And, yet, I did not have any problem with Poturalski playing on the second line with T Kelleher last year, which gave us two lines that could put the puck in the net. Would like to see a second line with Nazarian and Vela get more ice time, including time on the PP and the PK, this year, instead of the "checking seniors line."
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UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
- Thread starter Chuck Murray
- Start date
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And, yet, I did not have any problem with Poturalski playing on the second line with T Kelleher last year, which gave us two lines that could put the puck in the net. Would like to see a second line with Nazarian and Vela get more ice time, including time on the PP and the PK, this year, instead of the "checking seniors line."
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
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 last couple of years' worth of "highly touted" UNH incoming recruiting classes point out why I hesitate to draw any conclusions about who's recruiting class is better than the next, and which players project to be the future "studs" until they actually arrive on campus. You just never know what's going to happen when (if?) they finally get here. But your points on Poturalski have been consistent, and on the money.
There was a lot of excitement at the end of last season about what this season was going to look like. Some frosh players were looking good in their first years, and others were looking at least ready to take the next step forward.
Now ... 9 months on from last year's exciting season-ending run, what are we left with? Poturalski is the only hands-down success in the bunch. Several players (most notably Tirone and Eiserman) have taken big steps backward, Foegele has left the program, and looking at the incoming frosh class, it appears only Dawson (a late addition) and Nazarian are making anything resembling an impact.
As things currently stand, there are a slew of sophs and frosh who are still struggling to merely get a regular spot in the line-up - and it's a team that's floundering with a 3-6-3 record, winless in their last six (6) games. It certainly gives me plenty of reason to pause about the wide-eyed speculation over the quality of the next incoming class of recruits.
The top-heavy scoring distribution and porous defense all scream that this is a lower tier HE team.
The longer this continues this season, the more positively this all reflects on last year's senior leaders ...
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
The last couple of years' worth of "highly touted" UNH incoming recruiting classes point out why I hesitate to draw any conclusions about who's recruiting class is better than the next, and which players project to be the future "studs" until they actually arrive on campus. You just never know what's going to happen when (if?) they finally get here. But your points on Poturalski have been consistent, and on the money.
There was a lot of excitement at the end of last season about what this season was going to look like. Some frosh players were looking good in their first years, and others were looking at least ready to take the next step forward.
Now ... 9 months on from last year's exciting season-ending run, what are we left with? Poturalski is the only hands-down success in the bunch. Several players (most notably Tirone and Eiserman) have taken big steps backward, Foegele has left the program, and looking at the incoming frosh class, it appears only Dawson (a late addition) and Nazarian are making anything resembling an impact.
As things currently stand, there are a slew of sophs and frosh who are still struggling to merely get a regular spot in the line-up - and it's a team that's floundering with a 3-6-3 record, winless in their last six (6) games. It certainly gives me plenty of reason to pause about the wide-eyed speculation over the quality of the next incoming class of recruits.
The top-heavy scoring distribution and porous defense all scream that this is a lower tier HE team.
The longer this continues this season, the more positively this all reflects on last year's senior leaders ...
HockeyRef
Well-known member
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 I would add Chris Miller to your list of Frosh making an impact , yes?
Game day folks ! GLuck to football shouldn't be a problem from what I understand..
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
Chuck I would add Chris Miller to your list of Frosh making an impact , yes?
Game day folks ! GLuck to football shouldn't be a problem from what I understand..
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"??
Right, breaking up Pots and Kells would be suicide but I could see moving Correale and putting him on a line with Gaudrealt and you might have the makings of a second scoring line.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
Fair questions, and I think that raises a fair few possible solutions. However, before going to the most likely acceptable solution, let me reiterate a comment I made a couple of days ago first ... which is basically that not too many of the players on the 2nd-3rd-4th forward lines are making really strong. persuasive cases on their own behalf for more prominent roles. Try this - think about the players who are on the last 3 lines and up in the stands, and then try to fill in the blank:
"So far this season, I think ( ______ ) has really stepped up and surprised me in a positive way"
To me, the only two arguments for inclusion in that group would be Chris Miller and Ara Nazarian. And to some degree, Nazarian was probably expected to be where he is. He's just more notable because others have fallen short.
