What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

rdf8585 said:
I didn't see the game, but going by the radio broadcast, Union just never seemed to really get going. It seemed like a frustrating game to see. Was it UMD? Was it just rust? This team is pretty young with only a few key seniors. If everyone else (and Leaman) come back as expected, and the incoming freshman show something, there's reason to think we could be back in the tournament a year from now.
Click to expand...

I didn't see the whole game but saw about half of it. The ESPN announcers felt UNO outworked and out hustled Union. From my perspective Union didn't really start to pick things up until the third period.
The story of the game though was the PP's. UMD buried their chances and on the second goal scored almost immediately when the PP started. Union on the other hand was 0-9 on the PP which considering their success on the PP this year was surprising. That was their undoing as much as anything.

You, your team and your school have a lot to be proud of. It was your best season ever, first Cleary Cup, first NCAA tournament appearance.....that's a lot to build on. Believe me as a fellow ECAC fan we really wanted you to win today not just for your school but for our conference as well.

Your program is on the upswing and as you indicate if you have any talent at all coming in to add to what you have coming back then you will be a force to be dealt with in the years ahead.
 
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

what a way to end a great season.....think tonight we beat ourselves....team just werent themselves...no crisp passing....tentative play..ineffective PP....not sure what was going on.....disappointing.....

but here is to a great year...ty to the team...esp seniors...the coaches....the staff....now the long wait begins......


rumor at the game today was that kinkaid is gone and quite possibly leaman....hope that is all it is...rumors.....:(
 
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

Nice season U! I was at the game and thought that Union came out strong, then for some reason UMD found a flaw in your game and took advantage. The refs were not kind to either team and really interrupted the flow of the game.
 
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

A really tough game to watch and I'm totally exhausted.. can't imagine how the players feel.. in the end Union was "out-Unioned" by UMD:(. The killer IMO was not scoring on the first 4(?) PPs and then UMD throws a puck at the net on their first PP and gets a deflection. The boys really started gripping the sticks tighter after that and just could not pick a corner when they had to. Still, have to give UMD plenty of credit. They were very quick and gritty and beat U to a lot of pucks.. U did not look sharp, but the Bulldogs definitely had something to do with that. Hopefully a big learning experience for the program and the returning players. Tough way for the seniors to leave.. will be very sorely missed.

And BTW.. Schott interviewed Kinkaid after the game and he said he is going to return next year, though when pressed if he was 100% on that he seemed to waffle a little.. hopefully its true but may depend on what kind of offer he gets.
 
Last edited:
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

unionbob said:
rumor at the game today was that kinkaid is gone and quite possibly leaman....hope that is all it is...rumors.....:(
Click to expand...

If that is true that would be sad and a blow for Union and the ECAC. I just read the Providence Journal article and even if Leaman is one of the coaches under consideration it sounds like they have a lot of candidates.
The other thing is I don't think the Providence job is that much of a plum job compared to where he is now. Yes it's Hockey East but Providence has been a doormat for quite some time and has to compete with a lot of top notch programs.

If Kinkaid left that would be more shocking to me. Having followed college hockey for a number of years now goalies are the least predictable when it comes to success in the NHL. The list of players who left early and signed big contracts only to play in the minors a few years and then drop into obscurity is far larger by a MILE than the list of those who made it to the NHL. Yes some guys have long and serviceable careers in the AHL but I sure hope for Kinkaid's sake he has someone he can talk to (like Leaman) who will stress the value of an education at a quality school versus leaving early.
 
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

Union came out on fire in the first 10 minutes and had UMD on their heels. But they needed to deliver the KO. And when they couldnt, and then found themselves down 1-0 you could see their confidence shaken. And while I am sure Kincaid is very good - this was my first time seeing him play - i was not blown away. He gave up a number of rebounds, including one that resulting in PP goal #2, and while he made at least one game saving save he was bested by the UMD goalie, in my opinion.

Also, I there were two things I could not understand.

1. Why did it seem that Union ran out of gas in with about 10 min. left to go in the 3rd? Clearly, you could see UMD's confidence grow and the pep in their step pick up with a 2-0 lead but it seemed that Union was gassed. With a week off, and having only played 3x in the month I dont get it.

