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2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
- Thread starter jcarter7669
- Start date
observer85
Registered User
Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Totally the latter...should have used a smiley face...
Totally the latter...should have used a smiley face...
observer85
Registered User
Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
It must be nice to get a paycheck for doing basically nothing. The guy should pay ESPN to allow him to be on the air. Appears to be NO pregame prep time in his work.
Probably would not hurt...unless he uses that "valuable" 4th line if it is their turn to go over the boards. It that were to happen, it is just more wasted time.
It must be nice to get a paycheck for doing basically nothing. The guy should pay ESPN to allow him to be on the air. Appears to be NO pregame prep time in his work.
Probably would not hurt...unless he uses that "valuable" 4th line if it is their turn to go over the boards. It that were to happen, it is just more wasted time.
Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Good to know. I'll take you off my crazy list.
(see what I did there?)
Good to know. I'll take you off my crazy list.
(see what I did there?)Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Maine is not a team we want to have a powerplay contest with. While our PP has trouble getting set up and gets predictable when it does Maine's seems to have a plan of attack when coming up ice, that tip in goal in the last seconds of the first was a great example.
Not blaming the refs because it surely went both ways but did anyone actually see half of what was called in the second period?
Highlight of the night is when the Maine player took 2 steps out of the box and got another penalty, it didnt look like he hit the VT player very hard but it was a preview of what was coming later.
Roos needs to hit the weights this summer, he has potential but gets taken off the puck way to easy.
Hard to blame Madore to much as all goals were from guys walking in or deflections from uncovered players right in front of him.
PP numbers are hard to judge, sure Vermont was 2 for 10 but how many of those PP were a full 2 mins?
After his 3rd goal last night Sebastian Stalberg is at 3-6-9 so far, Victor was 7-8-15 his freshman year.
Maine is not a team we want to have a powerplay contest with. While our PP has trouble getting set up and gets predictable when it does Maine's seems to have a plan of attack when coming up ice, that tip in goal in the last seconds of the first was a great example.
Not blaming the refs because it surely went both ways but did anyone actually see half of what was called in the second period?
Highlight of the night is when the Maine player took 2 steps out of the box and got another penalty, it didnt look like he hit the VT player very hard but it was a preview of what was coming later.
Roos needs to hit the weights this summer, he has potential but gets taken off the puck way to easy.
Hard to blame Madore to much as all goals were from guys walking in or deflections from uncovered players right in front of him.
PP numbers are hard to judge, sure Vermont was 2 for 10 but how many of those PP were a full 2 mins?
After his 3rd goal last night Sebastian Stalberg is at 3-6-9 so far, Victor was 7-8-15 his freshman year.
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Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Why is it that as soon as the team has one misstep, plays one bad period, everyone descends on Brayden Irwin? Is it personal because he is Canadian (or Canadien as observer85 likes to pronounce it)? The Toronto Maple Leafs are all over this kid and are already projecting him on a line with Vik Stalberg with the Marlies, so you 'fans' don't really know what you're talking about.
I'm with Sneddon on this one, if I coached a kid that shot like Big Brayden, I'd build a powerplay around his shot, too. I wouldn't care if the other team knew it was coming from him, I'd dare them to try to stop his bomb of a shot. Yes, even the wrist shots that hit goalies in the belly. I'd say, 'Brayden, I want you shooting. I don't want to see you passing to kids who can't shoot like you and couldn't carry your stick to the rink. Let Roloff and Vock dig out the puck along the boards and then everybody try to get the puck to you and you shoot it. That's how you're going to be my next NHLer, so shoot the puck. If I see you pass it, I'll bench Wahs Stacey, so shoot the darn puck.'
Barry Melrose, who follows college hockey pretty closely and whose college hockey blog on espn.com is quite insightful, speaks highly of Brayden's ability to handle the puck and 'dish it,' which is hockey vernacular for passing and setting up linemates. So, observer85, between former NHL coach Barry Melrose and you, I'm going with Melrose's opinion of Brayden as a player.
Brayden's errant pass that led to Maine's 4th goal was another example of him trying to carry the team singlehandedly, trying to "do too much" as we say in hockey. Nobody cares as much as Brayden and nobody is as selfless and tries to do as much to help his team as Brayden, with the possible exception of Jack Downing, so if he stayed out on the ice longer than his conditioning allowed, at least he was trying to help.