Which we can then demonstrate when we try this follow-up approach:
"Looking at the UNH roster, I think ( ______ ) has been overlooked, and could be a real solution to the lack of scoring depth up front"
If the answers are "Mike McNicholas and Jason Salvaggio", keep in mind they've combined for 1G/2A over 11 games, which (sadly) puts them right in the mix with a pretty big chunk of the forwards who are playing more regularly. Frosh players Jason Kalinowski and Frank Cefalu have yet to dress for a single regulation game. Not sure I see a lot of immediate help from either of those guys, but it's not like they're sitting in Nova Scotia behind the '78/'79 Montreal Canadiens, and I'd be interested to see what they might bring to the table. If Miller has eclipsed some of the other youngsters, I'm not sure Kalinowski and/or Cefalu might not be able to do the same?
Looking further ... did you know that:
* Of the top six (6) scorers so far, there is the top line and three defensemen (Cleland/Dawson/Marks)?
* Of the top eleven (11) scorers so far, there are five defensemen (adding Fiurgele and Boyd)?
* Max Gaudreault is the only senior forward in the top 10 scoring (tied for 7th with Miller)?
* Gaudreault (4) and Miller (3) are the only non-first line forwards with more than one (1) goal?
* Shane Eiserman, Marcus Vela and Warren Foegele have combined for zero (0) goals to date?
* The only forwards with 3 or more assists are Kelleher, Poturalski, Miller (3), Nazarian (3) and Eiserman (3)?
So if you're watching the games and it seems like Poturalski and Kelleher are the only ones out there who are doing anything offensively, then you're right. And I suspect some of the top defensemen scoring-wise (and arguably even Correale and his 2 assists) are being dragged along for the ride primarily because they're out on the ice with the first line.
So there are really no obvious/easy solutions out there. And considering that MacDonald (1G/0 A) and Gaudreault (4G/2A) have letters on their sweaters, they're not going to be missing any games as healthy scratches. And not to belabor the point - even if their plus/minus numbers are horrific - but it's not like any of the younger players are really making a strong case for bigger roles (yet). If the best (only?) argument out there is the younger players should be pushed at the expense of the older players because they are the future of the program ... then I fear for the short term future of the program.
My proposed solution? Break up the senior checking line and distribute them across the remaining 3 lines. I also wouldn't rule out the possibility - later in the season perhaps? - of at least considering moving Correale off the first line, and seeing if Eiserman or Nazarian would make that work? Let's face it, someone's going to have to skate in that slot next season (assuming TK and AP return). The really daring approach would be to split Poturalski and Kelleher up, and hope they are both dynamic enough to create two lines where there is only the one right now. But I don't think the team is at the point where their fragile psyche could handle that last risky option ... yet.
My immediate steps for this weekend (and the rest of the '15 portion of the UNH schedule) would be:
* Break up the senior checking line ASAP. I'll let others speculate how to distribute them to other roles;
* Consider sitting seniors like Smith and Hill for alternating games, and giving Kalinowski a shot;
* Find a way to get Eiserman/Vela/Nazarian on the ice together (or with one of the senior leaders). Call it "sink or swim", "make or break" or "here's your opportunities, boys - show me what you got";
* Create a REAL checking line that can skate, and is capable of containing a quality opposing front line. Suspect that's going to require someone like Correale to make it work, but maybe others can fill that role?
I'm not going to pretend those are the only answers - OR even viable answers. But maintaining the status quo isn't working, and just hoping things are eventually going to click with the current set-up seems naïve. And if rumblings I've been hearing about the goalie situation prove to be accurate, there may be other issues other than anemic scoring depth, and the defense's inability to move the puck effectively and consistently out of their own end to add to the mix.