2. This is a coaching decision - why, with a PP, down 2-0 with 2:30 left in the game was the goalie not pulled? In fact, Union didnt empty the net until they were off the PP and there was only 1:30 left. It was like the Coach didnt want to lose 3-0 instead of going 100% all out to try and score and make a real finish of it. I dont know if he was questioned about this in the post-game, but he should have been. Didnt make any sense to me.

Union has 21 players coming back next year so there is no reason to think an NCAA bid isnt a reasonable goal. But the real question now facing Union fans, IMO, is how to take the program to the next level. A level where an NCAA bid isnt good enough - but rather where Union actually gets some swagger and expects to win. They didnt seem to expect to win to me yesterday, although I understand why not.
 
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

critsports said:
I just read the Providence Journal article and even if Leaman is one of the coaches under consideration it sounds like they have a lot of candidates.
Click to expand...
The PC guys are talking about Bennett as a prime candidate.
 
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

A spectacular season came to an end all to quietly yesterday and being there I got the feeling after the first 10 minutes or so that it was not going to be our day. Once we missed on the early PP opportunities it seemed like it was all uphill. Frankly, the end probably began with the Colgate debacle as it seemed we never got our "A" game going in March. Union still has to figure out how to win on the big stage, i.e. the playoffs. I am confident that the learning curve will flatten out and this to will come to pass. Only one team a year gets to win their last game in the postseason and hopefully one day we'll have that chance.

The positives far outweigh any negatives and at the risk of being cliche, the future remains bright. I want to pay tribute to and wish every success to all of the seniors, Brock, Adam, Corey, Stephane, Andrew, John, Justin, Corey and Luke who have laid the foundation for what lies ahead and for taking Union from the basement to the penthouse in the ECAC. As Nate Leaman said after the game, they will always be part of the Union program.
 
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

I wanted to post something earlier but I had to cool down first. I'm trying to look at this season as a positive, but it's tough to do that right now, even though I know it was. Don't get me wrong: I'm thrilled with the direction of our program and I couldn't be happier that we just had the best season in program history. However, I am left with a sour taste in my mouth, losing three straight games to end the season. Wholin1, as you said, I appreciate everything that the seniors did for this team and I'll tell them in person when I'm back up in Schenectady. I wish they had gotten to experience a win in the NCAA tourney.

As for the actual game, I am thoroughly disappointed. I thought we dominated the game in the first period and I felt like I got the wind knocked out of me when UMD struck first. It's ironic that we have the best PP in the nation and then go 0-9 to end the season. I truly thought that we were the better team out there and if we had a few bounces go our way and Reiter hadn't decided to have the best game of his career, we might be headed to the frozen four right now.

The future is bright for this team and I hope all of the underclassmen decide to stay in Schenectady. Sorry this post couldn't be more eloquent but I'm still feeling the pain from Friday's loss.
 
Last edited:
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

Wholin1 said:
A spectacular season came to an end all to quietly yesterday and being there I got the feeling after the first 10 minutes or so that it was not going to be our day. Once we missed on the early PP opportunities it seemed like it was all uphill. Frankly, the end probably began with the Colgate debacle as it seemed we never got our "A" game going in March. Union still has to figure out how to win on the big stage, i.e. the playoffs. I am confident that the learning curve will flatten out and this to will come to pass. Only one team a year gets to win their last game in the postseason and hopefully one day we'll have that chance.

The positives far outweigh any negatives and at the risk of being cliche, the future remains bright. I want to pay tribute to and wish every success to all of the seniors, Brock, Adam, Corey, Stephane, Andrew, John, Justin, Corey and Luke who have laid the foundation for what lies ahead and for taking Union from the basement to the penthouse in the ECAC. As Nate Leaman said after the game, they will always be part of the Union program.
Click to expand...

Don't make me tear up. :(

This was certainly a disappointing end to a great season. After a few days to digest it, I've realized that I still couldn't be more proud of this team and the program. This group of seniors (and the 2010 graduates) has really laid a foundation for the future and brought the expectations of the fans to a new level. Seeing all of section 107 in Bridgeport packed with garnet & white was evidence that this program has reached even a higher level. The fact that President Ainlay was in the front row tells me that the administration likes the fact that we're not satisfied with 40% success.

Looking ahead, it would be great to keep the key pieces of this team in place for next season. I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Rick Bennett take another opportunity (as he deserves it). While I also wouldn't be shocked to see Nate Leaman or Keith Kinkaid take advantages of potential greener pastures, losing either of them would be a huge setback to the program.

