Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

[Kdaddy1968]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

1 point from a UND squad that looks like the worst edition in many years is nothing to get giddy about.....although for UVM it probably is the highlight of the year.

You obviously haven't seen the last few editions of UVM...they couldn't even pass the puck on the power play. At least now they can move it. Still can't score but one step at a time.

 

[willythekid]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Congrats on the tie tonight... UND always starts a bit slow and I have a feeling that the outcome would be much different later in the year. That being said, Vermont played harder and took advantage of the chances that UND gave them. Your players seemed to handle themselves with class, same goes for the coaching staff.

 

[Kdaddy1968]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Congrats on the tie tonight... UND always starts a bit slow and I have a feeling that the outcome would be much different later in the year. That being said, Vermont played harder and took advantage of the chances that UND gave them. Your players seemed to handle themselves with class, same goes for the coaching staff.

Nice game like you said. I am sure UVM would kill for an arena like UND..that is a nice place.

 

[willythekid]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Nice game like you said. I am sure UVM would kill for an arena like UND..that is a nice place.

Most NHL teams would kill for an arena like the Ralph... We are a bit spoiled. You know, leather, marble and all.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

I would say that where this program is, has been the past few years, and where they are striving to go... that this was a decent weekend and pretty much all that could realistically be hoped for. While I know deep down I was hoping UVM could win one of these games I was pretty much expecting a Sue sweep. So all in all getting a tie and holding their own in the loss on Friday was a decent outcome on the weekend.

I think this team will do alright if they can improve throughout the year. Injuries were huge and a healthy squad may have been able to eke out at least one of the games.

Week off should allow the team to work on some things and focus before visiting PSU. This could be the make or break game of the season. A win gets them some reward and confidence that they are better then the preseason predictions. A loss and things could spiral out of control heading into a stretch of league games.

GO CATS GO!

 

[catmandoo]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

I would say that where this program is, has been the past few years, and where they are striving to go... that this was a decent weekend and pretty much all that could realistically be hoped for. While I know deep down I was hoping UVM could win one of these games I was pretty much expecting a Sue sweep. So all in all getting a tie and holding their own in the loss on Friday was a decent outcome on the weekend.

I think this team will do alright if they can improve throughout the year. Injuries were huge and a healthy squad may have been able to eke out at least one of the games.

Week off should allow the team to work on some things and focus before visiting PSU. This could be the make or break game of the season. A win gets them some reward and confidence that they are better then the preseason predictions. A loss and things could spiral out of control heading into a stretch of league games.

GO CATS GO!

Keep in mind we split with Minnesota two years ago when they were ranked #1 and alot better team than UND is this year and that year was a disaster for us.

 

[PuckVoice]

Keep in mind we split with Minnesota two years ago when they were ranked #1 and alot better team than UND is this year and that year was a disaster for us.

Ever to optimist ....

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Keep in mind we split with Minnesota two years ago when they were ranked #1 and alot better team than UND is this year and that year was a disaster for us.

Exactly, that's why I said next weekend at PSU is a make or break game. Two years ago the Cats lost to Minny 6-0 then came back the next night for the 5-4 win. They then proceeded to get swept by MC and PC, while also losing to BU and NU. Madore had an atrocious year...

I think the mental aspects play a huge role, after a high of beating Minny they just weren't prepared and 4 straight losses to MC and PC killed any optimism, confidence and will the team had.

This year they've had two tight games against a top ranked team and they should realize that they can play with the best. A win against PSU will help solidify that to them, they can win games and if they can follow that with a split with Notre Dame I think we are in good shape. I don't think the 2011-2012 squad every figured that part out... that they were capable of winning. On the other hand a loss to PSU and then a sweep to UND and the confidence level is going to plummet and be tough to regain.

Bottom line is this team needs to beat the teams they should and steal a game or two from those most think they shouldn't beat.

With PSU and then 8 straight HE league games, I would hope to see UVM go 6-3 in this next stretch. I think that's reasonable.