Hard to believe how much excitement was generated for this season with last year's stretch run ... and just how quickly that has now disappeared. Players are not stepping up ... or players are not being developed properly?? That may be the bigger question UNH is facing as a program right now. Have at it, folks ...
Right, breaking up Pots and Kells would be suicide but I could see moving Correale and putting him on a line with Gaudrealt and you might have the makings of a second scoring line.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
If that happens I just well I just don't know what to say 'bout that!!
Ps nice story about Pots in the seacoastonline today (or yesterday) didn't realize Cleland has 9 pts on the season...
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HockeyRef
Well-known member
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 so driving home tonight talking about a few things...wondering about the Boyd forward line idea that was floated out tonight. Anyone think they are thinking what the he// he has defensive ability can obviously shoot wait he's a two way forward? Maller dealing with foot probs again pushes Chanter into the line up. CMacD out with knee injury makes way for a line shake up. Thoughts or was I at Margaritas too late? ���� Nice to see Vela get one tonight and the Eiserman bro hug at the end was touching! Also they pushed off each other after a
scrum in front of the net had to be broken up...
Wasn't pretty but one thing happened tonight ; we won a game we could've easily just as lost (and that would have been a shame )
From the Concord Monitor:
http://www.concordmonitor.com/sport...ith-5-4-win-over-bentley#.VlqPepEF3m4.twitter
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
Ok so driving home tonight talking about a few things...wondering about the Boyd forward line idea that was floated out tonight. Anyone think they are thinking what the he// he has defensive ability can obviously shoot wait he's a two way forward? Maller dealing with foot probs again pushes Chanter into the line up. CMacD out with knee injury makes way for a line shake up. Thoughts or was I at Margaritas too late? ���� Nice to see Vela get one tonight and the Eiserman bro hug at the end was touching! Also they pushed off each other after a
scrum in front of the net had to be broken up...
Wasn't pretty but one thing happened tonight ; we won a game we could've easily just as lost (and that would have been a shame )
From the Concord Monitor:
http://www.concordmonitor.com/sport...ith-5-4-win-over-bentley#.VlqPepEF3m4.twitter
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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"??
I was thinking that the refs might send the Yzerman bros to the box with matching roughing penalties late in the third.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
I was thinking that the refs might send the Yzerman bros to the box with matching roughing penalties late in the third.
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 UNH Wildcats' Offense Came Up Big Once Again In Win Over Bentley"
by Parker Wheeler
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
"The UNH Wildcats' Offense Came Up Big Once Again In Win Over Bentley"
by Parker Wheeler
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
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"??
Happy for the win, and to get the winless streak behind them. Not a work of art - and allowing 4 goals to the Bentley Falcons tells its own tale - but sometimes it's just important to find a way to get one more than the other guys. I think this was one of those times.
Also happy to see Vela breaking through with his first goal, and to see Eiserman contribute an assist on the game-winner. That stuff has to continue. The "senior checking line" shake-up took place, albeit enforced by an injury issue, and hopefully that set of circumstances (unfortunate as it may have been) will provide the impetus for some of those enforced changes to "stick" into next weekend and beyond. Can any of our posters at last night's game outline the revamped 2nd-3rd-4th lines that were used? Gaudreault is probably the most talented of the much-maligned (admittedly by myself, and some others) "senior checking line", and maybe getting him off that line and working with more talented underclassmen will free up his game, and allow a true second line with some offensive pop to develop?
Not sold on the Boyd-as-center/forward experiment - especially when the focus should instead arguably be on determining if other players who were recruited to fill that role in their regular positions can step up and contribute - but if Marks is out and Maller struggles with his foot injury continues, I can't see it becoming a permanent arrangement. Kudos to Chanter for answering the call, and hopefully this will lead to him getting a run of games under his belt so we can determine if he's going to be a future contributor, or just a Quast-like spare part who only plays when numbers dictate. But Coach Umile has done the "defenseman up to forward" switch before - most memorably to me at least with Timmy Horst back in the glory years - so it's not that shocking to see him dip into that old bag of tricks again on Boyd.
