2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

[snwbrdr]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Good post observer 85.

I'm not so much worried about W's as playing well and showing that they are truly a TEAM with emotion and desire willing to leave it on the ice each game.

So far they have played well below my expectations in number of games - although my expectations may have just been too high. Only time will tell.

They have been good at home, lets hope that continues.

If the D gets back on track and becomes the strength I think they should be, and should have been since the start, then the team will be fine.

Key to the national tourney is doing well in all the non-conference games and finishing in the top four or five in HE....

A W against an immense DU team will help at the end if they put themselves in position to take advantage of it.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

The see saw continues.....


Vermont head coach Kevin Sneddon said. "We've got a lot of talent in there and it's just not coming together for whatever reason right now. So, we'll try to make our point, and rebound, and go for the road win on Friday."


If the losses to ME and MC, the 7-1 trouncing by BC and the latest 6-2 loss didn't make the point....well ....I'm not sure what will.

Sneddon does hit the nail on the head though, the talent is there, but they can't seem to put it together. Everyone needs to play better. Our goalie can not give up 6 goals, even if 3 were on the PP. The D can not take stupid penalties, and the offense needs to generate some offense and create a bit of breathing room.


Frustrating to watch nonetheless.

 

[grantfan]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

I love the Thanksgiving week game, always bring a group of young hockey players to see college hockey. Last night, we left after 5. Hated doing it, but I hated watching.

I don't think I've ever seen a more defenseless penalty kill than the Cats' last night. Leading up to the game, coach Sneddon sent countless bouquets to UMass's Marcou; maybe he should have been devising a defense against him on the powerplay instead. Marcou was not particularly dangerous 5-on-5, I thought the Roloff line generated a lot of chances against Marcou's line. But the team was defenseless against UMass's powerplay. One of the kids asked why the Cats didn't have a guy stay right near Marcou so he couldn't get the puck. The question stumped me, why didn't they?. Hard for a PK succeeding at a miserable rate of 76% to lower its success rate, but coach Sneddon accomplished that incredible feat. I have never seen a penalty kill as defenseless as the Cats were in the second period.

Otherwise, the Catamounts are getting atrocious play from the defense with the glaring exception of Kyle Medvec. There is one other glaring exception, and mystery after watching No. 28 kill the team for the third straight game with his mindless and careless play and dumb, stupid penalties, after watching Nos. 4, 15, and 22 mishandle and misfire puck after puck and repeatedly fail to keep the puck in at the blue line, after looking for but never noticing No. 2 - Anders Franzon. Franzon handles the puck significantly better than almost all of his defensemates, yet cannot play over defensemen who, according to coach Sneddon, do not yet know or accept their roles on the team. The defense, which was grossly overrated in forecasts for the season, is proving that as overrating goes, theirs was understated. Other than Medvec, which defenseman plays better than he did last year, like he has been coached, let alone coached for 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 years?

It is starting to get a little late for this veteran team to be playing this poorly. The Cats eliminated themselves before Christmas two seasons ago; they might be dangerously close now. They should be a much better team than this. Stupid comment: Minus the three fatal powerplay goals against in less than 10 minutes, the Cats were even or better against a very good hockey team last night. If there is one area of the game the coach is directly responsible for it is the penalty kill. The coach can blame the players for not executing his brilliant design, but what adjustments or changes did he make to stem the tide? Nothing that worked in the second period and before the game was lost. Blaming anyone else will be to misplace blame.

I would like one more yard sale before the snow flies. The defensemen need to be punished. Franzon, in, Herrington, in. If Brett Leonard wasn't quite good enough to stay in the lineup after providing exactly the spark the team needed as a forward (?????), then call on all of his practice experience last season as a defenseman and play him on D. The guys that are playing D right now are not playing well enough to be in the lineup. Play anybody else to let them know it.

Do I think the forwards are doing any better? Yes, I do. Incomparably.

 

[snwbrdr]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Dainton made some spectacular saves early on as UVM had the better of the early opportunities. But UMASS just slaughtered them on special teams in the second and the game was over after that. PP and PK have been our weak spot in recent years.

Yes, the D sucks. I FAR overrated them.

#2 is Mackenzie. Franzon did not play but he should Friday.

Agree that Lawson is a wreck. Shame, but can't hide that fact.

None of the forwards stood out either, very disappointing performance.

Thought Spillane was way out of position many times.

They have now been blown out of the building four times by four not that great teams. That is a clear sign of trouble. I still think they have the ability, but I think they lack the will.

Presuming they make the HE playoffs - which is not a given - they will be a very dangerous team to play if they ever get on a roll. But there is no sign of concerted effort and execution meshing collectively at this point.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Wow, you guys are not happy.

Just a game! Cheer up and everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving and please be safe.

