UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

[snwbrdr]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

I'm not quite sure what to make of the last couple of games (including a not dominating effort against AFA). very disappointing efforts. The speed has not been put to use and the tenacity has not been there. The goaltending has been marginal, the opposing goaltenders were better than the Cats tenders. They have not had a ton of high quality scoring chances but some and they did not bury the ones they had. Burying the chances is critical, obviously..... Maybe a mini slump off a six game winning streak, maybe a bit of reality. I think it was a slump due to an ill timed break during a hot streak. If they move their feet and are tenacious they will get their share of wins in the 2nd half. I'm thinking if they can go 7-5-2 or better over the balance of the RS they will squeeze into the tourney and then you never know what happens..... I see six to nine wins available if they play to their speed and tenacity AND they get quality goal tending. I'm not sold on the goal tending, I think that is what benefited from a relatively easy first half schedule. IMO they need Senkbeil and Forgionne playing to put their best team on the ice. Senkbeil because he is bigger and physical and they lack size up front, and he does not seem to be slow despite his size, although not a great finisher.... Have not seen anything out of Phillips yet, hoping that is coming.... Go Cats.

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

I'm not quite sure what to make of the last couple of games (including a not dominating effort against AFA). very disappointing efforts. The speed has not been put to use and the tenacity has not been there. The goaltending has been marginal, the opposing goaltenders were better than the Cats tenders. They have not had a ton of high quality scoring chances but some and they did not bury the ones they had. Burying the chances is critical, obviously..... Maybe a mini slump off a six game winning streak, maybe a bit of reality. I think it was a slump due to an ill timed break during a hot streak. If they move their feet and are tenacious they will get their share of wins in the 2nd half. I'm thinking if they can go 7-5-2 or better over the balance of the RS they will squeeze into the tourney and then you never know what happens..... I see six to nine wins available if they play to their speed and tenacity AND they get quality goal tending. I'm not sold on the goal tending, I think that is what benefited from a relatively easy first half schedule. IMO they need Senkbeil and Forgionne playing to put their best team on the ice. Senkbeil because he is bigger and physical and they lack size up front, and he does not seem to be slow despite his size, although not a great finisher.... Have not seen anything out of Phillips yet, hoping that is coming.... Go Cats.

The way I look at it, it's hard to go through a full season winning at the clip they were. Almost every team goes through a skid of some kind (just look at NU, PC, & BC in HEA alone), ours just happens to be coming right now. Regardless of whether they win or lose at Dartmouth, the team will turn things around and hopefully finish strong going into the HEA playoffs and NCAA tourney. I think this team is too good for that not to happen. Agree that they need to finish their chances. This has been UVM's bugaboo for many seasons and it appears this year is no exception. The good thing is these losses aren't coming in league play, so they're still in good shape for a first round bye and home ice.

 

[CTcatamount]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

Team needs to wake up... obviously the performances since the break have been subpar. Exit the defensive zone and get the puck in deep! Against Yale and Providence we got pinned in the defensive zone for extended periods and couldn't respond.

When performances merit it I'm 100% positive... catmandoo you pulled a post from a game we won against a bad team after an extended break. I think everyone that follows the team is concerned right now and as far as getting over "my/ our skis" I pretty much trashed the efforts against PC and Yale.

I call it like I see it (and actually go to games and see it). I'll be in Hanover Sunday, hopefully the team comes out strong.

Go Cats!

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

Good win by the Cats. I was a little nervous about this game, glad to see them get back into the win column. Hopefully the last few games were a minor blip on the season.

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Good win by the Cats. I was a little nervous about this game, glad to see them get back into the win column. Hopefully the last few games were a minor blip on the season.

Ditto. Sounds like in the first period they played like they did in their two losses. Last two periods were the way they were playing to begin the season. Hopefully that'll continue. Good win against a solid team!

 

[GreenCat]

Good win by the Cats. I was a little nervous about this game, glad to see them get back into the win column. Hopefully the last few games were a minor blip on the season.

