One and done -- again

YOUR COMMENTS

Maybe its time for a shake up with Dick's coaching staff. yes, the one I'm speaking of is the local guy on the coaching staff. I'm sick and tired of him parading around is if he's better than the dedicated fans. He needs to get better people skills...
- Steve, Dover

Well Umile will not get fired, but that doesn't mean he is not to blame. DISCIPLINE is what makes a team a winner and it doesn't appear he demands any. What do you think would happen to a kid that played for Jerry York who took a ridiculous penalty in double OT to cost them a shot at a HE championship? What better way to help your team try to come back with 5:00 left and down 2 goals than to take a 5:00 major and a game misconduct for hitting from behind. The coach needs to DEMAND discipline. For Pete's sake Van Riemsdyk was out there flipping the puck in the air like he was trying to perform a circus stunt when they were trying to come back. It is all about discipline! They get the talent, but the players run the show. Players running the show will get you regular season titles, coaches running the show will win you National Titles.
- JM, Bow, NH

Steve, while Franklin Pierce has put up great numbers for their respective sports, people do not care about them. I am an active sports fan who would not read about Franklin Pierce but looks at UNH scores all the time. It is unfair to compare a team from d2 to a team playing in d1. If Franklin Pierce wants the recognition, then they need to help themselves from the inside out. Make there teams in d1 programs with the facilities they have. I feel they are content with playing in a league less of there level.
- R.S, Manchester

Gee... all that wasted UL coverage again for a program that can not perform in the postseason. Perhaps a few more pages need to be dedicated to the programs around the state that WIN something like Franklin Pierce!!!
NCAA II Men's Soccer National Champions
Five time NCAA II Women's Soccer National Champions
NCAA II Women's Elite Eight
NCAA II Baseball World Series

yet this paper consistantly wastes pages on an athletic program that wins nothing year after year and never will!!!
- Stevie G, Rindge

Let's keep things in perspective here folks... this is COLLEGIATE hockey we are talking about here...not the PROS!!! This attitude that nothing counts but winning the national championship is what is wrong with the majority of "so called" sports fans today.

Having grown up in the seacoast area, I have been a big UNH hockey fan since the 60's when I was a season ticket holder as a teenager. I have fond memories of watching Charlie Holt's teams with Louis Frigon, Mickey Brandt, and future Slap Shot star, Michael Ontkean. The college game has always been much more appealing to me than the pro game and I have been a die-hard Wildcat fan ever since.

Was I disappointed on Friday? You bet! Will I turn my back on the Wildcats?? No way!!! I've had many great experiences as a Wildcat hockey fan...was at the Boston Garden for an incredible multi OT ECAC playoff game with Cornell (Ken Dryden in goal!). Get to as many games as possible and will continue to support them...WIN OR LOSE!!!

Judge the program on the complete body of it's work...not just one or two games. Remember, they are STUDENT Athletes...NOT PROFESSIONAL Athletes!
- Knip, Plymouth

Maybe we do need the baseball team back on campus and forget the hockey.
- Calvin Perkins, Rumney

As Regan said the the other night, UNH apparently learned nothing except losing stinks.

It must not stink enough for them to want to win, even in the first round of the NCAAs.

UNH has become the collegiate version of the Boston Bruins whereby making the first round and checking out is considered good enough.

Hey UNH, good enough isn't.
It hasn't been for a long time now.

UNH has been over-rated all year long.

UNH did not learn:
-to challenge the puck behind its own net so that they could sweep in to tuck it on Regan.
-to not stand and watch rebounds land on ND sticks only to be put behind Regan and a watching defense
-to not take dumb, stupid penalties
-to play a box defense when short-handed by their own stupid dumb penalties
-to stop their telegraphed drop-pass move into the zone that everyone knows they'll do and turn over starting a rush for the other team
-to be less predictable
-to save the NCAA hotel money by bowing out in the first round

Maybe now they'll do what the Bruins do and cut ticket prices to keep the seats full.

How many times did the UNH website says tix were available for traditional rivals 2 nights before a game?

The bloom is off the rose at UNH and their only athletic money maker. It has been for a while.

Wake up UNH. Wake the heck up.

