UNH Hockey, how did we get here, and were are we going?
Well we come into my favorite part of the year, the home stretch in college hockey. The real season starts in Feb, then to March and the tourney. So figure start a weekly look at UNH, what happened and what I see happening.
As anyone who knows anything about college hockey knows UNH as of today is the #1 team in the country, well better then anyone could have imagined at the beginning of the year. But we also know there is a lot of hockey to play. The important thing right now is they are #1 in Hockey East, up by 3 points over BU with 3 games in hand. So how did we get to were we are now?
Well the key has been balance. Have to say this might be one of the more balanced teams in a long time. All 4 lines play there role well.
The top line of Hemmingway-Radja- McFlicker has been well what a top line should be, match well against other teams tops line and put the puck in the net, also play some good D. With Radja out since Dec 30, Josh Cicio has stepped in very well. Has shown why he is the captain. Also Peter Leblanc stepped in well when McFlicker was out last weekend. Hemmingway started off slow, but has turned it on.
The second line of Fornatro-Smith-Pollastrone has been one of the best lines in the country this year, most people look at there points and say wow, I look at there +/- and say wow. Of course not being the #1 line has helped them in match up against other teams #2 line. But the way they have been skating thing they could match any #1 line out there.
The third line of Cicco-Fortney-Butler has been a great energy line go out there and play hard and do all the little things. Don't put up big numbers, but can sap the energy out of another teams #3 line in a period or so. With Cicco on the first line Collins has stepped right in and played well with the other guys
The forth line, Vinz-Lablanc-Rossman-Thompson have been a good checking line. Been mixing the 4 guys in and out and haven't missed a beat. Plus The Vinz has 3 goals this year, including a shortie, got to love that.
The D has been so much better then I thought they would be this year. Going into this year thought that was there weakness, now have a GAA below 2, amazing! Really didn't add anyone, except Kapstad getting more time this year, been really impressed by him this year, also minus Brian Yandle helps. Good to see Murray not taking as many stupis penalties as he was earlier in the year. Like to see more consistence out of Switzer. Put this last game against Providence showed that if needed to the D can win a game for us.
Goaltending, what can you say about Regan, except WOW!! Didn't start off great, but since mid November probably the best goalie in the country. Foster has shown he can do it when he gets the chance, just stuck behind the hottest goalies in the country right now.
Special teams have quietly gotten better, PP wasn't that hot earlier, but slowly moving up the national rankings. The Penalty killing got plenty of practice early in the season, but since beginning of Jan. have stayed out of the box, hopefully that trend keeps.
So what can we expect the rest of the season? Well if this team plays like they can, I see it finishing the regular season of well, with some tough series coming up against Maine, BC, and BU, and Providence can give them a tough challenge. The last couple of games the offense has slowed a little. Hopefully Radja will be back this weekend to give even more depth. Have to admit still worry about the D, but hopefully keep proving me wrong. As I see will finish #1 or 2 in Hockey East, making to the Garden for the Hockey East Semi's, and hopefully to the Finals, then the NCAA's with playing in Manchester never know what can happen
Well we come into my favorite part of the year, the home stretch in college hockey. The real season starts in Feb, then to March and the tourney. So figure start a weekly look at UNH, what happened and what I see happening.
As anyone who knows anything about college hockey knows UNH as of today is the #1 team in the country, well better then anyone could have imagined at the beginning of the year. But we also know there is a lot of hockey to play. The important thing right now is they are #1 in Hockey East, up by 3 points over BU with 3 games in hand. So how did we get to were we are now?
Well the key has been balance. Have to say this might be one of the more balanced teams in a long time. All 4 lines play there role well.
The top line of Hemmingway-Radja- McFlicker has been well what a top line should be, match well against other teams tops line and put the puck in the net, also play some good D. With Radja out since Dec 30, Josh Cicio has stepped in very well. Has shown why he is the captain. Also Peter Leblanc stepped in well when McFlicker was out last weekend. Hemmingway started off slow, but has turned it on.
The second line of Fornatro-Smith-Pollastrone has been one of the best lines in the country this year, most people look at there points and say wow, I look at there +/- and say wow. Of course not being the #1 line has helped them in match up against other teams #2 line. But the way they have been skating thing they could match any #1 line out there.
The third line of Cicco-Fortney-Butler has been a great energy line go out there and play hard and do all the little things. Don't put up big numbers, but can sap the energy out of another teams #3 line in a period or so. With Cicco on the first line Collins has stepped right in and played well with the other guys
The forth line, Vinz-Lablanc-Rossman-Thompson have been a good checking line. Been mixing the 4 guys in and out and haven't missed a beat. Plus The Vinz has 3 goals this year, including a shortie, got to love that.
The D has been so much better then I thought they would be this year. Going into this year thought that was there weakness, now have a GAA below 2, amazing! Really didn't add anyone, except Kapstad getting more time this year, been really impressed by him this year, also minus Brian Yandle helps. Good to see Murray not taking as many stupis penalties as he was earlier in the year. Like to see more consistence out of Switzer. Put this last game against Providence showed that if needed to the D can win a game for us.
Goaltending, what can you say about Regan, except WOW!! Didn't start off great, but since mid November probably the best goalie in the country. Foster has shown he can do it when he gets the chance, just stuck behind the hottest goalies in the country right now.
Special teams have quietly gotten better, PP wasn't that hot earlier, but slowly moving up the national rankings. The Penalty killing got plenty of practice early in the season, but since beginning of Jan. have stayed out of the box, hopefully that trend keeps.
So what can we expect the rest of the season? Well if this team plays like they can, I see it finishing the regular season of well, with some tough series coming up against Maine, BC, and BU, and Providence can give them a tough challenge. The last couple of games the offense has slowed a little. Hopefully Radja will be back this weekend to give even more depth. Have to admit still worry about the D, but hopefully keep proving me wrong. As I see will finish #1 or 2 in Hockey East, making to the Garden for the Hockey East Semi's, and hopefully to the Finals, then the NCAA's with playing in Manchester never know what can happen
posted by Qman16 at 5:48 PM
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