March 28, 2008
Season Lost, New Hampshire Can't Recover
by Cole Weinman/CHN Reporter
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Notre Dame's loyal sons were indeed marching to victory Friday night at the World Arena in Colorado Springs.
Unfortunately for New Hampshire, it was the Wildcats that were trampled as Notre Dame marched its way closer to the Frozen Four.
For Notre Dame, the victory was a statement for a club looking to establish tradition.
But for the Wildcats, the postseason struggles continue for a team that's never won a national championship despite having some dominant regular-season teams — such as this one.
"Obviously it wasn't our best performance. This was a special team, and that's the disappointing part for me," New Hampshire coach Dick Umile said. "I feel for this team because they're a special group and things didn't happen at the end of the season for this team as I felt it should have."
Hopes were high for the Wildcats this season, after two tough losses at the end of last season; a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Boston College and a 2-1 loss to Miami in last year's NCAA tournament. But for the second straight year, it's an early exit despite being a No. 1 seed. All the talk about whether New Hampshire was sent to the correct regional, and if it should have to play Colorado College on its own ice, proved to be a moot point.
"Obviously it's disappointing; it was a special group of guys. I don't have much to say," Wildcats captain Matt Fornataro said, fighting back tears.
Fornataro's words held an uncomfortable amount of substance, as the 7-3 defeat was a disappointing end to an otherwise brilliant season for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats finished the season with a 25-9-3 record. With substantial early victories against Boston University, Colorado College, and Boston College, the Wildcats jumped into the national rankings, and continued to climb for the duration of the season.
Riding high for an entire season, cleaning up in the Hockey East regular season race, UNH ended the regular season with what seemed to be an inconsequential loss to Vermont. But all of a sudden the Wildcats were knocked off by BC in the conference semifinal — and couldn't recover in time to save the season.
When asked if the loss to Boston College set a precedent for the NCAA tournament, Umile said, "No, that's not it. We started out well in this game. No, we came out and played well the first period. They executed two (goals) on the power play, that was key for them."
Everything was set up perfectly for New Hampshire to make a run at the Frozen Four.
A Hobey Baker finalist in goal, two Hockey East first teamers, two Hockey East second teamers, the Hockey East Defenseman of the year, and a roster bursting at the seams with senior talent.
However, on this night, David would indeed slay Goliath.
The loss was the first defeat ever suffered to Notre Dame in program history. Previously, the Wildcats were 4-0 against the Irish.
Ironically, Notre Dame was in an opposite boat, floundering in the last couple months, losing two games at The Joe, and losing one of its best players to injury. It was the special teams play of Notre Dame that would propel it to its first win over the Wildcats.
"They obviously did a good job on their power play, they did a great job executing it, and they deserve credit for that," Umile said. "In the second period they played well and changed the momentum, but we didn't play as well as we should and could have."
Notre Dame scored three goals in the second period and never looked back.
"It was kind of up and down until the middle of the third, they got some breaks and were able to capitalize on them." Commented Fornataro. "We had a 5-on-3 chance and didn't get anything out of it. That really hurt us."
The loss will send shockwaves through the rest of the NCAA, as arguably one of the most talented teams in the field will be watching the Frozen Four from their couches.
"It was the closest team I've ever been a part of, and that's the disappointing thing, not playing as well as we should have and could have at the end of the year." Fornataro said. "For a group of players as talented as this to come up short ... it's disappointing."
The final game of the season for the Wildcats greatly reflected the way the season unfolded.
UNH jumped out to an early lead, hit a few bumps in the middle, and fell short at the end.
UNH started out on fire, came up short at the end of the season, and couldn't find a road to victory in Colorado Springs.
There's an old saying that goes, "there's always next year." But next year will look significantly different for the Wildcats.
A tough sad loss. As the coach said earlier this week; play a 60 minute game of hockey and don't take stupid penalties. Well... they didn't play 60 minutes of solid hockey and did take some stupid penalties. Championship teams do not do that, so UNH goes home. This bunch was a good team that many thought would make it to Denver, me included. But this makes three straight years of one and done. Time to come home to Durham, clear their minds and AD Scarano and Coach Umile need to have a long talk as to where this program goes forward. And I hate to say this but it might need to go in a different direction with a new coach. Coach Umile may have taken this team as far as he can take it and it may need to be someone else to take it to the next level. Thanks Wildcats for an exciting year best of luck and Godspeed to all of the seniors who graduate and move on to other adventures in life. Saddle up Boston College, carry the Hockey East Banner to Denver!!
Mar 29 2008, 12:54 am by Charlie in NH
University of
No
Hardware!!!
Charlie in NH is right. Three straight one and dones, including two upsets as a number one seed means the program may need to look at a coaching change.
Mar 29 2008, 1:34 am by
This program and its fans would not be in this seeming position of perennial 'also-ran' if it were not for Coach Umile.
Only two other squads have even made the Tournament for 7 CONSECUTIVE SEASONS during this stretch. And only one of those squads have one a National Tournament.
Sure we all recognize that the results once there have not been as we would desire and a couple times that have seemed almost embarrassing.
But most importantly this team has been lead to the final game twice and beaten by incredible teams with incredible talent. The fact is that this team has just not had its number called, YET, under Coach Umile even though he brings them where they need to be every year. An extraordinary few coaches can claim to have done this and far fewer that could.
It is sad when my fellow fans cannot appreciate the last 12 seasons of back-to-back 20 win seasons. The 6 HE Regular Season Titles. The 2 HE Tourney Championships. The 14 NCAA Tourneys and 4 FF's and 2 Runners-Up.
Mar 29 2008, 8:53 am by TUMHBG, Concord, NH
When are the fans of this great program going to realize that calling UNH the University of No Hardware is a straight-up falsehood and a pathetic way for our opponents and their fans to attempt to make themselves feel better after the innumerable losses suffered at the hands of a Wildcat team.
Appreciate what you have Wildcat Nation or you will most likely find yourself in a position where you don't know what you've got until it's gone.
You know, maybe a few decades of more modest hockey would get rid of the bandwagoners and restore some modesty and appreciation in the ranks.
Mar 29 2008, 9:04 am by TUMHBG, Concord, NH
With another season of ups and downs done comes a few questions. First of all, i want to thank the Senior class for 4 GREAT years. Not only are you good to excellent hockey players but excellent students. Good luck in the future. Kevin always remember "we're behind you'. Might it be time for one of the assistant coaches to go? Will the Van Man return another year or jump for the money? Will Jerry "chicken soup" Polastrone be the next senior to lead this team to the promise land? can Brian Foster be as good as Coach says he can be? is next years Freshmen class as good as this one? A few questions that will be played out over the off season into next year.
yes, I was disappointed last night but as the person from Concord said, UNH fans are lucky and should appreciate what we have had this year and the past. We have been blessed with great student athletes who care for the fans and are proud to be Wildcats....
Mar 29 2008, 10:44 am by Steve, N.H..
University of No Hardware.
2>0
Mar 29 2008, 3:24 pm by maine
Why would UNH get rid of the best coach in all of college hockey? What a foolish notion..
Mar 30 2008, 3:05 pm by
Because he will always be the bridesmaid, which is not good enough in college hockey, where realistically, there are only about 10 teams in the running to win a national title every year. UNH is one of those teams that is in that group and to always seem to lose really big games is unacceptable. I think UNH just assumes they will beat teams in the tourney because of who they are. They were laughing back in 99 about playing Niagara and lost.
Mar 31 2008, 3:38 pm by
Maine has won 2 championships to our none..But those 2 championships were tarnished by breaking rules.
Apr 1 2008, 8:36 pm by Steve, N.H..
