2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

[observer85]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Quite a call benching Josh Burrows and Chris McCarthy. #2 was bad defensively on UAH's go ahead goal on Saturday, then he made a distasteful defensive blunder on Duluth's second goal, but Burrows sits? I know that Burrows made an error up the ice on UAH's third goal, but sometimes the fault does lie with the guy who failed to cover the goal scorer. Yet Sneddon, in his infinite wisdom, picks Burrows to bench. And he gets rewarded with a reminder by #2 late on Sunday.

From my vantage point in the somewhat vacant student section - I could not tell if Medvec's pass was tipped or bounced off a stick, but there was no excuse for the other defenseman to not to peel back and be there for an odd man rush...in this case an odd man rush of 1 on the goalie.

HUGE HUGE HUGE win for the PWR last night. They went 6-1 OOC with the one loss to Denver. Hard to beat that. If they take care of business - go 11-5 in the remaining HE games they should get themselves into the NCAA tourney. Going 10-6 or 9-7 might get it done but that is getting kind of dicey depending on who they beat and who they lose to and how other teams fare.

Bummer about the 11 day layoff. hopefully they bring the A game on the 15th and 16th. Go Cats.

It will be interesting to see how the team goes up or down (probably down) next weekend in the Pairwise rankings with everyone playing and UVM off for the weekend. It is interesting to watch, that OOC record is going to be huge.

I don't remember the Pairwise rankings coming out so early in the past. Seems to me that they did not really become relevant until later in January in the past. Maybe the Cats weren't relevant until later in January.

Even thou he has a couple of PP goals lately I still dont like Irwin on the point. His one-timers are either in the net or shanked, and the passing at the points needs to be quicker especailly to the wing (Milo or Roloff) who seem to have to wait for the puck to long and miss the good shooting lane.

Plus he seems to fall down, lose the puck at the most inopportune times. From my viewing area, it appeared that Downing set up nicely in front of the goalie. When I got home and later watched the You Tube highlights, Downing does nicely set up that goal by screening the goalie. But since it went high - chest high - Downing might not want to be setting up too often. A blast from Irwin's stick that hits Downing in the chest...well that might hurt.

Also have to compliment Wahs Stacey. Wow, what a warrior - blocked shots, etc. But when he scored his goal and then motioned and smiled at the kid behind the glass...that was special. Shows Wahs really loves the game and is still like a little kid playing it.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

I don't remember the Pairwise rankings coming out so early in the past. Seems to me that they did not really become relevant until later in January in the past. Maybe the Cats weren't relevant until later in January.



Also have to compliment Wahs Stacey. Wow, what a warrior - blocked shots, etc. But when he scored his goal and then motioned and smiled at the kid behind the glass...that was special. Shows Wahs really loves the game and is still like a little kid playing it.

I think that this is the first year USCHO has posted PWR through the entire season. I may be wrong, certainly its the first year I have noticed them.

I agree with regards to Wahs, he just seems to be a really great all around player. He can be a playmaker, he can score goals, he does all the little non-boxscore things, and on top of it he really seems to just like playing the game. He is a great asset to the team.

 

[observer85]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Not that its that important but you would think they should break the top 20 now.

And yes its nice to see VT 9-12th in the comp rankings and UML 18th or lower.

Vermont is now #19 in the polls but 9th or 10th in Pairwise. Cornell is #8 and Quinnipiac is #12 in polls and tied for 21st in Pairwise. Lowell is 14th in the polls and where they belong at 17t/18th in Pairwise with that brutal out of conference schedule.

Why even have the polls?

When asked specifically about replacing McCarthy with Anctil, Sneddon explained that he made the change to, and then he paused a very pregnant pause, put a little "experience" in the lineup.

He probably did not say this but he probably thought it would be good to get some "experience" out of the lineup by replacing Burrows with Franzon.

Even thou he has a couple of PP goals lately I still dont like Irwin on the point. His one-timers are either in the net or shanked, and the passing at the points needs to be quicker especailly to the wing (Milo or Roloff) who seem to have to wait for the puck to long and miss the good shooting lane.

Forgot to mention this but when you look at Irwin's pass to Vock, it seemed like it was ripe to be picked off. Agree...needs to be quicker.

How about those passes at the blue line? Medvec's pass to Irwin nearly got picked off and UMD would have been off to the races...MacKenzie's blind/behind the back pass to Miller that went out of the zone...that was borderline Squirt or Pee Wee level hockey.

