally ranked this morning after two back to back wins over 2 undefeated teams? Pairwise more important in the long run?

Also while sweeping MSU would be nice how much does that matter with where they (MSU) currently is in PWR? I know it's way to early in the season just trying to understand the big pic.
Click to expand...

Ref, you shouldn't really get to charged up about rankings and PWR this time of year. The season is only five games old, teams that are playing well now may drop off the table while others that are not may rise. I've never focused on the PWR until Christmas break at the earliest. As far as national rankings, they mean absolutely nothing. My advice is to ignore them.
 
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"??

HockeyRef said:
Wah. Kind of thought UNH would be nationally ranked this morning after two back to back wins over 2 undefeated teams? Pairwise more important in the long run?

Also while sweeping MSU would be nice how much does that matter with where they (MSU) currently is in PWR? I know it's way to early in the season just trying to understand the big pic.
Click to expand...

PWR is WAY more important, but it's too early to get too worked up on ratings and rankings, either way. "Champions of December" is not a complimentary term of endearment, and we've heard it too often in the past. I guess it goes to the saying that while you can't win any championships in the early part of a season, you CAN lose one by falling too far behind and/or out of postseason contention.

Perfect example was last season, when UNH finished up as strongly as arguably any D-1 team in the country, but had dug a hole deep enough early that the only way through was to win the HE Tourney.

I'm feeling a lot better about this team's prospects after the last couple of games, as that three game stretch with the losses to SLU and Clarkson, and the virtual *loss* to UMass Amherst was very worrying. Credit to Coach Umile for not only calling on Clark against Union, but sticking with him against the 'Mack this past weekend.

Now IF there ARE any remaining doubters on the roster, I'd say right now is the time for those players to either fish or cut bait. Prima donnas need not apply. :mad:
 
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"??

Chuck Murray said:
PWR is WAY more important, but it's too early to get too worked up on ratings and rankings, either way. "Champions of December" is not a complimentary term of endearment, and we've heard it too often in the past. I guess it goes to the saying that while you can't win any championships in the early part of a season, you CAN lose one by falling too far behind and/or out of postseason contention.

Perfect example was last season, when UNH finished up as strongly as arguably any D-1 team in the country, but had dug a hole deep enough early that the only way through was to win the HE Tourney.

I'm feeling a lot better about this team's prospects after the last couple of games, as that three game stretch with the losses to SLU and Clarkson, and the virtual *loss* to UMass Amherst was very worrying. Credit to Coach Umile for not only calling on Clark against Union, but sticking with him against the 'Mack this past weekend.

Now IF there ARE any remaining doubters on the roster, I'd say right now is the time for those players to either fish or cut bait. Prima donnas need not apply. :mad:
Click to expand...

Thanks...I figured as much. I know it's way to early to even consider the big pic just sort of expected to see that. Some notable UNH fans also asked that q this morning on twitter. Anyhoo... Not worried / charged up/ excited/ the 'wah' was just an obligatory whine. :p :D We've got plenty of work to do and alot can happen. Onward 'Cats!
 
HockeyRef said:
Wah. Kind of thought UNH would be nationally ranked this morning after two back to back wins over 2 undefeated teams? Pairwise more important in the long run?

Also while sweeping MSU would be nice how much does that matter with where they (MSU) currently is in PWR? I know it's way to early in the season just trying to understand the big pic.
Click to expand...

Hi HRef,

I only post our PWR, partly in jest this time of year, because the calculations are almost immediate following game results, independent of biased sports writers, and at the end of the season determine which teams are seeded in the NCAAs. But, I agree with Greg and Chuck that if we do not perform reasonably well in OOC games during the first half of the season, our hole is too deep to escape no matter how well we play during the second half of the season. PWR this time of year probably less meaningful than SOG.
 
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Snively65 said:
Hi HRef,

I only post our PWR, partly in jest this time of year, because the calculations are almost immediate following game results, independent of biased sports writers, and at the end of the season determine which teams are seeded in the NCAAs. But, I agree with Greg and Chuck that if we do not perform reasonably well in OOC games during the first half of the season, our hole is too deep to escape no matter how well we play during the second half of the season. PWR this time of year probably less meaningful than SOG.
Click to expand...

So at this stage of the game...polls are for trolls ...keep your eyes... on the PairWise! (Lame I know ha!) So just for convo sake the two losses from SLU and Clarkson will / could potentially matter a lot more than a sweep at MSU...depending on how all three teams fare as the season goes on?

We have MSU, Dartmouth and RPI left for OOC I believe. Then it's HE to the end. Ok I think I've got it!

Ps Anyone know where Nick Sorkin amd Eric Knodel are playing if at all?
 
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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"??

