UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Look at the goalie equipment and how much they actually have to MOVE to cover the goal, which looks gigantic compared to today.

Almost explains why offense today is lets recruit/draft 6'3 guys, "just get it to the net and hope to get a deflection" and "clog up the front of the net" as opposed to "let's develop a system to get a good shot because you have a chance to beat the goalie."

[/old guy]

A couple of things.....look at how gassed Coxy is after the second goal but never even looks at the bench.

Missed the Umile dog whistle every 30 seconds.

 

[Felger]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Has anyone ever found any video of the unbelievable doubleheader at the Garden - 1977 ECAC Tournament? I've been looking all over for it. Two of the best games I have ever seen in one night.

1st semifinal: UNH 10 - Cornell 9 (Bob Gould scores 19 seconds into the 2nd OT....featuring Dave Lumley, Ralph Cox, Rod Langway, Dan Magnarelli, Bobby Miller)
2nd semifinal: BU 7 - Clarkson 6 (BU was trailing 6-4 and scored three goals in the final 3:57 - featuring Rick Meagher, Mike Eruzione, Dave Silk, Jim Craig)

Just THOUSANDS of UNH fans there (as well as a large Cornell contingent, including that guy who would always sit in the front row of the first balcony - which anyone who has ever been to a game there knows were the BEST seats in the place - and blow that long airhorn whenever Cornell came out on the ice - or scored). The old barn was rocking and the noise was THUNDEROUS when UNH scored to win that epic game.

Unfortunately, many fans, probably drained from the first game, left early and missed probably an equally incredible finish in the 2nd game.

I was one of those thousands....started the night in the second balcony where I watched the Gould gamewinner. Always amazed me how those teams could combine for 18 goals in regulation, then play the scoreless first overtime.

By the time BU finished off the comeback I was literally just a couple rows from the ice. Kept working my way down as more and more fans left (sorry Greg, perhaps I approriated your seats along the way.) Can still remember the old fashioned clock in the Garden showing that it was 1:19 AM in the closing minutes.

 

[Felger]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Well, there is the "rising" UConn program that (1) still hasn't won its first postseason game - much less series - and (2) just lost their best player to the pros. So that should move UNH up to #9 next season anyway ...

Then RiverFraud will be afraid to play us in the quarterfinals

 

[UML Puck Hawk]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Then RiverFraud will be afraid to play us in the quarterfinals

Well, you would still have to get out of the participation round, but I am happy to hear you think Lowell will win the league again next year

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Almost explains why offense today is lets recruit/draft 6'3 guys, "just get it to the net and hope to get a deflection" and "clog up the front of the net" as opposed to "let's develop a system to get a good shot because you have a chance to beat the goalie."

[/old guy]

The game is so out of balance these days, it's scary.

Isn't padding supposed to be for protection from injury - not protection of the goalie's GAA??

Listen - I'm a soccer guy. I still play goal competitively in *that* sport (and once upon a time *tried* to play goal in this sport), so I'm not necessarily averse to low scores, looking out for those who see the game always coming at them, and appreciating the tension of games where every goal means something. I get it, I really do.

But this wave of guys who are simply big and have worked out a technique to eclipse most of the net with their (legally) oversized pads is wiping the athleticism out of the goalie position. It's not good for the sport.

((( ... this is a recording ... )))

 

[Greg Ambrose]

I was one of those thousands....started the night in the second balcony where I watched the Gould gamewinner. Always amazed me how those teams could combine for 18 goals in regulation, then play the scoreless first overtime.

By the time BU finished off the comeback I was literally just a couple rows from the ice. Kept working my way down as more and more fans left (sorry Greg, perhaps I approriated your seats along the way.) Can still remember the old fashioned clock in the Garden showing that it was 1:19 AM in the closing minutes.

We had great seats, a corner loge at the end where Gould scored the goal. I can still remember the aftermath of the goal, the UNH fans in the balcony right opposite us, and Crowder and Lumley skating over and pumping their sticks, urging the crowd for more. Over the years I've experienced a lot of great moments as a UNH fan but that is one of the top ones in my book. Haydar's OT goal vs. Michigan in Worcester is another btw.

 

[Greg Ambrose]

The game is so out of balance these days, it's scary.

Isn't padding supposed to be for protection from injury - not protection of the goalie's GAA??

Listen - I'm a soccer guy. I still play goal competitively in *that* sport (and once upon a time *tried* to play goal in this sport), so I'm not necessarily averse to low scores, looking out for those who see the game always coming at them, and appreciating the tension of games where every goal means something. I get it, I really do.

