The Barr Has Been Raised at UMaine

[ticapnews]

That's your choice, no one is forcing you to do anything. FWIW If you've gotten the vaccine, you really have nothing to worry about, unless you think the vaccine doesn't work? In which case, IF it doesn't work, then why is the Mr. Magoo Administration and its lackeys in academia trying to force everyone to get it? It's really gotta be one or the other, unless you are predisposed to being frightened by your own shadow as a lifestyle choice, right???

Median average age of death from the Wuhan Flu? 79 yrs. old (older than average life expectancy)
Chance of death from the WF if you're under 40 yrs. old and not immunocompromised? 0.0001%

Eff off. I have a brain tumor and am immunocompromised. My mother is 77 and has COPD. If either of us gets it, vaccine or not, we're probably dead. Even if not, death is hardly the only negative outcome. You love to "do your research" so Google 'long COVID' and tell us how eager you are to have that the rest of your life. A friend of mine was perfectly healthy last February. Got the disease in April. "Recovered" by May but she hasn't been the same since. She lived in a third-floor walk up and has had to move because she can no longer climb the stairs to her home. It's almost 18 months and her doctor can't tell her when or if it'll get better. Take your xenophobic anti-vaxxer crap and peddle it elsewhere. And your stats are wrong, but you don't care and I don't have the energy to argue with you. Just go away.

[walrus]

Baby steps, as long as their is progress forward I'm ok. Who was in net last night? Going to be a long season if you think Coach Barr is going to turn this program on a dime.

[amkirby10]

Baby steps, as long as their is progress forward I'm ok. Who was in net last night? Going to be a long season if you think Coach Barr is going to turn this program on a dime.

I believe Ostman started both games

[BlackBearFan19]

I believe Ostman started both games

Yeah it was Ostman both nights. I thought he looked pretty sharp, made some big saves and played better than his stats will show.

As for the team, they look like they’re playing faster, less dump and chase and more guys actually trying to carry the puck into the zone which is refreshing. Maine’s faster players and better skaters were noticeable all weekend and the slower players were noticeable. Poissant jumped right into the lineup and played well, I’d expect him to remain in the lineup. Hebert and JSS are two of the more talented players on this team but skating wise I thought they struggled. Hope to see that improve this year. The defense needs a lot of work, Breazeale and Sirota both look solid and so does Dockery.

[UncleRay]

Eff off....And your stats are wrong, but you don't care and I don't have the energy to argue with you. Just go away.

I couldn't have said it better. Nor agree more fully.

[Chuck Murray]

I have a brain tumor and am immunocompromised. My mother is 77 and has COPD. If either of us gets it, vaccine or not, we're probably dead.

Sincerely sorry for your situation, and I completely understand your choice not to attend.

Hope you're able to find more favorable circumstances in the future to allow you to return.

[NorthMike]

As for the team, they look like they’re playing faster, less dump and chase and more guys actually trying to carry the puck into the zone which is refreshing.

The defense needs a lot of work, Breazeale and Sirota both look solid and so does Dockery.

Didnt watch the games but the offensive comments you made are very encouraging to me. I hated the constant dump, chase, back on D system.

WIthout messing around Barr says the D is an area for improvement, so that speaks volumes. I really liked how Barr said during the coaches show that the team hasnt done well with breakouts in a long time. Amen! That has driven me nuts for years. Good to hear a coach provide honest assessments.

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Patience/Patience/patience...this will not be a over night miracle...imo this season and next will be a process period and by year 3 we should be seeing the progress period begin. But at the same time I feel a whole lot better in that Barr is the Coach and that things look better then they did after last season...but have patience.

[Blackbear96]

I think some in the fanbase have read all the positive stemming around Coach Barr and talked themselves into a strong W/L this season (noticed this in the FB group too). It sounds like the club competed on the road, had some good moments & some undisciplined ones. I think the major difference is that neither of those games got out of hand, as they did so often last year. It'd be a close game in the 3rd and a 3-2 game would finish 6-2 out of frustration.

I'm encouraged after the opening weekend...would've loved to see a win. Overall I was impressed.

[Drew S.]

For whatever reason I was a little discouraged with this weekend. It wasn’t that Maine played bad or anything like that, it just seemed like they lacked belief.

When I look forward it looks to me that Maine probably has more talent this year than they will either of the next couple of years. Obviously they could add more players but when you look overall it’s hard for me to see where the talent level of recruits is much better than what they have now.

Does anyone know what Alfie and Fortier’s responsibilities are? Ben’s comments make it sound like Alfie is out on the road and Fortier is in Orono but to me it would make a lot more sense if it was the other way around.

