Look in the mirror! Barr looked like he was about to jump over the boards to influence the refs, and to stir up his team. Maine played well last night, Boija played out of his mind. His penalty shot save helped to grab the early momentum and the team really “handled” and probably embarrassed the Huskies. The refs gave them a wide berth, but weren’t as generous tonight. BTW The check you alluded to wasn’t called, because the check was done with the shoulder at an angle - not a direct shot to his numbers.
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UMaine Hockey 23 - 24: The Barr Crawl to Glory!!!
- Thread starter Tango
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grooverider
Your Team Sucks
You do understand I was at the game and I literally watched them complain constantly after the period. Keefe followed the ref off the ice whining from center ice BOTH periods. What about the Bradly Nadeau hit? That was a 5 minute major last weekend.
I am not shy about my disdain for NU. I will be the first to loudly complain that every meaningful call goes their way, without fail. I've complained about it two or three times just tonight. However, with all that said, I don't think the B. Nadeau play at the end was even a penalty, let alone a major. Brad was driving in towards the net from the outside, and the NU kid just took a hard angle to deny him a netfront drive, and I think Brad just lost an edge. It certainly looked far worse at first, but I don't think it was a bad play on NUs part, and it was only called a penalty at all to keep the cover on the game. I also don't think the Arnott hit was worth a major either, though I don't mind at all challenging for it and I think it should have been a minor. The Whitehead play on Scott, though, was absolutely gutless and the refs completely botched it (shocking). That could have maybe given spark, a goal scored off a terrible play and as a result of a hard forecheck may have been enough to give Maine life to make the ending interesting.
I was going to call Maine frontrunners, however I think it would be more accurate to say that they get frustrated very quickly, and thus are easy to knock off their game. If an early call, or a big call in a critical moment, goes against them, they can very quickly crumble and then thats it. I don't know when that started, because I recall earlier this year noticing their resilience in a positive way. I'm starting to suspect there are issues in the locker room, because their recent play feels like something more than just a cold spell. Other than maybe last night, they haven't had a truly great performance since, what, the Dartmouth tournament? Against bottom-two UML, if you want to be a little more generous? It feels like the Poisson major and subsequent implosion at Matthews may have been a turning point in a negative way, the true depths of this tailspin can be traced to that moment in my opinion.
I was going to call Maine frontrunners, however I think it would be more accurate to say that they get frustrated very quickly, and thus are easy to knock off their game. If an early call, or a big call in a critical moment, goes against them, they can very quickly crumble and then thats it. I don't know when that started, because I recall earlier this year noticing their resilience in a positive way. I'm starting to suspect there are issues in the locker room, because their recent play feels like something more than just a cold spell. Other than maybe last night, they haven't had a truly great performance since, what, the Dartmouth tournament? Against bottom-two UML, if you want to be a little more generous? It feels like the Poisson major and subsequent implosion at Matthews may have been a turning point in a negative way, the true depths of this tailspin can be traced to that moment in my opinion.
I was at home in MA, watching on ESPN. The UMO broadcast didn’t spend much time focusing on Jerry Keefe. However, the cameras gave us numerous shots of Ben Barr loudly registering his displeasure with the refereeing. There are very few games where coaches agree with every call. Attempts to influence officials’ calls is part of their job description. I’m sure you will agree, the only consistent thing about hockey referees is their inconsistency!
Personally, I’m really happy to see Maine’s hockey program become relevant again. You don’t have all the pieces yet, but if the Nadeau brothers stick around for two more years, and Barr brings in his own quality recruits, you may be nationally prominent again. Who knows, if you hurry, you might even win one at Matthews. :>}
grooverider
Your Team Sucks
Respect. Anyone but BU/BC..and UNH
walrus
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Nobody whined more than Walshy, trying get an advantage . Not sure it works but whatever.
Not that it matters at this point but team needs to get bigger, stronger, faster. I saw talk about depth on here yesterday, what are you guys comparing this year depth to? Reds teams? I don't see lots of depth. Especially on D. Can't blame Boija for last nights results. We need Hasek or maybe Sway back to win games when team on a whole looks slow. On to Vermont
NorthMike
Well-known member
First home game missed all year but watched 2 periods on tv, wished I hadnt. My eyes told me they were just tired and lacked focus, they played like they went out partying friday night because they won. Like Reds and Whiteheads teams did.
Maybe their not as fit as they should be, or their young and not developed or just not strong enough or Barr works them too hard all week, who knows.
Frustrating to watch them play well one night and the next night its a completely different team.
Anyone else notice Barr is getting a little grayer.
At this point in the season they are really a 20 ranking pairwise team and mid pack HE team. They have overachieved this year, which is great. No matter how it ends its been a successful season. Growth continues, their just not there yet.
Still probably going to journey over to VT next weekend
Maybe their not as fit as they should be, or their young and not developed or just not strong enough or Barr works them too hard all week, who knows.
Frustrating to watch them play well one night and the next night its a completely different team.
Anyone else notice Barr is getting a little grayer.
At this point in the season they are really a 20 ranking pairwise team and mid pack HE team. They have overachieved this year, which is great. No matter how it ends its been a successful season. Growth continues, their just not there yet.
Still probably going to journey over to VT next weekend
walrus
Wind up workin' in a gas station
They certainly have exceeded early season expectations. That raised the Barr : ) to a height they couldn't consistently achieve. Need to sweep Vermont which is easier said than done.
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NewEnglandGuy
Member
They’re somewhere closer to the 9th preseason Hockey East team rather than a top pairwise seed for starters.