Every UNH post season is
Ground Hog Day all over again.
- RG, Manchester

The buck stops with the coach. There was no heart, drive, or discipline when it mattered. The BC game was a joke. Jerry York had his team ready. Umile didn't. Shame on the AD for not seeing this year after year.
- John Hebert, St. Croix, USVI

Based on the majority of the comments all (most) of the D-1 hockey coaches should be fired this year. It sounds like many of you think that unless you win a national championship it is a wasted season.

Am I disappointed? Yes. Am I goin g to be a fair weather fan and abandon the team? NO WAY.

I was in Durham during the late 80's and early 90's (at Lively Snively) when we were the whipping boys to most of Hockey East. The program has done a great job and I will continue to support Coach Umile and the team.

For those of you who think it is greener on the "other side of the fence" just one word - Maine. What happened to their program this year? It is going down the tubes and I think that the current group of Cats (with Umile at the helm) will bring us a national championship.
- Michael Gromko, Greensboro, NC

A DISMAL EMBARASSMENT! And as many others have stated, I too am tired of it.

Greg Barrett
Manchester
- Greg Barrett, Manchester

BOO HOO... THe Patriots Lost

BOO HOO... UNH Lost

Tell me again why my tax dollars are supporting this moronic sport?

We're paying 100K for a hockey coach and how many more $$$$ for all these state sponsored teams. Time to dump them all unless they are self funding.

Have a NICE DAY!

Jake.
- Jake, Manchester

The hard part is getting into the tournament. After that it's a crapshoot. It takes an excellent hockey team to get to the NCAA Regionals. It takes a great program to get a team there seven straight years. A single elimination tournament measures one game.
A big part of what makes UNH hockey enjoyable is the wide open offensive style that coach Umile recruits for and coaches.
UNH is a great place to watch college hockey and by the way still a great school.
- Dave, Portland, ME

Nice regular season, but it means nothing. Maybe UNH needs a new coach, or at least players that don't fold under pressure.
GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!
- Bob, BEDFORD, NH

I, like most of us who are taking the time to post an opinion here, care about this school and its flagship athletic program: hockey. That having said, I am so disappointed at the current state of UNH hockey. No one here who is contemplating withdrawing their support to UNH should be labeled a 'fair-weather' fan. I think any sane member of Wildcat Nation is correct to at least re-evaluate how much longer they can support a program that is a perrenial failure. To me, it does not matter if we win 20+ games or made consecutive appearances in the Hockey East or NCAA tourneys. That does not matter. We expect more. After all, if UNH is such a "nationally recognized" program, why is it wrong to demand more? The painful truth is that we have almost NOTHING to show for our apparent prowess in Men's Hockey.

What matters are games like BC and ND. As far as I'm concerned, UVM had a better season than UNH this year. They at least made it to the Conference Championship. UNH could not even make it there. Who cares if we won the regular season? Who cares!! I would much rather prefer a mediocre regular season if it meant that we can at least be in the championship game!!

It is really difficult being a UNH sports fan. Every year it is the same thing. Close games lost in OT, poor performances in playoffs. And I am trying to figure out if it is Umile, the team, or some sort of Red Sox-esque curse that is the result of all of this. The thing I don't appreciate about Umile is that he appears to take comfort in what was accomplished, rather than what could have been. The plaudits of an outstanding regular season should not/not be enough. He should be angry; at himself, at his seniors, at his defense, and himself again. Is he not a motivational coach to play for? Is he not getting his team fired up? During games, he does not appear to get angry or animated; rather, he appears to just stand on the bench stolid with his arms crossed. Not saying that's the reason, but jeez, it sure would be nice to see him getting in the faces of his seniors and showing some of that emotion he used to have.

And the team. In my opinion, though full of talent, there is nothing special there in terms of true leaders and winners. Ricky Santos was a true leader and winner because of internal characteristics that were inherent in him. He won BIG games, played when it mattered, and is truly a once-in-a-lifetime player for any coach. What he accomplished for UNH Football is tremendous. I just don't think that enough - or any - (I am not sure) members of this year's UNH hockey team are inherent champions or winners. Otherwise, they would have won, not gave up stupid penalties, and would have found a way to win. Can't blame anyone but themselves.