But Irwin has to be a candidate for the Hobey still...right?

 

[grantfan]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

I do not want to be known as a Brayden Irwin apologist because I am vigilant in maintaining my objectivity, but you "fans" of the UVM Catamounts come down pretty hard on the big guy sometimes.

From where I sit, Brayden continues to carry this team and, if he continues at his torrid pace, I think he will be a legitimate Hobey Baker finalist. He's averaging almost a point-per-game in 18 games and he makes the powerplay go for this team and it is not coincidental that his getting red hot happened at the same time the PP has gotten red hot. I don't know what the record is, but he has to be on pace to challenge the UVM PPG record for a season. His one-time shot from the off wing side is as good as any in hockey, and like coach Sneddon, I do not mean just college hockey. Yes, he may fan on as many as he shoots high and wide, but it's not exactly Peter Lenes feeding him those passes. And when he creates his own shots from the center point, the wrist shots about waist high that may look easier for goalies to catch than they really are, well, there are not many players in hockey that can truly create their own shots and Brayden can. And when he hesitates on some of his passes or telegraphs them or makes them a little slower than you might like, remember, that's not exactly Viktor Stalberg he's passing to. And, observer, if Jack Downing is afraid to stand in front of the net when Brayden launches his chest high or higher bombs, maybe coach Sneddon should get someone who is not afraid.

And it is not coincidental that whatever line he plays on carries the offensive load. Remember, it was Brayden that launched David Pacan's goal-scoring career. Coach Sneddon has rightly made Brayden the centerpiece of this season's team and, with all the lineup juggling that has gone on, Brayden has led this team admirably. You can put as many C's and A's on as many jerseys as you want, Brayden Irwin is leading this team where it matters most, on the ice.

I don't know if it's his imposing size and aggressive style of play that makes people's expectations rise to unrealistic levels or if it's his skill level that makes people want more and more, but I am constantly amazed at how hard we Vermont fans come down on Brayden. He may turn out to be the most maligned Hobey Baker finalist and Walter Brown candidate in hockey history, and I do not mean just college hockey history.

And completely unrelated to Brayden Irwin, I thought Drew MacKenzie's "blind/behind the back pass" at the point showed great creativity and skill. That he missed the offensive zone with the pass in no way diminishes from the flair of that play and, frankly, I would like to see much more of that type of creativity from this team. Anyone can make a simple tape-to-tape pass, not everyone can make blind behind-the-back passes and those who can, should.

The team is 6-1-1 in its last 8 games, the 3 D - 2 freshmen PP unit is a fading memory, the PP is good for 2 goals a game, the original freshman line is back in business, Rob Madore will play all of the remaining games, why so negative? If you want negative, go to the Lowell thread.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

I do not want to be known as a Brayden Irwin apologist because I am vigilant in maintaining my objectivity, but you "fans" of the UVM Catamounts come down pretty hard on the big guy sometimes.

From where I sit, Brayden continues to carry this team and, if he continues at his torrid pace, I think he will be a legitimate Hobey Baker finalist. He's averaging almost a point-per-game in 18 games and he makes the powerplay go for this team and it is not coincidental that his getting red hot happened at the same time the PP has gotten red hot. I don't know what the record is, but he has to be on pace to challenge the UVM PPG record for a season. His one-time shot from the off wing side is as good as any in hockey, and like coach Sneddon, I do not mean just college hockey. Yes, he may fan on as many as he shoots high and wide, but it's not exactly Peter Lenes feeding him those passes. And when he creates his own shots from the center point, the wrist shots about waist high that may look easier for goalies to catch than they really are, well, there are not many players in hockey that can truly create their own shots and Brayden can. And when he hesitates on some of his passes or telegraphs them or makes them a little slower than you might like, remember, that's not exactly Viktor Stalberg he's passing to. And, observer, if Jack Downing is afraid to stand in front of the net when Brayden launches his chest high or higher bombs, maybe coach Sneddon should get someone who is not afraid.

And it is not coincidental that whatever line he plays on carries the offensive load. Remember, it was Brayden that launched David Pacan's goal-scoring career. Coach Sneddon has rightly made Brayden the centerpiece of this season's team and, with all the lineup juggling that has gone on, Brayden has led this team admirably. You can put as many C's and A's on as many jerseys as you want, Brayden Irwin is leading this team where it matters most, on the ice.

