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UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

Given the way things have gone lately for the hockey programs at UNH, I'm not surprised at not having seen any social media notification on this but for all the Ladies that love hockey and helped to make the women's program at UNH one of the country's premier program at the time, Happy Birthday! In celebrating your 42 Birthday, you should be very proud of the legacy you started and left at UNH and in the country!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

So UNH Women's Hockey is starting their 43 year! Pretty cool I'd say but that's like the Western states thinking that the 1800's is old! When you're dealing with 1623, as in Portsmouth, you tend to respect age differently and with more reverence.....alas, no time to quip now as the season is quickly upon us! It'll be interesting to see what Coach Witt's first recruiting class can do.......Kyra Smith was strong last year and she'll need to be that x2 at least......what we saw of Hilary Cashin was good but not enough for an eval yet........I guess it boils down to what puckchecker said above, it'll depend on returning goal production, and aside from Jonna Curtis, there's plenty of room for someone to step up and prove themselves! Defense with MJ Pelletier, Jenna Rheault, Schlagel, Fedeski and Forster provide some earned stability given their time together so hopefully the D-zone will be stable, and Coach will have to find some help for JC to balance out the team......we will get home ice this year for the playoffs!! Most of you will have seen this in the other thread and I apologize but wanted to try and get the UNH posters excited and back into the game quickly.......Go Cats!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

When is a loss a win, or close to it? When you go on the road to a ranked opponent, who is having a "Grand Opening" of their new rink, who have lost but 3 players from last year's team......when UNH has been on the ice for just 2 weeks, and has but one senior, even though that one senior is Jonna Curtis, and 7 freshman, 7 sophomore, and 6 juniors! Of course there were early season issues that one can ***** about but given that the refs in the ECAC love being part of the game, and took a goal away from UNH that would've made it 3-0, credit should be given to Colgate for fighting for an important win for their program! Remember when UNH best BU to open Lake Whitt? It matters to a team......so now it's up to the Wildcats to come out as hard and as aggressive as they did today! Strong D-zone play, keep driving the net, and try to stay out of the eyeline of the refs!! A strong road game by the Wildcats to start the season! Go Cats!🏒🏒🏒👍🏻🖖
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

Just to put a wrap on the weekend, another gritty, close checking affair today with Colgate winning 3-1.....my biggest takeaway is that despite the newness of the year, UNH will have to learn how to score! Sure the lines are experimental at this point, but too many shots off net, thrown into bodies without thought........that said, the freshman were very impressive and showed their individual strengths that brought them to Durham......also impressive was the defense! Again early season mistakes will fade as the D-corp gets to know each other.....lest but not least, both Smith and Cashin proved that aside from the odd puck bounce, they are solid, well positioned backstops, and have their teammates trust......So year 43 for UNH Women's Hockey is off and running! I for one am looking forward to a good year ahead.......home ice, and then stealing some wins! Welcome 2016-17 Wildcats......🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒👍🏻😉
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

Updated info regarding UNH recruits:

University of New Hampshire 2017-18 BOUTILIER, Ava G Atlantic U18 (PEITC)
University of New Hampshire 2017-18 CHO, Trisha D Burlington Jr. Barracudas (PWHL)
University of New Hampshire 2017-18 MIDDLETON, Grace F Detroit Little Caesars U16 (T1U16)
University of New Hampshire 2017-18 PEPPES, Martha F Mass Spitfires U19 (USTour)
University of New Hampshire 2017-18 RYNNE, Paige F Brantford Ice Cats Midget AA (LLMAA)
University of New Hampshire 2017-18 SASAKI, Ellie F Brampton Jr Canadettes (PWHL)
University of New Hampshire 2017-18 SCAMMELL, Julia D Subway Northern Storm Midget (NSFMHL)

University of New Hampshire 2018-19 DUMOND, Lindsey F Assabet Blue U19 (USTour)
University of New Hampshire 2018-19 MARTIN, Lauren F Cambridge Rivulettes (PWHL)
University of New Hampshire 2018-19 PALUMBO, Victoria D East Coast Wizards U16 (NEWJHL)
University of New Hampshire 2018-19 RICKWOOD, Emily D Brantford Ice Cats Midget AA (LLMAA)
University of New Hampshire 2018-19 WARREN, Talli D Rothesay Netherwood School (NAPHA)

