UNH Wildcats 2017-2018 Season - The Quest Continues

[Chuck Murray]

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

If a little nostalgia is allowed....

Was getting caught up on the threads. In the one now locked, Greg wrote:

"Now my top wins:
January, 1972 - UNH vs. Harvard at Snively. Harvard came in as #1 in the country, with Joe Bertagna in net. Great, great game, with Guy Smith getting the OT winner. Found out several years later from Charlie Holt that Smith had kicked it in but the refs (only two back then) missed it."

Watching that game was electric. If that goal had been disallowed, the roof would have come off. We had a great impromptu keg party back at the dorm. God, that was a great time to be in school.

Since 1972 is a couple of years before my time with college hockey, I gotta ask ... was there even OT in regular season games back then? Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but it's not like OT in regular season games is something that's been with hockey - college or pro - since the days of wooden sticks and wooden pucks. Just curious ...

Nothing in my experience - regardless of the cupcakiness of the competition - allows for a seven game win streak. I predict the NRN occurs on January 26, 2018.

I love it. "Cupcakiness". That's frickin' awesome (and FWIW it's why I don't see a 7 game UNH win streak either).

So here are the NRN predictions to date. I'll set the cut-off date to be before the Army game this weekend, just to make this sporting for all, and not shooting fish in a barrel ...

1/06/18 vs. Brown @ home: Snively65, HockeyRef
1/26/18 vs. UConn @ home: Aerman
2/03/18 vs. UMass @ home: WIS

Surprised no one has taken the "safety" yet and predicted Coach might not make it. Kinda like in the old "Price Is Right" game show, when you thought everyone else went over the actual price with their bids, and you scooped it with a $1 bid. I'm already the most pessimistic pick in the contest, which is probably not a huge surprise.

We need the really hard-core, negative-to-the-bone folks to chime in ... anyone hear from Dan recently?

 

[Snively65]

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

Since 1972 is a couple of years before my time with college hockey, I gotta ask ... was there even OT in regular season games back then? Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but it's not like OT in regular season games is something that's been with hockey - college or pro - since the days of wooden sticks and wooden pucks. Just curious ...



I love it. "Cupcakiness". That's frickin' awesome (and FWIW it's why I don't see a 7 game UNH win streak either).

So here are the NRN predictions to date. I'll set the cut-off date to be before the Army game this weekend, just to make this sporting for all, and not shooting fish in a barrel ...

1/06/18 vs. Brown @ home: Snively65, HockeyRef
1/26/18 vs. UConn @ home: Aerman
2/03/18 vs. UMass @ home: WIS

Surprised no one has taken the "safety" yet and predicted Coach might not make it. Kinda like in the old "Price Is Right" game show, when you thought everyone else went over the actual price with their bids, and you scooped it with a $1 bid. I'm already the most pessimistic pick in the contest, which is probably not a huge surprise.

We need the really hard-core, negative-to-the-bone folks to chime in ... anyone hear from Dan recently?

Indeed, it has been over 30 hours.

And, Snively65 and HRef could be out of this contest in about 50 hours.

 

[HockeyRef]

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

Indeed, it has been over 30 hours.

And, Snively65 and HRef could be out of this contest in about 50 hours.

Oh ye of little faith!!!!

 

[phb]

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

Since 1972 is a couple of years before my time with college hockey, I gotta ask ... was there even OT in regular season games back then? Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but it's not like OT in regular season games is something that's been with hockey - college or pro - since the days of wooden sticks and wooden pucks. Just curious ...
)

You got me curious about memory, 2-1 score didn't seem quite right. According to Harvard paper it was in OT, but score was 4-3. I just remember the beer tasting good after the game.

 

[Dan]

I apologize for my delayed prediction!

While some of the more sensitive posters here may view my outlook as negative - I reject that notion and again state I am simply practical and objective. I am hardly BillB, and readily give the team, coaches and recruiters credit when things go well, even in areas others would disagree (Ie - Souza and the PP, Crookshank/Commesso, JVR and Umile the developmental coach). My posting style will always reflect what is going on in Wildcat-land through my own eyes...

That is why I'm certain the Wildcats will blow through this weak stretch of opponents to the tune of 5-1-0 or 4-2-0 at worst. Doing so will allow Dick to reach 600 wins in, of all places, Alford Arena...

The absolute worst case scenario should see them leaving Alford at 14-9-1 with ten winnable games to go (6-4-0 worst case in that final run)...

If UNH is to make the tourney they need to rack up wins - and fortunately the schedule past this six game stretch is also cupcake city. People can view my tributes (jokes) to the schedule-maker however they want. If UNH wins 20+ games and makes the NCAA tournament the schedule will be the biggest reason why. Some posters might take offense to that idea. Too bad. It's true. And I don't care one bit, because it's a GOOD thing! Same as a semi-run for football...

