UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

What a sheety weekend for UNH Mens athletics.

F@%* The Quest and F@%* the NRN.

Merry fuggin' Christmas and Happy fuggin' New Year.

I'll be back when Umile-opia is over.



================================================

Not that I disagree with your tenor, Scott ... gosh, I hope your nieces don't get wind of those comments!!

Two straight horrendous home losses, NOT a good way to start the break. Or maybe the break came just in time ...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

So here is the final qualifying list of the NRN predictions. Winner buys the first round at Libby's on date/time TBD. HR or another suitably qualified candidate will be inviting the GOH to the event (while WIS runs for cover ):

1/06/18 vs. Brown @ home: Snively65, HockeyRef
1/12/18 vs. BU @ home: phb, e.cat
---------------------------------------------------------------
1/19/18 vs. UMaine @ Alfond: Dan, deltabravo, Nifty16
1/20/18 vs. UMaine @ Alfond: After the Whistle, Scott, scoreboard, Darius
1/26/18 vs. UConn @ home: Aerman
2/03/18 vs. UMass @ home: WIS

Not much more than 24 hours ago, optimism was running high in the UNH camp about a quick and glorious end of the March but a pair of inexplicable home losses to back-to-back cupcakes has caused WIS to call an emergency meeting for early this week to determine if the upgraded March is going to have to be downgraded back to the original Quest. It's still almost - almost - inconceivable that the iconic head coach isn't going to find 5 more wins in the rest of the schedule. As Felger has just pointed out ... there is no second half gauntlet that even approaches the second half schedule from last season, or even for most of this past month of November.

So far, three of our contestants are off the hook for the *victory* in our NRN contest. The earliest date now for the magical event to be taking place is mid-January at Conte Forum, of all places (and that's assuming 4 straight wins out of the chute, including at home vs. BU). Realistically, the focus now settles on the group predicting the NRN will be accomplished during the UMaine weekend. I'm liking Aerman's prediction the best right now ... which might be worth the wait, if only so we can enjoy the plethora of empty platitudes that would no doubt be flowing from that <s>Eddie Haskell</s> Luce Canaan character behind the opposing bench on that occasion.

Not a happy time right now at the WIS Estate, with the 'Cats likely to drop out of the Top 20, while their PWR plummets further, and chances of a berth in the national tourney have taken on some serious water ...

 

[LTsatch]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

So here is the final qualifying list of the NRN predictions. Winner buys the first round at Libby's on date/time TBD. HR or another suitably qualified candidate will be inviting the GOH to the event (while WIS runs for cover ):

1/06/18 vs. Brown @ home: Snively65, HockeyRef
1/12/18 vs. BU @ home: phb, e.cat
---------------------------------------------------------------
1/19/18 vs. UMaine @ Alfond: Dan, deltabravo, Nifty16
1/20/18 vs. UMaine @ Alfond: After the Whistle, Scott, scoreboard, Darius
1/26/18 vs. UConn @ home: Aerman
2/03/18 vs. UMass @ home: WIS

Not much more than 24 hours ago, optimism was running high in the UNH camp about a quick and glorious end of the March but a pair of inexplicable home losses to back-to-back cupcakes has caused WIS to call an emergency meeting for early this week to determine if the upgraded March is going to have to be downgraded back to the original Quest. It's still almost - almost - inconceivable that the iconic head coach isn't going to find 5 more wins in the rest of the schedule. As Felger has just pointed out ... there is no second half gauntlet that even approaches the second half schedule from last season, or even for most of this past month of November.

So far, three of our contestants are off the hook for the *victory* in our NRN contest. The earliest date now for the magical event to be taking place is mid-January at Conte Forum, of all places (and that's assuming 4 straight wins out of the chute, including at home vs. BU). Realistically, the focus now settles on the group predicting the NRN will be accomplished during the UMaine weekend. I'm liking Aerman's prediction the best right now ... which might be worth the wait, if only so we can enjoy the plethora of empty platitudes that would no doubt be flowing from that <s>Eddie Haskell</s> Luce Canaan character behind the opposing bench on that occasion.