I'd be interested in getting observations on who was on the ice, and may have been at fault for the four (4) Bentley goals. With all due respect to the Falcons ... if someone told them (heck if they'd told me) they would score 4 goals last night, they would have taken it, and I would have given them a great shot at taking 2 points. Another iffy night for Tirone? Was UNH getting caught in transition? Penned in consistently with an aggressive forecheck they couldn't skate through? UNH may have the top scoring line in the country, and statistically (albeit not realistically - due to current lack of depth) they can *claim* to have one of the top scoring teams as well ... but they seemingly cannot hold anyone defensively this season. Until that changes, this remains a non-contending pretender, destined to drive us all nuts.
But at least there were possibilities of future positive answers last night, so let's see how UMaine weekend goes.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
Happy for the win, and to get the winless streak behind them. Not a work of art - and allowing 4 goals
to the Bentley Falcons tells its own tale - but sometimes it's just important to find a way to get one more than the other guys. I think this was one of those times.Also happy to see Vela breaking through with his first goal, and to see Eiserman contribute an assist on the game-winner. That stuff has to continue. The "senior checking line" shake-up took place, albeit enforced by an injury issue, and hopefully that set of circumstances (unfortunate as it may have been) will provide the impetus for some of those enforced changes to "stick" into next weekend and beyond. Can any of our posters at last night's game outline the revamped 2nd-3rd-4th lines that were used? Gaudreault is probably the most talented of the much-maligned (admittedly by myself, and some others) "senior checking line", and maybe getting him off that line and working with more talented underclassmen will free up his game, and allow a true second line with some offensive pop to develop?
Not sold on the Boyd-as-center/forward experiment - especially when the focus should instead arguably be on determining if other players who were recruited to fill that role in their regular positions can step up and contribute - but if Marks is out and Maller struggles with his foot injury continues, I can't see it becoming a permanent arrangement. Kudos to Chanter for answering the call, and hopefully this will lead to him getting a run of games under his belt so we can determine if he's going to be a future contributor, or just a Quast-like spare part who only plays when numbers dictate. But Coach Umile has done the "defenseman up to forward" switch before - most memorably to me at least with Timmy Horst back in the glory years - so it's not that shocking to see him dip into that old bag of tricks again on Boyd.
I'd be interested in getting observations on who was on the ice, and may have been at fault for the four (4) Bentley goals. With all due respect to the Falcons ... if someone told them (heck if they'd told me) they would score 4 goals last night, they would have taken it, and I would have given them a great shot at taking 2 points. Another iffy night for Tirone? Was UNH getting caught in transition? Penned in consistently with an aggressive forecheck they couldn't skate through? UNH may have the top scoring line in the country, and statistically (albeit not realistically - due to current lack of depth) they can *claim* to have one of the top scoring teams as well ... but they seemingly cannot hold anyone defensively this season. Until that changes, this remains a non-contending pretender, destined to drive us all nuts.
But at least there were possibilities of future positive answers last night, so let's see how UMaine weekend goes.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
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 imagine Greg / e.cat / UNH34 among others were there who has the eye for all that you asked for regarding the shake up of the lines but I would agree that two players stood out with that and they were Eiserman and Gaudreault. But I'm going to say that I am doubtful this shake up of sorts will stick. Just won't surprise me if they don't even when it seemed there was different energy from players esp Gaudreault. And believe me...it should happen
Here's a lofty prediction: I believe Ara Nazarian just might be the next big forward ; he has a great feel for the game. Feel the same way about Vela. Just an observation. Nazarian is TyK like when it comes to finding the open man. Can skate, plays smart. No wonder DU is so high on him. And oh my if TyK could've converted on that point blank shot in the third...just a great player!! This offense can be explosive and exciting to watch..but they can't carry a team with D numbers like we have. Coaches have to know that there WAS a difference in the way the O played last night; was it the line changes? hmmm...