+1

 

[CTcatamount]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

Was a great performance from Santa... especially in the first period Dartmouth was camped out in the offensive zone (14-5 SOG). I couldn't exactly see where the goal beat him but he looked surprised, so maybe it was a little soft. There were 4 or 5 excellent reaction saves, good rebound control, and handled the puck well.

I didn't see Paliotta back on the ice (maybe a few shifts?) after he got elbowed in the head... definitely didn't see him in the 3rd period. Hopefully just a precaution. Abrahamson (this is a big boy haha) and Phillps both played pretty well. PP and PK were excellent.

Loved the immediate response after Dartmouth tied the game at one... and no letdown in the third. Job done.

 

[snwbrdr]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

The first period was definitely a continuation of the malaise that the team got into coming out of the holiday break. They were just awful in the first, not moving their feet, no tenacity, got beat to most pucks, not moving without the puck, etc.... then in the 2nd they started to evolve to what they were most of the season. then in the third they got completely back to their winning ways. Hopefully they can carry that momentum into next weekend and the BU weekend..... and beyond.

Paliotta might have a concussion from that elbow to the head. hopefully just precautionary but he only played one shift I believe after that elbow. It would be a big blow to lose him for long obviously, he eats ice time and was leading the team in points with Puskarich. Hopefully he is back next weekend or soon therafter. Glad to have Phillips and Abramson for depth now....

Thought Forgione was good for having not played since last March.... While many of the forwards are interchangeable with no noticeable drop off when they change the lineup I suspect he will be a slight upgrade and the team gets a touch stronger accordingly as he gets his game legs back. The depth at forward is now a clear strength. Need a couple to get hot on the scoring front though....

The Dartmouth radio guys were awful (I watched online). the biggest homers I have ever heard....

 

[Hoser]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

The first period was definitely a continuation of the malaise that the team got into coming out of the holiday break. They were just awful in the first, not moving their feet, no tenacity, got beat to most pucks, not moving without the puck, etc.... then in the 2nd they started to evolve to what they were most of the season. then in the third they got completely back to their winning ways. Hopefully they can carry that momentum into next weekend and the BU weekend..... and beyond.

Paliotta might have a concussion from that elbow to the head. hopefully just precautionary but he only played one shift I believe after that elbow. It would be a big blow to lose him for long obviously, he eats ice time and was leading the team in points with Puskarich. Hopefully he is back next weekend or soon therafter. Glad to have Phillips and Abramson for depth now....

Thought Forgione was good for having not played since last March.... While many of the forwards are interchangeable with no noticeable drop off when they change the lineup I suspect he will be a slight upgrade and the team gets a touch stronger accordingly as he gets his game legs back. The depth at forward is now a clear strength. Need a couple to get hot on the scoring front though....

The Dartmouth radio guys were awful (I watched online). the biggest homers I have ever heard....

As the first period unfolded I thought that this was going to be more of the same from the last two losses.....timid, uninspired forecheck and total lack of offensive puck possession. Boy, they really did turn it around and that was great to see as they need to be inspired against NU and BU. The insertion of Sankbeil in the lineup gave the Cats some size and some toughness up front, which they sorely lack. Abramson and Phillips played well so when Paliotta went out, they never missed a beat.Luuko had another good game and once again I think was the best defender.As mentioned below, Abramson is a big boy and had a couple of hits that were noticeable. Phillips was smooth with the puck. He had a few giveaways but I think will get better over time.
All in all a good performance and I concur re the broadcast!

 

[Vermont Ref]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

I couldn't exactly see where the goal beat him but he looked surprised, so maybe it was a little soft. Loved the immediate response after Dartmouth tied the game at one... and no letdown in the third. Job done.

Santaguida who had no help fromt he defense during a change up got a piece of the puck (to the left of goal) but the puck deflected and hit the top left corner. Lucky for Datmouth and unluck for Santa.

The goal from Luuko just a few seconds later was an incredible slap shot from just inside the blue line - a laser guided rocket!

I thought we were lucky to end the first 0-0 the way we played, but boy did they responde. I expect to see that 2/3 period performance the rest of the season.

I sure hope Paliotta is okay, I didn't seem him in the 3rd at all, but I may have missed it if he was out there. I'd think if it was a concussion he wouldn't have played at all.