Not a happy time right now at the WIS Estate, with the 'Cats likely to drop out of the Top 20, while their PWR plummets further, and chances of a berth in the national tourney have taken on some serious water ...

So much for those cupcakes Charlie, see you in three weeks.

 

[scoreboard]

So much for those cupcakes Charlie, see you in three weeks.

Still bummed out from his New Haven comment? UNH beat Yale 4-0 recently. Yale 45th in pairwise. UNH at 26th is not a world beater though it is well ahead your team.

 

[Yuppie Scum]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

Sorry if this has been covered, but did my eyes deceive me or is beer now available at the Whitt? Saw several cups of what appeared to be suds at the game today. Way too blatant to have been smuggled in.

 

[HockeyRef]

Sorry if this has been covered, but did my eyes deceive me or is beer now available at the Whitt? Saw several cups of what appeared to be suds at the game today. Way too blatant to have been smuggled in.

Yes we have beer now... your eyes were not deceiving you!!

 

[LTsatch]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

Still bummed out from his New Haven comment? UNH beat Yale 4-0 recently. Yale 45th in pairwise. UNH at 26th is not a world beater though it is well ahead your team.

His elitist take on my hometown rankles for sure, but the proof is in the pudding. I could have ****ed on Manchester at the last regional that I attended but that is just poor form. Hang all the hats that you want to on your great coaches record, but until you at least recently win your conference, you still need to be slightly humble. As an aside, beer was also served at Sacred Heart (Bridgeport) last night. But of course they will not serve it at the regional there.

 

[Yuppie Scum]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

Kudos! The Whitt has been and continues to be a great place to see a game.

 

[Snively65]

Kudos! The Whitt has been and continues to be a great place to see a game.

For the few who show up these days.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

His elitist take on my hometown rankles for sure, but the proof is in the pudding. I could have ****ed on Manchester at the last regional that I attended but that is just poor form. Hang all the hats that you want to on your great coaches record, but until you at least recently win your conference, you still need to be slightly humble. As an aside, beer was also served at Sacred Heart (Bridgeport) last night. But of course they will not serve it at the regional there.

Uh-oh ... looks like someone's got a bad case of hurt feelings. I didn't realize you were a townie - not an alum.

Why are you ticked off at me, when it's the Ivy elitists in your hometown who are responsible for its current state?

Talk about an extreme case of "shooting the messenger". Or has Stockholm Syndrome gripped the Elm City?

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

Didn't realize this much was at stake last night, from Fosters:

“It was a big night for us,” Umile said. “We hadn’t played as many games. We could have moved right up into the fourth spot (in Hockey East), winning tonight with games in hand we would have been in good shape. So we gave that up.”

Can't dwell on 'spilt milk' and I hope the 'Cats can rebound to find good things the second half...disappointed for them, truly am.

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

Didn't realize this much was at stake last night, from Fosters:

“It was a big night for us,” Umile said. “We hadn’t played as many games. We could have moved right up into the fourth spot (in Hockey East), winning tonight with games in hand we would have been in good shape. So we gave that up.”

Can't dwell on 'spilt milk' and I hope the 'Cats can rebound to find good things the second half...disappointed for them, truly am.

It was a Hockey East game. the only one UNH was playing until after the first of the year. It was against one of the worst teams in the country. And it was at home. After they won out at RPI I foolishly started thinking that they would waltz into the break on a winning streak, have 10 or 11 wins and be in the top half of the HE standings. But no. They've got 2+ weeks to figure it out before the Dartmouth tournament. They just have to play better.

 

[HockeyRef]

It was a Hockey East game. the only one UNH was playing until after the first of the year. It was against one of the worst teams in the country. And it was at home. After they won out at RPI I foolishly started thinking that they would waltz into the break on a winning streak, have 10 or 11 wins and be in the top half of the HE standings. But no. They've got 2+ weeks to figure it out before the Dartmouth tournament. They just have to play better.