So climb off Brayden's back, 'fans.' If the Hobey Baker voters see that Vermont's own fans aren't 100% behind Brayden's candidacy, they're not going to vote him the 2010 Hobey Baker Award. That, I guarantee you.
And jcarter, it might feel good to think it was 2 years ago that Sneddon went without PP units and just threw out the next line up, including the 4th line, but it was LAST year. You remember, that was the year the team had Hobey candidate Vik Stalberg and native Vermonter Peter Lenes and captain Dean Strong and smart Corey Carlson, all of glorious memory. And coach Sneddon couldn't put together ONE powerplay unit. To be fair, though, Matt Marshall wasn't yet ready for PP time, nor was Kevan Miller and even Kyle Medvec hadn't yet been hand molded into a PP point man by his coach.
As for Downing being back in the lineup tonight, we NEED him. He MUST play. He is INVALUABLE to this team and I am sure that he has fully learned whatever lesson he was to learn from his mild, exagerrated and overblown little violation. To not let Jack play would be to cut off the team's nose to spite its face. Why should the coach penalize the team any more than he already has? I fully expect Jack to rededicate himself to the team and parlay this minor blip into a fabulous stretch run and senior year as a captain and leader of the UVM Catamounts. Let's raise a toast to Jack Downing being back in the lineup (I'm drinking Vodka tonic).
Everyone wants to make McCarthy into some kind of folk hero. A monkey could have tapped in his passes to Stacey (against UMass) and Milo last night. But I don't see him setting up goals for Brian Roloff, so how good can he be? If you can't set up Roloff, maybe you should be playing on the 4th line, though not necessarily taking icetime or PK time from 16, 17, and 25.
While all you 'fans' lament last night and the past, I look ahead. I believe that all Vermont has to do tonight is throw their jerseys on the ice and we will win the Saturday night game like we always do. The boys can take bad penalties, Sneddon's PK will be great. They can give up goals BOTH in the first minute of periods AND in the last minute of periods, it won't matter. UVM always wins the second night, no matter how humiliating the first night loss may have been and no matter how lousy they play the second game. So, expect a BIG UVM win tonight that will right the ship and set the club on an upward trajectory through the Hockey East standings, through the playoffs, through the Pairwise and through the NCAA Tournament.
And finally, I hope Sneddon does NOT bench Patrick Cullity. I apologize to everyone on this esteemed board, I probably reacted hastily and emotionally last night. I should have slept on it before making my decision. This morning, I think that Patrick feels bad enough about what happened, in fact, I believe he feels bad enough about his whole season, and I do not think the team could function properly without his emotion and leadership. And when you stop and think about it in the big picture, don't many of his penalties make us smile? We're going to miss Patrick's emotion and penalties next season, so let's enjoy them while we still can. Coach Sneddon, please DO NOT bench the emotional leader of your team, for the fans' sake if not for the team's sake.
Snwbrdr, you believe this team is "fighting for a spot in the middle of HE"? Was that "fight" I was watching in the 1st period last night? You believe this team is "fighting" for something, anything? This team has no 'fight' in it whatsoever. This team is on a crash course for what coach Sneddon said last week was the worst thing imaginable for a team, being told that it had the talent to be good and wasn't. That is the story of the 2009-10 UVM Catamounts, so far, through January 28, 2010, and Kevin Sneddon is its coach.
Why is it that as soon as the team has one misstep, plays one bad period, everyone descends on Brayden Irwin? Is it personal because he is Canadian (or Canadien as observer85 likes to pronounce it)? The Toronto Maple Leafs are all over this kid and are already projecting him on a line with Vik Stalberg with the Marlies, so you 'fans' don't really know what you're talking about.
I'm with Sneddon on this one, if I coached a kid that shot like Big Brayden, I'd build a powerplay around his shot, too. I wouldn't care if the other team knew it was coming from him, I'd dare them to try to stop his bomb of a shot. Yes, even the wrist shots that hit goalies in the belly. I'd say, 'Brayden, I want you shooting. I don't want to see you passing to kids who can't shoot like you and couldn't carry your stick to the rink. Let Roloff and Vock dig out the puck along the boards and then everybody try to get the puck to you and you shoot it. That's how you're going to be my next NHLer, so shoot the puck. If I see you pass it, I'll bench Wahs Stacey, so shoot the darn puck.'