I don't mean to be controversial, but this is the thing. As proud alums who love our school, we just want them to do well. And to me, there needs to be the idea now of at least broaching the possibility of removing Dick Umile, no matter how painful this idea may be. Do I know who would replace him? No idea. But something has to be done. Maybe these players are coddled too much in Durham? I just don't know.
- P.K. Pamukjian, Richmond, VA

new hampshire is fortunate to get to the playoffs so often. it is amazing that he gets the talent he does in a small school atmoshphere like new hampshire. the east coast teams are too finesse oriented and will have a tough time against the more physical teams, especially from the ccha. coach jackson at nd is the best, can you imagine winning 3 ncaa championships at lake supurior state, which would be an even harder place to recruit than new hampshire. they both are in out of the way places. it is amazing notre dame can recruit for anything in such a dismal town as south bend but they do.
- bob smith, greer, sc

Charlie Holt built this program with a lot of hard work and a fraction of the funding the program receives now. He brought the team to a point where they received national notice and set the stage for the next generation. Unfortunately Dick Umile, although a great coach in his own right, cant seem to get it done. You dont need to win a national title to measure success but you do need to be in the mix in post season play and make a good showing to get support for your program. Umile hasnt been able to do that. UNH has top of the line facilities and support that other teams would love to have. Discipline seems to have been the problem this year and that goes, unfortunately, right back to the coaching staff. Thanks Dick, you brought us a good deal of enjoyment over your tenure but its time to take the program to another level and I'm sure Charlie would agree.
- Bob, Londonderry

GO IRISH!
- Joe, Manchester, NH

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein
- Tony B, Newmarket

Please just forfeit next year in the first round, so we don't have to get our hopes up, or better yet don't even make the tournament.
- Thoams, Durham

oh, my there is always next year, good team coming back , I think the hunt is better than the kill but we stop to early, time to learn how to adjust during the game, the players learn to improve its time the coaching does
- tj hampton, cushing me

Not a good game. Don't blame the Coach. We did that to Bruce Bourdeau of the Monarchs, fired him, and he went on to win the Championship the next season. The game is won and lost on the ice...period. This UNH team had 5 seniors...it was their job to kick butt. BUT, all things considered, UNH gave us a great season. Nogthing is better than winning in Durham. So, for me...the tournaments are nice, but games in Durham are best. Press on UNH...your time will come. Oh ya, Notre Dame played absolutely great hockey...the team played it...not their coaches! Go Red Sox!
- Gary O, Manchester

I must say that I agree with those who blame this on Dick Umile. It is obvious that he is not capable of preparing his team adequately for playoff/tournament games.

However, that being said, it isn't a good idea to fire him outright. He does a great job winning regular season games, when the pressure is much lower. He is a good coach for the "marathon" of the Regular Season. He is an utter failure as a coach for the "sprint" of the Post Season Tournaments.

Since he wins so consistently during the Regular Season, it is good to have him around.

Here is my solution:

Hire a temporary substitute coach for the Post Season. It is the only answer!

Go ahead, make fun of my idea, but does anyone have a better idea? How do you fire a guy that wins 20+ games like clockwork? On the other hand, why keep a guy who is such a complete failure during Tournament time.

Before you write about what an idiotic message this is, please understand that I am being cynical here. I am pointing out that UNH is stuck between the rock of 20+ Regular Season wins every year and the hard place of being complete failures when the Post Season/Tournament starts.

So, we all must get used to the fact that UNH is fun for Regular Season games at the Whitt while they are useless come playoff time. This will go on "ad infinitum".

Oh...and by the way, Umile needs to put an end to blaming his Post Season failure on "puck luck". I am so tired of that lame excuse.
- GB, Portsmouth

Guys, Umile is not going to get fired, that is ridiculous. How many programs would kill to be in the NCAAs seven straight years? God the Red Sox win two titles and the Patriots win three, and all of the sudden everyone around here is like a Yankee fan, win it all or else.
- Greg, Manchester

Its time for change. You can recruit and assemble to best talent around but if you can not coach them, then you have nothing.

This is 2 straight games of undisciplined hockey that resulted in losses mainly because they gave too many power plays. Their power play in marginal at best.