Fully agree that we "should've" whooped them (nothing personal Snively65 as they seemed to play a decent game...) but I'll give Bentley
credit. They were able to do what most if not all teams have done and that is get their offense going put shots on net and score goals. Too many defensive turn overs and poor puck management at times...Just read that this weekend Maine threw 144 shots on goal and 72% were high percentage shots so we will have to do something about this "sieve" D as we can't win games like this. But I'm hopeful it improves.
Hubby is a good observer of things and he says DT gets beat glove side (we knew this) and has too many players left uncovered back door to deal with. He made a few stellar saves from that point last night and will be in for a lot more if we don't do a better job on coverage. According to the game story he did have double digit saves in both the second and the third which says something about his ability, AND our D's need to somehow, shut down the incessant opps teams always seem to get against us.. Speaking of the D can't say Chanter was stellar out there but he hasn't played so I'm happy he got an assist and can mix it up...thinking we will see more of him if Maller continues to have foot probs which I hear are debilitating...
So going into the Maine games they (Blackbears) seem like they are hitting their stride as their schedule has eased up while we are still finding ours (as in a complete game) and needed that win on so many levels. Looking forward to see how we respond for Friday...should be a battle.
Ps Andrew Pots is on such a tear (duh) he has multiple points in his past 10 games. Hope that continues but at the same time...well it's too early to have THAT discussion.
Pss...
Here's a rumor starter: was looking at the CHN app last night to see rosters and noticed that from day one of this season that BvR has been listed on our roster, and the end, with a "C" in front of his name. Odd...hmmm..Maybe he was slated to come this year and didn't? oh well..prob. a typo...
EDIT: Rumor squashed.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
Chuck imagine Greg / e.cat / UNH34 among others were there who has the eye for all that you asked for regarding the shake up of the lines but I would agree that two players stood out with that and they were Eiserman and Gaudreault. But I'm going to say that I am doubtful this shake up of sorts will stick. Just won't surprise me if they don't even when it seemed there was different energy from players esp Gaudreault. And believe me...it should happen
Here's a lofty prediction: I believe Ara Nazarian just might be the next big forward ; he has a great feel for the game. Feel the same way about Vela. Just an observation. Nazarian is TyK like when it comes to finding the open man. Can skate, plays smart. No wonder DU is so high on him. And oh my if TyK could've converted on that point blank shot in the third...just a great player!! This offense can be explosive and exciting to watch..but they can't carry a team with D numbers like we have. Coaches have to know that there WAS a difference in the way the O played last night; was it the line changes? hmmm...
Fully agree that we "should've" whooped them (nothing personal Snively65 as they seemed to play a decent game...) but I'll give Bentley
credit. They were able to do what most if not all teams have done and that is get their offense going put shots on net and score goals. Too many defensive turn overs and poor puck management at times...Just read that this weekend Maine threw 144 shots on goal and 72% were high percentage shots so we will have to do something about this "sieve" D as we can't win games like this. But I'm hopeful it improves.
Hubby is a good observer of things and he says DT gets beat glove side (we knew this) and has too many players left uncovered back door to deal with. He made a few stellar saves from that point last night and will be in for a lot more if we don't do a better job on coverage. According to the game story he did have double digit saves in both the second and the third which says something about his ability, AND our D's need to somehow, shut down the incessant opps teams always seem to get against us.. Speaking of the D can't say Chanter was stellar out there but he hasn't played so I'm happy he got an assist and can mix it up...thinking we will see more of him if Maller continues to have foot probs which I hear are debilitating...
So going into the Maine games they (Blackbears) seem like they are hitting their stride as their schedule has eased up while we are still finding ours (as in a complete game) and needed that win on so many levels. Looking forward to see how we respond for Friday...should be a battle.