 

[Martin St. Louis Fan]

Santaguida who had no help fromt he defense during a change up got a piece of the puck (to the left of goal) but the puck deflected and hit the top left corner. Lucky for Datmouth and unluck for Santa.

The goal from Luuko just a few seconds later was an incredible slap shot from just inside the blue line - a laser guided rocket!

I thought we were lucky to end the first 0-0 the way we played, but boy did they responde. I expect to see that 2/3 period performance the rest of the season.

I sure hope Paliotta is okay, I didn't seem him in the 3rd at all, but I may have missed it if he was out there. I'd think if it was a concussion he wouldn't have played at all.

Paliota never returned..... I bet he gave a very inspirational speech in the locker room , and they rallied around their injured captain.
Sure hope it continues.

 

[snwbrdr]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

Anyone hear any news on paliotta?

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Anyone hear any news on paliotta?

Guess not. Hopefully Ted Ryan will have some news on this tomorrow.

 

[Hoser]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

Guess not. Hopefully Ted Ryan will have some news on this tomorrow.

Actually not too worried even if he can't play. He has been average at best over the last 5 or 6 games. Luuko has been the guy and I believe that Phillips and Abramson can hold the fort. The key to these games will be no soft goals from the tenders, especially at crucial points in the game and an all out, hell bent for leather effort, from the opening puck drop. If we score three we win.

 

[CTcatamount]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

I wouldn't necessarily be "worried" without Paliotta... but there is a big drop from Mike to Muscoby, Phillips, or Abramson*. Northeastern is a different team than the one we pounded early this season and I would really like to see the captain out there.

Special teams and physicality will be much better with him in the lineup. The leadership factor plays a part as well.

*Nothing against these guys they have all impressed me at times this season... but seriously one should be sitting most games.

 

[snwbrdr]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

Paliotta is hands down the most important cog in the team this season. If he can't go it hurts our team d and our offense. No doubt. He's near team lead in scoring and logs big minutes. Enough said.

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

Although the BFP article doesn't state definitively that Paliotta won't suit up this weekend, it sure sounds like that'll be the case. His leadership, as well as his contributions on offense, will be missed. With Hamilton out as well, the Cats are suddenly very thin on defense.

 

[Hoser]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

Although the BFP article doesn't state definitively that Paliotta won't suit up this weekend, it sure sounds like that'll be the case. His leadership, as well as his contributions on offense, will be missed. With Hamilton out as well, the Cats are suddenly very thin on defense.

I still think you guys are in love with the Paliotta of the first 15 games and not the guy who has been out there lately< but I have heard that he is playing, so be happy.

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

I still think you guys are in love with the Paliotta of the first 15 games and not the guy who has been out there lately< but I have heard that he is playing, so be happy.

Yay!!! Hope you're right about that. But seriously, even if he is in a funk, how's he going to get out of it if he's not playing? I think it's important to have him out there for leadership alone.

Agree with what you said about these games--i.e., that they need to be hell bent for leather in effort from the opening puck drop. NU's turned things around and it won't be easy. If we're gonna have a split, which is entirely possible, we NEED the win to come tonight in HE play! Go Cats Go!

 

[snwbrdr]

Re: UVM 2014-2015: Let's Play 10 Games in Massachusetts this Season

So if Paliotta has not been that good the four games or so (which I have not noticed except that his scoring is down, as it the teams) is that why they are 1-2 in their last three and did not really smoke AFA the way they should have in the prior game? Is the team only as good as he is, or did his play suffer from the general lack of execution, speed and tenacity that the entire team displayed?

When a D man is 2nd in scoring on your team and is solid defensively then he's an important asset on the ice. Part of the success of this team has been the leadership and attitude and I attribute that partially if not mostly to him as captain. He has led on the ice in my eyes. I cant speak for the locker room but my intuition tells me he's a strong leader.

Glad to hear that he might be playing. They need him against a resurgent NU club. They need to win these games because tougher times are ahead with a strong Mack and a surging UNH and then six with BU, BC and UML.