We haven't lost to MC at home since 2013. Was aware it was a HE game but guess I didn't realize its value; I mean, they are all important. Tough road from here despite the upcoming tournament which, on paper, we should do well if they execute. Anyway.// we all know the schedule set us up to do well. They have to figure it out. And while it's not an excuse 5 games in 9 days has to be a part of it. But that doesn't matter. I hope they have a good break and come back strong.

 

[Felger]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

Didn't realize this much was at stake last night, from Fosters:

“It was a big night for us,” Umile said. “We hadn’t played as many games. We could have moved right up into the fourth spot (in Hockey East), winning tonight with games in hand we would have been in good shape. So we gave that up.”

Two points would have moved them into sixth place. But everyone is entitled to their own math, I guess. Who knows, perhaps had they won Joey B. would have decreed that since it was their third game in five days and they have to go to class, read to kids, deal with a tough admissions office, lousy facilities, and all those other unique obstacles that the game would count for four or five points.

Still a bit bemused that there is seemingly serious discussion among fans of a team that is winless in eight of its last twelve about the PWR and the NCAA tourney. Have to wonder if similar attitude pervades the locker room. Which would explain this past weekend's underachievement.

However the bottom line is there are plenty of winnable games left on the schedule. And stranger things have happened.

 

[Snively65]

It was a Hockey East game. the only one UNH was playing until after the first of the year. It was against one of the worst teams in the country. And it was at home. After they won out at RPI I foolishly started thinking that they would waltz into the break on a winning streak, have 10 or 11 wins and be in the top half of the HE standings. But no. They've got 2+ weeks to figure it out before the Dartmouth tournament. They just have to play better.

Two cupcakes in Hanover coming up; yum, yum, yum. Dartmouth got Bentley'd 5-1 there on Saturday night. We already know about Vlae.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

Two points would have moved them into sixth place. But everyone is entitled to their own math, I guess. Who knows, perhaps had they won Joey B. would have decreed that since it was their third game in five days and they have to go to class, read to kids, deal with a tough admissions office, lousy facilities, and all those other unique obstacles that the game would count for four or five points.

Still a bit bemused that there is seemingly serious discussion among fans of a team that is winless in eight of its last twelve about the PWR and the NCAA tourney. Have to wonder if similar attitude pervades the locker room. Which would explain this past weekend's underachievement.

However the bottom line is there are plenty of winnable games left on the schedule. And stranger things have happened.

And that, is what matters most. I don't think there's a 'buzz' around the 'Whitt that we are planning on going to St. Paul. I do think the concern is...show up and play. I think based on the comments I've read/heard from some of the team they know they aren't doing that on a night in, night out basis. We aren't immune to those issues. UNH has to figure that part out, on their own, on that ice.

 

[Scott]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

Not that I disagree with your tenor, Scott ... gosh, I hope your nieces don't get wind of those comments!!

Two straight horrendous home losses, NOT a good way to start the break. Or maybe the break came just in time ...

Ahhhhh.....you didn't notice the 's and the 's below my note? Just a very poor, semi-intoxicated holiday break rant about how I currently feel about "Scarano's Folly".

FWIW, we had our great-nephew and his dad at the game with us on Sunday, and they had a blast. My only mistake was building up the team in advance . Is it too late to move my NRN date selection? If the trend continues, it may not occur until the playoffs. You do recall, in my true "sand-bagging" style, I posted before the season that I had my doubts that the NRN would be reached at all this season.....

And....also FWIW....my nieces have heard FAR FAR WORSE from their relatives.....

 

[Dan]

There are lots of winnable games left to make a run - and it's also possible that the team's unexpected hot start is the outlier this season (not this past weekend). Starting with five wins sure masks a 4-7-1 march through the last 12. Maybe they're much improved? Maybe they're who we thought they were? There's a lot of variance in outcomes the rest of the way...

