University of Maine 2024–2025: Freel-ing good

[Fishman'81]

On the first goal, I watched the highlights video I posted on 0.25x setting in YouTube settings and since Barr said it got redirected it must have hit Charbrier’s back and then redirected just enough to go through under Berzin’s armpit on the blocker side. If that’s the case then I would conclude Berzin played good. Good meaning he stopped the ones he should have and the others were of the “not his fault” variety. Try watching that on 0.25x speed and see what you think. It’s hard to tell even on that slow speed.

Yeah, and I didn't see that.

Berzins just took a couple of seconds off, IMO. Even if it brushed Chabrier, it was still a mile out when it reached the net. A softie all day long, but whatever...

I agree that this first half of the season was pretty great, though.

[walrus]

I mean he’s no idiot. I think his quote that the record is a lot better than the play is bang on. The second half schedule is much tougher and Maine needs to commit to being a lot better defensively.

Coach sound bite, he sure isn't going to say how great they have been playing with a 3 week lay off coming up. They lost 2 games to the best team in the east, the Stats show them dominating the teams they have played. HE schedule coming up and its always hard. At providence will be tough for sure. UNH at home, same.

[blackbears9]

I mean he’s no idiot. I think his quote that the record is a lot better than the play is bang on. The second half schedule is much tougher and Maine needs to commit to being a lot better defensively.

Maine's SOS is 7th for the first semester.

[UnMcGovernable]

Maine's SOS is 7th for the first semester.

Their first half schedule was brutal and is going to look even tougher if BU ever decides to play hockey. The second half has some doozies (DU, UML, PC) and conference play is always tough, but it hasn't been all cupcakes so far.

[Sparkee]

Maine still 5th in the poll but got two first place votes.

[UnMcGovernable]

Maine still 5th in the poll but got two first place votes.

I love this team, but first place votes seems... ambitious

[umhockey91]

I love this team, but first place votes seems... ambitious

It’s a poll mirroring current conditions…every other team has bad and/or more losses so why not? That being said….BC should be ranked ahead of Maine until Maine proves they can beat them.

[Sparkee]

It’s a poll mirroring current conditions…every other team has bad and/or more losses so why not? That being said….BC should be ranked ahead of Maine until Maine proves they can beat them.

Will have to be in the post season, so I hope Maine does prove it!

I think how far Maine goes depends on two things(assuming no big injuries anymore):

1) getting a 4th line that plays with good chemistry and can contribute on score sheet a little, this allows Maine to continuously roll lines and wear down opponents defense
2) limiting turnovers or eliminating them completely. Would be very hard to score on Boija if this were the case.

If those two things can come together I see no reason why Maine can’t garner more votes and dominate. Getting Holt back certainly can help second point. And more attention to detail from the bottom 4 defensemen to eliminate these fumbling of the puck, oor falling down, or blind passes toward there own net, etc… On the first item I think some games for a fourth line of Pichette/Komarov/Niemo where Pichette can play off wing. Pichette has a nice one time shot from the left dot he showed in juniors. They might find this is a potent combo but they haven’t had time together in games. If Maine can accomplish these two things they have a wonderful shot at it, IMO.

[NorthMike]

Will have to be in the post season, so I hope Maine does prove it!

I think how far Maine goes depends on two things(assuming no big injuries anymore):

1) getting a 4th line that plays with good chemistry and can contribute on score sheet a little, this allows Maine to continuously roll lines and wear down opponents defense
2) limiting turnovers or eliminating them completely. Would be very hard to score on Boija if this were the case.

If those two things can come together I see no reason why Maine can’t garner more votes and dominate. Getting Holt back certainly can help second point. And more attention to detail from the bottom 4 defensemen to eliminate these fumbling of the puck, oor falling down, or blind passes toward there own net, etc… On the first item I think some games for a fourth line of Pichette/Komarov/Niemo where Pichette can play off wing. Pichette has a nice one time shot from the left dot he showed in juniors. They might find this is a potent combo but they haven’t had time together in games. If Maine can accomplish these two things they have a wonderful shot at it, IMO.

I think losing Breen is going to hurt the boys some down the stretch. He added a leadership element that is irreplaceable at this point, and his play added a layer above what is available for replacement. He is the heart if this program right now.
Im fairly sure they will make the garden and the ncaa, but getting beyond these first rounds is when they will need all cylinders firing perfectly, without Breen their down some horsepowers.

[OronoKO]

Will have to be in the post season, so I hope Maine does prove it!

I think how far Maine goes depends on two things(assuming no big injuries anymore):

1) getting a 4th line that plays with good chemistry and can contribute on score sheet a little, this allows Maine to continuously roll lines and wear down opponents defense
2) limiting turnovers or eliminating them completely. Would be very hard to score on Boija if this were the case.

If those two things can come together I see no reason why Maine can’t garner more votes and dominate. Getting Holt back certainly can help second point. And more attention to detail from the bottom 4 defensemen to eliminate these fumbling of the puck, oor falling down, or blind passes toward there own net, etc… On the first item I think some games for a fourth line of Pichette/Komarov/Niemo where Pichette can play off wing. Pichette has a nice one time shot from the left dot he showed in juniors. They might find this is a potent combo but they haven’t had time together in games. If Maine can accomplish these two things they have a wonderful shot at it, IMO.

I think that's a fair assessment. I'm not sure that Russell is a centre and I might be tempted to try Komarov as the 3rd line centre. If that works, it has the added benefit of improving the 4th line by dropping either Scholle or Russell to wing there.

[tylerzx2002]

I think losing Breen is going to hurt the boys some down the stretch. He added a leadership element that is irreplaceable at this point, and his play added a layer above what is available for replacement. He is the heart if this program right now.
Im fairly sure they will make the garden and the ncaa, but getting beyond these first rounds is when they will need all cylinders firing perfectly, without Breen their down some horsepowers.

Breen's absence will be felt for sure but there are enough upperclassmen on this roster that I think they can handle it without missing a beat.

I just want Barr to be able to find the right guy to round out the fourth line without having too much plug-n-play trying to find someone who fits well. There was a fair amount of bottom six shuffling last year and that ultimately showed as the games got bigger. Niemo looked better than I expected making his first action of the season, so he's a pretty easy bet to handle that responsibility.

[Sparkee]

Extended highlights Game 1 vs Stonehill : https://youtu.be/eYlFEmc6-qM?si=1fathE8ow-n3T9HA

[ICECAT1811]

Wow!!! Just read you guys only have 1 NHL draft pick on your roster. The season you’re having is pretty remarkable when you’re playing BC BU Providence who all have at least a dozen picks. Very impressive Black Bears.

[Fishman'81]

I think losing Breen is going to hurt the boys some down the stretch. He added a leadership element that is irreplaceable at this point, and his play added a layer above what is available for replacement. He is the heart if this program right now.
Im fairly sure they will make the garden and the ncaa, but getting beyond these first rounds is when they will need all cylinders firing perfectly, without Breen their down some horsepowers.

Breen was a key piece. but I think that Scott is the heart of this team.

He does everything well, and never takes a second off.

A natural leader.

[OronoKO]

He's been an awesome pickup. This was a guy who was a solid, but unspectacular player everywhere else (I'm guessing on his EP, but could be wrong). I think it shows the importance of the fit between coaches and players. Guys like Breazeale, Freel and Holt are all guys who flew under the radar but have enjoyed success at Maine. A big part of this is how well they fit what Barr is looking for (the Breazeale article on CHN sort of gets at this).