HockeyRef said:
So at this stage of the game...polls are for trolls ...keep your eyes... on the PairWise! (Lame I know ha!) So just for convo sake the two losses from SLU and Clarkson will / could potentially matter a lot more than a sweep at MSU...depending on how all three teams fare as the season goes on?

We have MSU, Dartmouth and RPI left for OOC I believe. Then it's HE to the end. Ok I think I've got it!

Ps Anyone know where Nick Sorkin amd Eric Knodel are playing if at all?
Click to expand...

I think Sorkin is in Europe (Sweden?); and Knobel is among the missing .....
 
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"??

HockeyRef said:
We have MSU, Dartmouth and RPI left for OOC I believe. Then it's HE to the end. Ok I think I've got it!
Click to expand...

The Portland and Manchester games against Maine are also OOC.
 
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"??

HockeyRef said:
Ps Anyone know where Nick Sorkin amd Eric Knodel are playing if at all?
Click to expand...

Both are following fairly typical post-UNH careers ... Nick Sorkin is already over in Europe playing with a Swedish team, after spending the better part of a full season skating on the 3rd/4th line in Hamilton (AHL), while Eric Knodel was last seen playing for Utah in the ECHL, although it's not clear whether he's been called up to San Diego (AHL) recently?

Matt Willows is also in the ECHL, as is Justin Agosta, Jeff Silengo and CDS, while Kevin Goumas and Grayson Downing are both at least starting the season in the AHL. Casey Thrush and Jay Camper both appear to be getting on with their post-hockey lives. Best of luck to all. :)
 
Chuck Murray said:
Both are following fairly typical post-UNH careers ... Nick Sorkin is already over in Europe playing with a Swedish team, after spending the better part of a full season skating on the 3rd/4th line in Hamilton (AHL), while Eric Knodel was last seen playing for Utah in the ECHL, although it's not clear whether he's been called up to San Diego (AHL) recently?

Matt Willows is also in the ECHL, as is Justin Agosta, Jeff Silengo and CDS, while Kevin Goumas and Grayson Downing are both at least starting the season in the AHL. Casey Thrush and Jay Camper both appear to be getting on with their post-hockey lives. Best of luck to all. :)
Click to expand...

Camper? Didn't know that any idea where? Prob get a chance to see some of them play in Manchester v the Monarchs...
 
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"??

freak said:
The Portland and Manchester games against Maine are also OOC.
Click to expand...

As is one against UVM
 
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"??

Chuck Murray said:
Both are following fairly typical post-UNH careers ... Nick Sorkin is already over in Europe playing with a Swedish team, after spending the better part of a full season skating on the 3rd/4th line in Hamilton (AHL), while Eric Knodel was last seen playing for Utah in the ECHL, although it's not clear whether he's been called up to San Diego (AHL) recently?

Matt Willows is also in the ECHL, as is Justin Agosta, Jeff Silengo and CDS, while Kevin Goumas and Grayson Downing are both at least starting the season in the AHL. Casey Thrush and Jay Camper both appear to be getting on with their post-hockey lives. Best of luck to all. :)
Click to expand...

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0016102015.html

Still playing together - and dominating - as recently as last year....


http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=46801

And the last Canadian forward to leave for the OHL after just five games...
 
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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"??

TMQ: Three leagues stand out after first month of play: http://www.uscho.com/2015/11/03/tmq-three-leagues-stand-out-after-first-month-of-play/#ixzz3qQvun0o9

Thumbs down

This one is easy: To former Boston College forward Jeremy Bracco, who left school last week and hours later joined Kitchener of the OHL. Listen, college hockey isn’t for everyone and maybe that was the case here. So maybe we shouldn’t be blaming the player as much as Kitchener and its coaches and staff. This league continues to lose respect each and every day for badgering players who enter college with phone calls trying to continue to win them over. Sometimes you have to understand when you lose a recruiting battle, though we still believe college hockey will be better off for having the players who want to be part of this game on the ice.
 
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"??

Darius said:
TMQ: Three leagues stand out after first month of play: http://www.uscho.com/2015/11/03/tmq-three-leagues-stand-out-after-first-month-of-play/#ixzz3qQvun0o9

Thumbs down

This one is easy: To former Boston College forward Jeremy Bracco, who left school last week and hours later joined Kitchener of the OHL. Listen, college hockey isn’t for everyone and maybe that was the case here. So maybe we shouldn’t be blaming the player as much as Kitchener and its coaches and staff. This league continues to lose respect each and every day for badgering players who enter college with phone calls trying to continue to win them over. Sometimes you have to understand when you lose a recruiting battle, though we still believe college hockey will be better off for having the players who want to be part of this game on the ice.
Click to expand...