Barry Melrose, who follows college hockey pretty closely and whose college hockey blog on espn.com is quite insightful, speaks highly of Brayden's ability to handle the puck and 'dish it,' which is hockey vernacular for passing and setting up linemates. So, observer85, between former NHL coach Barry Melrose and you, I'm going with Melrose's opinion of Brayden as a player.
Brayden's errant pass that led to Maine's 4th goal was another example of him trying to carry the team singlehandedly, trying to "do too much" as we say in hockey. Nobody cares as much as Brayden and nobody is as selfless and tries to do as much to help his team as Brayden, with the possible exception of Jack Downing, so if he stayed out on the ice longer than his conditioning allowed, at least he was trying to help.
So climb off Brayden's back, 'fans.' If the Hobey Baker voters see that Vermont's own fans aren't 100% behind Brayden's candidacy, they're not going to vote him the 2010 Hobey Baker Award. That, I guarantee you.
And jcarter, it might feel good to think it was 2 years ago that Sneddon went without PP units and just threw out the next line up, including the 4th line, but it was LAST year. You remember, that was the year the team had Hobey candidate Vik Stalberg and native Vermonter Peter Lenes and captain Dean Strong and smart Corey Carlson, all of glorious memory. And coach Sneddon couldn't put together ONE powerplay unit. To be fair, though, Matt Marshall wasn't yet ready for PP time, nor was Kevan Miller and even Kyle Medvec hadn't yet been hand molded into a PP point man by his coach.
As for Downing being back in the lineup tonight, we NEED him. He MUST play. He is INVALUABLE to this team and I am sure that he has fully learned whatever lesson he was to learn from his mild, exagerrated and overblown little violation. To not let Jack play would be to cut off the team's nose to spite its face. Why should the coach penalize the team any more than he already has? I fully expect Jack to rededicate himself to the team and parlay this minor blip into a fabulous stretch run and senior year as a captain and leader of the UVM Catamounts. Let's raise a toast to Jack Downing being back in the lineup (I'm drinking Vodka tonic).
Everyone wants to make McCarthy into some kind of folk hero. A monkey could have tapped in his passes to Stacey (against UMass) and Milo last night. But I don't see him setting up goals for Brian Roloff, so how good can he be? If you can't set up Roloff, maybe you should be playing on the 4th line, though not necessarily taking icetime or PK time from 16, 17, and 25.
While all you 'fans' lament last night and the past, I look ahead. I believe that all Vermont has to do tonight is throw their jerseys on the ice and we will win the Saturday night game like we always do. The boys can take bad penalties, Sneddon's PK will be great. They can give up goals BOTH in the first minute of periods AND in the last minute of periods, it won't matter. UVM always wins the second night, no matter how humiliating the first night loss may have been and no matter how lousy they play the second game. So, expect a BIG UVM win tonight that will right the ship and set the club on an upward trajectory through the Hockey East standings, through the playoffs, through the Pairwise and through the NCAA Tournament.
And finally, I hope Sneddon does NOT bench Patrick Cullity. I apologize to everyone on this esteemed board, I probably reacted hastily and emotionally last night. I should have slept on it before making my decision. This morning, I think that Patrick feels bad enough about what happened, in fact, I believe he feels bad enough about his whole season, and I do not think the team could function properly without his emotion and leadership. And when you stop and think about it in the big picture, don't many of his penalties make us smile? We're going to miss Patrick's emotion and penalties next season, so let's enjoy them while we still can. Coach Sneddon, please DO NOT bench the emotional leader of your team, for the fans' sake if not for the team's sake.
Snwbrdr, you believe this team is "fighting for a spot in the middle of HE"? Was that "fight" I was watching in the 1st period last night? You believe this team is "fighting" for something, anything? This team has no 'fight' in it whatsoever. This team is on a crash course for what coach Sneddon said last week was the worst thing imaginable for a team, being told that it had the talent to be good and wasn't. That is the story of the 2009-10 UVM Catamounts, so far, through January 28, 2010, and Kevin Sneddon is its coach.
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Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Two dumb-*** penalties for Cullity - Two Goals for Maine.
http://www.collegehockeystats.net/0910/boxes/mmnever1.j30
Total liability.
time to ride some pine.
Two dumb-*** penalties for Cullity - Two Goals for Maine.
http://www.collegehockeystats.net/0910/boxes/mmnever1.j30
Total liability.
time to ride some pine.
observer85
Registered User
Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Wow, what a day for UVM hockey. A tie that when listening to the player interviews after the game, it sounded like it was a win....
