UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

[j24vt]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

Lighten up Francis. Just observing that a win over Michigan is probably going to be pretty rare this year.

Five goals is a good night and maybe we are going to see a more stable offense this year. With fewer unknowns on defense maybe the offense won't need to focus on shot blocking and can work on puck possession and quickly transitioning through the neutral zone. I think a lot of talent on offense has been wasted the last few years to shore up a shaky defense. Has the defense turned a corner?

[gocats]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

The defense has not turned the corner. The amount of grade A chances in that game are not sustainable. But there were signs of incremental growth early in the game. Signs that there may be improvement in D that can be built upon. Anyone watching knows that could easily have been a 3-6 loss. But it wasn't. Some great performances. We will see what the boys do moving on.

[j24vt]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

This year's defense is sooooo far ahead of where UVM started last year.

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

This year's defense is sooooo far ahead of where UVM started last year.

You say that based on one game where they gave up 50 shots? Okay.....

[gocats]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

This year's defense is sooooo far ahead of where UVM started last year.

I am not attempting to argue the point. None of us needs to because it will all play out in the following months. I will point to game 1 last year where a 3-0 shutout (I believe) did show some lapses that we all saw get more and more egregious as the year went on.

For the record as I said several times, I AM optimistic. I believe second year growth will occur. At least 1 and maybe another first year D should help. Returners have shown ability to play. I am optimistic. But from what I saw, the 50 shots concerns me less than the number of grade A's.

As we all know, defensive zone play also includes forwards contributing. I saw less chasing in the first half of that game. So I am optimistic - but not near ready to say "turned the corner." But hope they have.

Don't even get me started on neutral zone play ;-) I am hopeful to see solid, responsible D zone play this weekend.

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

And we have more votes than Lowell. That means we can resume the flame war with them from 4-5 years ago! Calling JCarter....

As much as I'd like to delve back into a flamefest with UML... the amount of material is still way too low. More votes from some notoriously inaccurate predictors just isn't going far. Maybe soon though...

[QUAlum2004]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

Q&A with the UVM Hockey Blog

http://www.bobcatshockeyblog.com/201...ckey-blog.html

[VTALUM]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

I can’t believe I charged my iPad for this 😐. Tough to sandwich this game between Michigan and Quinnipiac. Hopefully they can get fired up for periods 2 and 3.

[gocats]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

Concerning

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

I'm not gonna hot take, it's literally the most pointless exhibition game ever. When you've already played a game it kinda defeats the purpose of playing the exhibition, plus with a quick turnaround and a game on Saturday you don't want to risk injury.

[j24vt]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

Kind of like week 4 of the NFL preseason...

Random thoughts:
- No injuries!
- It was great seeing passes through the neutral zone and dropping the puck back to the D instead of dumping it into the offensive zone
- Glad Harmon got some playing time.
- Carter Long (other than the first goal) played really well
- So did Ace Cowans
- A couple of the other returning forwards need to skate harder when backchecking. Stop skating next to the guy with the puck. Make a play.
- Puck movement looked much improved compared to this time last year. Beginnings of a transition to more of a possession based strategy?
- Laurentian's goalie had a good night
- This year's season tickets are too big. They don't fit into the utility knife pocket of my pants
- Burlington Bagel Bakery has upped their game - 6 free bagels when you buy a cup of coffee!

Disclaimer: Had to leave at the end of the second period because it was a school night for mini-j24vt

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

Kind of like week 4 of the NFL preseason...

Random thoughts:
- No injuries!
- It was great seeing passes through the neutral zone and dropping the puck back to the D instead of dumping it into the offensive zone
- Glad Harmon got some playing time.
- Carter Long (other than the first goal) played really well
- So did Ace Cowans
- A couple of the other returning forwards need to skate harder when backchecking. Stop skating next to the guy with the puck. Make a play.
- Puck movement looked much improved compared to this time last year. Beginnings of a transition to more of a possession based strategy?
- Laurentian's goalie had a good night
- This year's season tickets are too big. They don't fit into the utility knife pocket of my pants
- Burlington Bagel Bakery has upped their game - 6 free bagels when you buy a cup of coffee!

Disclaimer: Had to leave at the end of the second period because it was a school night for mini-j24vt

Agree with much of what you've said (and while I'm glad Harmon got to play he was pretty shaky and I don't know what that puckhandling was on that second goal). Honestly surprised student turnout was so good last night given that it was a Thursday exhibition too, but the free cowbells probably helped lol

[j24vt]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

I agree about the student turnout and meant to include it in my list.

[QUAlum2004]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

Weekend Preview: Vermont Catamounts

http://www.bobcatshockeyblog.com/201...atamounts.html

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM 2018-19: This is so sad Alex play Esposito

Love doubleheader days! Women play Q at 2, then the men's game at 7.