Ps Andrew Pots is on such a tear (duh) he has multiple points in his past 10 games. Hope that continues but at the same time...well it's too early to have THAT discussion.
Pss...
Here's a rumor starter: was looking at the CHN app last night to see rosters and noticed that from day one of this season that BvR has been listed on our roster, and the end, with a "C" in front of his name. Odd...hmmm..Maybe he was slated to come this year and didn't? oh well..prob. a typo...
EDIT: Rumor squashed.
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HockeyRef
Well-known member
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"??
Calling out someone on this board to start a UNH v Maine thread!!!??? Maine had our number last year as I do recall...4 big points on the line this weekend...anyone willing?
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
Calling out someone on this board to start a UNH v Maine thread!!!??? Maine had our number last year as I do recall...4 big points on the line this weekend...anyone willing?
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"??
Done!!
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
Done!!
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Done!!
Nice Scott love the title!!!!
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"??
FWIW, our schedule to date has not been as "easy" (really a stretch to use this word, as NOTHING is a given for us anymore) as we may have thought coming into the season. BC, Merrimack, Saint Lawrence, Clarkson and RPI all PWR playoff teams, with the UMass Amholes not that far out of consideration. Took care of the alleged cupcakes (AIC, Bentley), though not decisively, which is a concern. MSU remains a head-scratcher for me, in general. Just nice to have a win with our T31 PWR cohort, Union!
This weekend will be interesting as Maine has finally found the win column, but against true cupcakes.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
FWIW, our schedule to date has not been as "easy" (really a stretch to use this word, as NOTHING is a given for us anymore) as we may have thought coming into the season. BC, Merrimack, Saint Lawrence, Clarkson and RPI all PWR playoff teams, with the UMass Amholes not that far out of consideration. Took care of the alleged cupcakes (AIC, Bentley), though not decisively, which is a concern. MSU remains a head-scratcher for me, in general. Just nice to have a win with our T31 PWR cohort, Union!
This weekend will be interesting as Maine has finally found the win column, but against true cupcakes.
UNHJourney34
New member
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"??
2nd line: Vela-Miller-Nazarian
3rd line: Gaudreault-Smith-Eiserman
4th line: Mcnicholas-Boyd-Hill
The young line was actually getting the 2nd line time last night. And the 4th line did not see a regular shift after Hill got hit and got his bell rung in the first period. At that point they ran 3 lines and moved Boyd back to defense. Even without Macdonald that "senior" line spent the majority of its icetime in the defensive zone. Only Eiserman was able to get the puck down the ice and create chances. Gaudreault's goal was all because of Eiserman's play and the goalie making a bad play coming off the post. I think that Smith dropping down to the 4th line/pk time with Hill and moving McNicholas up to the 3rd would be the best thing for this team. They have to split up that senior line completely, they are just too slow.
The goals were all defensive mistakes. If Tirone was on his game he would have stopped probably 3 of the 4, but none of them were his fault alone. The first one the Bentley forward skated into the zone with the puck 1 on 4 as the rest of his team was changing, but UNH allowed him to skate the puck into the zone and did not put any pressure on him. Bentley moved the puck down in the corner, and eventually poked a puck around Quast and ended up all alone in front of Tirone, sliding the shot in backhand as Tirone slid across. The 2nd was a rocket of a backhand shot right off a faceoff, but Tirone was deep in his crease. When he is confident he is up outside the paint and the puck hits his shoulder. The third was Gaudreault losing his man back door and an easy tap in that Tirone didn't have a chance on. The last on was a 3 on 2 that the defensemen just kept backing up into Tirone, they didn't get into the passing lane and Bentley set up a one timer from high in the slot that slid through Tirone under his arm.