Looked at the BFP this morning and someone wrote in the comment section the following:
"Patrick Cullity, who arrived at the University based primarily on his last name, commits too many penalties and costly turnovers in almost every game. If I had a dollar for every mistake this "talented" defenseman made...I'd have enough money to pay for season tickets next year. Brayden Irwin, Jonathan Higgins, and Colin Vock have not come close to fulfilling expectations and continue to be largely diasppointing. I understand that the Hockey East schedule is brutal. We all new it would be when UVM made the move, and I also understand that they will probably never be a team that is a perrenial home ice winner. But is it too much too ask for the Hockey Cats to not be embarassed and so outplayed in their own rink? Can they atleast rise to the level of competitve? I will continue to go to every home game to cheer on my beloved Cats, but I've decided to lower my expectations!"
Then I read the following from the message board today:
And...he still got to play at the end of the game and in overtime. My faith in this coaching staff just dropped significantly. How far into the doghouse must Dan Lawson and Lance Herrington be to not get to play?
I wonder if you asked the Maine players to explain what they are doing on the power play, they could tell you and then back it up by showing you. If you did the same with UVM players, not sure they would have a clue.
Wow, what a day for UVM hockey. A tie that when listening to the player interviews after the game, it sounded like it was a win....
Looked at the BFP this morning and someone wrote in the comment section the following:
"Patrick Cullity, who arrived at the University based primarily on his last name, commits too many penalties and costly turnovers in almost every game. If I had a dollar for every mistake this "talented" defenseman made...I'd have enough money to pay for season tickets next year. Brayden Irwin, Jonathan Higgins, and Colin Vock have not come close to fulfilling expectations and continue to be largely diasppointing. I understand that the Hockey East schedule is brutal. We all new it would be when UVM made the move, and I also understand that they will probably never be a team that is a perrenial home ice winner. But is it too much too ask for the Hockey Cats to not be embarassed and so outplayed in their own rink? Can they atleast rise to the level of competitve? I will continue to go to every home game to cheer on my beloved Cats, but I've decided to lower my expectations!"
Then I read the following from the message board today:
Yet he played...and it seemed as if what happened in the game tonight happened before. Then I remembered...it did. Cullity's 2 penalties and major turnover in the national semi-final game last spring that cost UVM a chance to play in the National Championship game. Tonight, 2 needless penalty's resulting in 2 PP goals for Maine and no win for UVM.
And...he still got to play at the end of the game and in overtime. My faith in this coaching staff just dropped significantly. How far into the doghouse must Dan Lawson and Lance Herrington be to not get to play?
I wonder if you asked the Maine players to explain what they are doing on the power play, they could tell you and then back it up by showing you. If you did the same with UVM players, not sure they would have a clue.
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Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Thank you Vermonter-Fans for a fun weekend. We loved the Gutt and for the multiple folks who recommended the Windjammer - THANK YOU!!!! Tough Tie for you Saturday - but it certainly was an exciting game! Thanks for the hospitality. You have a great friendly fan base - I am biased but I'd say second only to Maine's in Hockey East! Even though it was D@MN cold in Burlington this weekend, we'll be back!!!! Good luck with the rest of the season and hopefully we'll see you at the Gahden in a couple of Months!
Thank you Vermonter-Fans for a fun weekend. We loved the Gutt and for the multiple folks who recommended the Windjammer - THANK YOU!!!! Tough Tie for you Saturday - but it certainly was an exciting game! Thanks for the hospitality. You have a great friendly fan base - I am biased but I'd say second only to Maine's in Hockey East! Even though it was D@MN cold in Burlington this weekend, we'll be back!!!! Good luck with the rest of the season and hopefully we'll see you at the Gahden in a couple of Months!
jcarter7669
Registered User
Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Good luck to Maine the rest of the year, at least until the playoffs. Glad you enjoyed the hospitality.
The weather was cold, where is that dam global warming when you need it ??
And see, you can't always go off neg. rep.
Good luck from here on out.
Good luck to Maine the rest of the year, at least until the playoffs. Glad you enjoyed the hospitality.
The weather was cold, where is that dam global warming when you need it ??
And see, you can't always go off neg. rep.
Good luck from here on out.
