UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

well yes of course. Any given day. There are no gimmes in a one and done tournament. A bounce of a puck, a hot goalie, etc can change everything. So as a NoDak fan I can say this i am nervous playing Denver.

Didn't know there was one more Shore thing (haha) on the DU squad...they are gonna be tough! Good luck; rooting for ya..

 

[fightingsiouxfan16]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Didn't know there was one more Shore thing (haha) on the DU squad...they are gonna be tough! Good luck; rooting for ya..

Thanks. Would be nice to win it all. havent done it in 16 years now

 

[Dan]

Hot take opinion - honestly, I just don't think Lowell or Providence are very good...

And I mean that as a compliment to both of their head coaches. They have done amazing jobs building culture and maximizing the talent they do have. Their teams commit 100% to their systems, buy in entirely and truly believe it's their destiny to win every time they take the ice. These are two amazing coaching jobs by arguably two of the best coaches in the country...

Imagine what these two programs will look like when recruiting picks up and the same systems remain?

PC recruiting has really ratcheted up over the last few years under Leaman - they may step back a bit next year being so young, but when the top talent they've recruited gets to campus and gains some experience? Look out! I think they'll look a lot like this years DU team...

Lowell's thread has a lot of the same complaints as ours in terms of a lack of recruits in the system - but the talent in the pipeline seems to be improving and Bazin always seems to end up with the right guys for his team, regardless. If they add some elite skill (like Anas) - they'll be a replica of this years Q team. Bazin and UML are following almost an identical path to that of Pecknold and Q...

Neither of these rosters are close to their current levels of play if Pooley and McDonald are still in charge.

UNH doesn't have that kind of coach right now - so their not going to hit their ceiling until the change is made (maybe two changes are made) or the roster really rebuilds...

 

[Dan]

Thanks. Would be nice to win it all. havent done it in 16 years now

DU/UND in Denver - especially Friday night - was some of the best hockey I've seen in a long time. Just amazing games and great battles, featuring SO much talent. I can't wait to watch that game. Throw out the third-place game and the series is tied 2-2 with both teams sweeping at home. A fitting rubber match on the big stage...

Despite DU's sweep that weekend - I thought UND looked like a title winning favorite. Their defensive group is incredible, the first line is great and the forward depth exists to keep opponents honest.

The other team I saw this year that stood out above the rest was Boston College. Granted, they were playing CC but they are so deep and balanced and Demko is at another level this year.

So I'll pick UND over BC - but won't be surprised in the LEAST of Q and DU end up meeting in the finals...

----

As an aside, interesting to see what happens to BC this summer. They could get crushed by early departures. Let's hope so, because if everyone returns they will be incredible. If most come back, they'll still be VERY good...

 

[fightingsiouxfan16]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Its a great rivalry. Nothing would surprise me in the frozen four this year. Very little separates these four teams. Demko is a heck of a goalie but so is the QU goalie. You can argue all 4 of these goalies play at the elite level. Denver/ND is gonna bring a lot of speed and hitting. I guess same can be said for QU/BC. QU can really throw their bodies around.

 

[wildcatdc]

Thanks. Would be nice to win it all. havent done it in 16 years now

That sounds positively awesome to us, considering that we haven't won it all in....

Let me see here...

Wait...

Carry the 1....

Hold on, hold on....

Subtract 3....

Almost got it.....

Ugggghhhhh

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

That sounds positively awesome to us, considering that we have won it all in....

Let me see here...

Wait...

Carry the 1....

Hold on, hold on....

Subtract 3....

Almost got it.....

Ugggghhhhh

I know this one!!!!

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Its a great rivalry. Nothing would surprise me in the frozen four this year. Very little separates these four teams. Demko is a heck of a goalie but so is the QU goalie. You can argue all 4 of these goalies play at the elite level. Denver/ND is gonna bring a lot of speed and hitting. I guess same can be said for QU/BC. QU can really throw their bodies around.