Tirone did not play great, but he wasn't as shaky as he was at RPI. However the defense in front of him played significantly worse, leading to how close the game was. There were so many time where Bentley players were just all alone in front of the net, or backdoor with no one covering them.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
Happy for the win, and to get the winless streak behind them. Not a work of art - and allowing 4 goals
Also happy to see Vela breaking through with his first goal, and to see Eiserman contribute an assist on the game-winner. That stuff has to continue. The "senior checking line" shake-up took place, albeit enforced by an injury issue, and hopefully that set of circumstances (unfortunate as it may have been) will provide the impetus for some of those enforced changes to "stick" into next weekend and beyond. Can any of our posters at last night's game outline the revamped 2nd-3rd-4th lines that were used? Gaudreault is probably the most talented of the much-maligned (admittedly by myself, and some others) "senior checking line", and maybe getting him off that line and working with more talented underclassmen will free up his game, and allow a true second line with some offensive pop to develop?
Not sold on the Boyd-as-center/forward experiment - especially when the focus should instead arguably be on determining if other players who were recruited to fill that role in their regular positions can step up and contribute - but if Marks is out and Maller struggles with his foot injury continues, I can't see it becoming a permanent arrangement. Kudos to Chanter for answering the call, and hopefully this will lead to him getting a run of games under his belt so we can determine if he's going to be a future contributor, or just a Quast-like spare part who only plays when numbers dictate. But Coach Umile has done the "defenseman up to forward" switch before - most memorably to me at least with Timmy Horst back in the glory years - so it's not that shocking to see him dip into that old bag of tricks again on Boyd.
I'd be interested in getting observations on who was on the ice, and may have been at fault for the four (4) Bentley goals. With all due respect to the Falcons ... if someone told them (heck if they'd told me) they would score 4 goals last night, they would have taken it, and I would have given them a great shot at taking 2 points. Another iffy night for Tirone? Was UNH getting caught in transition? Penned in consistently with an aggressive forecheck they couldn't skate through? UNH may have the top scoring line in the country, and statistically (albeit not realistically - due to current lack of depth) they can *claim* to have one of the top scoring teams as well ... but they seemingly cannot hold anyone defensively this season. Until that changes, this remains a non-contending pretender, destined to drive us all nuts.
But at least there were possibilities of future positive answers last night, so let's see how UMaine weekend goes.
2nd line: Vela-Miller-Nazarian
3rd line: Gaudreault-Smith-Eiserman
4th line: Mcnicholas-Boyd-Hill
The young line was actually getting the 2nd line time last night. And the 4th line did not see a regular shift after Hill got hit and got his bell rung in the first period. At that point they ran 3 lines and moved Boyd back to defense. Even without Macdonald that "senior" line spent the majority of its icetime in the defensive zone. Only Eiserman was able to get the puck down the ice and create chances. Gaudreault's goal was all because of Eiserman's play and the goalie making a bad play coming off the post. I think that Smith dropping down to the 4th line/pk time with Hill and moving McNicholas up to the 3rd would be the best thing for this team. They have to split up that senior line completely, they are just too slow.
The goals were all defensive mistakes. If Tirone was on his game he would have stopped probably 3 of the 4, but none of them were his fault alone. The first one the Bentley forward skated into the zone with the puck 1 on 4 as the rest of his team was changing, but UNH allowed him to skate the puck into the zone and did not put any pressure on him. Bentley moved the puck down in the corner, and eventually poked a puck around Quast and ended up all alone in front of Tirone, sliding the shot in backhand as Tirone slid across. The 2nd was a rocket of a backhand shot right off a faceoff, but Tirone was deep in his crease. When he is confident he is up outside the paint and the puck hits his shoulder. The third was Gaudreault losing his man back door and an easy tap in that Tirone didn't have a chance on. The last on was a 3 on 2 that the defensemen just kept backing up into Tirone, they didn't get into the passing lane and Bentley set up a one timer from high in the slot that slid through Tirone under his arm.
Tirone did not play great, but he wasn't as shaky as he was at RPI. However the defense in front of him played significantly worse, leading to how close the game was. There were so many time where Bentley players were just all alone in front of the net, or backdoor with no one covering them.
