UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Maybe, just maybe, this colossal collapse was caused by the Jumbotron?

Yeah, I'm really loving the synergy with the fabulous recruiting results ever since they put that thing up.

God I do hope they upgrade the carpeting and sound system in the player's lounge. Pull out all the stops.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

If UNH is in 10th, they'd face the 7th seed in the everyone-gets-a-medal, let's-line-HE's-pockets-with-extra-revenue, super-duper preliminary round of the HE *Playoffs*. On the road.

I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about the sheer excitement of it all ...

Hey I KNEW you'd be thrilled with this news Chuck I couldn't wait to post it Hey I know...why don't we all meet up at the 'Moose in Dovah and use my gift cert and watch the game???

Nice to see Jamie Regan get his chance tonight; he's featured in the 'after the game' commentary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUydjk5dOP0&feature=youtu.be

I dunno know what to say about some of those goals; D just packing it in, not covering anyone? Same stuff, different game. Hope to see Matt Dawson back on the ice tomorrow..

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Regarding the five-forward power-play, I really hate it and it is not effective! The two point forwards, Nazarian and especially Gaudreault, are constantly jumping up into the play (which I'm sure is by design) resulting in Kelleher and Poturalski picking them up on the points. So you end up with five forwards rushing the puck and, often times, your two most talented forwards furthest from the net...

It is as if Souza is remembering his own playing days and not paying attention to the actual talent on his roster. I'm sure he crushed it on the five-man PP when he played with Mowers, Krog, Bekar and Nolan, but I don't think he'd get the same result playing with Mowers, Ficek, Walsh and Harris...

Cleland has run the first unit well all year, so I don't understand the change. If you want to play a fourth forward (Gaudreault) on the point with him, knock yourself out. Put Nazarian back on the second unit and bolster the PP depth...

Finally, if you're going to play McNicholas on the second PP unit (since he is one of your best pure offensive players), AND you currently can't score goals as a team. how about playing him with some better skill and getting him a regular shift! I think he should at least trade spots with Miller and play with Nazarian & Vela, but I'd like to see Umile mix it up even more than that. The current set-up isn't working...

Gaudreault - Poturalski - Kelleher
Correale - McNicholas - Vela
Nazarian - Miller - Eiserman
Salvggio - Smith - Hill

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

I kept a better eye out for Chanter in the second and third and thought he played well - made some nice passes, was always in front protecting the goal and played physical. He was also the only defenseman who wasn't a minus. He and Regan have earned the start tomorrow. Where is Boyd? Is he hurt or suspended and I missed it? Deep in the doghouse? Both?

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

"#13 Notre Dame Takes Down UNH With Ease"

By Parker Wheeler

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

UNH...looked better 8 weeks ago than they have in the past 4-5 games (save Lowell...thought they played well that night). Can't understand it. I mean teams go through rough patches I get that but there's just not the same feeling out there on that ice. I'm just surprised it's broken down like it has; am I over reacting? (And I have not over estimated our team's talent either). Hockey Gods are you out there?

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

UNH...looked better 8 weeks ago than they have in the past 4-5 games (save Lowell...thought they played well that night). Can't understand it. I mean teams go through rough patches I get that but there's just not the same feeling out there on that ice. I'm just surprised it's broken down like it has; am I over reacting? (And I have not over estimated our team's talent either). Hockey Gods are you out there?

I think that most of the players have tuned out DU, regardless what they say to the press. But, these kids are not good enough to do it on their own, and they need a coach with whom they can relate and for whom they are willing to perform. I cannot believe that the skill level is this bad, up and down the lineup, although the defense and goaltending have been horrid. Maybe Regan will surprise going forward. Need to get Boyd and Dawson back on the blue line.

 

[sonar]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

"Things" got so bad last night as I watched the game that I had to get up and move around. I found a seat in the top row of the end zone with nobody around me. My experience from that viewpoint was interesting. Having the students there might have made a difference but without them it was downright depressing. Here is what I saw and perhaps more poignant here is what I felt .....