VermontFan
New member
Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
I am also a little perplexed by Lawson this season. He was dominant both defensively and offensively at the end of last season, but has not been able to get back to those levels this year. It is hard to do that when you are in street clothes every other game (or both games like this weekend), but we don't know what may be going on in the background that may be limiting his playing time. I'd love to see him get another chance to work himself into form.
Cullity was a pretty highly touted recruit out of prep school, he had committed to BU originally, but then backed out of the commitment after they had asked him to play one more year in juniors before coming to BU (similar to the McCarthy situation). He is an extremely frustrating player to watch, his habit of getting penalties at precisely the wrong time, and his turnovers do drive me crazy.
I still do have confidence in Sneddon, and I think we can get on a streak to finish out Hockey East play. 4 points against Providence is a must.
I am also a little perplexed by Lawson this season. He was dominant both defensively and offensively at the end of last season, but has not been able to get back to those levels this year. It is hard to do that when you are in street clothes every other game (or both games like this weekend), but we don't know what may be going on in the background that may be limiting his playing time. I'd love to see him get another chance to work himself into form.
Cullity was a pretty highly touted recruit out of prep school, he had committed to BU originally, but then backed out of the commitment after they had asked him to play one more year in juniors before coming to BU (similar to the McCarthy situation). He is an extremely frustrating player to watch, his habit of getting penalties at precisely the wrong time, and his turnovers do drive me crazy.
I still do have confidence in Sneddon, and I think we can get on a streak to finish out Hockey East play. 4 points against Providence is a must.
Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Perhaps the positive off these losses now is that the pressure drops a bit as now they are just playing to make the HE post season and expectations are less. Now they can go out play a more relaxed. The frustrating part is this team at times looks fantastic and can skate with anyone but they can't seem to bring that to game 1 of a series or with any consistency.
Perhaps the positive off these losses now is that the pressure drops a bit as now they are just playing to make the HE post season and expectations are less. Now they can go out play a more relaxed. The frustrating part is this team at times looks fantastic and can skate with anyone but they can't seem to bring that to game 1 of a series or with any consistency.
observer85
Registered User
Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Fans on the PC thread are pretty down on Army and the team in general. But reading some comments, I get the sense they think they will right their ship this coming weekend with Vermont coming to town to play.
I think it is the opposite. Sitting in 8th place, playing the 2 teams in the next 2 weekends wanting to pass you by to the playoffs, might make things more intense vs. relaxed.
Fans on the PC thread are pretty down on Army and the team in general. But reading some comments, I get the sense they think they will right their ship this coming weekend with Vermont coming to town to play.
I think it is the opposite. Sitting in 8th place, playing the 2 teams in the next 2 weekends wanting to pass you by to the playoffs, might make things more intense vs. relaxed.
blackbearsfan45
Registered User
Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
I'd just like to echo what UMZero said - we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to UVM and the Gutt, and the recommendation to go to the Windjammer after the games was spot on! I got to chat with a lot of you during our stay, and felt quite welcome - thank you for that! Great fans!
I'd just like to echo what UMZero said - we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to UVM and the Gutt, and the recommendation to go to the Windjammer after the games was spot on! I got to chat with a lot of you during our stay, and felt quite welcome - thank you for that! Great fans!
Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
I am humbled at being considered a prophet, but rest assured I do take the responsibility of that role very seriously.
I guess I was right, all the team had to do Saturday night was throw their jerseys on the ice and everything was going to be fine and the ship righted.
Coach Sneddon obviously had Cullity on a short leash and Patrick responded by being on his best behavior. Credit the coach for pushing all the right buttons, master manipulator that he is. The guest of the guy whose seats are right next to mine thinks Patrick is not a division I player, but I disagreed and our argument actually drew 4 security guards to cool things down.
From his post-game comments, it sounds like Sneddon will certainly be benching Cullity this coming weekend, but - prophecy alert - that will not happen and here's why: A. Patrick will have a great week of practice; B. Sneddon and Patrick will have had some very good talks in which Patrick rededicated himself to playing with discipline while not sacrificing his passion; C. it's his senior year, it's his team and Patrick wants a chance to be part of helping his team reach its potential; and D. he's still a guy we want on the ice the first and last minute of every period and we don't have anybody better.
Rest assured, fans, Patrick Cullity WILL be in the lineup Friday night in Providence.
