Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

[gscott13]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

Has anyone reached out to the Lake Superior State fans for advice on how to deal with the inevitable fall from a once proud program back into irrelevance? Perhaps with some dialogue with them, we can create a 12-step program to help you guys cope with the hardship that you're enduring at this time.

i asked, but i couldn't understand them through the fistfuls of peanuts they were shoveling into their face...

[BoSox3066]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

With this defense in front of him?

Certainly, there've ben many soft goals given up by our goaltenders this season. But there have been just as many goals where they've had no chance on, shot by guys right in the slot left uncovered or allowed to skate right on in.

Yeah I agree no body's going to break Jimmy's single season GAA record with this D. But I think its more mental toughness. These goalies seem to lack it. When you need a goalie to make a save to steal a point, they seem to wilt, and the rest of the team with them. Whereas as a more mentally tough, or elite, goaltender makes that save and picks the entire team back. I can think of 5-6 games where that one save may have been the difference. Maybe Allison isn't the best example of this but the 95 team was the one being discussed. Just a guy capable of making a timely save. These guys seem to pick the worst possible times to wilt.

[Fishman'81]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

This is a classic example of why I do not post anymore! #1 Walrus took my post out of context. As I was comparing the talent up front! Others indicated we did not have the same type of talent level at the forward position of Shawn teams!

#2 Your post is LOL funny when you mention defense and Jacque Rodrique! He was a specialist who almost exclusively saw the blueline on the power play, and then played wing on the 4th line! Conlan a hard nosed forward? Wayne could skate, but so can Mangene!

You mentioned 6 forwards and if you take this years top 6, (Gus, House, Flynn, Abbott, Dee, Diamond) while not as gritty they certainly have more talent. On D, Imes and Tory were elite, the others were solid d-men along the lines of a Van Dyk, and Dimmen. In goal Allison was head and shoulders above what we have witnessed to date. But they played team defense, we have not done that consistently this year, and with inconsistent goaltending it kills!

Excellent post.

I've been watching Maine hockey since Year One,so I have a sense of history...And this year's forwards are a very good crop,and at least on par with '95 crew.

I'm not sure it's about "grit" as much as it is about coaching philosophy.Maine used to get at it in every nook and cranny of the rink,and that limited scoring chances for the opposition.(Hard to get a shot off with a Bear in your breezers,right?)Tim seems to be wary of taking penalties,and -who knows?-maybe this is where the game is right now.

Still,what the *heck* does Maine have to lose by going balls-out right now?We have the horses;let them run free.

[walrus]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

Still,what the *heck* does Maine have to lose by going balls-out right now?We have the horses;let them run free.

The players probably agree with this, does the coach? because I see players getting benched if they did that. This is the thing, we've seen this same pattern repeated every year for 4 years now. The players have changed to some degree but one thing hasn't

[KnowItAll]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

The players probably agree with this, does the coach? because I see players getting benched if they did that. This is the thing, we've seen this same pattern repeated every year for 4 years now. The players have changed to some degree but one thing hasn't

Let us not forget how many of us got to sit with CAPTAIN Jeff Marshall during the last games Maine would play his senior season... healthy scratch, and messages to next year's group, "do not question the micromanager"... and "I have absolutely no respect for any of you as people"

[rufus]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

Experience is important for a goaltender, especially when playing in a conference that has produced the last three national champions

I'm not buying it Larry. Haven't both BC and BU won national championships recently with freshmen in net?

In Maine’s seven Hockey East losses, the Bears have outshot their opponents 243-183 and have generated 196 Grade-A (high-percentage) scoring attempts to the opponents’ 140.

They have been outscored 34-15 in those seven losses. The other four teams have been getting the crucial saves from their goalies.

And despite all those shots, Maine somehow just can't get the puck by the other team's goaltender. Offensive output wasn't supposed to be a problem for this team, and yet, similar to the last few seasons, every team we play seems to get an all-world performance from their goaltenders against Umaine.

Whitehead said, “The ice time these goalies have received will only make them stronger. They’ll get better and better because of the adversity they’re going through. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

Another priceless 'next year is our year' quote from the doofus.

