UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

[e.cat]

Would totally agree sir...we had zero puck luck in the first played zippo hockey in the second. Gritty comeback in the third. Anemic pp of sorts (1-9). Feel the same about Naz love Millers hustle but just not Naz. See you at Libbys tomorrow if you are heading in that direction...

My 2 1/2 year old grandson is doing doing a sleepover with us so I'm not attending tonight but I predict a W.

 

[e.cat]

I think we made their goalie look all-world tonight. We couldn't pick anything up in the scrums in front of the net, and there were many. McNicholas missed a GAPING net at one point as well.

HR is right. It looked like we took Ambien for the second period. Embarrassing.

Nazarian was back in the ice late in the game, so that was good. How that was not called, I just don't get it. The two players were middle of the ice, on the blue line, with nobody around, when the SHU player ran Naz.

Interestingly, I think our fourth line actually woke the team up midway through the third with a couple of pressing, scrappy shifts. Upped the intensity and I think the rest of the team fed on that.

The Frosh line is pretty quickly starting to look like our best. Most effective in comparison to the other lines, when taken as a group.

While the game started empty, I think enough fans filed in by midway through the first that attendance actually seemed higher than any game this season. Unfortunately, the crowd didn't really wake up until Kelleher scored.

Agree on the Frosh and fourth lines.

Regarding their "all world" goalie, I think in games like this against so called "cupcakes" you need your goalie to be a game changer which he was. Same could be said for the Bentley goalie who also stonewalled UNH. Think of it, for a Bentley or a Sacred Heart to come into Durham and pull off a W is a big deal. These are classic "trap" games. Chuck likes to say these are gimmes for UNH but I disagree. These are trap games for UNH!

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

Lot of parity in AHC this season; on any given night, any AHC team can knock off any HEA team. UNH lucky to pick up a point on Friday night, for what it is worth, which is nothing in the PWR. Like the last 3-4 seasons, UNH will need to win the HEA tournament to make the NCAA's.

While you are prob right about the NCAA thing (what's that..?) what a shame that is for a player like TyK not to make it once in his 4 years. Oh well he's certainly not the first great UNHer not to make the big game but it's a pity to me at least, none the less. And I won't bring up the fact that at this time last year the LAST thing on a NU's fans mind was 'winning the HEA tournament" but I know that would be a tall order. Of course I'm trying to say 'anything can happen' but I don't want to cause eye pain from all of the that statement can bring

Too early to start lamenting about these things anyways but I do agree 100% with you that 'on any given night' and cupcake or not, hockey's a weird game sometimes.

Hey against my better judgement I am going to the game Tues so maybe see you there...no idea where I'm sitting so I'll look for you between periods..

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

No, actually, we hit the iceberg - and head on, too. A tie - at home - to lowly SHU of the lowly AHA is just the latest new low point for the program. Maybe a tie instead of a loss saves just a little bit of the embarrassment, but that's about it. It's not going to make a difference with anything. No end of season win or team under consideration win to boost phantom PWR chances to qualify for the D-1 tourney.

Look at it this way ... for what reason can there possibly have been for UNH to schedule Sacred Heart at home in November, if it wasn't to load up on a cupcake team for an easy win to facilitate Coach's (pointless) march to the next round number, and to paper over the widening cracks showing in all aspects of this program?



So let's take a quick inventory in the wake of tonight's wreckage ...

(1) Another cupcake left on the shelf.

(2) No easy win to add to The Quest for 600.

If Coach was being honest about it, he should have pulled Tirone for the extra skater with 2 minutes left in OT, because when the dust (or ice chips) settle ... you just tied Sacred 'frickin Heart.

No. Redeeming. Value. Whatsoever.

Am I missing something here?

Sorry to attach this to your post, HR. It's directed at the folks in charge of the ***** show not you ...

