Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread
His team is always getting rooked...
His team is always getting rooked...
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UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread
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Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
HockeyRef
Well-known member
There was a hooking call that led to a PP right at the beginning of OT which led to BU scoring. Quite a shot by their captain I might add. The beef is so much was let go during regulation that the foul seemed undeserved given the context of the rest of the game.
Others feel a penalty is a penalty and should be called regardless of the timing of the game. Consistency matters but IMHO you don't put your whistle away just coz its 9 seconds into OT...as many have called out for in this situation (that's the umpire in me talking now and I don't think think the BU fans feel that way but could be wrong ��
It's a tough way to lose to be sure but unfortunately it happens and JM's presser after the game speaks to their frustration: (Also his comments after their Maine game compounded his troubles.) Theres a you tube on that presser which can be viewed over at the NU thread...Feel badly for his team being the end of the season but hear he (JM) gets to participate in Senior night festivities...
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Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread
Listen, we've all had to deal with the perceived issues surrounding favoritism of referees towards certain coaches and/or programs. In the old days at USCHO, we used to kid around (semi-seriously) about Jack Parker's annual preseason cookout for the zebras, and I think there was probably some legitimacy to the concept that certain officials were intimidated by Jackie P. or Walshy. Those two guys could really rip in their heyday. But to the extent that Jerry York has pretty much had the run of the last decade - arguably augmented by the slippage in the BU, UNH and UMaine programs - you can't convince me that Yorkie is even capable of using words that would intimidate the referees. So it more often than not comes down to frustration and "sour grapes".
Cronin was the guy who stepped in for Walshy during the latter's NCAA-imposed *vacation*, so it wasn't a stretch to see him conducting his business in a way reminiscent of the Downeast Dark Prince. Madigan ... well, he's an NU guy to the bone, and his issue is probably that NU hasn't won the Beanpot since he was a player back in the '80's. Back when NU actually won the BP as often as anyone else.
Rooting for NU in the Beanpot (and anything else not involving UNH) comes easy and naturally to me, as I have lots of personal and family ties to the school, and worked there for four of the best summers of my youth (including a few janitorial stints at Boston Arena, now Mathews Arena). Some of the working-class underdog vibe has been lost over the years, and certainly the campus has improved beyond its dumpy past. But the last two idiots running the hockey program have made it difficult to pull for them. Agree with Felger.
Listen, we've all had to deal with the perceived issues surrounding favoritism of referees towards certain coaches and/or programs. In the old days at USCHO, we used to kid around (semi-seriously) about Jack Parker's annual preseason cookout for the zebras, and I think there was probably some legitimacy to the concept that certain officials were intimidated by Jackie P. or Walshy. Those two guys could really rip in their heyday. But to the extent that Jerry York has pretty much had the run of the last decade - arguably augmented by the slippage in the BU, UNH and UMaine programs - you can't convince me that Yorkie is even capable of using words that would intimidate the referees. So it more often than not comes down to frustration and "sour grapes".
Cronin was the guy who stepped in for Walshy during the latter's NCAA-imposed *vacation*, so it wasn't a stretch to see him conducting his business in a way reminiscent of the Downeast Dark Prince. Madigan ... well, he's an NU guy to the bone, and his issue is probably that NU hasn't won the Beanpot since he was a player back in the '80's. Back when NU actually won the BP as often as anyone else.
Rooting for NU in the Beanpot (and anything else not involving UNH) comes easy and naturally to me, as I have lots of personal and family ties to the school, and worked there for four of the best summers of my youth (including a few janitorial stints at Boston Arena, now Mathews Arena). Some of the working-class underdog vibe has been lost over the years, and certainly the campus has improved beyond its dumpy past. But the last two idiots running the hockey program have made it difficult to pull for them. Agree with Felger.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread
Hey wildcatdc if you still are going to the games Sat. night I will hang out by the informal team pic near behind section 103ish between the 1st and 2nd periods. Would love to meet up! Anyone else going to the game of course would also love to say hello if ya want. Go 'Cats!!