“I love this team. I love the guys. We’re a big family,” said Nyquist Monday. “I still believe this team can go far. There’s no doubt in my mind as long as we get a few bounces.”

Keep hoping that fate plays a part. You make your own luck.

Nyquist is playing the best hockey of his career these days, although he admitted he was disappointed in himself that he didn’t put the puck in the open net against UNH.

Two decent offensive games finally, and Larry's pitching a tent in his pants. Nyquist was also responsible for the first UNH goal Friday by not being anywhere near his man as the guy skated right down the slot.

Good thing the team's improved from their performance last season. Another year older and 'more experienced' and all. "It's a good thing to miss the NCAA's this season, cause the guys will be really motivated next year."

[BoSox3066]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

Experience for a goaltender is crap. Howard, Bishop....won as freshmen. Schneider, Muse at BC. Milan at BU. How much "experience" did Willie have last year? He had a decent playoffs. I shouldn't say its crap, it helps, but to use it as a crutch is crap.

[walrus]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

Experience for a goaltender is crap. Howard, Bishop....won as freshmen. Schneider, Muse at BC. Milan at BU. How much "experience" did Willie have last year? He had a decent playoffs. I shouldn't say its crap, it helps, but to use it as a crutch is crap.

I don't thinks its crap, some guys are mentally ready, experience helps with that. Some guys just aren't going to make it, period.

[MEFANinLA]

I don't thinks its crap, some guys are mentally ready, experience helps with that. Some guys just aren't going to make it, period.

I guess we know where timmay falls in the.. Some guys just never make it!!! Lol

[gscott13]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

Two decent offensive games finally, and Larry's pitching a tent in his pants. Nyquist was also responsible for the first UNH goal Friday by not being anywhere near his man as the guy skated right down the slot.

Nyquist was a -3 on Friday night

[rufus]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

I don't thinks its crap, some guys are mentally ready, experience helps with that. Some guys just aren't going to make it, period.

And some guys who aren't ready, have coaches who make them ready.

[walrus]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

And some guys who aren't ready, have coaches who make them ready.

Coaching is big part of it for sure. It appears that ain't a big part of whats going on in Orono

[BoSox3066]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

Don't think it's been posted, Hockey East is honoring Stu Haskell with a Founder's Medal. http://www.hockeyeastonline.com/men/...102/feb7fm.php

@Wally.....agree. Issue's really with Larry for using it as a crutch. There are guys who need the experience. Knowing he had this kind of team back and he was losing Darling, it was Tim's job to find someone mentally ready. I guess he half did in Sully. Of course when Oullette is mentally ready Larry will be saying Maine is young up front and the PP is the problem without graduated Jeff Dimmen. You're always going to need contributions from young players in college hockey today.

[MaineHockeyPuck]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

Coaching is big part of it for sure. It appears that ain't a big part of whats going on in Orono

I agree that coaching is a huge part of any players development. It seems that the team does not trust the goalie that they have behind them. That can not be taught that it is earned. If your goalie make the saves that keep you in games then you trust them more. I am not sure the coaches trust them let alone the players..

[walrus]

Re: Maine Black Bears, 2010-2011, Redemption or FORE, I say......

Don't think it's been posted, Hockey East is honoring Stu Haskell with a Founder's Medal. http://www.hockeyeastonline.com/men/...102/feb7fm.php

@Wally.....agree. Issue's really with Larry for using it as a crutch. There are guys who need the experience. Knowing he had this kind of team back and he was losing Darling, it was Tim's job to find someone mentally ready. I guess he half did in Sully. Of course when Oullette is mentally ready Larry will be saying Maine is young up front and the PP is the problem without graduated Jeff Dimmen. You're always going to need contributions from young players in college hockey today.

We should have known better, Tim hasn't handled goalies well since he has been here. Yeats and Morrison, Jimmy and Frankie, Mattie and Big Ben, Darling, a complete screw up and now 3 guys playing for 1 spot so..... . Sully is the only guy I have any faith in at this point. I was really rooting for Martin to take over but it ain't happening.