UMaine 25-26: Marques My Word: Back to the Big Time

[Orono1993]

I vote against seeing Lowell in the playoffs.

4-0 after 2 OT games would be diabolical

 

[Orono1993]

It isn’t a terrible team, it just isn’t above average either. Which is kind of disappointing given how Maine was the last couple years. It is a rebuild year, and I’ll still cheer them on just the same.

They aren't getting better though, which is strange

 

[Orono1993]

@Sparkee or anyone else who plays close attention; does Poirier historically go on cold streaks like this?? What six games with 1 point? Saving grace- makes it more likely that Carolina keeps him here. Scholle and Russell are ok but seriously where tf are the other top 9 forwards

 

[Orono1993]

All that can really be said is that this team is weird af. And goaltending is a total disaster. Wouldn’t be surprised if somehow they get hot at the right time and win to the frozen four and wouldn’t be surprised if they end their season in the HE semis. Also I don’t like the tight lipped nonsense about Josh nadeau. No reason for it but the whole thing is sketch and scary imo

 

[Orono1993]

I thought the 2nd and 3rd goals were soft and Boija should have been pulled. It appears to be a lack of focus thing where he’s zoning out and not in position on a face off. This type of stuff.

I was happy with the way that James, Peluso, and Pichette played this weekend. They gave the team a good lift. Now, on other teams ice you would think they would have it rough because Lowell can put their top line out there against them. Only once did they seem to get pinned in their own end for a long stretch. Other than that it appeared as though they consistently outplayed the Lowell lines they were up against.

I’m happy they got two wins on the road. It was kind of sloppy tonight and overall not sure Maine demonstrated they are better than a middle of the pack hockey east team in a down year for hockey east. At this point it would be a successful season if they play tough down the stretch and even host the quarterfinals. That is likely the ceiling with this team.

The goaltending needs to get more consistent. The defense needs to stop turning the puck over. The upperclass forwards need to score regularly. The entire team needs to be more disciplined and not take stupid penalties. The effort level runs hot and cold and needs to be full 60 minutes. The coaching could be better as it was pretty obvious Boija gave up some softies and wasn’t on. Not sure what made them decide to not let Rousseau have any more games in a rotation. Also it appears Barr is favoring puck moving mistake prone defensemen over solid ones. Not sure why Motew hasn’t been given more time, he seems well suited for a defensive defensemen role. There is just a lot of things to work on and not enough time to improve all of it.

It isn’t a terrible team, it just isn’t above average either. Which is kind of disappointing given how Maine was the last couple years. It is a rebuild year, and I’ll still cheer them on just the same.

Strangest things for me (descending based on strangeness):

1. How much Barr LOVES playing Peterson (and Usereau too). I mean I like them a lot and their development potential. But Barr is a guy who opts out of getting backup goalies experience because “every game matters” (see Ostman, spring ‘24 and 3 goals against on 15 shots after not playing for months or even senior night I think)
2. Boija disaster
3. Poirier scoring drought
4. The persistence of the Scholle center experiment
5. Fowler getting slighted as a captain or assistant/associate
6. No forward progress remotely re: discipline, consistency, or cohesion
7. Pichette significantly outproducing Komarov
8. JN hush hush situation

 

[cinnamoroll]

@Sparkee or anyone else who plays close attention; does Poirier historically go on cold streaks like this?? What six games with 1 point? Saving grace- makes it more likely that Carolina keeps him here. Scholle and Russell are ok but seriously where tf are the other top 9 forwards

beyond goal scorers being notoriously streaky in general, the evidence from his QMJHL career supports it. big difference is usually he is playing more games over a few weeks than just 2 weekend games, so he has more opportunity to try and bust out of it in a higher scoring environment. but you don't just forget how to score. i'd think the canes would probably support another year of college regardless, but who knows.

 

[walrus]

Losing a point against Lowell sucks but one is better than 3. Nice to see James get some minutes and produce good results, that face off win to Usereau was classic. 6th in HE with games in hand. BU in 4th with losing record, Didn't bother looking at NPI as wins against cellar teams ain't helping that. Tell me how they lost to UNH who hasn't done shit since. For whatever reason I don't think Barr can get thru to this group.