But this wave of guys who are simply big and have worked out a technique to eclipse most of the net with their (legally) oversized pads is wiping the athleticism out of the goalie position. It's not good for the sport.

((( ... this is a recording ... )))

Chuck, the biggest problem is that the size of the rink, in most cases, and the size of the net have not changed in 100 years. However the players, in most cases, are bigger,,faster, and stronger than ever. Unless the NHL is willing to change the size of both, nothing will change.

 

[chickod]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Chuck, the biggest problem is that the size of the rink, in most cases, and the size of the net have not changed in 100 years. However the players, in most cases, are bigger,,faster, and stronger than ever. Unless the NHL is willing to change the size of both, nothing will change.

And that's not going to happen, because it would mean removing expensive (although I don't know why - I don't think there's a worse seat in hockey than in the first three rows) seats. Basketball has the same problem (players have outgrown the court) but it would be easier to rectify that.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Chuck, the biggest problem is that the size of the rink, in most cases, and the size of the net have not changed in 100 years. However the players, in most cases, are bigger,,faster, and stronger than ever. Unless the NHL is willing to change the size of both, nothing will change.

Raise the crossbar a foot. Reduce the excess (non-protective) goalie padding significantly. That's all I ask.

 

[chickod]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Raise the crossbar a foot. Reduce the excess (non-protective) goalie padding significantly. That's all I ask.

That won't happen either. They'll cite "safety concerns" - especially given the equipment (sticks) and the speed with which players can shoot the puck today.

 

[Felger]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Well, you would still have to get out of the participation round

It would be fine with me if the HE execs grew a pair next season and said team finishing 9-11 don't make the postseason. But we know that aint happening...

I am happy to hear you think Lowell will win the league again next year

Wouldn't be surprised at all to see you guys win the RS title again next year. It seems that UML is in this decade what UNH was 10-15 years ago (a bunch of regular season titles, less postseason hardware.) I see that RS crown means alot to you guys...

But I will tell you this: I can't remember how many times UNH was the #1 seed back in the better times. But I know I NEVER worried that they might (gasp) have to play the NINE SEED in the first (legitimate) round of the league playoffs.

At this point UNH is playing with house money. Nothing would be better than upsetting UML and lousing up RiverFraud's St Patty's Day plans. Perhaps he can spend it at a Golden Corral instead of the Garden. But even one Wildcat win might mess with Lowell's PWR and remind some people to be careful what they wish for.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Article about Marcus Vela...who we've been missing!

https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/prospect-spotlight-marcus-vela/c-287513644

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

It would be fine with me if the HE execs grew a pair next season and said team finishing 9-11 don't make the postseason. But we know that aint happening...



Wouldn't be surprised at all to see you guys win the RS title again next year. It seems that UML is in this decade what UNH was 10-15 years ago (a bunch of regular season titles, less postseason hardware.) I see that RS crown means alot to you guys...

But I will tell you this: I can't remember how many times UNH was the #1 seed back in the better times. But I know I NEVER worried that they might (gasp) have to play the NINE SEED in the first (legitimate) round of the league playoffs.

At this point UNH is playing with house money. Nothing would be better than upsetting UML and lousing up RiverFraud's St Patty's Day plans. Perhaps he can spend it at a Golden Corral instead of the Garden. But even one Wildcat win might mess with Lowell's PWR and remind some people to be careful what they wish for.

Could not agree more!!!!

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

That won't happen either. They'll cite "safety concerns" - especially given the equipment (sticks) and the speed with which players can shoot the puck today.

What "safety concerns"? The goalies' protective headgear has never been more advanced. Helmets are mandatory for everyone else. If there are more pucks higher, it's an easy fix - just slap face shields/cages on 'em, like in the NCAA. Simple.

No one seems overly concerned about "safety" when goalies play on their knees - sometimes even their stomachs - bringing their heads squarely into the middle of the goal. And there has never been any complaining about the way the rest of the skaters throw themselves in front of pucks. No one seems THAT concerned about puck speed/force.

I've said it before, and I'll say it here again. No one is shooting the puck any faster today than Bobby Hull or Bobby Orr was shooting it a half century ago. And Hull was doing it with a grossly curved stick that would make today's composite materials blush. Until then, sticks were virtually flat, and goalies were mask-less.