University of New Hampshire 2019-20 BRETON, Raeanne D Durham West Lightning AA (LLMAA)
University of New Hampshire 2019-20 CHRISTIAN, Jada F Oakville Hornets Midget AA (LLMAA)
University of New Hampshire 2019-20 HARNETT, Nicole G Minnesota Machine (USA)
University of New Hampshire 2019-20 KELLY, Nicole F Brantford Ice Cats Midget AA (LLMAA)
 
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Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

Thanks Whoop87 for the update.......I have no idea what next year will bring, let alone 3 years away!!
As for this weekend's games, given the bus breakdown and therefore the late start vs BU, I really can't comment on a game when seeing one period.....(You get up at 3:30 a.m.!) But in Saturday's game vs. Quinni, UNH looked great! Cashin in nets is very sublime, and makes her saves look very nonchalant......again the Wildcats came to play and had the game 0-0 going into the third......a bad D-zone left Cashin alone vs 2 Quinni players for the 2nd goal and an empty netter made it 3-0......so aside from putting the puck home, UNH looked pretty good in it's opening games vs. #'s 8, 9 and 3.......Onward!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

Tonight's Merrimack game is the first that UNH is not playing a National top 10 team......and it showed in the way that the Wildcats played.....the Wildcats again played with vigor and jump in their skating, but they did seem to be a bit more organized in their systematic play! Of course 6 games in now they should be showing more in that respect but the prerequisite line shifting seemed to come up with some good combinations.....of course Jonna Curtis scoring 2/3 of the night's goals doesn't seem representative of that but with freshman Carlee Turner and Meghara McManus scoring their first Wildcat goals, it showed the freshman class quality and gave the home crowd a much needed belief that this squad just might be able to turn the corner for the program! Plenty of season and games to go but it was nice to see parents and friends smiling and standing that much straighter.......kudos to Hilary Cashin in nets with her first UNH win as well! Next up 2 home games vs Clarkson.......we'll see what all the hubbub is about then! Way to go Wildcats!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

The 3rd period meltdowns are from trying to play 2 lines. By the middle of the 3rd period the 1st, 2nd, lines are smoked. Factoring in those players on Power play and PK they must play 85% of the game. Power play is 2/24 8%. Have to convert on PP in women's hockey--many PP don't even get shots on goal or are poor angle perimeter shots and or blocked. Also noticed players routinely taking 1:25-2:00 shifts. That won't work.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

Totally agree! 100%.....now if there was someway we could get Coach Witt to read that post! That is her motes operandi for the past 2 years......she rides her thoroughbreds all season. I'm hoping that since this year's freshman are showing such potential, she will react to her new situation......
 
zoofer said:
Totally agree! 100%.....now if there was someway we could get Coach Witt to read that post! That is her motes operandi for the past 2 years......she rides her thoroughbreds all season. I'm hoping that since this year's freshman are showing such potential, she will react to her new situation......
Click to expand...

Lol. Here, fix your post: modus operandi
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

So far this season I've written how UNH has been up against teams of the nationally ranked top10 for the most part, with the premise that hopefully when they finish with out of conference play, aside from BC and BU, they will be a more seasoned team, with the freshman learning quickly the level that D-1 hockey demands. That proved to be the case against Merrimack a couple of weeks ago, and I'm glad to say, was also the result Friday night against Vermont! In jumping out to 4-1 lead by the end of the first, UNH played some real good hockey! Devon Taylor's back pass to Jenna Rheault at the point, for the first goal was perfect, as was Rheault's taking the space given, and her time to rocket home her shot....just as nice was Ali Prauss hitting Meg McManus once she cleared the D, so McManus could fire top shelf, glove side! UNH's 3rd goal came from Amy Schlagel wacking a bouncing puck from Jonna Curtis, with #4 coming on a 5-3 situation, as MJ Pelletier passed across the blue line to Julia Fedeski for her bomb going upper left! I've purposely taken the time to write out the player's names so that people get used to hearing them, that is if any of the former UNH thread gazers ever return! I honestly do believe that with the addition of these talented freshman, and Jonna Curtis leading by her example of giving 110%, even when she's on the ice for nearly 35 minutes per game, the team will use what they've learned from the early competition and be very competitive this year! Before I bug out, in fairness I must mention that both Kyra Smith and Hilary Cashin have been rock solid in nets! Defense is collapsing and blocking many shots to their credit but when called upon their goalies have made too many point blank saves! Kudos to the young Wildcats.........now I hope I haven't jinxed anything with Providence and UConn up this weekend........Onward wildcats!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

