Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!
This past weekend was a tantalizingly close call with another early season W ... but the 2017/2018 UNH Wildcats couldn't preserve a two goal 3rd period lead, and conceded a last minute equalizer before slinking out of Burlington VT with a tie. Not a bad result looking at the league standings, and from the standpoint of the national polls, the point on the road was enough to move the 'Cats up another spot to 13 in the national D-1 rankings. But the elusive W could prove to have much bigger repercussions for the recently-upgraded
March, as this is not the season where Coach Umile can afford too many of these ties. No - it's not that "sister kissing" thing (hey, is that one of the 63 different genders I've heard exist out there?
). Wins don't grow on trees in these her parts, and when one it in your grasp, you need to bring it on home. Coach will not come this way again, and the lay-up line that the early season has turned out to be for UNH is about to get "real". So hence, this is the "Let's Not Pee Away Our Great Start" edition of "Umile's Last Stand - The _____ for 600".
"Umile's Last Stand - The March to 600"
Coach Umile's current career wins total: 591
Wins Remaining to NRN (Next Round Number): 9
Games Remaining (plus 2 min. MBPBEGAM games): 29
Win Pct. Required to Hit Target: 31.0%
WIS Estimated Likelihood of Success: 83%
2017/2018 Cupcake Conversion Ratio (CCR):
3/5 (60.0%)
As has been discussed by others on this thread in recent days, the upcoming road game against traditional HEA doormats UMass Amherst would ordinarily be one which UNH should expect to win. In light of the schedule that follows over the better part of the next month or so, bagging a W in this one takes on a much bigger significance, as another winless weekend could see the early season momentum evaporate quickly, and suddenly the
March can once again be classified a
Quest. A win keeps the wheels on the bandwagon for now, but a stretch of three winless games against a "Murderers Row" lineup of CC/UVM/UMA would give back a whole lot of what hard work has been done already. WIS sees good things on the horizon this weekend, though, and a 6th win could see the 'Cats eking ever closer to a Top 10 ranking. This is where your "Champions of December" need to prove their mettle, as crunch time beckons (not really, but ... you know).
Looking at the big picture ... WIS' panel of experts projected in the preseason that Coach Umile's Wildcats would amass at least 10 wins in the opening 19 game stretch of the season through completion of the Ledyard Bank Classic after the break and before we turn the calendar into 2018. The 'Cats will probably still be two games ahead of WIS projections with a road win this weekend ... BUT another non-win brings that projection to barely one (1) game ahead of projections, so we could see a downgrade to original forecasts for the NRN. The perennially rebuilding hosts from the Pioneer Valley enter the weekend hot off a split with Merrimack. This one should be right in UNH's wheelhouse ...
Prediction:
Saturday: UNH 5 @ UMass Amherst 1
NEXT CUPCAKE ON THE SHELF: 11/17/17 vs. Chestnut Hill CC
(tentative; under consideration)
COMMESSO RE-COMMIT WATCH: Blue-chip former UNH commit G Drew Commesso is reportedly reconsidering his decommit, and was most recently spotted by WIS operatives practicing his driving in the vacant parking lot of the Lindt & Sprungli chocolate factory on the outskirts of the posh Exeter suburb of Stratham, accompanied by someone tentatively ID'ed as either an older sister or youngish appearing mommy. Yes indeed, the man we were all banking on for the future of UNH Hockey is on the verge of getting his drivers' license ... next summer. In the meantime, our Drew is spending his spare time playing video games, popping zits, riding BMX, and looking forward to his first non-chaperoned date. Meanwhile, Dynamite Mike Souza is monitoring the situation, and is weighing whether to forgive the young and impressionable (barely) teen goalie when he inevitably gets up the courage to put down his joystick, and beg for his UNH full ride back.
WIS INITIATIVE - "WATCH THE FACTS" - COMING SOON!!
WIS operatives have been out and about in the world of college hockey, in search of the truth amidst false narratives and hidden agendas at the highest levels, on and off the ice. The first target of our WTF squad will be the monolith along the shores of scenic Lake Quannapowitt. Watch this space for the incredible disclosures as they unfold.
GO UNH - GOT TO GET THE GOODBYE TOUR TO THE GAHDEN!!!
