Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

[Gusforhobey]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

season over.

[TripleE]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

0-9 on the PP isn't overwhelming bad?

Marty played a solid game though, must give you guys some comfort. I know goaltending was kind of a ? by a lot of people leading up to the season.

I would have called it overwhelming if they weren't moving the puck, shooting the puck, and if they looked apathetic.

It was the 1st game of the season. Some new faces on the units (or a few old ones in new roles), and the best goalie in our league played a great game, making key saves ---- the 15 second 5:3 with the golden shot off the draw with about 14 mins left comes to mind. Whaddya want on opening night? It wasn't for lack of playing hard.

You have to put it in perspective. If they start going 0/9 in November or December after all their feet are wet, that's something. If they go 0/9 and only had 3 S.O.G., that would be glaring. But, they got some looks, they got some shots, and Cannata was great...other than Abbott firing from the point, the PP will take a few games to find some flow and identity with multi-year QBs Nyquist, House and Dimmen gone. Not worried. They'll find it.

[Gusforhobey]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

I would have called it overwhelming if they weren't moving the puck, shooting the puck, and if they looked apathetic.

It was the 1st game of the season. Some new faces on the units (or a few old ones in new roles), and the best goalie in our league played a great game, making key saves ---- the 15 second 5:3 with the golden shot off the draw with about 14 mins left comes to mind. Whaddya want on opening night? It wasn't for lack of playing hard.

You have to put it in perspective. If they start going 0/9 in November or December after all their feet are wet, that's something. If they go 0/9 and only had 3 S.O.G., that would be glaring. But, they got some looks, they got some shots, and Cannata was great...other than Abbott firing from the point, the PP will take a few games to find some flow and identity with multi-year QBs Nyquist, House and Dimmen gone. Not worried. They'll find it.

well that's an optimistic post.. i gotta say you have to capitalize on 5-3's...shoooot the puck.. i thought maine was to "cute" on the pp's tonight.

[TripleE]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

As Walrus said, there isn't a lot of talent on this team but they did play hard. I thought Maine "telegraphed" many of their shots and they were facing a very good goalie in Canatta. I thought Ouellette played very well and a sign that the goal tending may be better. Merrimack is fortunate that Cannata decided to return for his senior year. I thought Maine's timeout prior to the 5 on 3 was well timed, even though Maine ended up squandering it. Connor Leen is going to be a good player.

I wouldn't write off the talent level on this team. Nyquist was the only loss of 'irreplaceable caliber'. Tanner was plenty gifted, and a well rounded leader, but without centering Gus and Brian for 3 years, I think we eventually reflect on his time more for his work ethic than his numbers. Loved him, but he didn't have that "put the team on his back and take over a game" talent that guys like Gus, Brian, and Abbott did and do. And you can't yet convince me guys like Beats, Swaves, and the like won't have breakout years and match the contributions of other guys like Dee. Throw a seemingly more talented freshman class this year compared to last into the pot, and you just never know.

Here's what I believe

--Kyle Beattie will have at least 12 goals and at least 25 points.
--They said Shemansky had a fantastic offseason and he's looked good. After a sophomore let down, he is a 20+ point contributor.
--Nick Pryor will not be far behind Will O'Neill's points.
--The freshmen class will contribute at least 12 combined goals (to last years two)
--Swavely and Mangene will combine for at least 12 goals (to last years four)

It sounds like I'm glorifying petty accomplishments, but look, the Bruins' top 3 scorers last year ranked 40th, 47th and 59th in the NHL and yet as a team, they ranked 5th/30 in goals for. They had lots of little contributors all over the board, and it added up to plenty. While using the Bruins as an analogy, I'm certainly not implying that we're championship bound (LOL), but (despite the shutout tonight ) I honestly don't think we'll be in the basement in terms of TEAM offense, even if we don't have Hobey Baker candidates on our hands.