All four are very good - and I don't want to upset you, but who was the last UND goalie that DIDN'T put up gaudy numbers? Cam is playing behind an NHL defense already. QU has eight-straight seasons of great goal tending partly due to their system. Sure, BC's defenders are pretty good too, but I'd still take Demko if I was building a team.

Jaillat is the interesting one - he wasn't supposed to win the job, it was Cowley was the pre-season Richter candidate and DU's first-choice - but he has played so well and competed so hard. Its hard not to root for him...

 

[fightingsiouxfan16]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

All four are very good - and I don't want to upset you, but who was the last UND goalie that DIDN'T put up gaudy numbers? Cam is playing behind an NHL defense already. QU has eight-straight seasons of great goal tending partly due to their system. Sure, BC's defenders are pretty good too, but I'd still take Demko if I was building a team.

Jaillat is the interesting one - he wasn't supposed to win the job, it was Cowley was the pre-season Richter candidate and DU's first-choice - but he has played so well and competed so hard. Its hard not to root for him...

Why would you upset me? As a NorDak fan i expect a good goalie every year. And Demko is a good goalie in his own right. There is nothing that you said that would upset me. I would probably lean towards Demko if i was starting a team today as well.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Why would you upset me? As a NorDak fan i expect a good goalie every year. And Demko is a good goalie in his own right. There is nothing that you said that would upset me. I would probably lean towards Demko if i was starting a team today as well.

I suspect what Dan was saying is that you could put a trash can between the pipes and with UND's D, the trash can would put up solid numbers. Flop around a lot less than DT as well. Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[fightingsiouxfan16]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

I suspect what Dan was saying is that you could put a trash can between the pipes and with UND's D, the trash can would put up solid numbers. Flop around a lot less than DT as well. Sorry couldn't resist.

Lmaooo. That was good. I feel tho you can say the same thing about the QU goalie this year. With the system they run you can put a trash can in that net and itll be fine.

 

[Jon]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Neither of these rosters are close to their current levels of play if Pooley and McDonald are still in charge.

It's weird that you mention Pooley because despite PC not playing the Dump and Watch any more, this kind of defense is exactly something he'd be into. Ellis' Terreri/Gillies numbers are probably proof of what kind of system Leaman has installed.
I'm not even convinced that this team is better offensively than some of Pooley's teams with Hulbig, Pisani, the Omicioli brothers, Disalvatore/Rask/Fregoe, etc. And I very much enjoyed Jankowski, Tanev, Mingoia, Saracino, Rooney, Foley, and Pinho this year.
The offensive system is just much more consistent under Leaman. Unless we play UNH.

 

[JB]

Flop around a lot less than DT as well.

Of the hockey I watched this last weekend (NE Regional live, a bit of the Saturday play on TV and the Sunday regional finals) there was one common theme among the goalies: big, square to the puck, solid positioning, with an efficiency of motion.

Not what UNH has in net. I really appreciate Tirone's effort and compete. I believe he is putting his all into the games. I am not sure he will ever be an above average college goalie. I think the current game, UNH's D and his style will hold him back.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Of the hockey I watched this last weekend (NE Regional live, a bit of the Saturday play on TV and the Sunday regional finals) there was one common theme among the goalies: big, square to the puck, solid positioning, with an efficiency of motion.

Yup. That and huge equipment. How much do those catching gloves weigh? Another thing is scorers adapting to goaltender tactics. A lot of goals scored blocker side high.

 

[JB]

Yup. That and huge equipment. How much do those catching gloves weigh? Another thing is scorers adapting goaltender tactics. A lot of goals scored blocker side high.

One problem at all levels of hockey - goalie equipment is bigger and lighter than ever. Bigger goalies, bigger-lighter goalie equipment that plus system defense (thanks NJ) and scoring is down.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

One problem at all levels of hockey - goalie equipment is bigger and lighter than ever. Bigger goalies, bigger-lighter goalie equipment that plus system defense (thanks NJ) and scoring is down.

