Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

[mcfarljd]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

1. With the games that this team has been a part of dating back to last March, there should not be a swoon. Last year we were extremely young, which obviously we still are right now, but this team has big game experience and knows how to win in the third period, something that previous Miami clubs could not pull off. I think our swoon was the recent stretch of 1-1-4.

2. I think you still see the rotation until one of the goalies drops off. Both of which only have one loss, through a ridiculous schedule, so I don't think its time to pick one over the other yet.

3. Steffes is done I think. He had the opportunity at the beginning of the season but for 10 straight games was completely absent out there on the ice, most players you can say made good plays here or there after a game, but I can't think of one thing that Steffes did well. It looks like he's not coming back with B Smith getting regular starts and Tomassoni making the transition to forward.

4. SOS. As long as we win the games we're scheduled to play we'll stay on the top. Granted there will most likely be a hiccup or two, but stay focused and finish the year strong and we shouldn't have anything to worry about.

5. Who do you think will be the surprise performers down the stretch? Vaive has done well this season, there are only a few times he seems like he is caught on the ice for too long and loses his legs before he can get a chance to change, but that is usually when he's on the far end. Weber has definitely stepped up and I think we'll see him continue to improve as the season goes, the only bad thing is he seems to get called for penalties more for good hits, but being 1 foot taller than the guy he takes out makes it seem like roughing. And I think McKenzie and Reilly are going to start lighting the lamp even more down the stretch, lots of great opportunities for the kids recently and they just seem to grip the stick too tight and fire it over the crossbar.

[redhawk95]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

McKenzie and Reilly...grip the stick too tight and fire it over the crossbar.

Boy, do they ever!!!

I pretty much agree with your thoughts, too, but it's tough to think that Gary might be out of the rotation. I guess with the guys Rico's been playing (+Hetland), plus Mason and Mantha waiting in the wings, someone's going to be the odd-man out.

Robert Morris is really promoting the "Pittsburgh College Hockey Showcase." Here's a link to their Facebook page and an ad they are running. They were really hoping Miami would hold onto the #1 ranking if you read the posts.

Facebook - http://bit.ly/6EbXXK

And the ad - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VQFCxykW6Y

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

1. It's hard to say if there will be a "swoon" with how well this team has played with their backs against the wall its tough to imagine there would be. But with that said the recent "swoons" were all when no one imagined as well.

2. I don't think he can rotate then go to cody and go back to rotating. I don't see a reason to stop the rotation. Both guys are playing, yes Cody is playing unbelievable but it hasn't affected his play at all. Connor has been hung out a couple times this year which has inflated his numbers a bit. Im with JD until someone slips up like we saw last year first with Cody then with Knapp. But I feel comfident in saying that we will see one guy through the play offs.

3. I don't get the whole steffes thing. Something has gone seriously wrong. I don't understand how a guy who has performed very well over his first 3 years on campus and has completely dissapeared his senior year. Makes you wonder what is going on off the ice for him.

4. Not really worried about the SOS. You win the games you play and your ranking at the end of the year will reflect it.

5. I don't think Vaive's #'s will increase that much, but for me it doesn't mean his production is fading. I think he has played extremely well this season, and provides so much more on the ice than just points. For me a guy I am looking towards is Pat Cannone, he hasn't done a whole lot and is such a skilled guy I expect more production out of him. I too would look at both freshman to pick it up. They have felt out the college game and have had signs of brilliance. McKenzie is putting up good numbers for a freshman and wouldn't be surprised to see him get past the 20 pt mark.

[MiamiRedhawks2008]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

1. I don't see much of a chance for a swoon. This group of guys just have a looseness and mental toughness that previous teams didn't have.

2. I say keep rotating all year. I want to keep both guys sharp and fresh for any potential pitfalls down the stretch. I realize that 35 games isn't that big of a deal, but i would hate to put all of our eggs in the Reichard basket just to have him stub his toe (pun intended).

3. I think what you're seeing with Steffes situation is simply an improvement in Miami's talent level. They've been steadily improving for quite a while and Gary is a solid player, but not a star. I think you'll see him fill in as an injury replacement the rest of the year.

4. I think that there will have to be a serious dropoff in the second half for us to lose the top spot. Have you seen the lead we have in the KRACH? It's over 200pts!!! I mean that's huge at this point in the season.