 

[uvmtenfan]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

That was a mess!

Like Sneddon said, it was a great game until the 5-3. After staying out of the box in the 1st period, and partially into the 2nd, I was fairly impressed, but then even with 6 penalties (not many for us) we still got killed! The PK was a mess, I thought Stacey could maybe light a spark but NOPE! Nothing stood out, but Spillane wasn't absolutely horrible. He didn't have any help.

I think you guys are right about Lawson, I loved him last postseason, but now I understand why he missed the last two games! The game was alot closer than 6-2, but they certainly took it to us.

I sure hope they play better for a couple games. I was excited for them to get home where we were 2-0-1, but that sure didn't help. I expect a win at Northeastern simply because they seem to play better after they get slaughtered, but the important game to me is the following ones like Yale and BU.

After looking at box score, I doubt we see Stalberg in the next game also. And I can't believe Wellman got a natural hatty, thats impressive!

So much for an effective T.O. we got lit up 40 seconds after!

One last thing. Is this possible "12 Rocco Carzo 1-0-1 1/-2 " He scored, and we scored 2 goals, so how can somebody be -2???? Or am I just retarded?

 

[hawk]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

After watching UMASS and UVM I was wondering if any of you wanted to comment why UVM isn't recruiting the smaller highly skilled forwards vs the larger players who are more the checking type. I thought the trend from the NHL down was to move toward a speed and highly skilled type team. Teams like UMASS Lowell and Amherst, BC, and BU all seem to have more skilled and quicker forwards than UVM. I not saying UVM's style can not be effective but from a fans point of view I would see a team with more skill. I also concur with some of the goalie and forward comments.

 

[observer85]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

One last thing. Is this possible "12 Rocco Carzo 1-0-1 1/-2 " He scored, and we scored 2 goals, so how can somebody be -2???? Or am I just retarded?

Vermont goals were at even strength - they result in plus's and minus's. Carzo's goal was a power play goal. Power play and penalty kills do not affect a player's +/-.

 

[grantfan]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

I did not realize that, observer.

Looking at the box score and +/-, funny that Justin Milo was a +1, the only plus-rated player on the team, yet I didn't notice him out there last night.

Is that +/- statistic of any value at all?

 

[snapdog2]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Hi I just wanted to stop by and say hi. I see they did not bring DeCenzo in. You missed out on some scoring help there. It was so fun for me the last 4 seasons topped off by the Frozen Four run. It was awesome. I always read the box scores and I am following UVM,s season. Hard not to. I am back with ol UMD. They are talented this year with 7 locals on the roster (I luv that)and that draws me. Jack Connelly (Chris,s) younger brother from BU is leading the nation in scoring as a Sophomore. Watched him play his High School Hockey 20 miles down the freeway. Hes lightning in a bottle at 5'9" 165. Reminds me of a young Gerbe with the quickness. Well listen best of luck to UVM. Theres lots of talent there and I hope they gel like last years team did.

 

[UMLGoon]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Yes, the D sucks. I FAR overrated them.

so what you're saying is:

you were _________ (hint: rhymes with "song" and starts with "wr") and the fellows from The Ice is Life were _______ (hint: rhymes with "light" and starts with "r")

i eagerly await your answer

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

so what you're saying is:

you were _________ (hint: rhymes with "song" and starts with "wr") and the fellows from The Ice is Life were _______ (hint: rhymes with "light" and starts with "r")

i eagerly await your answer

Hmmmm, even with the hints, I can't figure it out.

You can be a funny guy Goon, I like you.

 

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

so what you're saying is:

you were _________ (hint: rhymes with "song" and starts with "wr") and the fellows from The Ice is Life were _______ (hint: rhymes with "light" and starts with "r")

i eagerly await your answer

hahahahah.

I think what he's saying is, it's time to cancel the national championship parade scheduled for this April in Burlington.

 

[SPIN CONTROL]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

so what you're saying is:

you were _________ (hint: rhymes with "song" and starts with "wr") and the fellows from The Ice is Life were _______ (hint: rhymes with "light" and starts with "r")

i eagerly await your answer

Didn't you guys just get spanked by Providence last night? Just sayin'.