3-5 in February with 18 goals (2.25 per) and giving up 27 (3.38 per). With Breen and B Nadeau scoring 3 goals in the past 12 games, and the defense giving up break outs and turnovers to forechecking…I’m not sure which buttons Barr can push.
What hasn’t helped in addition: the team has also gone from one of the least penalized to one of the most. Our gripes with officiating stems from the muckers incentivized to hold more when there aren’t interference calls, and the multiple majors on hits not being called both ways.
Execution, effort, puck luck, discipline, subjective officiating all contributing.
3-5 in February with 18 goals (2.25 per) and giving up 27 (3.38 per). With Breen and B Nadeau scoring 3 goals in the past 12 games, and the defense giving up break outs and turnovers to forechecking…I’m not sure which buttons Barr can push.
What hasn’t helped in addition: the team has also gone from one of the least penalized to one of the most. Our gripes with officiating stems from the muckers incentivized to hold more when there aren’t interference calls, and the multiple majors on hits not being called both ways.
Execution, effort, puck luck, discipline, subjective officiating all contributing.
grooverider
Your Team Sucks
Agree they seemed slow as mud last night and started out physical then had a penalty and went down hill after the goal.
No room for error now to finish top 4. Need to sweep Vermont and then take atleast 1 out of 2 from UMass. Last night was a huge loss getting 0 points at home.
It is sad that after a weekend of great hockey, the talk is always about the officiating. I don't know what the process is for bringing refs in to say, "you blew it, don't do that again", but if you ask the Mainers, NU is the darling. If you ask NU peeps, BU/BC/VT are the darlings (Go back to first games against each of BU and VT please, just awful). Right now 11 teams have a place to complain.
The Friday night game in this series was a headscratcher, NU should have had 3 penalties in the first period and nothing was called. So the pattern is, "just let them play". The in the third, it was "just call a bunch of stuff both ways" as if they were working on commission. No pattern, no common sense. Even the Maine announcers were perplexed for both teams.
Every game leaves teams and fans baffled and coaches fuming. Games are tainted by, "well they only won b/c they had an extra power play". The officials constantly overlook obvious calls, then whistle the ticky tack make up, creating the ensuing drama. I hope Hockey East gets this cleaned up.
The Friday night game in this series was a headscratcher, NU should have had 3 penalties in the first period and nothing was called. So the pattern is, "just let them play". The in the third, it was "just call a bunch of stuff both ways" as if they were working on commission. No pattern, no common sense. Even the Maine announcers were perplexed for both teams.
Every game leaves teams and fans baffled and coaches fuming. Games are tainted by, "well they only won b/c they had an extra power play". The officials constantly overlook obvious calls, then whistle the ticky tack make up, creating the ensuing drama. I hope Hockey East gets this cleaned up.
NU...very possibly the best team in HE. I was suitably impressed. Cant say I am shocked Maine lost last night. NU not gonna roll over for them....Beanpot Champs and very skilled team. They had a lot of injuries early in season which they have now overcome. Pretty sure you will see them in Boston.....good goaltending, good skating team. Would have loved to see Oestman last night 
Who knows what would have happened. Tough on a guy like Booooyaaah to play fabulous on back to back nights. Think Ostie would have given them an inkling of a chance to win, but we will never know.
Who knows what would have happened. Tough on a guy like Booooyaaah to play fabulous on back to back nights. Think Ostie would have given them an inkling of a chance to win, but we will never know.NU...very possibly the best team in HE. I was suitably impressed. Cant say I am shocked Maine lost last night. NU not gonna roll over for them....Beanpot Champs and very skilled team. They had a lot of injuries early in season which they have now overcome. Pretty sure you will see them in Boston.....good goaltending, good skating team. Would have loved to see Oestman last night
I agree 100%
both a very good goalies, neither is a consistent all-american
people probably forget that when Jimmy Howard was putting up incredible stats, he was splitting weekends with Frank Doyle…then the year he got most of the games, he went 19-13-7 with good stats, but not like when he split time
Its pretty scary when you agree with me. :0)
AmaineBlackBear
New member
how is everyone feeling about the upcoming series vs Vermont?
grooverider
Your Team Sucks
I'm proud of the boys for exceeding our expectations so far. And I don't mind losing. It's how we are losing. Bad penalties, defensive breakdowns, bad bad hockey. 4 games left if they finish in the top 4 which is likely IF they can win 3 out of 4, this season is a success. But in perspective the last month or so is just bad hockey.
AmaineBlackBear
New member
I agree with this. I think it all boils down to a very young team that has a hard time staying disciplined and is experiencing some growing pains. The broad majority of skaters on the ice are underclassmen and it shows when you are watching the games.
Overall, I feel like this season has been a massive success. We are on the doorstep of having our first 20 win season and possibly our first National tournament appearance in 12 years. We have a young team that is only going to get stronger, more hard nosed and more skilled in the seasons to come. Although the last month has been rough, teams go through funks like this and I still believe we can dig deep to finish off the season.
Fishman'81
Black Bear since D-2
I haven't seen Vermont play this year so this is all speculation. They split with NU last month and just lost both games to BC this weekend. They have "won" a couple of games in a shootout. They have been up and down with no consistency. They have very good size, but I don't know if they can skate. If they can skate and they watch the second game video of the Maine vs NU game they will give Maine problems. I think it will be difficult for Maine to sweep them if Vermont can generate some good goal tending.
AmaineBlackBear
New member
Seems like Speed + size is the formula to beat Maine. NU gave us trouble coming up the ice/in transition in the neutral zone all second game. Teams are also aware that you can hammer JN20 all night and there will be no consequence as far as penalties and it definitely frustrates the team when they are getting hounded all night.
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