We need someone who can motivate and win when it counts and make adjustments. We were outplayed in both losses with no adjustments at all.
- John, Barrington

Yes the players lost the game, but poor player performance in big game situatons is a coaching fault, stupid penalties are coaching, let's not forget that Umile and his staff are the people responsible for recruiting these players, they are not forced upon them, they are hand selected by the staff for their style of play. Which is high octane offense, with little defensive systems in place.
No, Umile can not win a big game, either a hockey east championship or an ncaa championship. Jack Parker has won, Maine has won, BC has won, where is our championship? I think we need to examine all aspects of the program, what is the graduation rate? How often do players get in trouble? these factors on top of not winning in the post season are reasons for a regime change.
Umile is one of the highest paid state employees, let's hold him accountable for his large taxpayer expense.
- Rob, Keene

While this loss is hard it is not surprising. After blowing a 4-1 lead last week against an inferior BC team this team was doomed. It lost it's confidence and once again lost last night to an inferior team.
It's the players who hold the most balme because they let doubt creep in.
Coach Umile is a great coach and it stinks that once again a very good team lokks like a high school team once it hits the play offs.
We can point fingers but in the end it was porr play, stupid penalties and a loss of confidence that did them in.
I will say it is getting harder and harder to support them when they keep making the same mistakes come play off time.
- Bill B., Pelham

Come on folks, don't blame it on Dick Umile. The players have to get it done on the ice, and they just didn't do it. The Hockey East loss to BC was on several fluke goals and a dumb series of penalties. The seniors on this team, in particular, deserve the bulk of the blame. These guys are not kids - they are grown men. They were supposed to be the leaders and they failed. So they move on and now the team must on as well. Fair weather fans aren't fans at all. If you can't support your team when the going gets tough, then good riddance to you.
- Francis White, Hickory, NC

Hmmm...let's see....Umile consistently sees post season play and he should be fired??? I'm curious if you losers are recognized nation wide for consistently being amongst the elite in what you do for a living? Or, do you spend your time reading about other people's lives and commenting on them? Get real you idiots. I don't hear people calling for Jack Parker's resignation on the front of the Globe today. You fire Umile and who are you going to get who's better? Sounds like you all have a bad case of cabin fever...shovel yourselves out and get some fresh air.
- Sally, Durham

It isn't all about winning, losing and firing coaches. You have to have the spirit, which I do...but then, I am a UNH alumni...
- kathy ott-mchugh, dover

Another great job coach Umile, can you have a more deer in the headlight look when you hit the big game. Its time to go. When this happens year after year its hard not to blame the coaching staff.
- Peter, Epsom

Folks it will never hapen! UNH will never fire Umile and he will never win an NCAA Championship. Listen to him after the loses. He sounds like its OK if they lose.
He will never win the big one.
- dave, bow

Winning the East is routine for UNH but they have not performed well in big tournaments. They got to the Frozen Four Final in Buffalo several years ago and got destroyed. The same happened when they went to The Frozen Four in Columbus, Ohio. Yes they got to the final game but they did not show up. The Wildcats did not belong on the ice with the big teams out West -- Notre Dame is not a big team historically.
Maybe we should start looking for a coaching change because the UNH Wildcats do not show at the Big Dance
- Florida Bob, Fort Lauderdale

Winning the East is routine for UNH but they have not performed well in big tournaments. They got to the Frozen Four Final in Buffalo several years ago and got destroyed. The same happened when they went to The Frozen Four in Columbus, Ohio. Yes they got to the final game but they did not show up. The Wildcats did not belong on the ice with the big teams out West -- Notre Dame is not a big team historically.
Maybe we should start looking for a coaching change because the UNH Wildcats do not show at the Big Dance
- Florida Bob, Fort Lauderdale

UNH needs to recruit some defense-minded players. I've been watching this team since 1967 and it's been pretty consistent in that the defense isn't good enough come tournament time. Enough pitty pat defense. Opponents score repeatedly parked near the net. Last night I switched to basketball a couple minutes into the second period. I knew what was happening and was going to happen. Notre Dame was pushing UNH around--everywhere. Defense wins playoff games. I'm old enough to remember Rod Langway. He hardly ever scored a goal, but that team went to the frozen four final game. He is now in the NHL Hall of Fame. I believe Holt was the coach then. Umile was a pretty fiery player back then, but he seems almost totally detached from the game, arms crossed, silent unless he's yelling at an official. Maybe he needs to remember his playing days and get more pumped up at tournament time. I know his teams sure go flat playoff time.
- chris herbert, manchester

they blew it iin LA against MAINE
Lost in Minneapolis with a weak
third period
Denver gets a taste of UNH hockey
in this year's NCAA.
Attn: UNH president
Umile has become rumsfeld of Hockey East.
Replace the broken part. please
and thank you
all those wasted opportunities
- herc, raymond