What is it with UNH vs UConn lately? the last 3 games have gone into OT with UConn pulling out the wins.....credit to them for a good game yesterday! They are a well disciplined, well coached team....in the offensive zone, they are continually in motion, which was the difference in the winning goal in OT yesterday.......just good hockey that with the puck scrum along the boards behind the net, throw it our front and hopefully you'll find one of your teammates.....eh, voila! Lindsay Roethke slipped in between 2 UNH players to put home the winner.......However even with their good play, UNH has come along very nicely, and more quickly than I thought they would....some really nice defensive play yesterday.....no more just throwing the puck up the glass to get it out of the zone! Structured play and even D to D puck movement has replaced the 40 foot north to south home run effort.....the lines seem to have jelled a good deal with freshman Nic Dunbar and Carlee Turner winging for Jonna Curtis.....while the second and third lines played well, I'm not sure if McManus-Toews-Prauss and Haslett-Taylor-Chapman will stay as is, once Taylor Wenczkowski comes back........anyway a fun game to watch, great to see the defense playing so well, the goaltending is solid......even with the loss, UNH should've gotten a point for their effort......well played Cats!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

zoofer said:
What is it with UNH vs UConn lately? the last 3 games have gone into OT with UConn pulling out the wins.....credit to them for a good game yesterday! They are a well disciplined, well coached team....in the offensive zone, they are continually in motion, which was the difference in the winning goal in OT yesterday.......just good hockey that with the puck scrum along the boards behind the net, throw it our front and hopefully you'll find one of your teammates.....eh, voila! Lindsay Roethke slipped in between 2 UNH players to put home the winner.......However even with their good play, UNH has come along very nicely, and more quickly than I thought they would....some really nice defensive play yesterday.....no more just throwing the puck up the glass to get it out of the zone! Structured play and even D to D puck movement has replaced the 40 foot north to south home run effort.....the lines seem to have jelled a good deal with freshman Nic Dunbar and Carlee Turner winging for Jonna Curtis.....while the second and third lines played well, I'm not sure if McManus-Toews-Prauss and Haslett-Taylor-Chapman will stay as is, once Taylor Wenczkowski comes back........anyway a fun game to watch, great to see the defense playing so well, the goaltending is solid......even with the loss, UNH should've gotten a point for their effort......well played Cats!
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3rd line is used as a defensive line vs top lines of teams frequently (thats what they said on the tv feed and it appears to be true). Third line almost scored a couple of times yesterday and usually is not on the ice for a goal against -- had a couple of nice open feeds with shots missing the net. Team needs to clean up some of its stupid selfish penalties that come out of frustration...neutral zone checking, unnecessary aggression....same players over and over--16 mins in penalties and on up--go back and look at a lot of those penalties and they are often players taking out frustration. Can't win on pk. Too much dump and chase too. UCONN had that puck out of the zone so fast....went d to d corner to corner using the width of the rink and out of the zone quickly....we dump too often and we dump incorrectly. i.e. don't dump it to their goalie behind the net. Or we couldn't recover the dump a lot of the time. So much ice out there....have the forwards take it in and take some high ice cut east west just over the blue line if they HAVE to feather it lightly into the corner. That olympic sheet should be 110% to UNH advantage. Also have several players with a nasty plus/minus. Maybe mix some of the better defensive players in with some of the bad plus/minus players. I still think the team fritters out at the end of games due to overplaying of 2 lines and the stats would support that trend outscored 17-6 in the 3rd period. Coming along overall and will only get better as the younger players get more experience and confidence and all of the players get used to playing with each other.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

My only comment epic powder with all your points is that I don't think this team is capable of them, at least not yet! I was glad to simply see some D to D passing and therefore keeping puck possession, rather than the old throw it off the glass and give it away! Keep in mind that with the addition of this year's freshman, the team now has much better balance.....hopefully they will be coached on many of the finer points you mention.......but let's be honest after the last 2 games vs BC, while we might've stayed in the games early, BC knew they were more talented and applied that power! Look at the video of both games.....8 of the 11 goals were within 5-15 feet! So hopefully each game will give the 7 fresh and 7 sophomore that much more confidence and experience with what the level of play needed! They've learned a great deal in their first 10 games....now they need to apply those lessons vs conference teams and shoot for home ice! Start focusing on their team goals now! Let's go and attain those goals......
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

