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

[Kdaddy1968]

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

Have to be happy with a 4-0 start and the Cats are certainly playing well, especially the goaltenders and defense. Great to start of the season on a roll.

That said I am starting to get a tad concerned offensively. Two of the top 3 scorers are defensemen... 8 regular ice time players have yet to record a point.

And possibly more disconcerting are some of the guys that need to be scoring... Shaw 0-0-0pts, Bradley 0-2-2pts, Reynolds 0-2-2pts... These guys need to be contributing on the score sheet more often. It's still early but it's time for the frosh and some of the sophomores to turn it up a notch. Notre Dame isn't going to be an easy match up.

I would be more worried about the defence leading if they were scoring .5 ppg. The fact that they are on the ice quite a bit and making good plays should not concern us. They are making some very good passes (Privetera especially) and good decisions on when to shoot. This team is moving the puck much better than last year's team (that said the level of competition hasn't been the best). Next weekend should be a good guage of where they are. ND is at the tail end of an 8 game homestand coming off a 7-0 win.

A split would be good. Win and Tie great... this will be the real first test.

 

[PuckVoice]

From the story by the UConn beat writer in Sunday's Hartford Courant ... good to see the good old student section is continuing to get good pub for the program ...

"UConn considered this its toughest test so far. It certainly took place in the most energetic environment. The student section was full before face-off and led chants throughout, including one that had the PA announcer grabbing the microphone to warn of possible ejections if sportsmanship protocol wasn't followed."

Yup ... really classy students ... really classy ...

 

[jcarter7669]

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

Update on Recruits in case anyone is interested...


O'NEIL, Conor (LW) 7g - 18a = 25p in 15g New Jersey Hitman
COLTON, Ross (LW) 3g - 3a = 6p in 8g Cedar Rapids Roughriders
BOWEN, Brian (RW) 0g - 1a = 1p in 7g Green Bay Gamblers
PUFFER, Craig (LW) 15g - 4a = 19p in 13g Chiliwack Cheifs
BEST, Drew (RW) 1g - 3a = 4p in 7g Green Bay Gamblers
EGLE, Haralds (RW) 1g - 2a = 3p in 8g Madison Capitals
PLITT, Dylan (C) 3g - 11a = 14p in 13g Jr Flyers
GERNHOFER T (RW) 2g - 1a = 3p in 3g Bloomington Thunder
LEE, Mike (LD) 0g - 4a = 4p in 14g Penicton Vees
O'DONNELL M (RD) 0g - 1a = 1p in 6g Cedar Rapids Rough Riders
LEKKAS, S (G) 1-3-0 in 4 game 0.902 sv% 3.04 GAA Souix Falls Stampede

 

[jcarter7669]

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

UVM up to 13th in the USCHO poll... congrats to the team for a very good start to the season

 

[pokecheckguy]

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

When the put a shovel in the ground i will start thinking about the new arena but that sounds like a long ways off we will see. And Jaydon is right on Union and could throw in Yale not nice rinks but have won titles anything is possible new arena will help but you have to work with what you have and when the Gut is fully charged no place like it and that comes with good teams.
Offense so far a bit of a concern but if they can find their way a little bit there just be defensively reliable and could steal some games but without the offense right now going to be hard to crack the upper half but long season.
Also in terms of the students using the f-word while they sound stupid and dumb because some of it is on the school too. students dont know what or how to cheer because besides cowbell go cats go there is nothing. let them keep the countdown to 4:20 chant but hey maybe UVM should figure out the students need guidance and that they don't actually care about the threat of ejection so they will keep doing the f-word chants

 

[Jayden_Stoff]