I'm fine with the equipment being lighter. Someone has to do something about the bigger part, though.

Either that, or let the skaters go back to using their illegally curved sticks, a la Bobby Hull back in the day.

Think about it - the argument against back then was primarily goalie safety. Now that goalies have all this additional protection, the only real added safety danger in maxing out curved sticks would be to the non-goalies blocking shots.

I'd rather see the equipment size brought (significantly) down, and bring athleticism back to the goalie position.

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Mike Sislo picks up 12:37 in ice time tonight in Devils 2-1 win over B's, who have lost 6 of their last 7 in regulation; Claude must be channeling DU?

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Mike Sislo picks up 12:37 in ice time tonight in Devils 2-1 win over B's, who have lost 6 of their last 7 in regulation; Claude must be channeling DU?

Ugh...he better start channeling Jerry York!! If they don't make the playoffs again this year...well, I just can't.

ps..enjoyed watching Sislo out there..

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Ugh...he better start channeling Jerry York!! If they don't make the playoffs again this year...well, I just can't.

I'm afraid only one of the B's and DRW are going to make it, HR. Both are leaking oil badly down the stretch (the Wings gacked up a 3rd period lead last night in Montreal to miss a chance to leapfrog the B's), and if the Devils or 'Canes were closer in pursuit, I wouldn't have counted either of them out to pass both. DRW have theoretically winnable back-to-backs this weekend (Minnesota/@ Toronto) before a huge back-to back next week (Philly/@ Boston), the latter of which will likely carry huge weight on who makes it, and who doesn't.

Frankly, I have zero confidence in the Wings right now. WAY too many similarities between them and UNH with porous defenses, and now even the solid goaltending Mrazek had been providing to carry them through early February has largely vanished. I think they are also missing Coach Babcock badly right now. You can almost set your watch for them to fall behind by two goals in the first period before they awaken to compete. And as you folks know from my screeds against SOG and in favor early goals to control the flow of a game ... that's a recipe for disaster. Now would be a great time to rip off a 5 game winning streak, for sure. But I just don't see that happening, and I think Boston will find a way to limp over the line into the playoffs - probably clinching at home against the Wings, if not sooner.

So hopefully that brightens your day a little bit.

 

[Snively65]

I'm afraid only one of the B's and DRW are going to make it, HR. Both are leaking oil badly down the stretch (the Wings gacked up a 3rd period lead last night in Montreal to miss a chance to leapfrog the B's), and if the Devils or 'Canes were closer in pursuit, I wouldn't have counted either of them out to pass both. DRW have theoretically winnable back-to-backs this weekend (Minnesota/@ Toronto) before a huge back-to back next week (Philly/@ Boston), the latter of which will likely carry huge weight on who makes it, and who doesn't.

Frankly, I have zero confidence in the Wings right now. WAY too many similarities between them and UNH with porous defenses, and now even the solid goaltending Mrazek had been providing to carry them through early February has largely vanished. I think they are also missing Coach Babcock badly right now. You can almost set your watch for them to fall behind by two goals in the first period before they awaken to compete. And as you folks know from my screeds against SOG and in favor early goals to control the flow of a game ... that's a recipe for disaster. Now would be a great time to rip off a 5 game winning streak, for sure. But I just don't see that happening, and I think Boston will find a way to limp over the line into the playoffs - probably clinching at home against the Wings, if not sooner.

So hopefully that brightens your day a little bit.

Best example that I saw this season that might seemingly support your SOG thesis, Chuck, was UNH 3-2 win at UML in early February (UML won SOG 53-16). But, I would be hard pressed to describe any "flow" to that game, other than an extreme roller coaster ride, always downhill towards the UNH end, with Tirone blocking shots off his mask, pads, stick, whatever, and the Ospreys incapable of putting the puck in a wide-open net over a flopping Tirone.