That's ok Chuck...usually when I don't wanna directly attach to a post I just use the "reply to the thread" option Thought you were sick of Titanic refs? Anyhoo...despite the yucky 2nd period (and the fact that for the life of us we couldn't bury one, or two on the 9 other power plays we were given AND the dreaded 2-0 hole we seem to find ourselves in toooo often) we managed to find a way to not lose the game. Not very encouraging I know but can only imagine how / what would be said here today if we had indeed, lost. And even if we had won, what's 2 points against a team that can't even begin to help us in the pairwise?? Of course a win is always nice...right?

It has to be clear to even the casual observer why we are playing them in the first place...sorry not meaning to go off my usual Rah Rah Sis Boom Bah but it's the way of it this season. Trying to get a few W's under out belt before the storm of the HE schedule takes hold after Christmas. (early preview of such storm coming to a theatre near you this Tuesday...hear BC has a 'woll' of a GK to take Demko's place...sorry, had to..)

And just so you know many believe that IF the Titanic had hit the iceberg head on as you say, they would've stayed afloat 2 more hrs perhaps...ah, such is fate....

 

[After the Whistle]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

While you are prob right about the NCAA thing (what's that..?) what a shame that is for a player like TyK not to make it once in his 4 years. Oh well he's certainly not the first great UNHer not to make the big game but it's a pity to me at least, none the less. And I won't bring up the fact that at this time last year the LAST thing on a NU's fans mind was 'winning the HEA tournament" but I know that would be a tall order. Of course I'm trying to say 'anything can happen' but I don't want to cause eye pain from all of the that statement can bring

Too early to start lamenting about these things anyways but I do agree 100% with you that 'on any given night' and cupcake or not, hockey's a weird game sometimes.

Hey against my better judgement I am going to the game Tues so maybe see you there...no idea where I'm sitting so I'll look for you between periods..

Ref
You mentioned taking the Green line. That will certainly work, but be aware that it will still be mobbed at that time. Rush hour is a b....., especially on the Green Line. Road traffic will even effect it up by BC. Start early if you chose that route. Start early if you drive all the way in. Week nights and rush hour never work for the Boston games. What happened to the early scheduled Saturday night date for this one? Also no one is talking about 3 games in 5 days. Scares me with the goalie situation. Any more on Clarkie? The 4th line was major energy last night. I say when it is working give it more time. He did actually let them play more than 1 whistle at least once. He tends to run that first line ragged at the end of games.

 

[wildcatdc]

Regarding their "all world" goalie, I think in games like this against so called "cupcakes" you need your goalie to be a game changer which he was. Same could be said for the Bentley goalie who also stonewalled UNH. Think of it, for a Bentley or a Sacred Heart to come into Durham and pull off a W is a big deal.

E - no doubt he played a nice game - you're right. I'm just ticked that we can't seem to slam home the rebounds and loose pucks.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

I'm just ticked that 80% of the cupcake goal tenders we play look like Ken Dryden.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

Ref
You mentioned taking the Green line. That will certainly work, but be aware that it will still be mobbed at that time. Rush hour is a b....., especially on the Green Line. Road traffic will even effect it up by BC. Start early if you chose that route. Start early if you drive all the way in. Week nights and rush hour never work for the Boston games. What happened to the early scheduled Saturday night date for this one? Also no one is talking about 3 games in 5 days. Scares me with the goalie situation. Any more on Clarkie? The 4th line was major energy last night. I say when it is working give it more time. He did actually let them play more than 1 whistle at least once. He tends to run that first line ragged at the end of games.

Me and my ST seat mate are going to drive in...I know it's not fun to get there which is why I don't like to go to BC (but we all know I love the Agganis!!) I'll pass it on we need to leave early. Lots of peeps are complaining about the scheduling getting into Boston, on a week night? Yeah wait till next weekend when we will be where 'Mack was last week with a ton of games when they played us. At least we are not playing Friday... (And we replay 'Mack next Sunday)

Have not heard a thing about Clarkie. Doubting DT will be out of the crease anytime soon unless he strings a few rough games together DU likes him period. We commented on the 4th line...Jamie Hill works hard out there and I do like Fregona. Bet he will be changed out tonight with Sacco. Who will take Naz's place out there? Most likely Miller. Bet his injury is like the Brett Pesce knee thing where he missed a ton of games...let's hope not!! Well back to the 'Whitt we go hoping to give MH a hurtin'. Ha!!

