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

[NCAA watcher]

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"??

So, the bet is on conversion of upper-class forwards to the D. Say what you want about their supposed "containment" role as a pseudo checking line; time for them to play a different role until this crap gets straightened out.

One other context: Mike Vecchione (he of the 90 career points 6 games into his junior year) would have been part of the senior class, but Borek decided he wasn't good enough so elected to make him wait for the class of 2013.

 

[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"??

One other context: Mike Vecchione (he of the 90 career points 6 games into his junior year) would have been part of the senior class, but Borek decided he wasn't good enough so elected to make him wait for the class of 2013.

Not sure even the great V could help out this situation! Although I understand where you are going in this... Unfortunately we have an immediate, I would call, almost crisis situation, (always the alarmist I am) and it needs to get resolved, and right quick! Look at our upcoming schedule... And they are all like this, from here on in....

ps welcome to the forum bakchk20...hope you contribute more often!

 

[Felger]

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"??

One other context: Mike Vecchione (he of the 90 career points 6 games into his junior year) would have been part of the senior class, but Borek decided he wasn't good enough so elected to make him wait for the class of 2013.

Also a Captain of his team as a Junior...contrast that with.....

 

[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"??

Also a Captain of his team as a Junior...contrast that with.....

pick me, pick me, pick me!!!

... a Senior captain who sat in the stands most of his Junior season??

OK what do I win?

 

[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"??

I bet money we see a "D" move in the near future, as in, Desperation ... the bet is on conversion of upper-class forwards to the D. Say what you want about their supposed "containment" role as a pseudo checking line; time for them to play a different role until this crap gets straightened out. There's no way around it now. Scoring 4+ goals/game should get you better than .500.

Easier said than done. Honestly don't know if any of those guys skate backwards well enough. And I honestly don't see any solution in any of them in terms of being able to carry the puck out of their own zone.

But having said that ... I'll admit this did cross my mind. Sadly, I don't see any answers there either.

 

[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"??

Don't worry, in two and a half years we can start the rebuild. The AD's got a plan, and he's been spot on in getting both hockey programs out of their free falls.

Good point. That makes me feel SO much better.

 

[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"??

Oh hey didn't see it as a right/wrong thing...just the way it is right now ��
We are so missing the work of #22 as Mike so aptly points out in his blog tonight...sighhhhh

But, our D was fine for several games without Pesce when he was injured last spring, and now we have the addition of Dawson. I simply do not understand why our D has regressed so dramatically this year, as they should have been even better with another season of experience under their belts.

I thought that scoring goals would be the main obstacle this year, and if anyone had told me that we would be averaging four goals per game with a senior checking line getting major ice time, including on the power play, I would have laughed hysterically.

Amazing, UNH is still ahead of NU, UVM, Maine, and UConn in the PWR (dropped to tie for 31st with Union), and 1 PWR point ahead of the Spartans despite getting swept. Just shows the volatility of the PWR this early in the season. And, or course, we remain undefeated in HEA games.

EDIT: oops, Chuck got the 666th post to this thread.

 

[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"??

But, our D was fine for several games without Pesce when he was injured last spring,

Exactly what I'd like to know...and asked that very same Q on the other thread....and probably, here. Cannot understand it. Did we have better forechecking by our forwards last season?

and now we have the addition of Dawson. I simply do not understand why our D has regressed so dramatically this year, as they should have been even better with another season of experience under their belts.

I thought that scoring goals would be the main obstacle this year, and if anyone had told me that we would be averaging four goals per game with a senior checking line getting major ice time, including on the power play, I would have laughed hysterically.

Amazing, UNH is still ahead of NU, UVM, Maine, and UConn in the PWR (dropped to tie for 31st with Union), and 1 PWR point ahead of the Spartans despite getting swept. Just shows the volatility of the PWR this early in the season. And, or course, we remain undefeated in HEA games.

EDIT: oops, Chuck got the 666th post to this thread.

What can we say about that? Bawahhhaaaaa Chucks post being 666 that is. not just our defense

 

[Dan]

But, our D was fine for several games without Pesce when he was injured last spring, and now we have the addition of Dawson. I simply do not understand why our D has regressed so dramatically this year, as they should have been even better with another season of experience under their belts.

I thought that scoring goals would be the main obstacle this year, and if anyone had told me that we would be averaging four goals per game with a senior checking line getting major ice time, including on the power play, I would have laughed hysterically.

Amazing, UNH is still ahead of NU, UVM, Maine, and UConn in the PWR (dropped to tie for 31st with Union), and 1 PWR point ahead of the Spartans despite getting swept. Just shows the volatility of the PWR this early in the season. And, or course, we remain undefeated in HEA games.

EDIT: oops, Chuck got the 666th post to this thread.

The D wasn't great last year either - but they had a red hot goalie playing behind them. Tirone just isn't the same goalie this year. The more I watch him the more I believe in my Digi comparison. Fortunately, unlike Digi, he still has time to turn things around. Unfortunately, when our D can't break out of the zone or makes a lazy turnover he isn't able to bail them out this year.

The D, especially Boyd, made quite a few lazy outlets and turnovers against Merrimack, but fortunately Clark was on his game.

You can also tell, after how the MSU weekend ended that Tirone is not only struggling physically but he is a wreck mentally. Hopefully he can regroup and rebuild his confidence asap...

 

[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"??

What can we say about that? Bawahhhaaaaa Chucks post being 666 that is. not just our defense

Walshy made me do it.

