UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

[Felger]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

Halfway through the six game November gauntlet, and nary a result to show for it

Well, I count five games in November. Likely to be 2-3 when all is said and done.

Not to mention that "gauntlet" should never be used in the same sentence as UMass and Yale.

And what presents does December bring? Seven games (only two outside of the Granite State) against teams with a combined record of 23-29-6. In all likelihood, the December opposition will have lost more than 30 games before the turkey is carved.

Only Providence can even make a face like a Division One college hockey team, and as I mentioned before the 'Cats get them following their trip to Ireland.

The level of competition is so bad in December that Matt Dawson might even get into a game.

 

[Aerman]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

I think Gildon may just be a little TOO confident when the puck is on his stick. Nothing we didn't see all of DeSimone's career. Hopefully he figures it out shortly.

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

I find it interesting that the narrative from the fiercely sentimental crowd jas turned into it being all about what UNH players do at UNH, when this whole argument began with their direct comparison of Gould and JVR at the NHL level in an attempt to minimize JVRs accomplishments. Miss a kick, move the goalposts...

JVR is the more talented player and better scorer at each level - any coach with objectivity picks him first to build either a college or professional team as his skill set and ability is much harder to find. Bobby Gould is still very good, a more defensively responsible player and made a bigger impact at UNH by staying four years and scoring some big goals. They're both good. They're both Wildcats.

Take all the issue with paragraph two, sentence one you want. It's true. Its not an indictment on Gould's career, a diminishing of his accomplishments or an affront to the glory days and heros of ones youth (If you take it as one that's your perspective not mine. Perhaps a reflection of your own attempts to belittle a former player...). And it's my last word on the subject...

----

More importantly, UNH loses again. The bloom is off the rose. They're not talented or deep enough to beat the better teams in college hockey regularly. They can still have a good season if they win the games they're supposed to and steal a few from better teams, but the margin for error is shrinking. A 2-1 record over the next three is all but a must for confidence heading into a stretch of games they need to win if they hope to make the tournament to send Dick out in style...

At Yale has historically been a tough ask for even the best UNH teams. This game just screams their Snively goes off... #irony

Dan, just remind you that this is the University of New Hampshire thread on the U.S. College Hockey Online website. People who post here mostly do so with a UNH perspective in mind. If you reread my posts, you will not see me say that Bob Gould was a better offensive player than JVR. In 1977 when he scored the winner in 2OT vs. Cornell he was no better than the third or fourth best offensive player on the team. Nor was he the best offensive player in 1979 when he scored the winner vs. Dartmouth. But in his four years at UNH he always seemed to have the knack to make the right play at the right time, a talent for which he is duly recognized by most decades long UNH fans.

As for UNH today, they are, at best the sixth best team in a weak league. I do believe that they will finish better than last year's 10th place finish but it won't be easy. They need to beat up on UMass and UConn, split at Maine (tall order given that they beat BU 5-2 last night) and at least split with the likes of Merrimack. They are going to have to get better. Last night their transition out of the zone wasn't nearly as efficient as it was a few weeks ago and they had little sustained presence in the offensive zone. But, then, they were playing a better level of competition. Beating Northeastern, BU, BC, and Providence is mostly out of the question. Fortunately they have played five games against the upper echelon and won two. But, as said, they will need to get better.

 

[FiveHole12]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

So can you use your football pass to indicate you are a Flynn Donor ? Or that little card they give you ?

All I know is we have a parking pass with the tickets so that works for us! Just took a look and we are in the Beacon St. garage 2? Anyway...it's all free so we'll take advantage!

Not sure if the football pass works Ray... does it hang on your front mirror? If so I imagine it does. The little card we get for concessions doesn't work for the garage.

Curious how you got the pass Ref? Did BC send it when you purchased the tickets? That's the only way to get into Beacon Garage, with a pass. It's the best place to park because police stop traffic and let the garage empty for long stretches after the game. The entrance at Beacon Garage is also where handicap parking is located, so either pass gets you in.

 

[BCeagle]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

Not sure if the football pass works Ray... does it hang on your front mirror? If so I imagine it does. The little card we get for concessions doesn't work for the garage.

Curious how you got the pass Ref? Did BC send it when you purchased the tickets? That's the only way to get into Beacon Garage, with a pass. It's the best place to park because police stop traffic and let the garage empty for long stretches after the game. The entrance at Beacon Garage is also where handicap parking is located, so either pass gets you in.

The football pass hangs on my front mirror. The only way you get this pass is to make a donation to the Flynn Fund.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

Not sure if the football pass works Ray... does it hang on your front mirror? If so I imagine it does. The little card we get for concessions doesn't work for the garage.

Curious how you got the pass Ref? Did BC send it when you purchased the tickets? That's the only way to get into Beacon Garage, with a pass. It's the best place to park because police stop traffic and let the garage empty for long stretches after the game. The entrance at Beacon Garage is also where handicap parking is located, so either pass gets you in.

A high school friend of mine went to college there and has had season tix forever...they can't go to the UNH game and he knows I'm an avid fan from my facebook posts so he offered them to me...I was pleasantly surprised to get the parking pass with the tix...