One thing I love about Kevin Sneddon, and I mean this sincerely, is his willingness and enjoyment at throwing the players under the bus. In his post-game comments, the professional coach stated that it was the "inability to EXECUTE our penalty kill," among other failings of the players, that killed the team against Maine. Seven PPGs against in 2 games, 10 in the 3 UVM-UMaine games, is the fault of the players, not the coaches. The coaches, of course, devised a brilliant PK system that Maine would have been helpless against, except that the players misexecuted it, because it really was a brilliant PK plan the coaches devised that the players were unable to execute.
Having not yet viewed the videotape, Sneddon was unable to hand out credit where credit was due immediately after each game, so take a bow, boys. On Friday, when Maine scored 4 PPGs in 7 attempts, Wahs Stacey was on for all 4, Brian Roloff and Johnathan Higgins were each on for 3 of them, and Josh Burrows was on for 2. On Saturday, when Maine's PP efficiency dropped to only 50% (3 of 6), Roloff was on for all 3 (6 for the weekend as well as being a vital cog on the team's 1st PP unit), MacKenzie and Medvec were on for 2 each (3 each for the weekend), and Brayden Irwin was teamed with Higgins (3 for the weekend) on the unit that gave up the PPG that tied the game for Maine. These are the main culprits, not including Irwin, who were unable to execute the brilliant penalty kill that Sneddon had devised that was sure to shut down the UMaine powerplay had the players not been unable to execute it as brilliantly as it was devised.
Here's good news, UVM fans. The PK should recover next weekend against Providence's league-worst PP and it will be all set for the rest of the season. A good week of practice under the watchful eye and guiding hand of coach Sneddon will almost certainly help the players get over their inability to execute pure hockey genius.
And I am positive the coach will address any problems his scrutinizing eye can detect in the power play units, because we know the systems work. A few guesses, not prophecies, bench Wahs Stacey (a proven good idea), move Wahs to the 1st PP unit, reinstate Matt Marshall. Even Kevin Sneddon, who I am not a huge fan of, cannot revert to the Barry Melrose-approved 'roll the lines' PP rotation. I know the argument for that Sneddon-concocted idea is that they can't do worse than the 2 current PP units. That may be true, but they WILL be as bad, and that's the idea of a solution, isn't it?
So, with everything solved, we set sail for.................9th place? Hey, the pressure is off, right?
Two weeks from now, after 2 games on the road and 2 against a team that will certainly outwork the Cats, UVM can very easily be in 9th place in Hockey East. Fitting, wouldn't you say, for a team that ranks 9th in PP success, 7th in PK success and is tied for last, with Providence, for combined special teams 'success.' If the players were only able to do justice to the incredibly brilliant special teams schemes Sneddon and his crack staff devise while the players go to class and concentrate on all the other things college kids concentrate on on weeknights.
If the Cats play themselves into 9th place in spite of their coach's brilliant coaching, the pressure will really be off, right? If they play themselves into 9th place in spite of their coach's brilliant coaching, they will be able to "fight" (to use snwbrdr's term) their way back into the playoffs, dare we hope for home ice?, against BU, UNH, and Lowell.
So, let's recap. Patrick Cullity, the new, disciplined Patrick Cullity, will be in the lineup on Friday. The PK will right itself against Providence. And we're so lucky to have Kevin Sneddon as our coach, not just because he can devise unstoppable PP systems and inpenetrable PK systems but also because he is a master at pointing out how the players are responsible for all failings.
Go Cats Go.
I am humbled at being considered a prophet, but rest assured I do take the responsibility of that role very seriously.
I guess I was right, all the team had to do Saturday night was throw their jerseys on the ice and everything was going to be fine and the ship righted.
Coach Sneddon obviously had Cullity on a short leash and Patrick responded by being on his best behavior. Credit the coach for pushing all the right buttons, master manipulator that he is. The guest of the guy whose seats are right next to mine thinks Patrick is not a division I player, but I disagreed and our argument actually drew 4 security guards to cool things down.
From his post-game comments, it sounds like Sneddon will certainly be benching Cullity this coming weekend, but - prophecy alert - that will not happen and here's why: A. Patrick will have a great week of practice; B. Sneddon and Patrick will have had some very good talks in which Patrick rededicated himself to playing with discipline while not sacrificing his passion; C. it's his senior year, it's his team and Patrick wants a chance to be part of helping his team reach its potential; and D. he's still a guy we want on the ice the first and last minute of every period and we don't have anybody better.