I don't know if it's his imposing size and aggressive style of play that makes people's expectations rise to unrealistic levels or if it's his skill level that makes people want more and more, but I am constantly amazed at how hard we Vermont fans come down on Brayden. He may turn out to be the most maligned Hobey Baker finalist and Walter Brown candidate in hockey history, and I do not mean just college hockey history.

And completely unrelated to Brayden Irwin, I thought Drew MacKenzie's "blind/behind the back pass" at the point showed great creativity and skill. That he missed the offensive zone with the pass in no way diminishes from the flair of that play and, frankly, I would like to see much more of that type of creativity from this team. Anyone can make a simple tape-to-tape pass, not everyone can make blind behind-the-back passes and those who can, should.

The team is 6-1-1 in its last 8 games, the 3 D - 2 freshmen PP unit is a fading memory, the PP is good for 2 goals a game, the original freshman line is back in business, Rob Madore will play all of the remaining games, why so negative? If you want negative, go to the Lowell thread.

I'm speechless.......

 

[grantfan]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Are you speechless because I took the words right out of your mouth, jc?

I was really just intending to agree with observer, maybe expounded a bit.

 

[bogi]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Irwin is having a good season with already 6 more points than he had last year, but as for having any chance of winning the Hobey Baker at this point in the season- there's no way. he's not even ranked in the top 50 nationally in total points nor in the top 30 for goals or assists. Hard to be the best college hockey player in the country if you are not in the top 30 in goals scored or assists made. Having said that I'm excited for this team as i had to sit through some awful stretches in '02- '06 at the Gutt. I think we gave up double digit goals at least once.

 

[Cat lover]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Unlike last year this team does not have a superstar forward that can compete for awards, but what they do have is better depth. We are starting to see it more now that the freshman are coming into their own. Roos got his first goal and boom he gets another, maybe Stalburg will now start to score more too since getting his first. If the freshman line with or without McCarthy can start to produce and Sneddon is allowed to keep the top 2 lines together this team should start to see more consistant scoring. Even the forth line has shown more than in previous years.

Not that is that big a deal but I thought Stacey should have made the all-tourney team, his shot blocking alone was huge in the finals, and that steal to lmost get the ENG was awesome.

 

[grantfan]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Let us hope, then, that Sneddon allows Sneddon to keep the top two lines together.

And I still believe that Jonathan Higgins is ready to have a break out second half scoring-wise, thus adding to the productivity of the "fourth" line.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Unlike last year this team does not have a superstar forward that can compete for awards, but what they do have is better depth.

Agreed.

Sorry Grantfan, just going to have to agree to disagree. Irwin is much improved from last year and may have his best year yet at UVM but he is not a Hobey Baker candidate. If I had to pick someone from the team, I think it goes to Milo, he has nearly as many points in less games. But the reality is neither of them will get past the nomination stage.

 

[snwbrdr]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

I honestly thought that Grantfans post was a spoof.

It was ludicrous on several fronts. Higgins is a decent fourth line center but no chance of potting a five goal season.

Irwin is playing better but NO chance of HB nomination.

But the TEAM may be able to have some nice achievements if they play in the second half like they did on Sunday

 

[grantfan]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Will you at least agree with me that Brayden Irwin is a legitimate Walter Brown Award candidate? At least give me that.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

I honestly thought that Grantfans post was a spoof.

I don't know, maybe it was. I can't tell anymore.

 

[ScottK]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Will you at least agree with me that Brayden Irwin is a legitimate Walter Brown Award candidate? At least give me that.

Nope, he isn't. It's awarded to the "Best American-born Div I College Hockey Player in New England "

Last time I checked, Toronto wasn't in the United States.

 

[grantfan]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Will you at least agree with me that if Jack Downing is afraid to stand in front of the net when Irwin launches his chest-high or higher bombs that Sneddon should get someone who is not afraid? At least give me that?

 

[bogi]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

I don't know if you guys have seen this website, but it's pretty neat- shows commitments for Hockey East.
http://www.insidecollegehockey.com/7Archives/Notebooks/recruits_he.htm

 

[UMLFan]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

I don't know if you guys have seen this website, but it's pretty neat- shows commitments for Hockey East.
http://www.insidecollegehockey.com/7Archives/Notebooks/recruits_he.htm

This site is much better, and updated much more frequently.

 

[bogi]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

This site is much better, and updated much more frequently.

Thanks! your site looks a bit more concise than the one I found.

 

[observer85]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

This site is much better, and updated much more frequently.