 

[UMLGoon]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Didn't you guys just get spanked by Providence last night? Just sayin'.

and yet i'm not making grand pronouncements that this team is finished or not as good as i thought it was because it isn't finished and it is what i said it was. three losses, two on the road, abandon ship? please

p.s. i'm pretty sure the restraining order says you can't follow me around like this any more

 

[observer85]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

I don't think I've ever seen a more defenseless penalty kill than the Cats' last night...Otherwise, the Catamounts are getting atrocious play from the defense with the glaring exception of Kyle Medvec. There is one other glaring exception, and mystery after watching No. 28 kill the team for the third straight game with his mindless and careless play and dumb, stupid penalties, after watching Nos. 4, 15, and 22 mishandle and misfire puck after puck and repeatedly fail to keep the puck in at the blue line, after looking for but never noticing No. 2 - Anders Franzon. Franzon handles the puck significantly better than almost all of his defensemates, yet cannot play over defensemen who, according to coach Sneddon, do not yet know or accept their roles on the team. The defense, which was grossly overrated in forecasts for the season, is proving that as overrating goes, theirs was understated. Other than Medvec, which defenseman plays better than he did last year, like he has been coached, let alone coached for 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 years?

It is starting to get a little late for this veteran team to be playing this poorly. The Cats eliminated themselves before Christmas two seasons ago; they might be dangerously close now...

I would like one more yard sale before the snow flies. The defensemen need to be punished. Franzon, in, Herrington, in. If Brett Leonard wasn't quite good enough to stay in the lineup after providing exactly the spark the team needed as a forward (?????), then call on all of his practice experience last season as a defenseman and play him on D. The guys that are playing D right now are not playing well enough to be in the lineup. Play anybody else to let them know it....

Interesting game by the defensemen on this team last night. I feel like how many Cat supporters seem to feel, it is mystifying how the core group of 6 players has not progressed this season. In case anyone missed it, Ted Ryan posted a blog entry in the BFP on November 23rd – the day before this game - about how the UVM defensemen must step up…some interesting quotes are:

“I don’t (think) they’ve been great,” said head coach Kevin Sneddon on Monday. “We’ve had some players, we’ve really had to reiterate their roles. For whatever reason — the hype going into the season, aspirations change — even though you have the same group of guys, some guys think they’ve got to be offensive-minded and it’s not their role.

“So you’re making sure your guys know what they need to do to give us shots at winning hockey games,” Sneddon said. “There have been some guys who just haven’t performed very well up to date.”

“The three rocks back there right now have been Medvec, Cullity and Miller.”

“It’s been more coverage and running around and not taking charge back there than anything…We’ve had a few moments turning the puck over, not making the simple play, and that’s been working itself out of our game right now. It’s mainly been poor coverage or two guys playing the same guy and leaving somebody open … things you would expect out of a young defensive corps, not a veteran corps.”

The best thing here is that this team is only 10 games into a 34 game season...one third of the way through a very long season. 2 years ago, the core of this group – the Seniors and Juniors – were 3-5-2 after 10 games. They are 4-5-1 right now.

That team went on to lose a few more before the bulk of conference play started in January. Yet they managed to turn it around and made it to the championship game of Hockey East and just missing out on getting an at large bid to the NCAA’s.

I remember reading similar comments 2 years ago to the ones in the BFP today…”We needed some leadership and I don’t think we got it. That’s my job, so I’ll take full responsibility for that,” Sneddon said. “Disappointing. ... I’m very frustrated with our team. We’ve got a lot of talent in there; it’s just not coming together for whatever reason right now.”

I presume that this coaching staff would like to see a similar turn-around like 2 years ago, only starting Friday at Northeastern instead of in mid January 2010. For the sake of all the loyal Cat fans, lets hope so.

 

[Martin St. Louis Fan]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Last season they were 3-5-2 after 10 games. They are 4-5-1 right now.
Long way to go boyz, let the band wagon jumping students go. The dedicated posters here will still be here at the end win or lose.
Granted, I would like to see better effort, but I think Sneddon will turn this talented bunch around.

 

[observer85]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Last season they were 3-5-2 after 10 games. They are 4-5-1 right now.
Long way to go boyz, let the band wagon jumping students go. The dedicated posters here will still be here at the end win or lose.
Granted, I would like to see better effort, but I think Sneddon will turn this talented bunch around.

Actually they were 5-3-2 after the Merrimack game...but you are right this group has too much talent to play like this all season.

Sunday, November 16, 2008
Merrimack (MER) at Vermont (VER)
Hockey East Conference Game

Final Score: Vermont 2, Merrimack 1
New Records: Vermont 5-3-2, Merrimack 3-5-2


Recap - Text Box - Game Sheet

http://www.hockeyeastonline.com/men/boxes09.php?mmerver1.n16

 

[Martin St. Louis Fan]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Thanks, I was just quoting the post below.

 

[observer85]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

and the yard sale continues...

Line up posted for Northeastern game tonight.

Downing/Roloff/Stalberg
Milo/Irwin/Pacan
Vock/McCarthy/Marshall
Leonard/Higgins/Anctil

Cullity/Miller
Medvec/Franzon
Burrows/Herrington

Madore

Forwards out: Stacey, Atkinson, Albertson, Nilsson-Roos
Defensemen out: Lawson, MacKenzie