Re: UNH Wildcats-The Back Nine and Beyond!
Let the good times roll, indeed ... your "Champions of December" in waiting, the 2017/2018 UNH Wildcats continued their perfect start to the season with a second consecutive weekend sweep, this time against mediocre ECAC opposition from Colgate. 5 goals in each game, and Patrick Grasso still hasn't skated a shift. It's hard not to be giddy, as WIS Productions brings you the latest in the "Pinch Me, This Can't Be Happening" edition of "Umile's Last Stand - The _____ for 600".
"Umile's Last Stand - The March to 600"
Coach Umile's current career wins total: 5
90
Wins Remaining to NRN (Next Round Number): 1
0
Games Remaining (plus 2 min. MBPBEGAM games): 32
Win Pct. Required to Hit Target: 31.3%
WIS Estimated Likelihood of Success: 83%
2017/2018 Cupcake Conversion Ratio (CCR):
2/2 (100.0%)
When the schedule details were originally released, the two home games against Colgate loomed large as likely important bounce-back opportunities in the aftermath of the home-and-home openers against UMass Lowell. But in the wake of the unexpected sweep against the defending HE champions, Coach Umile's UNH squad was in some ways "playing with house money" and ahead of schedule, with no pressure to speak of as their Upstate NY visitors arrived. A split would have consolidated the two earlier W's and kept chopping away at the NRN, but two more W's to add to the ledger, Coach's
Quest has now been upgraded to a
March towards the NRN, as reflected above in the header. The four game winning streak has also catapulted his 'Cats to a #17 ranking ... but again, it IS still October, and fast starts are not exactly historically rare for a program noted nearly as much for those as their late season "Umile-ations". BS35+5 is again looking like the proverbial genius he truly believes he still is (in his most delusional moments) for sticking with his uniquely extended succession plan, and the
March may break out into an all-out
Gallop, and end up being a done deal by New Year's Eve!!
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. Although we predicted Friday's home win, and guessed UNH's Friday's goal scored with Colgate's Saturday tally, our pessimism for completion of the sweep proved to be unfounded. The 'Cats are currently at least two games ahead of WIS projections at this stage, so our original forecasts for the NRN have been upgraded, and we expect it will be a
fait accompli earlier than anticipated. Adding to the good news is the arrival of the "next cupcakes on the shelf" in the form of Colorado College, who are masquerading as possible "Champions of December" in the NCHC. The Tigers are the ones giving off the scent of overconfidence, and WIS expects the 'Cats to show their guests what for in the penultimate game of the "Halloween Homestand" on Friday night. But sadly, the 'Cats will then fall victim to complacency in the return game on Saturday night, with a late one-goal loss predicted to keep the true-blue UNH doubters from letting go of their concerns.
Predictions:
Friday: @ UNH 6 Colorado College 1
Saturday: Colorado College 4 @ UNH 3
NEXT CUPCAKE ON THE SHELF: 10/28/17 @ UVM
COMMESSO RE-COMMIT WATCH: Blue-chip former UNH commit G Drew Commesso is reportedly reconsidering his decommit, and was recently spotted by WIS operatives hitchhiking in beautiful downtown Effingwoods, asking where and when the next bandwagon, err - COAST bus - was scheduled to be coming through town, all while wearing his "I Believe In UNH" t-shirt from his previous recruiting visit. O ye of little faith. Repent and ye shall be set free!!
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. Watch this space for incredible disclosures as they unfold.
GO UNH - GOT TO GET THE GOODBYE TOUR TO THE GAHDEN!!!
