Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

[BBDiehard14]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

Well, I understand the rejoicing. I sat there when Gionta scored a natty and 5 goals in a game. And was part of the Maine contingent that had to endure the heckles from the idiots.

And like it or not the BC program is very much in line with what Maine had in the early 90's to late 00's. Good coaching, good recruiting, good fan base, etc...

They got the target and everyone should be wanting to knock them of their thrown. Natural.

My $0.02... have all the players come back, Devin has a C, Lomberg with and A, Rutt with an A, and work hard on the defense and goaltending end of coaching. If Maine has a goalie next season and all the players come back I think you will see a very marked improvement.

Jusy my $0.02.

BC is the Evil Empire and Jer-Wee York is Darth Vader. Their recruiting style mirrors that of Duke basketball...only going after rich kids. BC deserves to lose

[AMC]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

This Garden lineup has to make the league blanch a little bit. UNH is the only "iron" team there; no Boston schools (even NU), no Maine. Notre Dame is a flight away.

UNH and UML will have decent contingents, PC traditionally doesn't fill the place, but UND. Yikes.

What's the nightmare lineup? Notre Dame-Merrimack-Providence-UMass? Sub out UMass for UConn going forward?

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

This Garden lineup has to make the league blanch a little bit. UNH is the only "iron" team there; no Boston schools (even NU), no Maine. Notre Dame is a flight away.

UNH and UML will have decent contingents, PC traditionally doesn't fill the place, but UND. Yikes.

What's the nightmare lineup? Notre Dame-Merrimack-Providence-UMass? Sub out UMass for UConn going forward?

Attendence will be a concern for Hockey East...

[AMC]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

Attendence will be a concern for Hockey East...

I am unsympathetic, they did this to themselves adding Notre Dame to the league. But it's going to be grim in there.

[Hockeyman99]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

Before the season started the experts picked us at the bottom of the league, 10, 11? While it is disappointing to go 1-5-1 over the last 7 games I think this team was well coached and over achieved all year by playing hard and it was enjoyable to watch. 4 of those losses were to a Providence team that is bigger, stronger, faster, well coached and has an NHL goalie. For much of the year they were ranked in the top 5 and are coming into form. Look for them to have an impact in the NCAA tournament. It was encouraging to see several players step up their game when the season was on the line and play their best hockey of the year. Best of luck to the seniors and I'm already looking forward to next year.

[TERRIERFANinLA]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

Agreed,but they should've swept ND. Providence was "that team" this year that had Maine's number and was just flat out better. And by not getting home ice sealed their fate no matter who they faced in the quarters. It just amazes me how anyone on this board can be so upset after the crap we've seen on the ice, the poor (and I'm being nice) coaching, and the lack of effort and heart over the past few years. At least this team competed and it wasn't a complete embarrassment to be a Maine fan. Jeezus, yes they had an opportunity. It didn't pan out. This program wasn't going to get fixed in one year. Check yourselves. The sky isn't falling.

I completely agree. I think that the team did a fantastic job all things considered.

One thing that has me puzzled is the fact that Maine had players camping out or circling on the weak side up until the Notre Dame weekend and then they started to put 3 or 4 guys on loose pucks so that once they got the puck, there was nothing that could be done, while at the beginning of the season, they were able to pass over to Lomberg for a one timer.

Also, I think we need to realize and mention that Rutt was very, very good in both games against PC. No mistakes that led to goals, he took the body and he kept his cool. This past weekend was his best weekend in blue, in my opinion.

Maine does have a D man who looks lost in the devensive zone, has not taken the body yet, and probably cannot clear his throat near the crease, never mind an open opponent. Watch film and see who is standing up straight, not near his man and not putting a body or a stick on anyone when a goal is scored when he is on the ice. If he is able to get the D end down, he may become a bona fide NHL d-man.

[chripy]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

I completely agree. I think that the team did a fantastic job all things considered.

One thing that has me puzzled is the fact that Maine had players camping out or circling on the weak side up until the Notre Dame weekend and then they started to put 3 or 4 guys on loose pucks so that once they got the puck, there was nothing that could be done, while at the beginning of the season, they were able to pass over to Lomberg for a one timer.

Also, I think we need to realize and mention that Rutt was very, very good in both games against PC. No mistakes that led to goals, he took the body and he kept his cool. This past weekend was his best weekend in blue, in my opinion.

Maine does have a D man who looks lost in the devensive zone, has not taken the body yet, and probably cannot clear his throat near the crease, never mind an open opponent. Watch film and see who is standing up straight, not near his man and not putting a body or a stick on anyone when a goal is scored when he is on the ice. If he is able to get the D end down, he may become a bona fide NHL d-man.