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

When the put a shovel in the ground i will start thinking about the new arena but that sounds like a long ways off we will see. And Jaydon is right on Union and could throw in Yale not nice rinks but have won titles anything is possible new arena will help but you have to work with what you have and when the Gut is fully charged no place like it and that comes with good teams.
Offense so far a bit of a concern but if they can find their way a little bit there just be defensively reliable and could steal some games but without the offense right now going to be hard to crack the upper half but long season.
Also in terms of the students using the f-word while they sound stupid and dumb because some of it is on the school too. students dont know what or how to cheer because besides cowbell go cats go there is nothing. let them keep the countdown to 4:20 chant but hey maybe UVM should figure out the students need guidance and that they don't actually care about the threat of ejection so they will keep doing the f-word chants

Thanks for the props dude. The students need to be aware that they look dumb when they count down to 4:20. They are the students and therefore, if they stay in school, are going to be the ones that graduate with a degree from UVM. They are paying heavily for that degree and, I know this is a radical take on it, are making it worth less in the public's eye with their antics. It also makes them seem like lousy hockey enthusiasts. I digress.

I think Alexx P has done some great things this year but holy crap did you see the turn overs he made in the 2nd period!? Let me make a cross ice pass to, wait, don't do that!! He caused a turn over with a UCONN players 1:1 with Hoff who saved his butt! And then he did it again on the same shift. He must have bad a serious talking to. I think he's shown some serious maturity improvements over his BU days and is a major asset to the program. Don't get me wrong, psyched to have the guy, just wondering where his though process went for a few minutes. UCONN seemed like a good team and, I think, is the only team we've played that has beaten other teams. And I expect they will continue to beat other teams and help us in the pairwise. ND will be the test though. Bring the A game for sure and we'll collect 2 points at least. They beat UCONN and played their like C+ game. A number of players has a great game but overall... capable of better for sure. I think all ND games are televised and depending who you listen to, that's why ND joined hockey east... they had a lucrative TV contract already in place.

 

[Vermont Ref]

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

I blame the AD for allowing the students to continue their childlike behavior - no wait young kids know better. They need to start tossing students one by one. I wish they'd sit down to as they block part of the ice for others. They need to figure out how to cheer FOR their team and not against the other. They are not a class act and make us look poorly as a community. They leave in four years but those of us that really support the teams for decades, season ticket holders, are here for years. It is so embarrassing.
On the topic of season ticket holders, the university, i.e. money hungry AD, take advantage of us and take us for granted. We support the team year in and year out no matter what the performance of the team. He raises prices, gives no deal for the season package then sells tickets at a reduced rate for the tough games (UMass on a Tuesday, exhibition,, etc.) so they can sit in the reserved seats despite the general admission rate. UNH has several pricing plans. It's all about the money for him.
Finally on the new rink note. I like the idea of Green Mtn Coffee (Coke) being a major benefactor. That isn't Bob Stiller, he has been out at GMCR for a while now, but certainly could have the Arena name the Stiller arena if he wanted to give up some of over 1/2 billion dollars.
I do love the Gutt, but a new rink would be a major plus for the program. Yes Yale, Union and some others don't have fancy facilities but they also don't repeated national championships like some of our Boston rivals with great facilities. It certainly takes more than a top notch facility to win a national championship but it can help to nail down one or two top recruits that can make the difference. All that being said, I'm still optimistic for a great season this year, and hope to follow them to the NCAA's and who knows maybe to Boston in April. We're only four games in; but I am cautiously optimistic. I think this week's ND games will really tell us what kind of team we have. A split would be great, 4 points unbelievable; regardless the cats are my team through thick or thin.

When the put a shovel in the ground i will start thinking about the new arena but that sounds like a long ways off we will see. And Jaydon is right on Union and could throw in Yale not nice rinks but have won titles anything is possible new arena will help but you have to work with what you have and when the Gut is fully charged no place like it and that comes with good teams.
Offense so far a bit of a concern but if they can find their way a little bit there just be defensively reliable and could steal some games but without the offense right now going to be hard to crack the upper half but long season.
Also in terms of the students using the f-word while they sound stupid and dumb because some of it is on the school too. students dont know what or how to cheer because besides cowbell go cats go there is nothing. let them keep the countdown to 4:20 chant but hey maybe UVM should figure out the students need guidance and that they don't actually care about the threat of ejection so they will keep doing the f-word chants

 

[Catatonic]

Update on Recruits in case anyone is interested...