UNH is not a good team. Every year we kid ourselves into thinking that just because we attract the best talent in the nation, just because we do well in the regular season, and just because we have an impressive number of consecutive appearances in both the Hockey East and NCAA's, that UNH is a powerhouse program. This is the sad news, my friends: It is not. Dick Umile ought to be fired. UNH Hockey is an utter failure and I am really saddened and embarrassed for the team. What a joke. As fans, we get our hopes up every year and it's always the same thing.

They just lost another fan. I am done with UNH.
- Chris, Morristown,NJ

Where do some of these comments come from??? Sounds like the first 3 or 4 were written before the game was even played??? UNH blew it thats all and it happened in the first period. When you out shoot a team 15 to 5 and walk into your locker room tied 2 to 2 YOU LOSE the game that it.
- E J, Manchester

Yes! Great job ND!
- Joe, Hooksett, NH

Yet another Dick hUMILEating NCAA playoff loss!!!

UNH has 13 wins and 22 loses lifetime in their NCAA playoff appearances.

Umile simply can't get it done and his track record speaks for itself.

I've been a fan since 1977 but enough is enough. Good luck to the UNH hockey program in the future...they have one less fan after tonight's loss.
- Dan, Rollinsford

I love UNH but am tired of seeing this year after year. Making the NCAA is no longer good enough. Failing to win year after year after 2003 comes down to coaching. Umile needs to leave.
Dave Babin
UNH Class of 2000
- Dave Babin, Manchester, New Hampshire

18 trips to the NCAA tournament ... 7 straight. Big deal. Undisciplined hockey is becoming the norm for UNH hockey. Penalties killed them against BC, and penalties killed them tonight. Discipline starts with coaching. Dick's a great coach, but is he great enough to get us to the next level?????? I asked myself the same question last year when we exited much the same way from the NCAA's....
- Wildcat Kev, Nashua

This is it. Fire Umile. Enough of the national Umiliation every year. Goodbye.
- Scott in Maine, Gorham, ME

So the only thing from a loss is losing stinks?
How about:
-UNH learns to hold a lead!
-Regan gets defensive support!
-they dont take stupid penalties!
-they don't play from behind like they do most of the year and come on strong in the third period.

Did they not learn anything from losing to UMass and BC in the end of the seasno and struggling to get a tie at Merrimack?

If they learned nothing from these games, they'll go 3 (periods) and out.

How about they don't choke in the NCAA's .... again?
- RG, manch vegas

BRIAN GOMEZ what do you mean "Regan didn't resemble the rock-solid goaltender who is a Hobey Baker finalist"?
He stopped a career-high 62 shots in a triple-overtime loss to Boston College in the Hockey East semifinals. He stopped 21 shots in the second stanza, also a career-high and 20 shots in the overtime sessions. In the process, Regan shattered the record for saves in a semifinal (47).
None of the goals were ones that beat him clean. Two were the odd types that happen once in a while when a puck squirts out of nowhere and a player standing at the corner of the goal (because a defenseman didn't do his job) is left to bat the puck that is 3 feet off the ice into the net. Two others, including the game winner, were those weird deflection types the happen often but can't be blamed on the goalie.
I don't remember the remaining goal but it wasn't a clean shot.
Give the guy some credit! He played tremendous!
He's going to be one of the key reasons they get to the frozen four!
- Dave, Auburn

C'mon UNH! You can do it! Let's get the Wildcats and BC Eagles into the Frozen Four and increase the chances of the NCAA Championship coming east for a change! Set aside whatever hatred you may have for BC. Now is the time to set that Hockey East competitiveness aside! I'll be rooting for UNH tonight and BC tomorrow!
- Chris, Brookline

WMUR will carry ESPN's syndicated broadcast at 6:30 pm.
- Scott, Boston, MA

Anyone know if this will be on TV?
- Mike, Bow