I do wish we didn't finish with 6 straight against BU/BC/UNH every year though. That schedule is rough as is and getting the top teams towards the end of the season when they are really rolling makes it even tougher...

 

[catmandoo]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Ever to optimist ....

Sorry you a right, I am too skeptical as I don't think Sneddon can lead. No other program has constant drama like UVM. I was very surprised to see Luukko scratched and Puscarich. I hate to say I told you so as it is early but... I always pray for the best and get kicked in the teeth so I decided I am going to look for the worst and everything else will be a surprise. Stick with me on this it will help keep us sane I am surprised Peter Wallack hasn't come on defending the power play yet but the PK and PP are not exactly lighting the world on fire to start the year. The PK is gonna have to be really good with the rock-em-sock-em robots style of D we are playing right now. We can't give a team 6-7 PP's a night and expect to win. If Walls and Paliotta continue as a pair to take 4-5 stick or lazy penalties a game, it will be a long season. That being said, I think this Hamilton kid is gonna be a stud.

 

[coots01]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

So......UND takes more penalties than UVM, yet Catmandoo says Cats are taking too many penalties? This team has been way too soft for too many years and fans complained, now they play alot tougher and Catmandoo is complaining? Make up your mind what you want. Team toughness has to start somewhere and if it has to come from the D then so be it. There is alot of skill on the team but dont be annointing Hamilton too quickly its 2 games in and alot can change when HE games get going.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

So......UND takes more penalties than UVM, yet Catmandoo says Cats are taking too many penalties? This team has been way too soft for too many years and fans complained, now they play alot tougher and Catmandoo is complaining? Make up your mind what you want. Team toughness has to start somewhere and if it has to come from the D then so be it. There is alot of skill on the team but dont be annointing Hamilton too quickly its 2 games in and alot can change when HE games get going.

I'm going to back up Catmandoo on a few points. Hamilton looks like he is going to be a very good player. While it is early he really impressed me during the two exhibition games that I was able to see in person, and obviously put up some points against the Sue. If he never develops another iota he is already the second best offensive defenseman we have. He passes well and most importantly he isn't afraid to shoot the puck on net. One of the biggest downfalls of the power play is the unwillingness of guys to throw the puck on net, and I very much realize that alot of the times it's because the lanes are blocked and there is no shot. Hamilton makes quick passes, receives the puck well and gives himself space to get a shot off on net. Yes it's early but he has a different mindset compared to his fellow D-man.

Paliotta, Walls, etc are all big guys that are there to battle for pucks and to make things miserable for the opposing offense in general. And while they need to play a tough style of hockey that does not mean they need to take penalties. Sure if they are playing hard they are going to get boarding and roughing penalties... maybe an occasional contact to the head. The penalties I believe Catmandoo is speaking off are the hooking, slashing, tripping penalties that are the "lazy" penalties resulting from not moving their feet and getting caught flat footed and/or out of position. Those penalties should be very minimal.

That said I like Walls intensity. He is plays hard, though he does take a lot of penalties.

 

[catmandoo]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

So......UND takes more penalties than UVM, yet Catmandoo says Cats are taking too many penalties? This team has been way too soft for too many years and fans complained, now they play alot tougher and Catmandoo is complaining? Make up your mind what you want. Team toughness has to start somewhere and if it has to come from the D then so be it. There is alot of skill on the team but dont be annointing Hamilton too quickly its 2 games in and alot can change when HE games get going.

I don't mind "tough" penalties. I do mind "stick penalties" and lazy (interference) penalties. And again, if we are going to play that style then we better be prepared to kill..Yale and BC don't exactly play "tough" hockey. You see if you look at the math, we basically start every game down 0-2. We had a .79 kill last year and 12% PP so taking 10 penalties a game will result in a 0-3 deficit and when your opponent averages 6 penalties it only results in .72 goals per game from the PP. That's a steep hill to climb when you can't score 5 on 5. One of these days, I pray, Sneddon will have an epiphany and figure out that his style of play can't win in Hockey East but my guess is he wont until it costs him. He should try just opening the door and letting the kids play once and see what happens. I think we all would be shocked.