So the game ends with UNH beating Providi 2-1, barely! And as I sit there shaking my head as they escaped one of those games they didn't deserve to win, the announcer reminds me that during a Holiday week, when everyone is thinking of their upcoming travel and Holiday plans, the team did beat Harvard and split with Providi.....4 of 6 points, so what do I really have to complain of? Another reminder of how extreme we fans sometimes think, my buddy who has a radio show, opens with his disgust that the Patriots took so long to put away the 49ers! Seriously.....Brady and the Pats are 8-2! Now for you Cheese Heads, it's like knowing your Lady Badgers are superior but what the heck is with the Packers? We accept excellence so easily, but are just as ready to criticize when our athletes don't perform to our expectations.....which when talking of 18-21 year-old students might be a bit harsh......just a bit! So mea culpa Lady Wildcats.......nice job this week! If I can say anything, I would hope the Coach will rotate 3 full lines for the whole game, at least! Travel safe up to Orono, looking for another important 2 points!
BTW, It would be shameful if I didn't mention huge kudos to Sean McDonnell and his football Wildcats for making the NCAA tournament for the 13th year in a row! Longest in the Nation.....way to be Seano!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

zoofer said:
So the game ends with UNH beating Providi 2-1, barely! And as I sit there shaking my head as they escaped one of those games they didn't deserve to win, the announcer reminds me that during a Holiday week, when everyone is thinking of their upcoming travel and Holiday plans, the team did beat Harvard and split with Providi.....4 of 6 points, so what do I really have to complain of? Another reminder of how extreme we fans sometimes think, my buddy who has a radio show, opens with his disgust that the Patriots took so long to put away the 49ers! Seriously.....Brady and the Pats are 8-2! Now for you Cheese Heads, it's like knowing your Lady Badgers are superior but what the heck is with the Packers? We accept excellence so easily, but are just as ready to criticize when our athletes don't perform to our expectations.....which when talking of 18-21 year-old students might be a bit harsh......just a bit! So mea culpa Lady Wildcats.......nice job this week! If I can say anything, I would hope the Coach will rotate 3 full lines for the whole game, at least! Travel safe up to Orono, looking for another important 2 points!
BTW, It would be shameful if I didn't mention huge kudos to Sean McDonnell and his football Wildcats for making the NCAA tournament for the 13th year in a row! Longest in the Nation.....way to be Seano!
Click to expand...

Game against U Maine is in Auburn, ME.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

We were trying to keep that stat quiet epic.....:o, especially going into playing Maine, whom I think likes to play especially physical.....I hope Coach Witt keeps the goalie rotation despite Kyra having a couple of bad outings.....BC sniping and the other when the team doesn't show up......also Cashin is obviously enjoying the pace of play so for now, I'd give Smithy a game or 2 to prove herself again......
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-2017 Tradition and Promise

Now that was a fast first half of the season, eh? Given the way the schedule was laid out, I'd say that Coach Witt succeeded in her original thought that by playing good, top talented teams out of the gate, would pay off in the end......well, with the end of their first half, the team has gone 4-0-1, but more importantly, seem to be skating with confidence, with all 3 lines contributing! No surprise that Jonna Curtis is leading the team in points but the surprise is that 2 freshman, Meaghan McManus and Carlee Turner, follow tied for second. The defense has been much more solid and controlled in their zone, with Hilary Cashin breaking out of the rotation with Kyra Smith, as the more solid, dependable goalie, leading the league in winning percentage! So at the half, UNH is sitting in 4th place, 1 point behind BU, and 3 behind Northestern, with whom they open for 2 come January........2 ahead of UVM and Providi, 4 above UConn......with the season series over against BC, is it wrong to surmise that if UNH continues to play the hard, smart, team hockey that they've been playing of late, that home ice is doable? Not in the least.....although as it has always been characterized by both genders, Hockey East is a tough league with many talented coaches that get the most out of their squads.....the end result will once again be some great games coming our way in 2017! Given the way that the freshman class has matured so fast, and the soph's and jr's stepping up as needed, I'm very hopeful that with Jonna Curtis's work ethic showing the way to give your all, even when playing over 30 minutes/game, the Wildcats will definitely make home ice! It would be a huge step for the program to get back there again.......and nice to be back for the fans! C'mon Wildcats!
 
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