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

I think Gildon may just be a little TOO confident when the puck is on his stick. Nothing we didn't see all of DeSimone's career. Hopefully he figures it out shortly.

I don't mean to be 'judge, jury, executioner' about this...Max IS a most gifted hockey player. Of course I don't have any Phil D references! Players are going to make mistakes, and at that level, they surely know them, and, have to own them, and I'm sure he understands that. Poking around going to Yale. Yep, I am crazy. (but you knew that...)

 

[After the Whistle]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

I don't mean to be 'judge, jury, executioner' about this...Max IS a most gifted hockey player. Of course I don't have any Phil D references! Players are going to make mistakes, and at that level, they surely know them, and, have to own them, and I'm sure he understands that. Poking around going to Yale. Yep, I am crazy. (but you knew that...)

It was certainly a better option when they initially had it as a 4:00 game. This one begs an overnight.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

It was certainly a better option when they initially had it as a 4:00 game. This one begs an overnight.

Yeah, and I don't really have a problem with that...but it's the next day on Sunday coming back with all of that traffic heading East from New Haven. Have to get up pretty early to avoid it. Didn't know it was originally a 4:00 start...that is more doable. It's about 4 hrs. from here with no stops. Cheaper just to stay home and watch from whatever feed Yale offers. Still...

 

[After the Whistle]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

Yeah, and I don't really have a problem with that...but it's the next day on Sunday coming back with all of that traffic heading East from New Haven. Have to get up pretty early to avoid it. Didn't know it was originally a 4:00 start...that is more doable. It's about 4 hrs. from here with no stops. Cheaper just to stay home and watch from whatever feed Yale offers. Still...

You'll be there. New venue for you, only game that week, yeah you will be there. It will be so fun when they win! Somethings you just gotta do.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

You'll be there. New venue for you, only game that week, yeah you will be there. It will be so fun when they win! Somethings you just gotta do.

hahah STOP!!!! I've already been over to Hotels.com...that's usually the death knell along with the rationalizing (only one game; yup...) good friends from Ct are going...arghhhhh!! and of course I could wear my new Kevin Goumas jersey I just shelled out a couple of weeks worth of food for...

 

[Snively65]

Well, I count five games in November. Likely to be 2-3 when all is said and done.

Not to mention that "gauntlet" should never be used in the same sentence as UMass and Yale.

And what presents does December bring? Seven games (only two outside of the Granite State) against teams with a combined record of 23-29-6. In all likelihood, the December opposition will have lost more than 30 games before the turkey is carved.

Only Providence can even make a face like a Division One college hockey team, and as I mentioned before the 'Cats get them following their trip to Ireland.

The level of competition is so bad in December that Matt Dawson might even get into a game.

All cupcakes; yum, yum, yum!

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

All cupcakes; yum, yum, yum!

Watch yourself now....you know how much trouble you got into last time with that cupcake talk!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIeu8VMzAEE

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

UNH now 20th in PWR, but cupcake NU also out of tournament now at 17th; only cupcakes BC and PC in (as of today, of course). Down year for HEA, for sure.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

UNH now 20th in PWR, but cupcake NU also out of tournament now at 17th; only cupcakes BC and PC in (as of today, of course). Down year for HEA, for sure.

...and we fall back to 6th in the HE standings. Still lots of hockey to be played; goal is to be top 4 but that's a tall order (would be great tho). Gotta put the puck in the net. Anyway, wonder where we will be rankings wise tomorrow. UNH needs a big W this weekend to get back on track even though doubt it helps a ton PWR. That being said of course I decided to bite the bullet and made plans to go to the game (you knew I would...I mean, new arena, friends from CT there, how could I refuse???) One game at a time. Go 'Cats!!!

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

Wow ... lose three on the trot, the feel-good factor goes bye-bye, and it's "Hello Page Two". Bummer.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

Wow ... lose three on the trot, the feel-good factor goes bye-bye, and it's "Hello Page Two". Bummer.

At least right now we are still a ranked team! PWR not so much and that's the real effect of losing 3 straight. We're pg 2 because I just don't think most fans wanna come on here and talk about the team, etc. I wish more people would post...surely they are going to the games and have opinions of what's going on.

And nothing at all personal to you veteran fans, seems like the past is discussed more than the present. Sure, the past is more colorful and has big games to recall and the last few years haven't been stellar, but we 'still have a hockey season going on' (sound familiar?) Again, nothing personal. Whatever keeps us on pg 1 and I enjoy learning about what was what. Hope in my fandom I get a chance to see the 'Cats win a HE title, etc, etc.

 

[After the Whistle]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

Folks I am not ready to write off this UNH team (as you'd expect) and I'm not saying anyone here is either. However I am concerned that our top line and over all goal production in the last 3 games has certainly been lacking; PP hasn't produced much of anything. It's obvious that someone on that top line needs to step up and be a playmaker. To be fair both Grasso and Charlie K have been dealing with injuries which have to affect them. On paper this is still a young team that I believe will progressively get better but the veterans have their work cut out for them. I do not wish to say that without TyK forget it but something has to give on that top line. I have no clue if we shuffled the deck what that could even look like. Would love some convo on this. Going to give BC credit; their veteran players stepped up for them, they played solid D, and Woll managed twice to avoid what looked like sure goals in big save efforts.