Ps I'll have my ONE blue and white Pom Pom for easy identification
Hey wildcatdc if you still are going to the games Sat. night I will hang out by the informal team pic near behind section 103ish between the 1st and 2nd periods. Would love to meet up! Anyone else going to the game of course would also love to say hello if ya want. Go 'Cats!!
Ps I'll have my ONE blue and white Pom Pom for easy identification
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Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread
Question for the veteran fans still out there:
In a historical context, just how bad is this season? No matter what the outcome this weekend (and anything less than 4 points is a failure on par with the Niagara/RIT losses) the best the 'Cats are looking at is an 8th place finish. To the best of my recollection, they have never finished that low in the 30 year history of the Hockey East. OTOH, they aren't finishing in last place, which HAS happened before.
Really can't get all that excited about hosting a series as an eight seed, even though that is the reality since HE adopted the "swing 'till you hit" t-ball mindset. At least hosting Maine will make it interesting and there might actually be some fannies in the seats. Really hoping the Black Bears can get a point this weekend, because hosting UConn would be an absolute downer, at least from a hockey standpoint. They really ought to pay people to attend those games.
Question for the veteran fans still out there:
In a historical context, just how bad is this season? No matter what the outcome this weekend (and anything less than 4 points is a failure on par with the Niagara/RIT losses) the best the 'Cats are looking at is an 8th place finish. To the best of my recollection, they have never finished that low in the 30 year history of the Hockey East. OTOH, they aren't finishing in last place, which HAS happened before.
Really can't get all that excited about hosting a series as an eight seed, even though that is the reality since HE adopted the "swing 'till you hit" t-ball mindset. At least hosting Maine will make it interesting and there might actually be some fannies in the seats. Really hoping the Black Bears can get a point this weekend, because hosting UConn would be an absolute downer, at least from a hockey standpoint. They really ought to pay people to attend those games.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread
Felger I apologize in advance from replying to your post as it seeks a historical POV and we all know I'm a newbie (hey, second and a half season, almost a vet
) but I would like to say that given ALL this team has had to deal with from the very start (we won't go down that road 
) to injuries, 10 frosh expected to fill big roles esp. in the D corps I'd say we did as well as to be expected. Not to mention having to break in 2 brand new Freshmen GK's to boot.
Being in 8th aint that great obviously given our past HE performances but for this team, and with the chance to move on (hopefully with home ice next weekend, please, pretty please 'Cats) we are doing ok. Looking back the 11-12 season wasn't much better with a 15-19-3 / 11-14-2 HE and that team took BU 3 games in the HE tourney btw..they finished 6th that year. The 'real' vets of this board can remember other lean years, and I'm sure they remember them fondly...ha!
To coin a phrase already used this season by Aerman, it's been the "best of times and the worst of times". Here's hoping the 'Cats continue to play well and take care of business as WELL as my 'go to' team PC and we get to play at the 'Whitt one more time this season! Go 'Cats!
Felger I apologize in advance from replying to your post as it seeks a historical POV and we all know I'm a newbie (hey, second and a half season, almost a vet
) but I would like to say that given ALL this team has had to deal with from the very start (we won't go down that road ) to injuries, 10 frosh expected to fill big roles esp. in the D corps I'd say we did as well as to be expected. Not to mention having to break in 2 brand new Freshmen GK's to boot.Being in 8th aint that great obviously given our past HE performances but for this team, and with the chance to move on (hopefully with home ice next weekend, please, pretty please 'Cats) we are doing ok. Looking back the 11-12 season wasn't much better with a 15-19-3 / 11-14-2 HE and that team took BU 3 games in the HE tourney btw..they finished 6th that year. The 'real' vets of this board can remember other lean years, and I'm sure they remember them fondly...ha!
To coin a phrase already used this season by Aerman, it's been the "best of times and the worst of times". Here's hoping the 'Cats continue to play well and take care of business as WELL as my 'go to' team PC and we get to play at the 'Whitt one more time this season! Go 'Cats!
Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread
Ha, ah, it was Aerman who responded to my post about Camper's line giving up all three BU goals at Lake Whitt with "so what you are saying is that it was the best of lines, it was the worst of lines."