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

I'm just ticked that 80% of the cupcake goal tenders we play look like Ken Dryden.

Now that...is a good one. I know right??? Sigh.

 

[e.cat]

E - no doubt he played a nice game - you're right. I'm just ticked that we can't seem to slam home the rebounds and loose pucks.

Ditto dc!

 

[e.cat]

I'm just ticked that 80% of the cupcake goal tenders we play look like Ken Dryden.

Dryden was an SOG killer

 

[e.cat]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

BTW, I got a tweet that Obama will be at the Whit Monday stumping for HRC. He11 I could go see Beyonce if she was coming. Obama not so much, although he'll probably pack the place. Just sayin'

 

[Greg Ambrose]

I remember John Conroy as the National Anthem singer, but not seated behind the organ. I thought the organ player was somebody else?

Faith Stiles was the organist. I think she lasted a couple of years.

 

[deltabravo62]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

Last night in the game of inches the team was off by those inches. Too many passes in the skates or not receiving passes that actually hit their sticks. I will go out on a limb and say that Clark gets the start tonight (provided he is fully healthy, DU said he was last week in his interview with the Merrimack radio guy). Not because I believe a rotation is coming with Tirone having some stronger showings of late, but because BC is coming up on Tuesday. As a big Tirone doubter, I see that he is getting some momentum going against some of the weaker competition he will face this year. Both goals against last night were not on him being out of position or flat on the ice, so hopefully if he is "the guy this continues.

As the first sentence said, things were just off last night. Clean it up a bit and the result will be better. Also Tyler Kelleher, if you are reading this, if you are being defended by 4 players in the offensive zone try a pass to one of the three open guys please. That move that makes the defeneder fall on his *** works when its just one guy but when it's more than one you turn the puck over 80% of the time.

 

[HockeyRef]

BTW, I got a tweet that Obama will be at the Whit Monday stumping for HRC. He11 I could go see Beyonce if she was coming. Obama not so much, although he'll probably pack the place. Just sayin'

Haha me and my bleeding heart liberal friends are going I should pitch a tent on the fh field

 

[wildcatdc]

Last night in the game of inches the team was off by those inches. Too many passes in the skates or not receiving passes that actually hit their sticks. I will go out on a limb and say that Clark gets the start tonight (provided he is fully healthy, DU said he was last week in his interview with the Merrimack radio guy). Not because I believe a rotation is coming with Tirone having some stronger showings of late, but because BC is coming up on Tuesday. As a big Tirone doubter, I see that he is getting some momentum going against some of the weaker competition he will face this year. Both goals against last night were not on him being out of position or flat on the ice, so hopefully if he is "the guy this continues.

As the first sentence said, things were just off last night. Clean it up a bit and the result will be better. Also Tyler Kelleher, if you are reading this, if you are being defended by 4 players in the offensive zone try a pass to one of the three open guys please. That move that makes the defeneder fall on his *** works when its just one guy but when it's more than one you turn the puck over 80% of the time.

Nice recap, DB. there was a lot more tape-to-skate last night than tape-to-tape. And I don't think I could count on just two hands how many passes back to the point ended up in our own end. Brutal.

With regards to TyK, again, 100% with you. Seems like he's ok in space, but when he gets in traffic, or a bigger guy gets a body in him, it results in a turnover. Tremendously talented, but has certain limitations.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

TK, Eiserman were trying desperately to make something happen. TK was trying to do to much, but it is understandable.