5. I'm not sure if there's going to be a single bona fide star step up. I think that this season is the result of a group of kids steadily improving both skills and mental toughness. I am enjoying seeing the multitude of guys that have taken over a game. We aren't relying on a single guy. Tommy, JP, AndyM, CCamp have all taken over one game or another. When you have that type of leadership across the board, it can only inspire the other guys.

Going into the Christmas season, I can only say one thing:

When it comes to Miami Hockey, WE ARE BLESSED!!!

[MiamiRedhawks2008]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

5. I don't think Vaive's #'s will increase that much, but for me it doesn't mean his production is fading. I think he has played extremely well this season, and provides so much more on the ice than just points.

I agree with you on Vaive. I think Justin's hurt by fans' expectations a bit. I think that people expected him to step right for Ryan Jones - which is not fair. I think he's a great talent but he's got to get better at finishing in front of the net - something at which Jonesy was just brilliant. Is it me or did JV relied a little too much on his size the past 2 years, which led to inflated penalty minutes and limited ice time. So far he's doing much better this year.

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

I agree with you on Vaive. I think Justin's hurt by fans' expectations a bit. I think that people expected him to step right for Ryan Jones - which is not fair. I think he's a great talent but he's got to get better at finishing in front of the net - something at which Jonesy was just brilliant. Is it me or did JV relied a little too much on his size the past 2 years, which led to inflated penalty minutes and limited ice time. So far he's doing much better this year.

It is extremely unfair to compare him to jonesy, they are completely two different players. If people honestly expected him to fill jonesy's shoes then they don't understand hockey. Vaive isn't a skill player, Jones was a skilled player. Vaive is great at using leverage. He has grown into his body a little more and he is able to play under control which is why his PIM are down. He also is understanding the game better, he knows his role is below the hash and primarily in front of the net. He isn't ever going to have great hands and be able to finish that well, but he will score some goals for you because of his understanding of the game. He has also become a much better defesnive forward using his long reach in a positive manor. When judging Justin you can't look at stats because where he is most important and where he is playing well are in areas that don't show up on the stat sheet.

[RicoForPresident]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

As a current student, I hear people ragging on JV all the time which is of course absurd. These people automatically think 6'6" means you go out there and blow people up. Of course, these people have no real hockey knowledge, so I guess it's no big deal. I've been very satisfied with the way he's been playing this year. He's embraced his role well and hopefully he will be rewarded on the stat sheet at some point.

[mcfarljd]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

I could see Vaive being a 10 goal scorer, 20 point guy next season if he keeps it up in front of the net and buries the rebounds.

That's pretty funny about RMU, looks like they were tracking us for most of the year hoping we could stay up front. Wonder how the crowd will be at that game.

[redhawk95]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

That's pretty funny about RMU, looks like they were tracking us for most of the year hoping we could stay up front. Wonder how the crowd will be at that game.

There is an alumni group that has secured "Igloo Level" tickets and a private concession area. I can't imagine there will be a big crowd, but I'll be there the wife and daughter. We went over the last time we played in their "gym" in Moon Township and it was fun. Hit the Children's Museum and a few other things in downtown Pittsburgh. Got a hotel for $60 on priceline so we're set! Just need to buy our tickets. Here's some info for those interested.



Friday, January 8 at 8:00 pm - Miami at Robert Morris. This is the final game of a 'pay one price' tripleheader, starting at 2:00 with UConn - Robert Morris women's game, followed at 5:00 by the RMU-Penn St. club game, then our game at 8.

We have a large block of tickets reserved for Miami fans! These tickets are in the 'West Igloo' section - W2 & W3. These are great, reserved seats at center ice and we have a nice private concession area behind the seats for us to mingle before the game and between periods.

We have a discounted price of $15.75/ticket, plus $5 fee per order. (Reg. price = $17) To order your tickets, call Mellon Arena Group Sales at 412-642-1977 and request tickets in the Miami University section.

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

As a current student, I hear people ragging on JV all the time which is of course absurd. These people automatically think 6'6" means you go out there and blow people up. Of course, these people have no real hockey knowledge, so I guess it's no big deal. I've been very satisfied with the way he's been playing this year. He's embraced his role well and hopefully he will be rewarded on the stat sheet at some point.

Well you hit the nail on the head, those people are just ignorant.