But God forbid we dare ask the goalies to trim away the excess padding that's not there for injury protection, but for *protection* of the goalie's GAA. Oh, the horror ...

((( ... I realize I'm probably jumping the gun on the offseason, but we are playing with house money now ... )))

 

[UML Puck Hawk]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Wouldn't be surprised at all to see you guys win the RS title again next year. It seems that UML is in this decade what UNH was 10-15 years ago (a bunch of regular season titles, less postseason hardware.) I see that RS crown means alot to you guys...

Well right now its a 2-2 in regular season vs postseason titles, vs 7-2. That being said, it has crossed my mind a bit, but I'm just going to enjoy it and not worry too much about it.

But I will tell you this: I can't remember how many times UNH was the #1 seed back in the better times. But I know I NEVER worried that they might (gasp) have to play the NINE SEED in the first (legitimate) round of the league playoffs.

Six times you were the 1 seed, you shared it with BU once.

I would imagine never, but that was a time with far less parity in the league and the national landscape than there is now. I prefer a matchup that suits the team I root for well as opposed to one they have struggled with. We really haven't struggled with UNH in the Bazin era, we have struggled with UConn since they joined HEA.

Also the 9 seed didn't make the playoffs anytime your team has been especially good, so its definitely never (semantics).

At this point UNH is playing with house money. Nothing would be better than upsetting UML and lousing up RiverFraud's St Patty's Day plans. Perhaps he can spend it at a Golden Corral instead of the Garden. But even one Wildcat win might mess with Lowell's PWR and remind some people to be careful what they wish for.

Sounding a lot like a BC fan mocking people for enjoying what they enjoy.

 

[riverchief1]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Could not agree more!!!!

LOL! Well if there was a Libbys nearby, the decision would be easier.

 

[HockeyRef]

LOL! Well if there was a Libbys nearby, the decision would be easier.

Haha your Beer Works is a close second... Def agree tho I mean we all know we are quintessential underdogs here. It will be a small victory to take it 3 or....dare I say win? I'm glad we are still skating and make no illusions about the game (s).

If you do prevail doubt you'll need any of us going over to your board to (fake) cheer you on. Unless of course you are playing BC then maybe I'd consider it...

 

[riverchief1]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Haha your Beer Works is a close second...�� Def agree tho I mean we all know we are quintessential underdogs here. It will be a small victory to take it 3 or....dare I say win? �� I'm glad we are still skating and make no illusions about the game (s).

If you do prevail doubt you'll need any of us going over to your board to (fake) cheer you on. Unless of course you are playing BC then maybe I'd consider it...

Libbys was pretty good though. Glad it was on break as I can imagine it must be a zoo during the rest of the season. But wanted to visit a "traditional" pregame place before the UNH game. Did the same at BU a few weeks back when I spent a couple hours at T's Pub before the game, had fun. Always nice to visit different teams' pre-game locales.

Beer Works is nice and convenient to Tsongas and where the majority go, although it can get busy early and tends to be a little more expensive. I know others who have been going to The Old Worthen on Worthen Street which is a little further walk but it's been a bar since the 1889 and has great atmosphere. It's housed in a building built in 1834 and has an antique belt driven fans system on the first floor. Food and drinks are inexpensive.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Libbys was pretty good though. Glad it was on break as I can imagine it must be a zoo during the rest of the season. But wanted to visit a "traditional" pregame place before the UNH game. Did the same at BU a few weeks back when I spent a couple hours at T's Pub before the game, had fun. Always nice to visit different teams' pre-game locales.

Beer Works is nice and convenient to Tsongas and where the majority go, although it can get busy early and tends to be a little more expensive. I know others who have been going to The Old Worthen on Worthen Street which is a little further walk but it's been a bar since the 1889 and has great atmosphere. It's housed in a building built in 1834 and has an antique belt driven fans system on the first floor. Food and drinks are inexpensive.

Thanks for the feedback of a new place...hate to admit it but I am not one of those specialty brew people. I mean...no bud light? Good to know there is an alternative!

 

[riverchief1]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 Vol II -- We Do Have a Hockey Season Here!?!

Thanks for the feedback of a new place...hate to admit it but I am not one of those specialty brew people. I mean...no bud light? Good to know there is an alternative!

No problem. You can definitely get bud light at the Worthen. It's at 141 Worthen Street, maybe 1/4 mile from Tsongas. If you're at Tsongas, it's a straight shot up the street leading to/from it, past front of City Hall, on to Worthen Street and it's on the right. Real close and an easy walk.