As for the rest of the players, there is a great group of men to keep this winning tradition going. Guys like Welsh, Zajac, Wayne Simpson, Carr, Jooris, Mat Bodie, & Coburn will be the next leaders of this team. With the incoming recruits, I don't see any reason not to expect similar success for Union in the next few years.

Congrats to the coaches and the players on a fabulous season! Thank you for making us proud of you!
 
Last edited:
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

aweise said:
with the incoming recruits, i don't see any reason not to expect similar success for union in the next few years.
Click to expand...
fyp ;). No disgrace in losing to UMD especially after their making the FF, but I think we could have had a better showing with a bounce or two going our way here or there, but that's the nature of this game.

Unless someone else wants to do so, I'll start an Offseason thread in a day or so.
 
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

aweise said:
As for the rest of the players, there is a great group of men to keep this winning tradition going. Guys like Welsh, Zajac, Wayne Simpson, Carr, Jooris, Mat Bodie, & Coburn will be the next leaders of this team. With the incoming recruits, I don't see any reason to expect similar success for Union in the next few years.
Click to expand...

To be quite honest, I think Leaman has done for Union exactly what Appert has done for RPI: build up a program in the doldrums to be a national contender. You now have exorbitant support from your school's administration, and Coach Leaman has proven himself to be able to sell your program to many good recruits. I trust that any team that plays the Capital District next year will have their hands full. You guys will have success next year.
 
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

FlagDUDE08 said:
To be quite honest, I think Leaman has done for Union exactly what Appert has done for RPI: build up a program in the doldrums to be a national contender. You now have exorbitant support from your school's administration, and Coach Leaman has proven himself to be able to sell your program to many good recruits. I trust that any team that plays the Capital District next year will have their hands full. You guys will have success next year.
Click to expand...
I think you are correct in that we have two programs that are on the upswing due in large part to energetic and quality young coaches. I'm afraid that Union will always be swimming upstream in the recruiting battles due to the scholarship situation and will have to continue to mine the "under the radar" type of players. Let's hope our coaches stay put. I know they have long contract extensions, but from what I understand of such contracts, they are largely window dressing and probably allow them to pursue other opportunities which might come their way.
 
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

FlagDUDE08 said:
To be quite honest, I think Leaman has done for Union exactly what Appert has done for RPI: build up a program in the doldrums to be a national contender. You now have exorbitant support from your school's administration, and Coach Leaman has proven himself to be able to sell your program to many good recruits. I trust that any team that plays the Capital District next year will have their hands full. You guys will have success next year.
Click to expand...

With all due respect FD, I disagree with your statement. The internal difference between these two programs with relation to budgets, salaries, and the admissions process is not on the same level. Since Coach Appert arrived, the program is finally getting the financial support it takes to run a D-1 program, which has helped take the program out of the "doldrums".

There are many hurdles Coach Leaman continues to jump over, and to that, what he has done at Union College has been nothing less than remarkable!
 
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

Question for you, if I may ... UML is supposedly interested in Union Coach Leaman, and he's one of the leading candidates for the position.

Not trying to be rude, but really curious about your thoughts on this? Is this a surprise to you (or has he been looking elsewhere)? Would you think he'd succeed at a program like Lowell (great new facility, playing in Hockey East, but coming off their worst year ever)? Just looking for opinions on him I guess. Thanks...
 
Re: Union Hockey Postseason Thread: Care to Dance?

UMLFan said:
Question for you, if I may ... UML is supposedly interested in Union Coach Leaman, and he's one of the leading candidates for the position.

Not trying to be rude, but really curious about your thoughts on this? Is this a surprise to you (or has he been looking elsewhere)? Would you think he'd succeed at a program like Lowell (great new facility, playing in Hockey East, but coming off their worst year ever)? Just looking for opinions on him I guess. Thanks...
Click to expand...
There have been a lot of reports, rumors and speculation swirling around Nate Leaman. The same thing happened at the end of last season. His track record speaks for itself having elevated Union's moribund program by force of sheer will while getting tepid support (until recently) from the Administration and recruiting excellent talent without the benefit of athletic scholarships.

He would improve any program that he heads but in all candor I would be surprised to see him take the UML job. I think he would be looking to leave for the right situation and frankly I'm not sure that UML would qualify in that regard, no offense intended. Of course this is sheer speculation on my part.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top