20+ wins and an NCAA tournament would be huge for the recruiters and everyone will forget how they got there. It's about the big picture, for me, in hockey and football. Breaks are always welcome! To ignore them is naive fan-boy behavior. I don't understand the need for validation of achievement for some...

My worst case scenario would put them at 20-13-1 (11-10-1), if they win a first-round series that's 22 wins. If they can take a game in the next round and finish 23-15-1 they'd be right in the mix for the backend of the tourney field. And clearly stealing a couple more in the regular season is also doable...

 

[HockeyRef]

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

I apologize for my delayed prediction!

While some of the more sensitive posters here may view my outlook as negative - I reject that notion and again state I am simply practical and objective. I am hardly BillB, and readily give the team, coaches and recruiters credit when things go well, even in areas others would disagree (Ie - Souza and the PP, Crookshank/Commesso, JVR and Umile the developmental coach). My posting style will always reflect what is going on in Wildcat-land through my own eyes...

That is why I'm certain the Wildcats will blow through this week stretch of opponents to the tune of 5-1-0 or 4-2-0 at worst. Doing so will allow Dick to reach 600 wins in, of all places, Alford Arena...

If UNH is to make the tourney they need to rack up wins - and fortunately the schedule past this six game stretch is also cupcake city. People can like my tributes to the schedule-maker however they want. If UNH wins 23+ games and makes the NCAA tournament the schedule will be the biggest reason why. Some posters might take offense to that idea. It's true. And I don't care one bit, because it's a GOOD thing!

23+ wins and an NCAA tournament would be huge for the recruiters and everyone will forget how they got there. It's about the big picture, for me, in hockey and football. Breaks are always welcome! I don't understand the need for validation of achievement for some...

Hey, if we make the tournament I don't care how we get there. That would be a huge accomplishment and doable, as you say. Here, here. And if Coach U makes his 600 wins at Maine, how appropriate. Signed, a sensitive poster

 

[Aerman]

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

But, Dick doesn't deserve to get 600 wins, because, you know, he wears turtle necks, and, like, he lets them throw fish on the ice.

 

[Snively65]

I apologize for my delayed prediction!

While some of the more sensitive posters here may view my outlook as negative - I reject that notion and again state I am simply practical and objective. I am hardly BillB, and readily give the team, coaches and recruiters credit when things go well, even in areas others would disagree (Ie - Souza and the PP, Crookshank/Commesso, JVR and Umile the developmental coach). My posting style will always reflect what is going on in Wildcat-land through my own eyes...

That is why I'm certain the Wildcats will blow through this weak stretch of opponents to the tune of 5-1-0 or 4-2-0 at worst. Doing so will allow Dick to reach 600 wins in, of all places, Alford Arena...

The absolute worst case scenario should see them leaving Alford at 14-9-1 with ten winnable games to go (6-4-0 worst case in that final run)...

If UNH is to make the tourney they need to rack up wins - and fortunately the schedule past this six game stretch is also cupcake city. People can view my tributes (jokes) to the schedule-maker however they want. If UNH wins 20+ games and makes the NCAA tournament the schedule will be the biggest reason why. Some posters might take offense to that idea. Too bad. It's true. And I don't care one bit, because it's a GOOD thing! Same as a semi-run for football...

20+ wins and an NCAA tournament would be huge for the recruiters and everyone will forget how they got there. It's about the big picture, for me, in hockey and football. Breaks are always welcome! To ignore them is naive fan-boy behavior. I don't understand the need for validation of achievement for some...

My worst case scenario would put them at 20-13-1 (11-10-1), if they win a first-round series that's 22 wins. If they can take a game in the next round and finish 23-15-1 they'd be right in the mix for the backend of the tourney field. And clearly stealing a couple more in the regular season is also doable...

Turns out some teams that we have played this season are not the cupcakes that we thought they were, at least based on RPI, SOS, and PWR at the moment. For example, Colgate, Colorado College, UML, and UMass-Flagship. Agreed, UVM and Yale have confirmed their cupcake status, as have several teams that we will be playing in the next stretch. For example, RPI, Army, Mac, Dartmouth, Yale (again; yay MS35+5!), and Brown. Yes, all six cupcakes, at least based on RPI, SOS, and PWR.

Also, are you saying that our idiotic 5-3 PP is Souza's doing? If so, we are doomed!

 

[Ralph Baer]

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

Since 1972 is a couple of years before my time with college hockey, I gotta ask ... was there even OT in regular season games back then? Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but it's not like OT in regular season games is something that's been with hockey - college or pro - since the days of wooden sticks and wooden pucks. Just curious ...

I am pretty sure that there has been overtime at least since my Freshman year 64-65. The length of OT has varied.

 

[Felger]

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

Since 1972 is a couple of years before my time with college hockey, I gotta ask ... was there even OT in regular season games back then? Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but it's not like OT in regular season games is something that's been with hockey - college or pro - since the days of wooden sticks and wooden pucks. Just curious ...