So, can any of the number crunching gurus here tell us whether the Cats can make up the 6 PWR point difference between us and Merrimack if we sweep the Warriors this weekend? I realize that the PWR does not matter for the Cats this season, but it still would be nice to reach 29th out of the 59 teams, breaking 0.500 in the PWR, so to speak.
Ha, ah, it was Aerman who responded to my post about Camper's line giving up all three BU goals at Lake Whitt with "so what you are saying is that it was the best of lines, it was the worst of lines."
So, can any of the number crunching gurus here tell us whether the Cats can make up the 6 PWR point difference between us and Merrimack if we sweep the Warriors this weekend? I realize that the PWR does not matter for the Cats this season, but it still would be nice to reach 29th out of the 59 teams, breaking 0.500 in the PWR, so to speak.
Darius
Go 'cats!
Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread
. Looking back 4 - 6 weeks, as much as any team, we are the one no one wants to play in the 1st round right now.
We are not there yet
. Looking back 4 - 6 weeks, as much as any team, we are the one no one wants to play in the 1st round right now.
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HockeyRef
Well-known member
Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread
Oops! Got a lil ahead of myself now didn't I??? (unapologetic smiley). And I do believe your sentiments are widely felt!
We are not there yet
Oops! Got a lil ahead of myself now didn't I???
(unapologetic smiley). And I do believe your sentiments are widely felt!
Darius
Go 'cats!
Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread
Anyone out there bullish on UNH's chances for a 7 out the final 8 points finish?
I AM posting this weeks' prediction. We aren't getting 7 of 8.
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Hey wildcatdc if you still are going to the games Sat. night I will hang out by the informal team pic near behind section 103ish between the 1st and 2nd periods. Would love to meet up! Anyone else going to the game of course would also love to say hello if ya want. Go 'Cats!!
Ps I'll have my ONE blue and white Pom Pom for easy identification
Sounds great - just landed in the States and headed to NH tonight. See you tomorrow night!
Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread
UNH has won something like 15 games this year, correct? There was a three year stretch in the late 80's where they won a total of 19 games, the lowest year being Charlie Holt's last in 1986 when I think they won 5 games. Despite how dismal it was back then (and I went to many of those games), an argument can be made that this year's team is worse than any of those because, back then, the competition was better. The late 80's was the early years of Hockey East when the league played an interlocking schedule with the WCHA. So not only was UNH playing perennial powers BC & BU, plus up and comer Maine, they were also playing the Minnesotas and Wisconsins of the world. Today I would dare say that the overall level of talent in Hockey East and college hockey in general is not as great as it was back then.
Regardless, this year's squad is probably the worst of Umile's tenure IMO. He still has the possibility of getting them to .500 if they win this weekend and next. That would be an accomplishment given the makeup of the roster.
UNH has won something like 15 games this year, correct? There was a three year stretch in the late 80's where they won a total of 19 games, the lowest year being Charlie Holt's last in 1986 when I think they won 5 games. Despite how dismal it was back then (and I went to many of those games), an argument can be made that this year's team is worse than any of those because, back then, the competition was better. The late 80's was the early years of Hockey East when the league played an interlocking schedule with the WCHA. So not only was UNH playing perennial powers BC & BU, plus up and comer Maine, they were also playing the Minnesotas and Wisconsins of the world. Today I would dare say that the overall level of talent in Hockey East and college hockey in general is not as great as it was back then.
Regardless, this year's squad is probably the worst of Umile's tenure IMO. He still has the possibility of getting them to .500 if they win this weekend and next. That would be an accomplishment given the makeup of the roster.
My time on campus (86-91) didn't exactly give us a ton to get excited about, though we did start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think this feels worse (for me) given what we've had in the Whittemore era
Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread
I agree. Back in the 80's it took only took 4 years to there was a precipitous decline. In 1982 they made the FF (lost badly to Wisconsin with Chris Chelios), 1983 they made the NCAA's (lost at Minnesota), 1984 they lost in the ECAC quarterfinals to BU (the infamous mini-game), 1985, the first year of HE, they lost to Lowell at home in a two game total goal fiasco. After that they lost a couple of good players to the pros (Leach & Douris), the recruiting had fallen off and the next three years were abysmal. Things started to turn around with a decent freshman class in 1987 and an even better one in 1988 as that class made the NCAA's as seniors.