Vaive has played well, and I said it his freshman year he would blossom. I don't think he has ever played poorly during his tenure. I know some have been hard on him, not to name names .

JD- I think he could as well, but those aren't jonesy type numbers. He had a very nice goal from the slot a couple weeks ago. He isn't the type to go around and blow people up either, that just isn't the way Miami plays so if he tried it he wouldn't get much ice. He has learned his position well and is playing well. I don't think it is fair to ask much more of him.

[redhawk95]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

Saw on the NHL Network ticker that Alec Martinez has been recalled by Western Conference leader (wow) Los Angeles. Apparently Jack Johnson is hurt and will miss Thursday's game in Calgary and Wayne Simmonds was placed on IR by the Kings.

Interestingly, former Buckeye Corey Elkins made his NHL debut the other night for the Kings and faired pretty well.

http://bit.ly/8n2Ljy

[mcfarljd]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

Well you hit the nail on the head, those people are just ignorant.

Vaive has played well, and I said it his freshman year he would blossom. I don't think he has ever played poorly during his tenure. I know some have been hard on him, not to name names .

JD- I think he could as well, but those aren't jonesy type numbers. He had a very nice goal from the slot a couple weeks ago. He isn't the type to go around and blow people up either, that just isn't the way Miami plays so if he tried it he wouldn't get much ice. He has learned his position well and is playing well. I don't think it is fair to ask much more of him.

With the depth of scoring and the talent that Miami is able to recruit nowadays, it will be rare to find someone to put up the numbers that Jones did in regards to goal scoring. You can look back to when we had Edwardson/Kompon/Hogeboom, an excellent trio, who all put up nearly 50 points in their senior season, but were all unselfish and fed the puck well and set up others for scoring opportunities. Jones finished with 90-57--146 in 161 games. His points total will almost undoubtedly be broken by Camper (as long as he remains healthy, knock on wood) and others soon to come, but that goal mark, which he had 82 of in his last three seasons, will be hard to match.

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

With the depth of scoring and the talent that Miami is able to recruit nowadays, it will be rare to find someone to put up the numbers that Jones did in regards to goal scoring. You can look back to when we had Edwardson/Kompon/Hogeboom, an excellent trio, who all put up nearly 50 points in their senior season, but were all unselfish and fed the puck well and set up others for scoring opportunities. Jones finished with 90-57--146 in 161 games. His points total will almost undoubtedly be broken by Camper (as long as he remains healthy, knock on wood) and others soon to come, but that goal mark, which he had 82 of in his last three seasons, will be hard to match.

Well I disagree JD. I think because Miami is able to recruit great talent you will see guys that put up those kind of numbers. It has been rare in Miami to get guys like that, but because they are getting more talented players I think it will happen more than the past and not less. Jones set the bar so high that guys are going to go for it. Players like McKenzie and R. Smith have the ability to do it. Especially with looking at some of the guys coming in and the numbers they have put up in juniors or prep school. These guys are goal scorers and yea they may be on a team with other goal scorers it only makes it easier for them to put up those numbers. If Jones had more than just Davis around he would of put up better numbers, IMO. As would of Edwardson, Kompon, and Hogeboom. Those guys were targeted because Miami didn't have much depth. But now that they do teams can't pin point on one guy to shut down, these guys are getting more space because of it and putting up good numbers.

[mcfarljd]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

I was thinking more in the theory that because we won't have to rely on one player the scoring will be more spread out. Jones used to be double shifted in tight games and we continually roll four now. Any night it can be camper wingles Palmer miele cannone smith McKenzie that could take over a game now but before we just out it all on Jones usually and he would pull through. I do agree though that since a team can't single out one line with this team and lines 1 through 3 are all serious scoring threats it will be hard to keep people from putting up numbers

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

I was thinking more in the theory that because we won't have to rely on one player the scoring will be more spread out. Jones used to be double shifted in tight games and we continually roll four now. Any night it can be camper wingles Palmer miele cannone smith McKenzie that could take over a game now but before we just out it all on Jones usually and he would pull through. I do agree though that since a team can't single out one line with this team and lines 1 through 3 are all serious scoring threats it will be hard to keep people from putting up numbers

Yea I went through the current players year by year. And it is noticeable just by looking at the current roster how the scoring has been spread out but the guys have produced to a high level.