This post isn’t intended as criticism of Ben or anything like that, it’s just to me the outlook doesn’t look great right now. Hopefully things turn around but other than blind faith in Ben there isn’t really anything else to get excited about.

[walrus]

For whatever reason I was a little discouraged with this weekend. It wasn’t that Maine played bad or anything like that, it just seemed like they lacked belief.

When I look forward it looks to me that Maine probably has more talent this year than they will either of the next couple of years. Obviously they could add more players but when you look overall it’s hard for me to see where the talent level of recruits is much better than what they have now.

Does anyone know what Alfie and Fortier’s responsibilities are? Ben’s comments make it sound like Alfie is out on the road and Fortier is in Orono but to me it would make a lot more sense if it was the other way around.

This post isn’t intended as criticism of Ben or anything like that, it’s just to me the outlook doesn’t look great right now. Hopefully things turn around but other than blind faith in Ben there isn’t really anything else to get excited about.

Blind faith is all you got when the cupboard is nearly empty. Couple forwards and a goalie ain't beating alot of teams. Barr has to get his players recruited and in place, going to take a few years. Just like it took Shawn a few years.

[Chuck Murray]

Does anyone know what Alfie and Fortier's responsibilities are? Ben's comments make it sound like Alfie is out on the road and Fortier is in Orono but to me it would make a lot more sense if it was the other way around.

Actually, if this is accurate, I think Coach Barr has it right, Drew. Michaud probably has encyclopedic knowledge of both the school and the program, while Fortier just showed up a couple of months ago, and lacks Michaud's first-hand personal experience to relate (and sell) to the recruits. The longer Fortier is around the program in Orono, the quicker he picks all that stuff up.

Like they say, you only get one shot at making a good first impression. And if Coach Barr is going to be minding the store in Orono to get the season underway, and probably act as the "closer" later in the process, Michaud is clearly the best of the two alternatives in the interim, for now.

It doesn't mean they won't give that role to Fortier in the future, once he gains more hands-on experience with the program and the school, and hopefully makes some progress on that topic we are not allowed to say in public, even though it is quite obvious to anyone with functioning vision ...

[ticapnews]

Just received this via email:

Per University of Maine system guidance, UMaine Athletics will require all guests attending home hockey and basketball events to provide full proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, which must be administered within the previous 72 hours. Patrons must have a mask in place covering their nose and mouth prior to entry to the venues. The updated policy will go into effect on Friday, Oct. 15.

Face coverings remain required indoors for all persons - students, staff, faculty, and visitors, on campus at all UMaine Athletics sporting events, regardless of vaccination status. All guests over the age of two will be required to wear a face covering, except while eating or drinking.

The University of Maine reserves the right to request additional screening of patrons prior to entering the building. The additional screening would consist of a symptom check and temperature scan.

If guests are unable to provide valid proof of vaccination, a valid negative test, or fail the enhanced screening, guests will be turned away from the event.

Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets to UMaine Athletics events prior to arriving at the venue and also are encouraged to arrive early to the venue on gameday. Gates to all on campus venues will open 90 minutes prior to the start of the events.

Additional information and policy updates will be provided as they become available. Please see below for a synopsis of the UMaine Athletics COVID-19 vaccination policy.

• Accepted proof of vaccination includes: Valid COVID-19 vaccination card, a photocopy of a valid COVID-19 vaccination card, a photo of a valid COVID-19 vaccination card, or a UMaine PointNClick green confirmation screen.
• Children under the age of (12) will not be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or a valid COVID-19 vaccination.
• UMaine Students will be required to show a valid MaineCard or PointNClick green confirmation screen upon entry to the venues.
• The UMaine Athletics COVID-19 vaccination policy will also pertain to events held at the Cross Insurance Center, Cross Insurance Arena, and the Augusta Civic Center.
• Guests who undergo enhanced screening will be asked a short list of questions related to COVID-19 symptoms. Guests will also sustain a temperature scan and must have a temperature reading of 100.4 fahrenheit or lower to be granted entry into the venue.
• The UMaine Athletics COVID-19 vaccination policy will be in effect for all men’s and women’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s basketball events.

So the Alfond will open 90 minutes before faceoff instead of 60 minutes. More time to get a hot cocoa and a baked potato before the game starts.

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Blind faith is all you got when the cupboard is nearly empty. Couple forwards and a goalie ain't beating alot of teams. Barr has to get his players recruited and in place, going to take a few years. Just like it took Shawn a few years.

+1....with a hint of Patience 101.

[ticapnews]

Yeah, yeah, yeah....patience. How long is that going to take?