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

great minds.
in a way, I would really like to be in North Dakota, but I do not want to see two 7-1 shellackings
(seeing Diamond and Hextall go at it would have been nice too)

Hextall is gone...signed deal with NHL's Phoenix Coyotes and is now in Portland with the Pirates of the AHL.

[TripleE]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

well that's an optimistic post.. i gotta say you have to capitalize on 5-3's...shoooot the puck.. i thought maine was to "cute" on the pp's tonight.

Right in the post you replied to, I specifically mentioned an instance of shoooooting the puck pretty well on that BRIEF 5:3

[walrus]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

season over.

Little early for that but home ice might be gone as I doubt Maine beats MC at home that means 0-3 for a team you'll be competing with.

As per the last few seasons Maine makes every goalie it faces look like a world beater, in this case I thing Canata is. There were quite a few pucks at his feet without his control but Maine couldn't put one by him.

Leen can stickhandle, he looks right at home out there.

Lets see how they do against NU, I expect a win, really didn't last night, I knew MC was the better team

[Yuppie Scum]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

I think it's interesting that you put Merrimack in the same class as BU, BC, and UNH. MC had a "magical run" last year of 25-10-4 but come on where was MC the past decade? I think this year Merrimack tanks and returns back to reality...the cellar..

We're in this decade now.

[BearNecessity]

well that's an optimistic post.. i gotta say you have to capitalize on 5-3's...shoooot the puck.. i thought maine was to "cute" on the pp's tonight.

Pryor brought in as as a PP specialist...not so special after. 3 years in program no excuse about injurers, just another bad decision by the brain trust

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

Little early for that but home ice might be gone as I doubt Maine beats MC at home that means 0-3 for a team you'll be competing with.

Way too much thinking after 1 game. Of course you may be right but still...

[Gusforhobey]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

Right in the post you replied to, I specifically mentioned an instance of shoooooting the puck pretty well on that BRIEF 5:3

haha my bad..almost 2 am..among other things

[walrus]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

Way too much thinking after 1 game. Of course you may be right but still...

yeah, I was just going with the theme.

[KnowItAll]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

I wouldn't write off the talent level on this team.

... House...Loved him, but he didn't have that "put the team on his back and take over a game" talent that guys like Gus, Brian, and Abbott did and do. .

Merrimack is only half of what it was with DaCosta, and it still took it to Timmy's team.

Flynn benefitted GREATLY from being on a line with Nyquist and just as I said when Abbott did NOTHING when he was on Nyquist's line, Abbott is only a top level talent when the opponent's better defenders are out against a different line. (flynns stats all come from being on the ice with Nyquist, Abbott was not so lucky, but lucky enough to get to see weaker opponents)

I am impressed with the skating and hands of O'Connor... apparently Tim is not so impressed... Hes' got a lower body, balance and a stride like Prestin Ryan
Leen also got to see third defensive pairs, but the kid fights.... nice
Pryor looked like it was his first D1 game... going down to block shots and just plain not getting up
Mangene can lug the puck but he really has to learn to pass ... Bishop was a more accurate passer

how many times does the difference in a Maine game have to be a forward coughing the puck up at the point and giving up a shortie? how many?

as for Shemansky returning to his glory days... (his first two months as a freshman), he was a one trick pony. a great tip in artist out front. But when the opponents figured it out, he was done. Also, he tipped in shots from the point from Abbott, with the better defenders covering Nyquist along the side boards, or at the bottoms of the circles.... it is a different world without Nyquist.

[KnowItAll]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

Hextall is gone...signed deal with NHL's Phoenix Coyotes and is now in Portland with the Pirates of the AHL.

right... "would have been nice"

[rufus]

Re: Maine 2011 Offseason #2: Wondering If We'll Outdraw Women's Hoops This Year

As Timmay left the ice after the 2nd," Hey Whitehead why don't you do us all a favor and resign", loud enough and close enough for Timmay to hear it.

That had to have hurt. Still, I've seen enough of TIMMAY's postgame interviews after a dismal loss, looking like he's about ready to cry.