I'm thinking we'll be fine from here on out, so long as none of his other kids are currently playing D-1 hockey ...

 

[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"??

The D wasn't great last year either - but they had a red hot goalie playing behind them. Tirone just isn't the same goalie this year. The more I watch him the more I believe in my Digi comparison. Fortunately, unlike Digi, he still has time to turn things around. Unfortunately, when our D can't break out of the zone or makes a lazy turnover he isn't able to bail them out this year.

The D, especially Boyd, made quite a few lazy outlets and turnovers against Merrimack, but fortunately Clark was on his game.

You can also tell, after how the MSU weekend ended that Tirone is not only struggling physically but he is a wreck mentally. Hopefully he can regroup and rebuild his confidence asap...

One thing I'll add to the mix - and let the D off the hook a little - is to suggest that players like Thrush and Camper playing up front are missed quite a bit this season. And I'm not talking for their offensive output either. I remember a post not too long ago that showed while the senior first/checking line was actually performing decently with their scoring numbers ... their plus/minus as a group was pretty abysmal. I can't imagine that's changed too much after the past weekend.

I know some of you folks are probably convinced by now that I've got it out for certain players, but to be fair, I did raise concerns about their projected leadership roles well in advance. I know Coach Umile has his "model" and his preferences on how to bring his players through the program, and it's obviously worked (at least on some level) for him over the course of his career.

But it's hard to just assume that because it paid off for Thrush and Camper last season ... it was going to work out for MacDonald, Smith and Gaudreault this season. Say what you will about the four year path through UmileLand, but for most of the previous seniors who stepped up into prominent roles at the ends of their UNH careers, virtually all of them had at least been dressing regularly no later than their junior seasons, and most were regulars since they were sophs (i.e. Correale). None of the three checking/first line seniors listed at the top of this paragraph have EVER been regulars before in their careers. And two of them have letters on their sweaters.

If you don't get your leadership right, you are basically jamming square pegs into round holes, and everyone knows it. And even if it was the players who *elected* the captains, presumably Coach had the right of first refusal. So shame on him for not stepping in and tweaking it. I went through a similar situation a year ago, and let the players' decision stand against something I knew in my heart was just not right. The player was a popular one, but was selected by peers for the wrong reason(s), the team underperformed, and things were just out of whack with a group of players who'd never had such an issue before. My fault, because I shouldn't have allowed it.

So maybe we're destined to see this year's UNH squad underperform. But hopefully our fearless leader is not above self-criticism, and will avoid making the same mistake(s) with his leadership decisions next season.

 

[C-H-C]

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"??

"UNH Captain's Corner: Disappointing Trip to Michigan State"

 

[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"??

"UNH Captain's Corner: Disappointing Trip to Michigan State"

Appreciate these interviews! Thanks for doing them; enjoy the honesty that comes through from CMacD, especially the praise he gives his fellow teammates...Milsy...love the nicknames! Gives us an insight into what's up...onward 'Cats!

from the Seacoast online:

http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20151109/SPORTS/151109140/101033/SPORTS

 

[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"??

from the Seacoast online:

http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20151109/SPORTS/151109140/101033/SPORTS

I really liked the part where the coaching staff offered their pointed critiques of what went wrong last weekend.

 

[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 really liked the part where the coaching staff offered their pointed critiques of what went wrong last weekend.

Now, Chuck... *wags finger* Personally I'd rather hear from the athletes...but I'm weird like that.

 

[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"??

Now, Chuck... *wags finger* Personally I'd rather hear from the athletes...but I'm weird like that.

This wasn't a post-game interview. This was first day back at practice.

Maybe the coaching staff had a tee time over at Pease and didn't want to be late ...

 

[HockeyRef]

This wasn't a post-game interview. This was first day back at practice.

Maybe the coaching staff had a tee time over at Pease and didn't want to be late ...

Have to say that I wonder/wondered why there wasn't a post game interview with coaches who knows. Usually on Wednesdays they have a presser perhaps more then. And what's there to say really about that weekend anyway? Really I've become almost numb to it.

All I know is 'Mack has something to prove Sat night and I hope we're ready...

 

[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 really liked the part where the coaching staff offered their pointed critiques of what went wrong last weekend.

Ok, I am looking in the above links for pointed critiques from the coaching staff, but only finding interviews with the captain; what am I missing?

And, I want to see Millsy on the PP.

EDIT: Ok, now I get it; nice "gotcha" post.

 

[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"??

Ok, I am looking in the above links for pointed critiques from the coaching staff, but only finding interviews with the captain; what am I missing?

Precisely.

And HR, I agree - the Warriors will not get caught napping this time around, so UNH had better be ready.

That "numb" stuff unfortunately comes with the territory, the longer you follow this program ... you'll get used to it (sadly) ...

 

[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"??

Ok, I am looking in the above links for pointed critiques from the coaching staff, but only finding interviews with the captain; what am I missing?

And, I want to see Millsy on the PP.

EDIT: Ok, now I get it; nice "gotcha" post.

Don't feel too badly Snively65; for once, I 'got' the gist of Chucks post immediately and I didn't even have to read it 5 times like I normally do! Go figure....

Anyhoo...I agree on the Milsy PP / PK thing. Looking forward to seeing more of this "non scholarshipped" athlete who works hard every game and is already making big in roads...local boy, too. Hope Clarky is back in action as well and if he isn't, that our DT gets his mo jo workin'....