1. I felt like I was back attending one of those three ring circuses from my childhood days. All kinds of things happening at once and none of it connected to anything else. Noise, very loud music, contests of varying kinds, announcers selling stuff and opportunities, people waving thunder sticks instead of balloons, little kids running up and down the aisles, and a number of sullen adults looking like they couldn't wait to get out of there ....

2. The act in the center ring somehow seemed to be an "add on" .... not sure I can explain that .... it just "felt" that way. One team was way better than the other team. One team was playing with a sense of futility although with maximum effort. A futility that grew as the game went on - and trips back to the bench to rest and refuel did not seem to help. And then a strange thing happened .... who knows where these "things" come from .....

4. It was as if I was watching a little boat with a small outboard motor and nobody in the boat, it was moving around in half circles, full circles, then bobbing straight up and down, the rudder not having any influence, the weather deteriorating, the engine beginning to sputter from lack of gasoline, the wind rising and nightfall coming on ....

I left early and felt worse on the way home than I did after those defeats to RPI and Harvard .... many, many years ago.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

UNH...looked better 8 weeks ago than they have in the past 4-5 games (save Lowell...thought they played well that night). Can't understand it. I mean teams go through rough patches I get that but there's just not the same feeling out there on that ice. I'm just surprised it's broken down like it has; am I over reacting? (And I have not over estimated our team's talent either). Hockey Gods are you out there?

We've beaten AIC (5-17 in Div. II), Bentley (9-13 in Div. II), Maine (5-14), Merrimack (7-12-5), Dartmouth (9-8-1) and Union 9-8-6).

 

[Snively65]

"Things" got so bad last night as I watched the game that I had to get up and move around. I found a seat in the top row of the end zone with nobody around me. My experience from that viewpoint was interesting. Having the students there might have made a difference but without them it was downright depressing. Here is what I saw and perhaps more poignant here is what I felt .....

1. I felt like I was back attending one of those three ring circuses from my childhood days. All kinds of things happening at once and none of it connected to anything else. Noise, very loud music, contests of varying kinds, announcers selling stuff and opportunities, people waving thunder sticks instead of balloons, little kids running up and down the aisles, and a number of sullen adults looking like they couldn't wait to get out of there ....

2. The act in the center ring somehow seemed to be an "add on" .... not sure I can explain that .... it just "felt" that way. One team was way better than the other team. One team was playing with a sense of futility although with maximum effort. A futility that grew as the game went on - and trips back to the bench to rest and refuel did not seem to help. And then a strange thing happened .... who knows where these "things" come from .....

4. It was as if I was watching a little boat with a small outboard motor and nobody in the boat, it was moving around in half circles, full circles, then bobbing straight up and down, the rudder not having any influence, the weather deteriorating, the engine beginning to sputter from lack of gasoline, the wind rising and nightfall coming on ....

I left early and felt worse on the way home than I did after those defeats to RPI and Harvard .... many, many years ago.

Perhaps the saddest, and best written, post that I have read here in a long time.

 

[Snively65]

We've beaten AIC (5-17 in Div. II), Bentley (9-13 in Div. II), Maine (5-14), Merrimack (7-12-5), Dartmouth (9-8-1) and Union 9-8-6).

I always will wonder if Clark might have stolen a few more games for us this season if he had stayed healthy? Probably not the blow outs like last night, but there were some 1- and 2-goal games that we lost.

And, regarding two of those teams noted above, Bentley came out of their funk by scoring five in the third against AIC last night, which was very entertaining, and for me just the opposite of sonar's game at the Whitt last night.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Perhaps the saddest, and best written, post that I have read here in a long time.

Reminded me of watching a Stephen King movie. Wait, I am watching a Stephen King movie... Actually I think the players are feeling this as well. Ara Nazarian was quite pointed in his comments last night "we can't let ourselves get embarrassed like this" or something to that effect. I hope someone's listening. Honestly feel badly for the players as I believe there's more talent out there than the score indicates. Well onward to tonight!!! And put Cleland back on the point on PP's, as a start...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

I always will wonder if Clark might have stolen a few more games for us this season if he had stayed healthy? Probably not the blow outs like last night, but there were some 1- and 2-goal games that we lost.