FWIW took a quick glance at a UNH media guide and found OT games as far back as the 1927-28 season.

And the aforementioned game against Harvard is listed as a 3-2 OT win - one of four overtime victories in Dick Umile's senior season.

 

[Darius]

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

If a little nostalgia is allowed....

Was getting caught up on the threads. In the one now locked, Greg wrote:

"Now my top wins:
January, 1972 - UNH vs. Harvard at Snively. Harvard came in as #1 in the country, with Joe Bertagna in net. Great, great game, with Guy Smith getting the OT winner. Found out several years later from Charlie Holt that Smith had kicked it in but the refs (only two back then) missed it."

Watching that game was electric. If that goal had been disallowed, the roof would have come off. We had a great impromptu keg party back at the dorm. God, that was a great time to be in school.

Scoprpio's should be in the Durham register of historic places.

 

[Snively65]

Scoprpio's should be in the Durham register of historic places.

And the Down Under Pub?

 

[Aerman]

Scoprpio's should be in the Durham register of historic places.

Yup. Too bad they demo-ed it.

 

[HockeyRef]

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

And the Down Under Pub?

Are you talking about Plymouth? Great memories...I think

 

[Dan]

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

Turns out some teams that we have played this season are not the cupcakes that we thought they were, at least based on RPI, SOS, and PWR at the moment. For example, Colgate, Colorado College, UML, and UMass-Flagship. Agreed, UVM and Yale have confirmed their cupcake status, as have several teams that we will be playing in the next stretch. For example, RPI, Army, Mac, Dartmouth, Yale (again; yay MS35+5!), and Brown. Yes, all six cupcakes, at least based on RPI, SOS, and PWR.

I don't think anyone expected a sweep over UML - they're a good team, but timing is everything. Same goes for getting Colgate without Colton Point - take a look at the difference he has made on the team the past couple years. It would be best for the US WJC team if they could tab him as the starter over Woll or Oettinger (unfortunately, bureaucracy may prevent him from being on the team altogether). CC has lost 5 of 7, lets see where they are when the season is over and their early season 3-1 start versus UVM and UAA carries less weight. UMass is improved. I knew they would be - UNH is still much better.

I suppose it depends on your definition of Cupcake. Personally, I don't like the word. I look at the schedule as who is UNH better than and who is better than them. If UNH is better I expect them to win. They are the better team in each of the next six games and then nine of the final 14 games. They wont win all 15 of the games I think they should, but if they can win most of them and steal a game from the unexpected pile they'll be in a good position. We'll see what the strength of schedule is by the end of the year. I don't expect it will be top-30. As a result, they've been/will be the better team in most of their games this year. Unlike last season, the results are following. Which is a good thing.

As for this upcoming stretch - do not sleep on Army. I saw them take Air Force apart out here in the Springs. Army is a good team. I think the best team they'll face over the next six games and a team very capable of winning at the Whitt...

Also, are you saying that our idiotic 5-3 PP is Souza's doing? If so, we are doomed!

Unless something changed this season, Souza should still be running the PP. He is creative and does a good job designing PPs that fit the personnel available to him. In Scott Borek's final season running the PP, UNH scored at a rate of 16.5% (26 PP goals). In Souza's three seasons in charge they've turned out the following...

2015/16 - 24% (37)
2016/17 - 21% (41)
2017/18 - 19% (11)

Now, some of that is personnel (and there is a downward trend). For example, in 2015/16 UNH had both Poturalski and Kelleher playing on the first unit. But, I do think Souza has done a nice job being flexible and creative with PP design. That first season he let Poturalski and Kelleher take turns freelancing in the zone, he let them switch places and move in a two-man game while looking for shooting opportunities or passing lanes. It was really effective. Last season he played a modified umbrella with the two wings shifting lower into one-time positions, while Kelleher had free reign to move and circle the zone looking for chances. It was fun to watch.

This season, he rightly saw defensemen Gildon, Marks, Wyse and Maass as his best PP pieces and built the strategy around them. Their ability to get shots through to the net (especially Gildon) is a real weapon and UNH has scored most of their PP goals on deflections or screened shots. I also like the 5X3 look - which is new this year. The two players behind the net can get the goalie moving, create difficulties for him in viewing the puck and set up shooters like Gildon or Salvaggio out front. The PP was red-hot to start the year...

