Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations
Mission accomplished - UNH goes wire-to-wire against a defensively poor Dartmouth squad, piling up a huge first period lead, and then pretty much coasting the rest of the way. Dartmouth did take advantage of a UNH letdown later in the first to halve their lead to 4-2, but from there on out, I thought UNH did a decent job of managing the game, and ensuring they would emerge with the win. Getting back to the .500 level may not be classic "Champions of December" form, but it feels like an accomplishment, as they've followed up a six game winless streak with a four game unbeaten streak. 3-0-1 was probably the max realistic run, given the competition and circumstances, so the team should enter the break with some positive thoughts.
The outlook for the next six games after they return from the break offers an opportunity to continue the momentum, as five of the next six games are against three of the four teams currently below UNH in the HE standings, and all have sub-.500 records. Even the tough game in that stretch is a home game against UMass-Lowell. So UNH has a chance to put together a pretty decent 10 game run before running up against three consecutive weekends against four ranked teams. The first two don't look so bad, with a home weekend against NICC ... but after that it's four road games against Providence (2), BC and Lowell. It would be nice to see UNH hitting that 4-game stretch of the schedule 3+ games over .500, and with a slot in the top half of the HE standings. I think it can all be within reach.
Unfortunately, regardless of positioning in the league (or even nationally, which is a bigger stretch) ... I still don't see a team poised to make the same kind of late-season HE Tourney run their predecessors did the last two seasons (more on that later), and thus the hoped-for return to the NCAA's is likely on hold for at least another season. But it's a fun team to watch (although frustrating at times, too) and the potential for a "train wreck" season seems to be fading. Random thoughts:
* Tirone isn't about to win HE honors this season, due to his slow start and continued inconsistent play ... but he seems to have regained some of the lost mojo from last season in his last few starts (especially the UMaine weekend). Tonight was pretty good, too. But goalie continues to be a concern, especially with the news of Clark's pending surgery confirmed recently, and one false step really puts UNH in a colossal bind (see "train wreck" comment above). That's a tough ask for anyone, but if Tirone can survive the season, he is going to be one battled-hardened junior when the '16/'17 season rolls around.
* The "Maginot Line" looks a lot (LOT) better with the energy that Hill brings out there. Gaudreault is becoming "that" UNH forward who comes out of nowhere with the breakout senior season scoring-wise. He's always had the most talent of that group (including MacDonald and Smith), but he clearly knows how to finish. And the much-maligned (by me) Smith's assist on Gaudreault's first period goal was absolutely sublime. The "Maginots" appear to be getting 3rd line time these days, which is (finally) just about right, with Gaudreault getting some additional time here and there with the other groupings (much deserved BTW).
* As a collective group, one of the huge problems UNH has shown when things have not gone right is their willingness to give up way too much room in the neutral zone in transition, and in and around the slot in their own end. I thought they tightened up a little tonight as the game went on, but Dartmouth (and UMaine and Bentley) isn't Providence or BC or Lowell or BU. I've been quick to dump on the UNH defense for their inability to get pucks out of their own zone, but the lack of checking further up ice isn't exactly helping them. Guys like Miller, Salvaggio and most recently Cefalu all seem to be there to try to address that shortcoming, and maybe play a more physical game. The top two lines (I'm including Eiserman/Nazarian/Vela as the other) are not going to win defensive awards any time soon.
* Cleland has emerged as we'd hoped to lead the blueliners, and is really having a very good season. Hopefully Maller's return will help bolster that crew after the break, and young Dawson looks to be a good player in the works. But the absence of a true puck-carrying d-man or two - and the team's inability (or lack of willingness) to play more physically more consistently (and effectively) - stands in the way of any realistic hopes of postseason progress this season. When you look back only a couple of seasons, and see the glut of guys who could carry the puck - TVR, Knodel, Pesce and even Agosta - it only further highlights what is currently missing from the program.
* Let's hope the program can enjoy another stronger second half of their season again this season. It's a nice trend ... but this year it feels very tenuous for the various reasons outlined above. One or two injuries to the wrong players, and this could all go south quickly. That's where the lack of depth in talent really could come home to roost. Fingers crossed, we don't experience the *thrill* of hearing the PA announcer utter the words "Starting in goal for your Wildcats ... Jamie Regan!!" (or *ugh* whomever Jamie's JV level back-up might be
).