 

[Snively65]

Nice recap, DB. there was a lot more tape-to-skate last night than tape-to-tape. And I don't think I could count on just two hands how many passes back to the point ended up in our own end. Brutal.

With regards to TyK, again, 100% with you. Seems like he's ok in space, but when he gets in traffic, or a bigger guy gets a body in him, it results in a turnover. Tremendously talented, but has certain limitations.

In the three games that I have seen this season, neither TyK's linemates nor his D-men seem to be able to get open, even when TyK is double- and triple-teamed. Rather, his teammates are constantly bumping into one another, clogging up along the boards, completely out of position, functioning more like the opposition than teammates. Kinda' like the bantams who sometimes play between periods, as I noted in an earlier post. We must be watching different games. I have been sitting 10 rows up along the blue line in the offensive zone on UNH bench side, so in a good position to observe TyK and the Cats version of the Keystone Cops.

But, here is another take on our "cupcake" OOC schedule. Perhaps good teams no longer want to schedule us, because even a win against us would hurt their own PWR? Just being contrarian here.

 

[wildcatdc]

In the three games that I have seen this season, neither TyK's linemates nor his D-men seem to be able to get open, even when TyK is double- and triple-teamed. Rather, his teammates are constantly bumping into one another, clogging up along the boards, completely out of position, functioning more like the opposition than teammates. Kinda' like the bantams who sometimes play between periods, as I noted in an earlier post. We must be watching different games. I have been sitting 10 rows up along the blue line in the offensive zone on UNH bench side, so in a good position to observe TyK and the Cats version of the Keystone Cops.

But, here is another take on our "cupcake" OOC schedule. Perhaps good teams no longer want to schedule us, because even a win against us would hurt their own PWR? Just being contrarian here.

No, we are watching the same games. From basically the same spot, as you know, Snively. I'm just a few rows up from you.

Didn't see you last night, so I'm not sure if you were there, but I think DB's comments were spot on, with regards to last night, anyway.

I absolutely agree with you (and held back in my previous post so as not to seem overly negative) that Salvaggio and McNicholas have generally not appeared to be providing a whole lot of support. If you go back just a few posts, I was clear on what I thought of our first line in relation to our frosh line. I think TyK (as Darius alludes to), feels like he needs to do more on his own than he'd like to.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

But, here is another take on our "cupcake" OOC schedule. Perhaps good teams no longer want to schedule us, because even a win against us would hurt their own PWR? Just being contrarian here.

That's actually a pretty good take, Snively. UNH's own status as a "cupcake" can't be overlooked.

Regarding their "all world" goalie, I think in games like this against so called "cupcakes" you need your goalie to be a game changer which he was. Same could be said for the Bentley goalie who also stonewalled UNH. Think of it, for a Bentley or a Sacred Heart to come into Durham and pull off a W is a big deal. These are classic "trap" games. Chuck likes to say these are gimmes for UNH but I disagree. These are trap games for UNH!

Agree and disagree. I didn't see last night's game ... but in the Bentley game, while UNH piled up a lot of shots, the quality of the shots weren't that great, and those that were quality chances were often shot right at their goalie. That's not an "all world" goalie beating you, that's p!$$ poor finishing and beating yourself. Maybe last night was different? Sounds like more on here were impressed with this kid than with the Bentley goalie.

As far as the whole "trap" game concept ... correct me if I'm wrong here, but to be a "trap" victim, you have to be a clearly superior team that's looking past an opponent to a more challenging game(s) to follow. This was Sacred frickin' Heart at home, a cupcake if ever there was one ... and we are to believe UNH was looking past them due to the all-imposing powerhouse coming to town tonight that is ... Mercyhurst???



I absolutely positively would have classified tonight's Mercyhurst game as the more likely "trap" game - assuming UNH beat SHU and was looking ahead to the BC game on Tuesday. The best description of UNH's performance last night (pretty much by unanimous agreement) wasn't "trap", but another 4 letter word that rhymes with "trap".