I've been openly critical of Rutt and I agree that he had a fantastic weekend. Best D-man for Maine by a large stretch. I think he'd do well w/ an A on his jersey next year. And I believe I know who you're talking about with the lost in his own zone D-man. Very Erik Karrlson-esque.

[chickod]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

I am unsympathetic, they did this to themselves adding Notre Dame to the league. But it's going to be grim in there.

I agree. To me, ND is still an "outsider" and I believe they joined the league because they were opportunistic - it was the fastest way for them to become a hockey "power" school. Am I saying I don't trust their intentions? Well, let's put it this way. The West is a mess right now after all the realignment, but don't be surprised if in five years they bolt and go back to one of the conferences out there, which will be more established by then. And to be fair, EVERY school in Hockey East is within 4 (OK, maybe 5) hours of Boston. Why would they want to be in a league where only a few of their fans can get to the league championship? With the NCAA regionals the week after, they're not going to fly twice.

[chickod]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

Before the season started the experts picked us at the bottom of the league, 10, 11? While it is disappointing to go 1-5-1 over the last 7 games I think this team was well coached and over achieved all year by playing hard and it was enjoyable to watch. 4 of those losses were to a Providence team that is bigger, stronger, faster, well coached and has an NHL goalie. For much of the year they were ranked in the top 5 and are coming into form. Look for them to have an impact in the NCAA tournament. It was encouraging to see several players step up their game when the season was on the line and play their best hockey of the year. Best of luck to the seniors and I'm already looking forward to next year.

That loss to ND the second night completely changed the season. It was a "Tale of Two Teams." It burst Maine's bubble and it catapulted ND all the way to the end, culminating in a win over BC in the quarters.

[Drew S.]

Devin with the C, Higgins and Schurhamer with A's.

Per twitter the team will vote on next year's captains today.

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

I agree. To me, ND is still an "outsider" and I believe they joined the league because they were opportunistic - it was the fastest way for them to become a hockey "power" school. Am I saying I don't trust their intentions? Well, let's put it this way. The West is a mess right now after all the realignment, but don't be surprised if in five years they bolt and go back to one of the conferences out there, which will be more established by then. And to be fair, EVERY school in Hockey East is within 4 (OK, maybe 5) hours of Boston. Why would they want to be in a league where only a few of their fans can get to the league championship? With the NCAA regionals the week after, they're not going to fly twice.

They'll have the B10 after them in a few years...no way the B10 stays @ 6 teams...they want ND's football team and won't get that...but they will go all out to get them and another school to bring there Conference up to 8 teams...in hindsight it would have been better for Hockey East to add UConn along with Quinnipiac...stayed in the New England States,but like I said,hindsight and too late.

[BobF]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

Ummm. as far as can I remember Shawn was about winning EVERYTHING. And yes as a Maine fan I do revel in BC losing. I hate the BC arrogance. By their fan base, coaching staff and on down the line.

It was 1999 and we had just been swept in Durham by UNH thus losing the regular season title to the Wildcats. Shawn's response at the time was "Maine is not about winning regular season championships, Maine is about winning National Championships" All Bear was right on that. Two weeks later Maine lost in the Semi's and with it lost out on a bye in the NCAA tourney (back then 12 teams made it with 4 teams getting byes). Again Shawn took the approach that many of us had rarely seen. Basically said playing the first game would be better for Maine as the team had more work to do. As it turned out (and I was there for all of these games) Maine went to Worcester beat Ohio State and the next night destroyed Clarkson with Steve Kariya leading the way. Then sweet revenge vs. both BC and UNH in Anaheim.

Shawn proved prophetic and taught all of us to look at the big picture when it came to the NCAA vs. either Hockey East Championship or regular season. No question he did not like to lose, but as great as some of Maine's teams were we fell short in both those areas, and I believe much of it had to do with Coach Walsh positioning the team for the NCAA's, where Maine's record was pretty good in getting to the Frozen Four.

And I was also there the night Gionta put 5 behind Yeats in the 1st. But guess I am getting old and long ago decided not to rejoice in my rivals losing but instead in my own team winning. But I still don't want to see BC in Philly!

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

Per twitter the team will vote on next year's captains today.

Maybe: Shore C - Swavely/Higgins A

[walrus]

Maybe: Shore C - Swavely/Higgins A

Shore, Higgins, rutt

[umhockey91]

Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...

Can we at least play the Notre Dame series in Orono before everyone banishes them from the league?

Quinnipiac over Notre Dame?......Seriously??? Provincialism at its worst.........