So how does that compare to now? The drop off has been much more gradual. UNH has not made the FF since 2003, but they made the tournament every year after that until, what, 2012? They were a number one seed in 2008 (a very disappointing year) and made it to the regional finals the three years after that. But I think that we can agree that, except for that 2008 team, the quality of UNH teams had slipped gradually over the years until things really bottomed out the last three years. Hopefully the improvement of the team at the end of the year and what is described as a decent incoming class will get the ship righted.
The only caveat in all this is that the late 80's rejuvenation was partially influenced with the influx of new coaching blood, including Umile. While today we have one new assistant in Stewart, the head coach and second associate head coach remain the same. Whether they can shake off the cobwebs and be part of the ship righting remains to be seen IMO.
I agree. Back in the 80's it took only took 4 years to there was a precipitous decline. In 1982 they made the FF (lost badly to Wisconsin with Chris Chelios), 1983 they made the NCAA's (lost at Minnesota), 1984 they lost in the ECAC quarterfinals to BU (the infamous mini-game), 1985, the first year of HE, they lost to Lowell at home in a two game total goal fiasco. After that they lost a couple of good players to the pros (Leach & Douris), the recruiting had fallen off and the next three years were abysmal. Things started to turn around with a decent freshman class in 1987 and an even better one in 1988 as that class made the NCAA's as seniors.
So how does that compare to now? The drop off has been much more gradual. UNH has not made the FF since 2003, but they made the tournament every year after that until, what, 2012? They were a number one seed in 2008 (a very disappointing year) and made it to the regional finals the three years after that. But I think that we can agree that, except for that 2008 team, the quality of UNH teams had slipped gradually over the years until things really bottomed out the last three years. Hopefully the improvement of the team at the end of the year and what is described as a decent incoming class will get the ship righted.
The only caveat in all this is that the late 80's rejuvenation was partially influenced with the influx of new coaching blood, including Umile. While today we have one new assistant in Stewart, the head coach and second associate head coach remain the same. Whether they can shake off the cobwebs and be part of the ship righting remains to be seen IMO.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Just a q for you Greg so are you saying that this year's team is worse talent wise than any you've seen even in lean years regardless of win/loss record? And I think most would agree with you that winning these next two weekends will be a definite accomplishment...
Interesting that you feel the talent in College hockey isn't what it used to be do others out there who have been following the sport feel the same?
Willows has turned into a scoring machine at the twilight of his UNH career, just in time to lead the Cats to the promised land. UNH made up four of six PWR points that they were behind Mac with Friday win, jumping from 35th to a tie for 32nd. No stopping us now. Win on Saturday night and host the Black Bears at Lake Whitt next weekend. Win two there, and then take two of three at Agganis and head back to the Garden where anything can happen, I say.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Yeah 'Cats!! Wasn't the prettiest of games at times but took care of business!! Another big night for Jay Camper! 'Cats totally control their own destiny so here we go!
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Someone's being a little obtuse with their prediction
Someone's being a little obtuse with their prediction
Would 8 out of 8 perhaps suffice?
Looks like 8th place is there for the taking, after UMaine lost to PC and UNH got past Merrimack. Now all UNH needs to do is match Maine's performance in the final RS game, and 8th place (and home games) go to the 'Cats.
Likewise also hoping the opposition is UMaine and not UConn, but with UConn's win tonight, it's still a possibility the first round opposition *could* be UConn. Hoping it's UMaine, but careful what you ask for, etc.
of course, all this speculation and excitement just sets us up for the crushing RS finale loss/tie
Someone's being a little obtuse with their prediction
Would 8 out of 8 perhaps suffice?
Looks like 8th place is there for the taking, after UMaine lost to PC and UNH got past Merrimack. Now all UNH needs to do is match Maine's performance in the final RS game, and 8th place (and home games) go to the 'Cats.
Likewise also hoping the opposition is UMaine and not UConn, but with UConn's win tonight, it's still a possibility the first round opposition *could* be UConn. Hoping it's UMaine, but careful what you ask for, etc.
of course, all this speculation and excitement just sets us up for the crushing RS finale loss/tie
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