Thanks for the link to this site. Interesting to compare who is coming in for departing seniors.

Senior (5) forwards : Anctil, Higgins, Irwin, Roloff and Vock. Incoming forwards with a 2010 arrival date (4) : Herrington, Brickley, Decenzo, Montagna

Senior (1) defenseman : Cullity. Defenseman with 2010 arrival date (1) : Doerring

Senior (1) goalie : Spillane. Incoming goalie : ??? Could be Vazzano but appears maybe not as he has 2011 incoming date also.

So this opens the door for discussion...

Other forwards that might not return (3) : Milo - leave for baseball? Academically he is a senior so unless he is interested in graduate work, probably is gone. Atkinson - where is he? Franklin - he has already left the team.

So the coaches have 5 for sure players to replace, potentially 8.

Other defensemen that might not return (4) : Miller - he went to Blackhawks development camp and their scout was on the radio between periods of the early season Merrimack game talking about how much they like him. His stature continues to grow...he was on the all tournament team in the Catamount Cup. Medvec - was drafted in 2006 so if pro team wants him, they will have to make a run at him after this season or he would be eligible to become a free agent. Lawson - he was probably in demand after last season but has struggled this season. A return to how he played last season in the 2nd half, a potential flight risk. MacKenzie - was drafted in 2007 by Buffalo and attended their development camp the last 2 years. Less likely flight risk as he is protected as long as he stays in school for another year.

So the coaches have 1 for sure to replace, potentially 5.

Looks like the UVM coaching staff still have some holes to fill and some big holes if they have some early departures materialize. Since this tread is nearing being closed (1000 posts), perhaps this would be a good discussion item in a 2nd thread? Plus with no games this weekend, what else is there to talk about?

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: 2009-2010 Official Vermont Season Thread

Thanks for the link to this site. Interesting to compare who is coming in for departing seniors.

Senior (5) forwards : Anctil, Higgins, Irwin, Roloff and Vock. Incoming forwards with a 2010 arrival date (4) : Herrington, Brickley, Decenzo, Montagna

Senior (1) defenseman : Cullity. Defenseman with 2010 arrival date (1) : Doerring

Senior (1) goalie : Spillane. Incoming goalie : ??? Could be Vazzano but appears maybe not as he has 2011 incoming date also.

So this opens the door for discussion...

Other forwards that might not return (3) : Milo - leave for baseball? Academically he is a senior so unless he is interested in graduate work, probably is gone. Atkinson - where is he? Franklin - he has already left the team.

So the coaches have 5 for sure players to replace, potentially 8.

Other defensemen that might not return (4) : Miller - he went to Blackhawks development camp and their scout was on the radio between periods of the early season Merrimack game talking about how much they like him. His stature continues to grow...he was on the all tournament team in the Catamount Cup. Medvec - was drafted in 2006 so if pro team wants him, they will have to make a run at him after this season or he would be eligible to become a free agent. Lawson - he was probably in demand after last season but has struggled this season. A return to how he played last season in the 2nd half, a potential flight risk. MacKenzie - was drafted in 2007 by Buffalo and attended their development camp the last 2 years. Less likely flight risk as he is protected as long as he stays in school for another year.

So the coaches have 1 for sure to replace, potentially 5.

Looks like the UVM coaching staff still have some holes to fill and some big holes if they have some early departures materialize. Since this tread is nearing being closed (1000 posts), perhaps this would be a good discussion item in a 2nd thread? Plus with no games this weekend, what else is there to talk about?

I think major losses,

Roloff, Irwin, Vock, these are the big losses, Cullity takes to many penalties and there is significant depth at D if the others stay. Will have to check out how the incoming recruits are doing to really judge.

I don't see many guys leaving early. Milo maybe, tough that the baseball team left, but I think he really loves the game and he can take a few other classes and see how things go. This I think will largely depend on his baseball contract. Toiling in A leagues maybe an incentive to play hockey another year, if they are going to send him into AAA then I think he bolts.

The other guys who went to development camps, I am not too worried about that, Marshall has gone the past few years and he isn't going anywheres. Medvec maybe the biggest risk, he is starting to come on.

All in all, I think you have to replace the departing seniors, Franklin and probably Milo. But hypothetically lets say a defensemen leaves too. That means you have 7 forwards, 2 defensmen, and a goalie that needs replacing. That seems like a lot, but it leaves a good core especially with the 4 freshman forwards that are playing well this season.