One thing's for certain ... the door is WIDE open for Robinson to take the top job his next season. Tirone's fall-off this season has been nothing short of precipitous. BTW as compelling as it might be to see Regan start tonight (and I'm all in favor), I don't see Coach moving off another start for Tirone, despite his (again) slumping play.

And, regarding two of those teams noted above, Bentley came out of their funk by scoring five in the third against AIC last night, which was very entertaining, and for me just the opposite of sonar's game at the Whitt last night.

I was wondering how long it would be before you brought us all up to speed on the ol' alma mater ...

 

[Felger]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Tirone's fall-off this season has been nothing short of precipitous.

Kudos to Dan, and NH Cats Fan before him, in drawing the comparison between Tirone and DiGiorlamo

 

[bakchk20]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

"Things" got so bad last night as I watched the game that I had to get up and move around. I found a seat in the top row of the end zone with nobody around me. My experience from that viewpoint was interesting. Having the students there might have made a difference but without them it was downright depressing. Here is what I saw and perhaps more poignant here is what I felt .....

1. I felt like I was back attending one of those three ring circuses from my childhood days. All kinds of things happening at once and none of it connected to anything else. Noise, very loud music, contests of varying kinds, announcers selling stuff and opportunities, people waving thunder sticks instead of balloons, little kids running up and down the aisles, and a number of sullen adults looking like they couldn't wait to get out of there ....

2. The act in the center ring somehow seemed to be an "add on" .... not sure I can explain that .... it just "felt" that way. One team was way better than the other team. One team was playing with a sense of futility although with maximum effort. A futility that grew as the game went on - and trips back to the bench to rest and refuel did not seem to help. And then a strange thing happened .... who knows where these "things" come from .....

4. It was as if I was watching a little boat with a small outboard motor and nobody in the boat, it was moving around in half circles, full circles, then bobbing straight up and down, the rudder not having any influence, the weather deteriorating, the engine beginning to sputter from lack of gasoline, the wind rising and nightfall coming on ....

I left early and felt worse on the way home than I did after those defeats to RPI and Harvard .... many, many years ago.

Well, I've had similar circus-induced-overloads and hallucinations at games this year mostly, I confess, precipitated by heavy pre-game libation, as a means of numbing the senses. Problem is, by the start of the 3rd period, the depressing product has accelerated the timing of my hang-over, and I walk out of there with a splitting headache!! So, logically, watching this team is complete waste of good beer!

 

[HockeyRef]

We've beaten AIC (5-17 in Div. II), Bentley (9-13 in Div. II), Maine (5-14), Merrimack (7-12-5), Dartmouth (9-8-1) and Union 9-8-6).

I know who we've played but this isn't like that...Its the energy on the ice...not the talent out there. Having seen them play over the course of this season it's just a huge drop in motivation . Not even close and yea losing has a way of doing that but you find a way to fight through it...that's all I'm sayin'...

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

NCAA Hockey: Notre Dame scores early and often to rout Wildcats:
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20160123/SPORTS22/160129507#sthash.ruOL9zeM.dpuf

“That team was bigger, stronger, better than us, and kicked our butt,” UNH coach Dick Umile said. “The first couple (of goals) weren’t great. They played with confidence and physically we couldn’t handle them. Give them credit, they’re a good hockey team. We’re not right now.”

“It wasn’t a shock,” Regan said of getting called into action. “The team needed to change it up, and the team needed to play a bit harder. I felt comfortable. Been preparing for this for four years. The team stepped up a little bit when I went in there, and I thought we played better the second half. Hoping to continue that (tonight).”

As in I already know I am starting? Whether he does or not, good for him playing well against a quality high visibility opponent. Coach omitted, as two people pointed out to me, ND is also fast.

Regarding the five-forward power-play, I really hate it and it is not effective! The two point forwards, Nazarian and especially Gaudreault, are constantly jumping up into the play (which I'm sure is by design) resulting in Kelleher and Poturalski picking them up on the points. So you end up with five forwards rushing the puck and, often times, your two most talented forwards furthest from the net...

It is as if Souza is remembering his own playing days and not paying attention to the actual talent on his roster. I'm sure he crushed it on the five-man PP when he played with Mowers, Krog, Bekar and Nolan, but I don't think he'd get the same result playing with Mowers, Ficek, Walsh and Harris...