Rest assured, fans, Patrick Cullity WILL be in the lineup Friday night in Providence.
One thing I love about Kevin Sneddon, and I mean this sincerely, is his willingness and enjoyment at throwing the players under the bus. In his post-game comments, the professional coach stated that it was the "inability to EXECUTE our penalty kill," among other failings of the players, that killed the team against Maine. Seven PPGs against in 2 games, 10 in the 3 UVM-UMaine games, is the fault of the players, not the coaches. The coaches, of course, devised a brilliant PK system that Maine would have been helpless against, except that the players misexecuted it, because it really was a brilliant PK plan the coaches devised that the players were unable to execute.
Having not yet viewed the videotape, Sneddon was unable to hand out credit where credit was due immediately after each game, so take a bow, boys. On Friday, when Maine scored 4 PPGs in 7 attempts, Wahs Stacey was on for all 4, Brian Roloff and Johnathan Higgins were each on for 3 of them, and Josh Burrows was on for 2. On Saturday, when Maine's PP efficiency dropped to only 50% (3 of 6), Roloff was on for all 3 (6 for the weekend as well as being a vital cog on the team's 1st PP unit), MacKenzie and Medvec were on for 2 each (3 each for the weekend), and Brayden Irwin was teamed with Higgins (3 for the weekend) on the unit that gave up the PPG that tied the game for Maine. These are the main culprits, not including Irwin, who were unable to execute the brilliant penalty kill that Sneddon had devised that was sure to shut down the UMaine powerplay had the players not been unable to execute it as brilliantly as it was devised.
Here's good news, UVM fans. The PK should recover next weekend against Providence's league-worst PP and it will be all set for the rest of the season. A good week of practice under the watchful eye and guiding hand of coach Sneddon will almost certainly help the players get over their inability to execute pure hockey genius.
And I am positive the coach will address any problems his scrutinizing eye can detect in the power play units, because we know the systems work. A few guesses, not prophecies, bench Wahs Stacey (a proven good idea), move Wahs to the 1st PP unit, reinstate Matt Marshall. Even Kevin Sneddon, who I am not a huge fan of, cannot revert to the Barry Melrose-approved 'roll the lines' PP rotation. I know the argument for that Sneddon-concocted idea is that they can't do worse than the 2 current PP units. That may be true, but they WILL be as bad, and that's the idea of a solution, isn't it?
So, with everything solved, we set sail for.................9th place? Hey, the pressure is off, right?
Two weeks from now, after 2 games on the road and 2 against a team that will certainly outwork the Cats, UVM can very easily be in 9th place in Hockey East. Fitting, wouldn't you say, for a team that ranks 9th in PP success, 7th in PK success and is tied for last, with Providence, for combined special teams 'success.' If the players were only able to do justice to the incredibly brilliant special teams schemes Sneddon and his crack staff devise while the players go to class and concentrate on all the other things college kids concentrate on on weeknights.
If the Cats play themselves into 9th place in spite of their coach's brilliant coaching, the pressure will really be off, right? If they play themselves into 9th place in spite of their coach's brilliant coaching, they will be able to "fight" (to use snwbrdr's term) their way back into the playoffs, dare we hope for home ice?, against BU, UNH, and Lowell.
So, let's recap. Patrick Cullity, the new, disciplined Patrick Cullity, will be in the lineup on Friday. The PK will right itself against Providence. And we're so lucky to have Kevin Sneddon as our coach, not just because he can devise unstoppable PP systems and inpenetrable PK systems but also because he is a master at pointing out how the players are responsible for all failings.
Go Cats Go.
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Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Simple question. Why do you even care?
I would say you are like New York Newspapers, they also seem to be more happier when things are going bad for the home team.
Simple question. Why do you even care?
I would say you are like New York Newspapers, they also seem to be more happier when things are going bad for the home team.
Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Catlover, I wouldn't say I'm more happier when things go bad, mostly because I went to the 5th grade and could never even think that illiterately.
I am, we are, watching a very predictable train wreck, watching it move by move. I know I am not, we are not, smarter than the coach, so I try to follow along and learn, and I am, we are, watching idiocy and the predictable results that come with it.
Again, why not pick a point I tried to make and address it, why I am not right, why I am an idiot, why you see things differently.
How would you like to refund the cost of my 4 tickets in light of the garbage I am watching from this team?