The issue this season, if I can get negative (and agree with your concern) for a second, is that opponents have adjusted. On the 5X4 they're being more aggressive on the point men - taking away shooting lanes. On the 5X3 opponents have (as you noted) started to expand their triangle to take away the players out front, knowing they can collapse if the players behind the net move to the crease. UNH definitely needs alternate PP looks to keep defenses honest and to adjust to adjustments. Thats the one thing they haven't done in Souza's tenure - throw multiple looks at PKs in the same game/season. They need to this year as they are currently on a 1-for-25 stretch (4%). The PP started the season at 31%. Opponents have also done a good job making zone entry difficult for UNH in recent PPs. Its definitely time for Souza to make an in-season adjustment or addition to the PP arsenal, lets see if they do it. I like the PP's they have in the bag, but mixing in different looks makes sense to me...

Denver runs a modified umbrella that I call a 'cross' look (essentially a 1-3-1). UNH could run a really effective version of this with a top-PP unit featuring Gildon, McNicholas, Salvaggio, Grasso and Eiserman/Vela. Gildon would play the point and run the PP, either looking for shots through to the net or facilitating to the wings. Grasso and McNicholas would play on the wings, attacking the PK with their feet, playmaking ability or one-timers. They'd both excel in this position and at the same time, spread the box to create lanes for Gildon. Eiserman or Vela would park themselves at the top of the crease to set screens and deflect shots and passes on net (Eiserman is a bigger body, Vela is great on the deflection). They can also drift below the goal line and then create scoring chances low to high from behind the net. Salvaggio would play in the high slot and set the lynch pin of the cross - he would give UNH a chance for deflections up high, provide a second screen and also (most importantly) be available with his big shot to take passes from the wings or from down low in prime scoring chances. Its a hard set-up to defend because there are so many options...

If UNH could slip in and out of looks - even within the same units - they could be more dangerous. Thoughts?

 

[Felger]

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

Scoprpio's should be in the Durham register of historic places.

Back in the day they used to give out the end of season awards on the ice following the final home game. Still remember Bob Miller saying something to the effect of "move this thing along...we've got to get to Scorps"

 

[Chuck Murray]

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

Thanks for the responses on the longevity of OT in regular season college hockey. I know the NHL adopted it in the early '80's after having eliminated it in the WW2 years. Not for the first (or last) time, it appears the college game was onto something that it took the pros many years to catch up on. FWIW I do wish the NHL would eliminate the "bonus point" approach to OT, plus the shootout. I've never felt cheated or deprived of "resolution" in a tie game (regular season of course), but maybe that's just me.

Anyway, here are the updated NRN predictions to date. The cut-off date remains before the Army game this weekend:

1/06/18 vs. Brown @ home: Snively65, HockeyRef
1/19/18 vs. UMaine @ Alfond: Dan a/k/a Mr. Negativity, in a positive mood
1/26/18 vs. UConn @ home: Aerman
2/03/18 vs. UMass @ home: WIS

Calling all Felger, Darius, scoreboard, e.cat, Greg, 'Watcher, sonar and others to chime in and join in the NRN fun!!

 

[Felger]

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

FWIW I do wish the NHL would eliminate the "bonus point" approach to OT, plus the shootout. I've never felt cheated or deprived of "resolution" in a tie game (regular season of course), but maybe that's just me.

Chuck it would be impossible for me to agree with you more.

I consider the idea that a team gets a point just for getting to overtime to be reprehensible. I am resigned, however, to the fact that it is merely symbolic of today's culture of entitlement. (You are probably tired of hearing it from dinosaurs like me, but I was exposed to UNH hockey at a time when more than half of the league didn't even make the playoffs. The league tourney was over in five days - it started on Tuesday and ended on Saturday. Now the leagues have significantly less teams and drag these so-called playoffs out over three weeks.)

Back to the NHL. What I hate even more about the bonus point is that it means that some games are worth two points, while others are worth three points. I believe this calls into question the integrity of the entire league standings. But just like the ECAC and HockeyEast aren't going back to a reputable tourney structure, I know the NHL isn't going back. They are keeping more teams alive for the postseason, at least conceptually.

What I would like to see is to give a bonus point to those teams that finish off their opponents in regulation and make EVERY game worth three points.

 

[phb]

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

Thanks for the responses on the longevity of OT in regular season college hockey. I know the NHL adopted it in the early '80's after having eliminated it in the WW2 years. Not for the first (or last) time, it appears the college game was onto something that it took the pros many years to catch up on. FWIW I do wish the NHL would eliminate the "bonus point" approach to OT, plus the shootout. I've never felt cheated or deprived of "resolution" in a tie game (regular season of course), but maybe that's just me.

Absolutely agree. Play a short overtime. Someone scores, they win. Otherwise...nothing wrong with a tie.

As to NRN, the optimist in me says 1/12 @ home vs BU; the pessimist says 1/26 @ home vs UConn. It's a beautiful day with palm tress swaying. I'm going with the rose-colored glasses. 1/12 vs BU

 

[HockeyRef]

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

But, Dick doesn't deserve to get 600 wins, because, you know, he wears turtle necks, and, like, he lets them throw fish on the ice.

...is Coach Mad-Again on this thread???