O'NEIL, Conor (LW) 7g - 18a = 25p in 15g New Jersey Hitman
COLTON, Ross (LW) 3g - 3a = 6p in 8g Cedar Rapids Roughriders
BOWEN, Brian (RW) 0g - 1a = 1p in 7g Green Bay Gamblers
PUFFER, Craig (LW) 15g - 4a = 19p in 13g Chiliwack Cheifs
BEST, Drew (RW) 1g - 3a = 4p in 7g Green Bay Gamblers
EGLE, Haralds (RW) 1g - 2a = 3p in 8g Madison Capitals
PLITT, Dylan (C) 3g - 11a = 14p in 13g Jr Flyers
GERNHOFER T (RW) 2g - 1a = 3p in 3g Bloomington Thunder
LEE, Mike (LD) 0g - 4a = 4p in 14g Penicton Vees
O'DONNELL M (RD) 0g - 1a = 1p in 6g Cedar Rapids Rough Riders
LEKKAS, S (G) 1-3-0 in 4 game 0.902 sv% 3.04 GAA Souix Falls Stampede

I'm very interested, thanks for compiling this. Puffer's stats are starting to flash, albeit in a scoring league.

 

[doublen7]

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

I blame the AD for allowing the students to continue their childlike behavior - no wait young kids know better. They need to start tossing students one by one. I wish they'd sit down to as they block part of the ice for others. They need to figure out how to cheer FOR their team and not against the other. They are not a class act and make us look poorly as a community. They leave in four years but those of us that really support the teams for decades, season ticket holders, are here for years. It is so embarrassing.
On the topic of season ticket holders, the university, i.e. money hungry AD, take advantage of us and take us for granted. We support the team year in and year out no matter what the performance of the team. He raises prices, gives no deal for the season package then sells tickets at a reduced rate for the tough games (UMass on a Tuesday, exhibition,, etc.) so they can sit in the reserved seats despite the general admission rate. UNH has several pricing plans. It's all about the money for him.
Finally on the new rink note. I like the idea of Green Mtn Coffee (Coke) being a major benefactor. That isn't Bob Stiller, he has been out at GMCR for a while now, but certainly could have the Arena name the Stiller arena if he wanted to give up some of over 1/2 billion dollars.
I do love the Gutt, but a new rink would be a major plus for the program. Yes Yale, Union and some others don't have fancy facilities but they also don't repeated national championships like some of our Boston rivals with great facilities. It certainly takes more than a top notch facility to win a national championship but it can help to nail down one or two top recruits that can make the difference. All that being said, I'm still optimistic for a great season this year, and hope to follow them to the NCAA's and who knows maybe to Boston in April. We're only four games in; but I am cautiously optimistic. I think this week's ND games will really tell us what kind of team we have. A split would be great, 4 points unbelievable; regardless the cats are my team through thick or thin.

I totally agree with the fact that the student section has to clean up their act. I went to see the game at Cheek, and clarksons student section gets really into the game and feels there is no reason to yell random swears at the opposing team. I think that if uvm could get some simple cheers and chants other than the simple go cats go and uvm, they may stop the swearing.

 

[VermontfaninNY]

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

As someone who has been to around 20 Clarkson games in the last 6 years, I was actually thinking of that exact example for an arena that is not kid friendly. Though I will certainly say that yelling things like, "nothing of value was lost" when a referee gets hit with a puck, or telling Cornell players to "Go home, find a gorge, jump right in" is certainly more creative and subtle than f@#$ you Clarkson/UConn.