Catlover, I wouldn't say I'm more happier when things go bad, mostly because I went to the 5th grade and could never even think that illiterately.
I am, we are, watching a very predictable train wreck, watching it move by move. I know I am not, we are not, smarter than the coach, so I try to follow along and learn, and I am, we are, watching idiocy and the predictable results that come with it.
Again, why not pick a point I tried to make and address it, why I am not right, why I am an idiot, why you see things differently.
How would you like to refund the cost of my 4 tickets in light of the garbage I am watching from this team?
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Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
On a much brighter note, I feel vindicated in my support of Brayden Irwin when I see that Brayden is one of only 75 candidates for the NCAA Skills competition. As this is similar to the Hobey Baker Award in that it is only open to US-born players, it is a tribute to Brayden that the NCAA made an exception for the big fellow.
I cannot imagine any player in the NCAA that will be able to even come close to Brayden in competitions involving skating speed and agility or stickhandling or passing. I suppose someone could match his shooting, but I'd have to see that to believe it.
If Brayden is not going to be a Walter Brown Trophy candidate in this, his senior year, then what better honor than to be selected by the NCAA as a candidate for the NCAA Skills competition.
UVM is the only school to have a player nominated 2 years in a row, Lenes was picked last year, so the NCAA is obviously acknowledging the skill level of coach Sneddon's teams and players. Next year I look for Jack Downing to be selected and the following year is likely to be Matt Marshall's turn, if he is not already in Tampa Bay.
On a much brighter note, I feel vindicated in my support of Brayden Irwin when I see that Brayden is one of only 75 candidates for the NCAA Skills competition. As this is similar to the Hobey Baker Award in that it is only open to US-born players, it is a tribute to Brayden that the NCAA made an exception for the big fellow.
I cannot imagine any player in the NCAA that will be able to even come close to Brayden in competitions involving skating speed and agility or stickhandling or passing. I suppose someone could match his shooting, but I'd have to see that to believe it.
If Brayden is not going to be a Walter Brown Trophy candidate in this, his senior year, then what better honor than to be selected by the NCAA as a candidate for the NCAA Skills competition.
UVM is the only school to have a player nominated 2 years in a row, Lenes was picked last year, so the NCAA is obviously acknowledging the skill level of coach Sneddon's teams and players. Next year I look for Jack Downing to be selected and the following year is likely to be Matt Marshall's turn, if he is not already in Tampa Bay.
Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread : The Sequel
Wow, the honors just keep coming!
Rob Madore, who, if he would have stopped the tying goal against Maine would have had a .90 save percentage - a save % not often found on successful teams, is a candidate for the Walter Brown Trophy and is being considered among the best American born players in New England. I guess I was distracted by Brayden Irwin's candidacy and didn't realize Madore was having that outstanding a season. Funny how that happens, eh?
The honors just keep being bestowed on this team, all deserved.
Look for Brian Roloff for Hockey East Defensive Forward of the Year, Cullity for both Individual and Team Sportmanship Awards, Brayden Irwin for Player of the Year and 2nd Team All America (All-Canada?), Sebastien Stalberg for Freshman ofthe Year, Dan Lawson for Best Defensive Defenseman and 2nd Team All-Hockey East, and, of course, Sneddon for Coach of the Year.
Congrats to all the award winners. It seems they'll have lots of time between the end of UVM's season and the ceremonies to write their acceptance speeches.
Wow, the honors just keep coming!
Rob Madore, who, if he would have stopped the tying goal against Maine would have had a .90 save percentage - a save % not often found on successful teams, is a candidate for the Walter Brown Trophy and is being considered among the best American born players in New England. I guess I was distracted by Brayden Irwin's candidacy and didn't realize Madore was having that outstanding a season. Funny how that happens, eh?
The honors just keep being bestowed on this team, all deserved.
Look for Brian Roloff for Hockey East Defensive Forward of the Year, Cullity for both Individual and Team Sportmanship Awards, Brayden Irwin for Player of the Year and 2nd Team All America (All-Canada?), Sebastien Stalberg for Freshman ofthe Year, Dan Lawson for Best Defensive Defenseman and 2nd Team All-Hockey East, and, of course, Sneddon for Coach of the Year.
Congrats to all the award winners. It seems they'll have lots of time between the end of UVM's season and the ceremonies to write their acceptance speeches.
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