 

[coots01]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

The biggest problem with the power play is the forward coach, there is a reason why he was let go from other schools.......you have to be able to coach at this level and be productive. KW is supposed to be running the PP but so far it is anemic and needs a big shot from the point. Sure it looks pretty passing it around but there is no one at the point with a cannon to make the opposing team scared to block a shot. No one is going to score from the corner or below the goal line. Watch any pro team, the puck is moved around until the D at the point is open then boom in it goes. There are a couple big shooters at D, why not try them out. If it works at the NHL level maybe there's a chance it could work at this one.

 

[catmandoo]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

The biggest problem with the power play is the forward coach, there is a reason why he was let go from other schools.......you have to be able to coach at this level and be productive. KW is supposed to be running the PP but so far it is anemic and needs a big shot from the point. Sure it looks pretty passing it around but there is no one at the point with a cannon to make the opposing team scared to block a shot. No one is going to score from the corner or below the goal line. Watch any pro team, the puck is moved around until the D at the point is open then boom in it goes. There are a couple big shooters at D, why not try them out. If it works at the NHL level maybe there's a chance it could work at this one.

We very much on the same page with your comments! KW is same story different program. He will bring in 20 more guys next year if it doesn't work this year or he will move on and leave a trail of dust.

 

[VTinNY]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Wow.. now I'll admit I'm not always the most optimistic about things, but 2 games into the season and already the chorus is that the PP sucks and next Saturday's game is a "must win" or the season will go down the tubes?? There are a lot of new faces in the lineup and will take some time for everything to come together. At least wait for Turkey Day before saying the season is going to be a disaster.

 

[dwb]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

in my opimion,the power play is very stagnate---everyone seems to be standing around --would love to see someone take it to the net and create some opportunity.i was very impressed with vermont's transition game aginst ND.uvm certainly has some speed and moves the puck very welll through the nuetral zone.should be fun watching these players develope.

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Our play last weekend is looking even better. UND beats the #1 team on the road. I realize you can't read too much into comparisons like this, and said it partially tongue in cheek, but I do think it shows we were pretty solid against a tough opponent.

 

[pokecheckguy]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Wow.. now I'll admit I'm not always the most optimistic about things, but 2 games into the season and already the chorus is that the PP sucks and next Saturday's game is a "must win" or the season will go down the tubes?? There are a lot of new faces in the lineup and will take some time for everything to come together. At least wait for Turkey Day before saying the season is going to be a disaster.

The Penn St game is pretty important I think. This team couldn't beat them last year but Penn St is still a start up program and I think this game could tell us a lot. Team doesn't have luxury of time to let things gel and not worry about results because by the time November ends they will have played 8 Hockey East games also against teams that are also expected to be at the bottom of the league so I guess I half agree because every game for this team is important as they really have to prove this isn't the same old song and we are going to all have to sit through it again.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Actually, I'm very optimistic, even though I made the "must win" comment. I will agree that the power play and PK are not where we would like them to be and have to get better. That said we have two games against a top tier team, it's not as if they are going to end up with great special teams numbers. The Canadian teams aren't the caliber of our D-1 teams, but the special teams were great against Ottawa and Acadia, as they should be. And they weren't against UND as they should be.

The must win against PSU is more of a moral / mental issue. Long stretches of losses create a snowball effect and losses to beatable teams magnifies that. The games against UND turned out more or less as expected, and with 2 more tough games against ND I think it's imperative to put one in the win column against PSU.

I hate bye weeks

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Short report from WCAX on the men's trip to Philly this weekend

[video]http://www.wcax.com/story/23762370/cats-prepare-for-penn-state?***************&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9443434[/video]

Not much here, but of note Hoffman is practicing with the squad but Sneddon isn't sure he has his hockey legs under him just yet.

Seems like Santaguida will likely get the start in net. If so, I have to imagine he also starts against ND as I can't really see starting Hoffman with no game experience on the season for the conference opener...