Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity
So Sunday afternoon was my first trip to The Whitt this season, and before getting to the meat of my post, I want to thank 1932 for the complimentary tickets. It was touch-and-go on whether I was going to be back in time to get to the game, so I'm sorry I missed out on the pre-game activities at Libby's. Thankfully, it was a NESN game, and the line at the Will Call window was much shorter than what looked to be a pretty busy walk-up crowd, so I managed to get seated in time for the intros and the anthem. I also somehow missed out on crossing paths with HR and the rest of the USCHO posse, but I did run into a few familiar faces from my "other" world, plus long-time USCHO poster Scott from the Rochester area. Happy New Year to all, whether I saw you or not.
I thought the energy level in the building was pretty decent - much better than it's been in my trips over the last few years of the Umile Era (oh, and BTW many thanks to HR for sending along the Coach Umile bobblehead - arrived at the WIS Estate this a.m., I'm just waiting for the time-delay switch to trigger a mini-explosion, courtesy of BS35+infinity). Might have been the most people I've seen in the building for at least five years now, and it looked like there had been a specific targeted effort to bring youngsters into the place. When the Jumbotron called for loudness, it sounded like I'd descended into a cave filled with bats, the high pitch of the sound was THAT piercing. The concessions seemed to run out of a few things, lines were pretty long, and the overall impression I got was that the turnout was bigger than expected. So, good on UNH for getting "bums in the seats".
As an aside … I didn't know it was going to be "Hawaiian Night at The Whitt" or whatever it was. As someone who detests the musical mediocrity of Jimmy Buffett - perhaps the least talented performer to emerge from the 1970's, although certainly his marketing/merchandising plan should be enshrined somewhere - I felt like I might have thrown up in my mouth a half-dozen times before the end of the first period alone. It's not often when I look forward to hearing the UNH Pep Band, but last night was one of those nights. But I digress ….
UNH scraped by for a win they needed, and probably should have won more comfortably, save for some excellent goalie play by Pelino for the Falcons, and some less-than-stellar play by Robinson at the other end of the ice. It really was a night where UNH played well enough defensively to have posted a shutout. Bentley's first goal may have been partially screened by Boyd, but it was either near post or five-hole, and one I'm sure Robinson wishes he had back. The second one was definitely a screen, but Robinson's positioning was curious, as I could literally see half of the net uncovered to his right for a shot that pretty much came at him from the center top of the zone (and that was shortly after an extended video review supported a no goal call by Bunyon and crew on another shot where Robinson seemed flummoxed), and the third and final goal was admitted fluky, and never should have happened in the first place, but for an admirable-yet-dumb penalty against Wyse moments earlier. HR says we should expect Taylor to play against the 'Mack on Friday, and I'd have to agree. Robinson did make a couple of nice quick reaction saves, but to me, the jury is still out on him as a legit D-1 starter. Maybe unfair based on one mediocre performance, but I don't think there's any question the Bentley goalie outplayed Robinson by a large chunk, and kept his team in the game.
Defensively … I come to praise Max Gildon, not to bury him. Recognizing that Bentley is not going to be seen as a D-1 team in any way other than on paper, you would expect him to be a dominant force in a game like last night's game. But on top of that, I see a kid who is now making the right decisions routinely, seeing the ice completely, and totally in control of everything every time he is out on the ice - even without the puck. I'm not going to relitigate the captain selections for this season, as it looks like a harmonious and hard-working team out there, and Vela is getting himself in good positions in the dirty areas out in front of the opposition's goal. But Gildon looks like and acts like the leader of the team out there, and my call for him to have been selected for a letter this year would not have been a mistake, if pursued. And under the heading of "timing is everything", Gildon is exactly the type of defenseman UNH could have used back in the glory days, when they were knocking on the door of the big tourney. It'd be great if we could expect him to stay two more seasons, especially with some of the emerging talent on this year's roster. But that's not usually how it works these days, and it's a shame for UNH fans. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Wyse … took an admirable-yet-dumb retaliation penalty in the 3rd period, otherwise looks like a great complement to Gildon when on the first pairing, or when he's heading up a second pairing with one of the other guys … MacKinnon impressed me more than Verrier, which caught me a little by surprise … Boyd is Boyd, good enough as a 3rd pair guy on a decent D-1 team, and I think Hickey got an early shift or two, then disappeared for the balance? But as a group, the defense kept chances away from the slot, moved the puck well, and played well enough to win, even to possibly have earned a shutout. Encouraging, and if we are lucky enough to have Gildon back next season, an area of true strength on what could be a contending team.
I spent most of my time watching the new players up front, and Crookshank impressed me slightly more than Pierson, although I think both scored, and it was nice to see Grasso scoring as well. A definite uptick in talent level from recent recruiting years, although getting virtually all of their goals on the PP was a bit of a red flag. Maybe the most impressive thing I saw was down the stretch, when it never felt like Bentley ever got anything established in their attacking zone despite being within a goal of a tie. UNH's team defense locked things down nicely, and Coach Souza seemed directly engaged in talking with his guys after a late timeout, which was a breath of fresh air, compared to the usual approach from his predecessor.
I don't want to make too much of any aspect of this game - it's a NC game right after the break, and one UNH was expected to win (and did), and despite the scoreline, they won it surprisingly comfortably. But it seemed like there was positive energy in the building for the first time in awhile, and that has to reflect favorably on Coach Souza and his staff. And it's important not to forget, these games after the break have more often than not been pitfalls for past UNH teams. The team put on a good show in front of a good crowd, and that's a good start to what seems to be a promising rest of the season. Time will tell, we'll see.
Let's Goooo 'Cattttss beat those birds!!! 
will line up in its <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpenglerCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpenglerCup</a> opener... <a href="https://t.co/TTb02oPwmI">pic.twitter.com/TTb02oPwmI</a></p>— Team Canada Men (@HC_Men) <a href="https://twitter.com/HC_Men/status/1077998963263922176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>