It certainly seems like they think they're much improved and belong in the NCAA Tournament with some entitled performances this weekend. Which is unfortunate, since all the success they've had this season has come from a feeling of being doubted and having much to prove...

It's not easy to carry a chip on ones shoulder for six months - can they find it again? Or are they just not that good? The schedule is not overwhelming in the second half - but it's more difficult than the first half...

The worst part of all of this is a very young Maine team, that finally has a goalie, showing positive signs - with some very nice recruiting pieces. Meanwhile, on both fronts...

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

There are lots of winnable games left to make a run - and it's also possible that the team's unexpected hot start is the outlier this season (not this past weekend). Starting with five wins sure masks a 4-7-1 march through the last 12. Maybe they're much improved? Maybe they're who we thought they were? There's a lot of variance in outcomes the rest of the way...

It certainly seems like they think they're much improved and belong in the NCAA Tournament with some entitled performances this weekend. Which is unfortunate, since all the success they've had this season has come from a feeling of being doubted and having much to prove...

It's not easy to carry a chip on ones shoulder for six months - can they find it again? Or are they just not that good? The schedule is not overwhelming in the second half - but it's more difficult than the first half...

The worst part of all of this is a very young Maine team, that finally has a goalie, showing positive signs - with some very nice recruiting pieces. Meanwhile, on both fronts...

Please explain 'entitled performances'?

Now starting with 5 wins gave most fans, and maybe them, a sense of hope for a change, when, in the most recent past, we lost those games we should've won. (Bentley, ASU) Still, as Felger pointed out, we are only a half game ahead of last season. Work to be done and how they respond matters big time of course. I would hope they don't feel entitled. That would be unfortunate. And I have to say that their success this season hasn't come easy it's never easy in this sport.

I know no one will agree with this but going back to the first 2 games with UML...we played very well. We did, despite the fact that UML did not play their 'usual game' but we were facing OT in that first game and we all know where that might've gone if Shane E had not beat Wall. Those wins were earned, plain and simple. I've been concerned they haven't played as well since, but then the home PC game showed other wise. This weekend? Not so much, and that for me, is the concern. UMass is surging a bit, (well, if beating Union is surging but they've had other nice wins like PC) UMaine too. UNH? What will you do....we'll find out! Am glad the break is here.

 

[Dan]

Please explain 'entitled performances'?

Now starting with 5 wins gave most fans, and maybe them, a sense of hope for a change, when, in the most recent past, we lost those games we should've won. (Bentley, ASU) Still, as Felger pointed out, we are only a half game ahead of last season. Work to be done and how they respond matters big time of course. I would hope they don't feel entitled. That would be unfortunate. And I have to say that their success this season hasn't come easy it's never easy in this sport.

I know no one will agree with this but going back to the first 2 games with UML...we played very well. We did, despite the fact that UML did not play their 'usual game' but we were facing OT in that first game and we all know where that might've gone if Shane E had not beat Wall. Those wins were earned, plain and simple. I've been concerned they haven't played as well since, but then the home PC game showed other wise. This weekend? Not so much, and that for me, is the concern. UMass is surging a bit, (well, if beating Union is surging but they've had other nice wins like PC) UMaine too. UNH? What will you do....we'll find out! Am glad the break is here.

When I say entitled I mean showing up against Army and MC with poor efforts that indicate an expectation wins against the two will just come. When they beat UML they put out 60 minute efforts from the drop of the puck. They didn't do that this weekend - I hate to question effort, I think it is questioned to often following losses, but this didn't look like the team we saw earlier this year who attributed its success to effort and having something to prove...

If they think they've already proven or accomplished something, they're wrong. And I suspect they learned as much this weekend - hopefully that means better performances starting in Hanover. Losing games to teams you shouldn't happens sometimes - getting buried in 3-1 holes on consecutive nights is hard to accept...