Donald Trumph
New member
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"??
C'mon, we have to make America great again! 2nd line, 3rd line, 4th line. That smacks of competitive jockeying!
Yo, if you graduated from UNH in 1934 that would make you 81! Amazing! So maybe you are 34 not 81. Dunno?
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
C'mon, we have to make America great again! 2nd line, 3rd line, 4th line. That smacks of competitive jockeying!
Yo, if you graduated from UNH in 1934 that would make you 81! Amazing! So maybe you are 34 not 81. Dunno?
Good game summary, 34. And, as I posted on the game thread, I think that UNH was lucky to get the win, as Bentley played pretty much even up with time in the offensive zone, SOG, and obviously goals. Special teams made all the difference, as UNH converted two of their first three PPs, with all three of those Bentley penalties being ticky-tack calls, in my opinion. Call me a homer if you like, but I have been rooting for UNH since hockey games were played at Batchelder Rink in the 1950s, before many of you were born. I am as bummed at the state of UNH hockey as the rest of you, but sadly do not see much to get excited about a 5-4 win over Bentley, although the Falcons are a much better team than most of you think. The Falcons have many of the same difficiencies as the Cats, but part of that comes from playing with fewer scolies in a "cost containment" league. But, that is slowly changing, and for the moment the additional OOC games that HEA teams play provides a wonderful opportunity for the Bentley's and AIC's in Div 1. Fortunately, I will not be facing any more conflicts the rest of this season, or maybe any season, and the only way that either UNH or Bentley will make the NCAAs this season is by winning their respective conference tourneys. And, should UNH make the NCAAs this season, with any luck they will not face the AHC autoseed in a regional.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
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 def agree with the game synopsis and your comments as well! Like I said Bentley was able to do what most teams have done this season (score goals against us) and they were no slouches in the scoring dept! They answered right back and played them tough for most of the evening; game was going either way it seemed in the 3rd. I think most of us (speaking for myself) here were just glad to WIN didn't matter so much WHO right now. I will take a look at this Falcon team and since there's an Eiserman (didn't know that) it makes it interesting!! Oh and if we made Regionals well, that wouldn't matter who either it would be amazing to get there too.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part One) - Return of the "Champions of December"??
Good game summary, 34. And, as I posted on the game thread, I think that UNH was lucky to get the win, as Bentley played pretty much even up with time in the offensive zone, SOG, and obviously goals. Special teams made all the difference, as UNH converted two of their first three PPs, with all three of those Bentley penalties being ticky-tack calls, in my opinion. Call me a homer if you like, but I have been rooting for UNH since hockey games were played at Batchelder Rink in the 1950s, before many of you were born. I am as bummed at the state of UNH hockey as the rest of you, but sadly do not see much to get excited about a 5-4 win over Bentley, although the Falcons are a much better team than most of you think. The Falcons have many of the same difficiencies as the Cats, but part of that comes from playing with fewer scolies in a "cost containment" league. But, that is slowly changing, and for the moment the additional OOC games that HEA teams play provides a wonderful opportunity for the Bentley's and AIC's in Div 1. Fortunately, I will not be facing any more conflicts the rest of this season, or maybe any season, and the only way that either UNH or Bentley will make the NCAAs this season is by winning their respective conference tourneys. And, should UNH make the NCAAs this season, with any luck they will not face the AHC autoseed in a regional.
Oh def agree with the game synopsis and your comments as well! Like I said Bentley was able to do what most teams have done this season (score goals against us) and they were no slouches in the scoring dept! They answered right back and played them tough for most of the evening; game was going either way it seemed in the 3rd. I think most of us (speaking for myself) here were just glad to WIN didn't matter so much WHO right now. I will take a look at this Falcon team and since there's an Eiserman (didn't know that) it makes it interesting!! Oh and if we made Regionals well, that wouldn't matter who either it would be amazing to get there too.
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