BU Hockey '24-'25: Reloaded for another Frozen Four run

[DLG]

The overtime was most interesting from a personnel deployment standpoint
Eiserman was not on the ice for the first 5 shifts of the 3-3 probably because considered a defensive liability
not sure but think he was on the ice when a shot missed the net which led to the Michigan 2-1 and winning goal

Thought the team played pretty well overall Saturday but still a step down from last 2 years

[bdutot]

When do we have to change the title of this thread?

[BU93]

Certainly disappointing to go into the 3rd in both games this weekend and win neither game. A hallmark of BU teams has been to win almost all of those games. I think early in both games, we could have had scored a few more goals. We had great chances, but couldn’t get them into the back of the net. That said, there are some serious breakdowns and sloppy puck handling. This is a very talented and creative group. If we can just start doing the right things in the defensive zone, and in risky areas in the offensive zone, I believe things will fall into place. We can get away with some things against certain opponents, but obviously not against Michigan and teams of that degree. It’s early and I’m still hopeful. Not a top 5 team yet, but I think this team can develop into one. All the pieces are there.

[Rogie21]

Pandolfo says Brandon Svoboda will return to the lineup tonight. Size and Speed.
Game previews, highlight reel goals by recruits/alums, and a Greenway-Tkachuk fight, more on the blog.

[Jofa]

Did anyone have BU being this bad? Hey I’m the most negative guy on this board and I thought they would be as good as LY.

[mookie1995]

peeeeee-uuuuuu BU

[RossiRules]

Did anyone have BU being this bad? Hey I’m the most negative guy on this board and I thought they would be as good as LY.

I really don't think they played poorly, Lowell is ranked in the top 20 and had won 6 in a row. I think some questionable goals that you might think could have been saved was the difference.

[BU93]

Did anyone have BU being this bad? Hey I’m the most negative guy on this board and I thought they would be as good as LY.

I most certainly did not, nor probably anyone surrounding the program. We lost another 3rd period. You are not going to have a great season being a bad 3rd period team. While I didn’t see much of the game tonight, it seems baffling to tie the game up in the third at home and then give up a few quick ones to go down by 2. And losing 3 in a row at home? I don’t care who the teams are, you can’t do that. They better come out extremely hungry tomorrow.

I mean giving up 5 goals a game for 3 consecutive? With a goalie like Caron? At home? And seven spot to ND a few games ago? What is up with this team? Playing good teams, but have to play some better D.

[BU93]

Just watched the highlights and Jay’s presser. Sounds defeated. Just keeps saying how everyone needs to do better - all players and coaches alike. I would say this is his first big adversity here as head coach. I guess we’ll see how this turns out. I think there’s too much talent and he’s too good of a coach to not right the ship - but how long will it take? Can’t dump a bunch of games in the first semester like this - getting back in the PWR in the second half could be difficult. We have to go to Lowell tomorrow night where we don’t always have success and then north to play the reignited Maine program for 2 - this could put us behind the 8 ball if things don’t come together soon, like real soon.

[defkit]

I think the biggest issue on the team is on defense. Of last year's three regular freshmen, only Willander gives me confidence. Gavin is average at best - his development has been somewhat disappointing. Celebrini has really fallen off and barely gets ice time. Thankfully, Frechette has been decent. Among the newcomers, Cole is good but he isn't quite at his brothers level. I'm not sure why, because his skating is better (though he doesn't have he shiftiness that Lane had). Boumedienne will be very good very soon - you can see it - but he isn't there yet. Engum is ok.

In terms of facing adversity, I would say the first few games last year were a test for the coach. Barely beating Bentley in OT, losing to UNH, getting embarrassed by the U-18s and then looking terrible in the first game at Notre Dame had us in a very tough spot, given the high expectations. Then it finally clicked. This year, I don't know that we have the talent to just "click" and have everything be better. But I'm not giving up hope. Greene, Lachance, and Copponi have all looked good recently. Bednarik and Svoboda are developing and I do expect they will contribute more as the season progresses. Eiserman is doing what we expected - scoring goals with his great shot. Quinn H. and Harvey are not producing the way we need. If we can get everyone bringing their A games at the same time, we can still be a Top-3 team in Hockey East.

[Scarlet]

Stupid third period penalties will doom this team. They kill penalties without issue all game and the ONE penalty they need to kill they don’t. Discouraging.

[Scarlet]

Not sure why the post posted twice. Given everything going on, sure. Why not.

Any shake up in the lineup for tonight?

[Rover]

Starting to sour on Pando as coach. Bad giveaways, dumb penalties, lethargic skating... that's what the coach is being paid to correct. Team took the 2nd period off last night and half of the 3rd. Team has some talent but they need more speed. Also we can't expect Caron to steal games for them but it would have been nice to see some grade A saves last night.

Just don't have a good feeling especially when they won no hardware last year with more talent than this year.

[BU93]

I think it’s time for some kind of shakeup. The defensive core is really in shambles right now. The Hutson(-5)McCarthy(-6) combo is not working. I know +/- doesn’t always tell the whole story, but in this case it seems obvious. Probably should try something where they are not paired up. Other forwards on the short end are Hughes at -5 and Svoboda and Kaplan at -4. Put them on the 4th line and limit their minutes right now. They are good players but it’s not going for them right now, offensively or defensively. I don’t really know. It’s the best I could come up with right now just by the numbers.

[meauxmo]

We have a very good coach but we need to out recruit our competition first which we clearly have not done.