 

[vtcats]

As someone who has been to around 20 Clarkson games in the last 6 years, I was actually thinking of that exact example for an arena that is not kid friendly. Though I will certainly say that yelling things like, "nothing of value was lost" when a referee gets hit with a puck, or telling Cornell players to "Go home, find a gorge, jump right in" is certainly more creative and subtle than f@#$ you Clarkson/UConn.

On a positive note, after about the 8th kid was tossed and the security staff sat in the student section, the kids started chanting "We believe that we can win" to a clapped beat over and over.
While not terrible clever, it was positive and kind of catchy.

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

The Friday game is on TV -- NBCSN (yeah baby!!!). As for Saturday, after the UVM game ended last night I went to ND's website to see if they have a live feed. They were only streaming audio, but I think it may have been because the game was being televised nationally (NBCSN???). I got the feeling, however, that they normally have the picture as well. Hopefully someone who knows for sure will see this and chime in.

FYI, the Saturday game will be streamed online on NBC Sports Live Extra. Psyched that I'll be able to see both games. Go Cats!

 

[Jayden_Stoff]

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

As someone who has been to around 20 Clarkson games in the last 6 years, I was actually thinking of that exact example for an arena that is not kid friendly. Though I will certainly say that yelling things like, "nothing of value was lost" when a referee gets hit with a puck, or telling Cornell players to "Go home, find a gorge, jump right in" is certainly more creative and subtle than f@#$ you Clarkson/UConn.

I wonder if something as simple as giving the pizza to the 'Catamount Creative Row' would work....? Like my branding. I know, I'm a marketing genius!

Rather than giving the pizza away to the student section at random, have people evaluating the cheers and give it to the people that seem to deserve it. I don't want to totally treat the college students like kids, but hey, they're acting like it. OR, have a sliding scale. If the cheers are inappropriate, offensive, etc... 100% of the free pizza goes to the reserved areas / none for students. If the cheers are at least appropriate, 10 pizzas to the student section. If the cheers are appropriate, witty, and representing what the UVM AD would like to see at the game, 30 pizzas for the student section. Now that I've said that, holy crap, for the cost of 30 pizzas a game we might evolve into the best student section in the NCAA....

And yeah, you could argue we are destroying freedom of expression with some cheep unhealthy food but honestly, I don't care. There is a problem and I'd like to see it addressed.

 

[Kdaddy1968]

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

I wonder if something as simple as giving the pizza to the 'Catamount Creative Row' would work....? Like my branding. I know, I'm a marketing genius!

Rather than giving the pizza away to the student section at random, have people evaluating the cheers and give it to the people that seem to deserve it. I don't want to totally treat the college students like kids, but hey, they're acting like it. OR, have a sliding scale. If the cheers are inappropriate, offensive, etc... 100% of the free pizza goes to the reserved areas / none for students. If the cheers are at least appropriate, 10 pizzas to the student section. If the cheers are appropriate, witty, and representing what the UVM AD would like to see at the game, 30 pizzas for the student section. Now that I've said that, holy crap, for the cost of 30 pizzas a game we might evolve into the best student section in the NCAA....

And yeah, you could argue we are destroying freedom of expression with some cheep unhealthy food but honestly, I don't care. There is a problem and I'd like to see it addressed.

Go with pot first then the pizza. Gotta make it worthwhile..

 

[snwbrdr]

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

Yeah the F you chants have go to go. I used to yell at the refs like a maniac when they made or did not make bad calls, but jeez, at least I tried to be creative

 

[Hoser]

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

Thanks for the props dude. The students need to be aware that they look dumb when they count down to 4:20. They are the students and therefore, if they stay in school, are going to be the ones that graduate with a degree from UVM. They are paying heavily for that degree and, I know this is a radical take on it, are making it worth less in the public's eye with their antics. It also makes them seem like lousy hockey enthusiasts. I digress.