Over all we still deal with a lack of timely/lengthy puck possession but last night I thought we did a decent enough job of limiting BC's chances although in the 3rd you could see they had the puck for long periods of time. Seeing some good stuff from guys like Eric MacAdams as he scored his first NCAA goal. Love the tenacity of that player every shift the kid gives and it paid off last night. I think we are going to see a lot from him as the season goes forward.

Glad we have the day off(sort of ) and hope we find something on the road v Yale. Have heard that's a tough place to play. Hope you're right Felger about PC and the malaise of playing in the FS4 tourney as PC is up next. They are playing decent hockey and HE points are desperately needed. Wishing all a great Thanksgiving. Go 'Cats!!

Ps..we could see Eiserman back for Yale

Ref, sorry to reply to your 11/20 post here but my thread is all messed up.
Thoughts:
First line has lost its touch. Not sure why but it is so painful to watch. They are also the line that struggles getting it out of our end the most.
I say try Charlie back up there and keep the 7-26-20 as second for now.
We suffer from not having a closer, go to guy who can either win it or get us back in the game. Nice distribution of goal scoring but need that guy!
We need to play the 4th line more, especially in the third period (here comes the pig pile on me) They are fast, effective and drive the opponent nuts. We keep running the 1-2 and the 1 just can't get it done and starts to lose a step. All sports are games of inches and we need the first line to be more in control. I am not advocating a 1,2,3,4 approach as situaations will demand specific responses but throw the 4th out more to shake things up.
And on the freshmen d, yes they both make mistakes but they also make tons of incredible plays. We got 8 because he is/was inconsistent, but I see a real star here and he will prevail. He already plays beyond his years just needs to stay focused.

 

[HockeyRef]

Ref, sorry to reply to your 11/20 post here but my thread is all messed up.
Thoughts:
First line has lost its touch. Not sure why but it is so painful to watch. They are also the line that struggles getting it out of our end the most.
I say try Charlie back up there and keep the 7-26-20 as second for now.
We suffer from not having a closer, go to guy who can either win it or get us back in the game. Nice distribution of goal scoring but need that guy!
We need to play the 4th line more, especially in the third period (here comes the pig pile on me) They are fast, effective and drive the opponent nuts. We keep running the 1-2 and the 1 just can't get it done and starts to lose a step. All sports are games of inches and we need the first line to be more in control. I am not advocating a 1,2,3,4 approach as situaations will demand specific responses but throw the 4th out more to shake things up.
And on the freshmen d, yes they both make mistakes but they also make tons of incredible plays. We got 8 because he is/was inconsistent, but I see a real star here and he will prevail. He already plays beyond his years just needs to stay focused.

Really great points ATW! You aren't the only one who has said they would like to see that 4th line see more action; myself included. We thought we weren't going to say we missed TyK but right now? Yup we do. So there needs to be a playmaker/closer on that line and right now I'd stick with Charlie. Grasso is not 100% and quite honestly maybe PG is t either but I think CHKell has that defensive piece down and is an excellent passer which is what that line needs.

BC was all over us the other night seems we need more effective breakout plays/systems. The dump and chase is ok and lots of teams use it. That being said it shouldn't be the game plan every time down the ice. Speedy forwards or not. Like to see us get that outlet pass going as well and not rely on getting tied up in the corners.

It just seems too easy to take UNH out of its game; we get one or maybe two chances to score and that's about it. Lately I feel like the other team is constantly on a power play with the amount of puck possession they have in our end. Could that be why we have pottted 3 goals in 3 games? Too much talent out there for that...need that top line to figure it out.

And I'm with you regarding #8...just some musings on the above stuff. Curious to see what we bring to Yale. Thanks to you I'm going

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!

Really great points ATW! You aren't the only one who has said they would like to see that 4th line see more action; myself included. We thought we weren't going to say we missed TyK but right now? Yup we do. So there needs to be a playmaker/closer on that line and right now I'd stick with Charlie. Grasso is not 100% and quite honestly maybe PG is t either but I think CHKell has that defensive piece down and is an excellent passer which is what that line needs.

BC was all over us the other night seems we need more effective breakout plays/systems. The dump and chase is ok and lots of teams use it. That being said it shouldn't be the game plan every time down the ice. Speedy forwards or not. Like to see us get that outlet pass going as well and not rely on getting tied up in the corners.

It just seems too easy to take UNH out of its game; we get one or maybe two chances to score and that's about it. Lately I feel like the other team is constantly on a power play with the amount of puck possession they have in our end. Could that be why we have pottted 3 goals in 3 games? Too much talent out there for that...need that top line to figure it out.

And I'm with you regarding #8...just some musings on the above stuff. Curious to see what we bring to Yale. Thanks to you I'm going

Big down side to injuries on lines 1 - 3 is breaking up the 4th line to fill in for the injured player(s).