Interesting points here. That's exactly what my husband said: they (his new team) probably pursued him big time and here we are. (speculation) Not to inflame the issue, but this article is bittersweet:

http://alongtheboards.com/2015/07/w...complete-campaign-as-new-hampshire-sophomore/

Yes we are turning the page and I hope he finds what he's looking for. He's already in the mix and doing well as C-H-C pointed out. Still...I missed #3 out there Saturday night...
 
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"??

Darius said:
TMQ: Three leagues stand out after first month of play: http://www.uscho.com/2015/11/03/tmq-three-leagues-stand-out-after-first-month-of-play/#ixzz3qQvun0o9

Thumbs down

This one is easy: To former Boston College forward Jeremy Bracco, who left school last week and hours later joined Kitchener of the OHL. Listen, college hockey isn’t for everyone and maybe that was the case here. So maybe we shouldn’t be blaming the player as much as Kitchener and its coaches and staff. This league continues to lose respect each and every day for badgering players who enter college with phone calls trying to continue to win them over. Sometimes you have to understand when you lose a recruiting battle, though we still believe college hockey will be better off for having the players who want to be part of this game on the ice.
Click to expand...

Just to be clear ... are we supposed to use this as an excuse for a player reneging on their commitment, and leaving their D-1 teammates in the lurch?

:confused:

Competition for talent is everywhere, all the time. Complaining about the OHL's approach seems like sour grapes to me ... AND I'm less than impressed by writers serving as apologists for athletes who cannot keep their commitments to their current program/teammates.

No laws were being broken here. No ethical borders were breached. A junior hockey club had interest in a player, and they continued to pursue that interest, in the cases of Bracco and Foegele (and apparently others). Are they beholden to some imaginary "gentlemen's agreement" to keep their distance from players they'd previously "lost" in the recruiting process?

I can't say I'm a fan of the apparent conduct in question - personally, I haven't and wouldn't do it - but to me, it just sounds like we're making excuses for kids who are now adults, and are making adult decisions in an adult world. We can call it "(major) junior hockey" but that's really kind of a misnomer, isn't it? This is not the Effingwoods Mites or Squirts we're talking about.

For some insight into how Major Junior players live their lives, check the following link:

http://juniorhockeytruth.com/whl-ohl-qmjhl-players-get-paid/

With recent changes at D-1 regarding consideration that can be given to college athletes, it's not like the NCAA is sitting back and leaving their member schools at a disadvantage here. Again, competition for talent is everywhere, all the time. Whether the member schools decide to take advantage and afford these added benefits is up to them.

So I have a really hard time tut-tutting the OHL etc. for what they're doing. If a kid (who 99% of the time is actually an adult) decides to quit on his teammates in midseason and do something else, hey, more power to him. But don't tell me what a wonderful teammate he is.
 
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 said:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0016102015.html

Still playing together - and dominating - as recently as last year....


http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=46801

And the last Canadian forward to leave for the OHL after just five games...
Click to expand...

Interesting that you brought up Haydar and Dzed in the same post. As you probably know, they came to UNH in the same year. I vividly remember a conversation I had with Darren's father, Frank, about how he handled things when his son started with a new team. He told me that he stayed out of it, that Darren was an adult, that this was the next step to a professional career, and that following the lead of the coaching staff was the most important thing. He also offered a comment, and this is a half dozen games in, that Dzed's father had already called Umile a few times regarding playing time. For a lot of us, it wasn't a surprise when Dzed left after five games into his sophomore year. And, of course, the ironic thing is that Haydar went on to have a fabulous college career, an outstanding AHL career, and a few cups of coffee in the NHL. Dzed had none of that. Easy to say that Darren was the better player, but Dzed had skills, good skater, quick shot. Just not patient enough to let things play themselves out.
 
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HockeyRef said:
So at this stage of the game...polls are for trolls ...keep your eyes... on the PairWise! (Lame I know ha!) So just for convo sake the two losses from SLU and Clarkson will / could potentially matter a lot more than a sweep at MSU...depending on how all three teams fare as the season goes on?

We have MSU, Dartmouth and RPI left for OOC I believe. Then it's HE to the end. Ok I think I've got it!

Ps Anyone know where Nick Sorkin amd Eric Knodel are playing if at all?
Click to expand...

You're generally spot on, though even PWR is a bit meaningless at this point because it's so early and not enough "cross-pollination" has happened. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, they didn't even publish PWR, IIRC, until after the break in past years. We flagellated wildly this weekend, 27th to 16th, playing just one game! Those swings don't happen later In the year when more comparatives are in the mix.

Right now, all we should be focused on are the two numbers at the top of the board when each game ends! 😀
 
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