I think Alexx P has done some great things this year but holy crap did you see the turn overs he made in the 2nd period!? Let me make a cross ice pass to, wait, don't do that!! He caused a turn over with a UCONN players 1:1 with Hoff who saved his butt! And then he did it again on the same shift. He must have bad a serious talking to. I think he's shown some serious maturity improvements over his BU days and is a major asset to the program. Don't get me wrong, psyched to have the guy, just wondering where his though process went for a few minutes. UCONN seemed like a good team and, I think, is the only team we've played that has beaten other teams. And I expect they will continue to beat other teams and help us in the pairwise. ND will be the test though. Bring the A game for sure and we'll collect 2 points at least. They beat UCONN and played their like C+ game. A number of players has a great game but overall... capable of better for sure. I think all ND games are televised and depending who you listen to, that's why ND joined hockey east... they had a lucrative TV contract already in place.

FYI, from SB Nation:

Now that every team in Hockey East has played at least four games there is a pretty good feel for how teams are looking this early in the season. A question that will undoubtedly begin to pop up is which teams were overrated and which were underrated?

Let's start with teams that were underrated in the preseason. The coaches pegged Vermont into the eighth position while the media had the Catamounts in a tie for seventh with Notre Dame in their respective preseason polls. This writer had UVM fifth in his ballot for the media poll, but it's very possible many of us undervalued the team from Burlington.




UVM is 4-0 overall and 2-0 in conference including a road win at Northeastern. Many teams over the years have gotten off to a hot start before fizzling out, but a strong defense and solid goaltending will keep UVM in the upper half of the standings all season long.

Michael Paliotta might be the best defenseman in Hockey East this season. The defense will be even better at pushing the play up ice with junior transfer Alexx Privitera and the addition of Ori Abramson when he becomes eligible for the second semester.

 

[snwbrdr]

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

I think many of us are excited to see Phillips when he is eligible. Given his credentials from last year it seems he could be an impact player offensively from the blue line. Abramson is gravy if he is an upgrade over any of the current starters. His numbers are not as impressive offensively.

This weekend is a big test, hoping for at least a split. ND is good and should be a tournament team. They will be gunning for the Cats who gave them an L in their first ever HE game and nearly swept them that weekend but for a soft goal on Santaguida and a bad turnover both late in third period of that second game last fall.

 

[Hoser]

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

The word on Phillips is that he is a solid performer offensively but average in his own zone. For Abramson, he is reputed to be as tough as they come in his own zone but with offensive skills. He was at New Jersey last year playing, I am told, under a very rigid system. He is supposed to have a big shot and hands good enough to play forward. I guess we will see about both these guys soon enough. The bottom line is that the hype would make you believe that they are both top 6 if not top 4 which is huge for a team that is doing well already!

 

[Jayden_Stoff]

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

The word on Phillips is that he is a solid performer offensively but average in his own zone. For Abramson, he is reputed to be as tough as they come in his own zone but with offensive skills. He was at New Jersey last year playing, I am told, under a very rigid system. He is supposed to have a big shot and hands good enough to play forward. I guess we will see about both these guys soon enough. The bottom line is that the hype would make you believe that they are both top 6 if not top 4 which is huge for a team that is doing well already!

Where are you getting your info? Over the years I'd say the AJ's and OJ's are comparable to EJHL. USHL is a cut above for sure. With the accolades Phillips received last year I'm more interested in seeing his impact but Abramson stats look good. And he's got size. As the coaches say, this is why we play the games. Stats and only tell you so much. And I'm happy to see skilled D coming in.

 

[jcarter7669]

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

Where are you getting your info? Over the years I'd say the AJ's and OJ's are comparable to EJHL. USHL is a cut above for sure. With the accolades Phillips received last year I'm more interested in seeing his impact but Abramson stats look good. And he's got size. As the coaches say, this is why we play the games. Stats and only tell you so much. And I'm happy to see skilled D coming in.

No matter who plays the important thing is this... we have a very very good defensive team. The tenders and D-men are the strength of the team and will carry this team as far as it goes. That said, they inspire a lot of confidence in me