Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!
Yes, that is what I meant.
As to the BU/UNH '09 Regional Final - your memory is a little off, although I can certainly understand why this is your impression.
First of all, BU scored the game winner on the PP when Jason Lawrence's pass across the crease hit a sliding Jerry Pollastrone and ricocheted into the net. JVR was the UNH player in the penalty box. You recollection of JVR being late into the play is because he was the last man into the zone on the preceding rush and hauled down Nick Bonino, who had a point-blank shot from the mid-slot, to take a late hooking penalty. Before you blame JVR's lazy back-check for resulting in a crucial penalty, take a look at the highlights of that game below. If you do, you'll first notice JVR generates a lot of chances for himself and for his teammates throughout the game (the real difference in the game was Kieran Milan's goaltending). UNH out-chanced BU and really could/should have won this game. If you skip ahead to the 5:40 mark you'll also notice JVR save a goal on a BU wraparound attempt and then clear the puck out of danger. Finally, at the 7:10 mark you'll get to the play that led to JVRs penalty...
Now, take a close look at the UNH forwards in the offensive zone. You'll see that the three forechecking forwards, beaten by the BU rush up ice are, #20, #39 and #17. That checks out with UNH's third line that day, consisting of DeSimone, Fortney and Thompson. At least one of those forwards heads to the bench instead of backchecking. JVR jumps on in his place and as a result is late into the zone. He IS NOT late because he wasn't committed to coverage in a big game. He is chasing the play because he is coming from the bench after BU has already entered the zone. His effort to get into the play, prevent a scoring chance and his reaction to taking the penalty indicate a player who was skating hard, VERY committed to his team and into this play and this game...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dmQ_2a6WPo0
One final point, JVR is a supremely skilled and athletic individual. Players like JVR OFTEN look like they're not trying, because they are so fluid and skilled and the game comes naturally to them. Just because his legs aren't moving a mile a minute doesn't mean he's not giving the needed effort. Certainly not in this game. The film doesn't lie. I believe you should re-think him as a no-show in his last career game, Greg...
Yes, that is what I meant.
As to the BU/UNH '09 Regional Final - your memory is a little off, although I can certainly understand why this is your impression.
First of all, BU scored the game winner on the PP when Jason Lawrence's pass across the crease hit a sliding Jerry Pollastrone and ricocheted into the net. JVR was the UNH player in the penalty box. You recollection of JVR being late into the play is because he was the last man into the zone on the preceding rush and hauled down Nick Bonino, who had a point-blank shot from the mid-slot, to take a late hooking penalty. Before you blame JVR's lazy back-check for resulting in a crucial penalty, take a look at the highlights of that game below. If you do, you'll first notice JVR generates a lot of chances for himself and for his teammates throughout the game (the real difference in the game was Kieran Milan's goaltending). UNH out-chanced BU and really could/should have won this game. If you skip ahead to the 5:40 mark you'll also notice JVR save a goal on a BU wraparound attempt and then clear the puck out of danger. Finally, at the 7:10 mark you'll get to the play that led to JVRs penalty...
Now, take a close look at the UNH forwards in the offensive zone. You'll see that the three forechecking forwards, beaten by the BU rush up ice are, #20, #39 and #17. That checks out with UNH's third line that day, consisting of DeSimone, Fortney and Thompson. At least one of those forwards heads to the bench instead of backchecking. JVR jumps on in his place and as a result is late into the zone. He IS NOT late because he wasn't committed to coverage in a big game. He is chasing the play because he is coming from the bench after BU has already entered the zone. His effort to get into the play, prevent a scoring chance and his reaction to taking the penalty indicate a player who was skating hard, VERY committed to his team and into this play and this game...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dmQ_2a6WPo0
One final point, JVR is a supremely skilled and athletic individual. Players like JVR OFTEN look like they're not trying, because they are so fluid and skilled and the game comes naturally to them. Just because his legs aren't moving a mile a minute doesn't mean he's not giving the needed effort. Certainly not in this game. The film doesn't lie. I believe you should re-think him as a no-show in his last career game, Greg...
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! Go 'Cats!!!
Before that, UNH Hockey to me was a novelty interest when I started seeing games on Channel 11 (NHPTV) in the mid-70's from a community not far removed from where Greg grew up (no cable, so the reception was fuzzy on the good nights, nonexistent otherwise). I remember guys like Cap Raeder and Cliff Cox and Jamie Hislop only that way, 'cuz they were long gone by '79. And I guess in a pre-JvR era way, I'll admit it was kind of a rush to see a kid like Bobby Miller go pretty much straight from UNH to the Bruins in the late '70's.