Cleland has run the first unit well all year, so I don't understand the change. If you want to play a fourth forward (Gaudreault) on the point with him, knock yourself out. Put Nazarian back on the second unit and bolster the PP depth...

Must have taken his shifts while I stared at the ceiling with disgust regarding the five forward PP unit...

Makes me cringe. A SHG waiting to happen. What message does it send to the D? Only on the 1st PP though, correct? Second PP had one defenseman. Mostly 2 D-men after that(?) although my attention to detail was not up to par.

Start him tomorrow...

See above.

I'm starting to catch a little of the mid-'80's UNH Hockey vibe, and no, that's not a good thing

Said that to 2 people during the game. The older did not respond, the younger something to the effect of, "Glad I wasn't alive".

I think that most of the players have tuned out DU, regardless what they say to the press. But, these kids are not good enough to do it on their own, and they need a coach with whom they can relate and for whom they are willing to perform. I cannot believe that the skill level is this bad, up and down the lineup, although the defense and goaltending have been horrid. Maybe Regan will surprise going forward. Need to get Boyd and Dawson back on the blue line.

Maybe. Maybe not. Probably. Definitely something going on. We will never know for sure. Reminds me of the Patriots when they had a sub par year a while back. NFL Network, I think on A Football Life feature, captured Belichick on the sidelines expressing frustration saying something to the effect of not being able to get through to the players. Hearing that was an "Ah, that makes sense" moment. Not saying the situations are identical, but there is something more than talent, Xs and Os in play here.

Kudos to Dan, and NH Cats Fan before him, in drawing the comparison between Tirone and DiGiorlamo

+1 or is it +3? DT isn't quite there yet, but getting pretty close.


Where's Eiserman?

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

I always will wonder if Clark might have stolen a few more games for us this season if he had stayed healthy? Probably not the blow outs like last night, but there were some 1- and 2-goal games that we lost.

Without a doubt. Of all these empty and wide-open corners that are turning into lay-ups for opposing forwards, many would simply hit the bigger Clark. Watch ND's Peterson tonight - he exemplifies how a good goalie plays the game. He seems to BARELY move, because he is ALWAYS in the right position. Tirone has had to rely on his 'athleticism', because his positioning and anticipation has been horrible. Clark is not Peterson, but he plays a similar game and would be posting a MUCH better season than what were seeing...

I think every opposing opportunity ending up in the back of the net - plus some flat-out soft goals - is sucking the energy out of this team. Tirone gave up the first goal yesterday, on a soft/poor angle, and his reaction was putting his head-down and staring at the ice without the slightest movement until the puck dropped. It was so obvious he was finished. The team's body language was just as bad. It was so obvious they were finished...

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

At last season's end I was all for TK wearing the C this year. It didn't happen. Oh well what do I know anyway? What I do know is that he is consistently the last man off the ice at game's end. Foley-esque.

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

It is as if Souza is remembering his own playing days and not paying attention to the actual talent on his roster. I'm sure he crushed it on the five-man PP when he played with Mowers, Krog, Bekar and Nolan, but I don't think he'd get the same result playing with Mowers, Ficek, Walsh and Harris...

By the time Souza was first team PP, all but Krog were gone. First line was Krog, Haydar, Souza with Filipowicz as the quarterback. But your point is taken. Not enough talent to use five forwards. They don't recognize when the play is going the other way. As Watcher says, it is going to take awhile, at least three years to be competitive, another couple to have a real chance of competing for the NCAA's. And can we all acknowledge now that the program misses Lassonde big time? It's not only the quality of the goaltenders coming in, it's the way they don't develop when they get here. I hated Tirone last year, but this year is even worse. Constantly out of position, always crouching so when the inevitable high shots come in he is too slow to react. If Clark hadn't gotten hurt, he would be the starter in my opinion. Start Regan the rest of the way. And, Chuck, it is deja vu all over again. Witnessing the demise of UNH Hockey back then was very depressing, especially knowing what had come before. No different than now. When I walked into the arena last night I chatted with a guy whose son played at UNH in the early 2000's. His comment? "Greg. we were here for the glory days." Ever so true.