Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread
Wow, what a great picture by Matt.
Indeed a great shot! So close, yet so far from the line.
As far as the game, I'll say this. On the minus side, it was another game of missed opportunities. By far, the unfortunate highlight of the night was Arnold missing 24 sq. ft of nylon. The sad part was not even getting the shot on net from three feet out in front and having all of the time in the world. The poor kid probably had a restless night and to add insult to injury, it was the time change. He wasn't the only one that had chances last night but those are shots that need to be converted, regardless of experience or lack thereof.
On the plus side Doug Carr was the best River Hawk on the ice last night. He really kept the team in a game they had no business being in given that they were outshot by a over a margin of 17/10. He is much more confident that three short weeks ago and had much better positioning on cutting down attacking angles. To me, I thought he did have to stand on his head, especially with the shot disadvantage.
Despite the obvious offensive talent discrepancies and experience, the underclassmen picked up the slack against, well, a much more talented and experienced team. Without four key upperclassmen (Cey, Campbell, Budd, and Schieu), this team kept the #10 team in the country to two goals. A lot of it was Carr, but the defensive as a whole was at times came up with some very good defensive plays. I hope all of the upperclassmen (injured or not) take note of the underclassmen's performance last night.
They are done with this hellish stretch of five games in nine days and have a bye next week to regroup and hopefully get back at least two of the four missing upperclassmen, which I have no knowledge of when they may be back.
Last night while leaving someone made the comment to me in the concourse that they are sick of the UNH fan trash talk. There were a row of UNH fans sitting behind me for most of the evening and of course, rooting for these team and of course talking smack after the win. There is the old saying from William Marcy , "To the victor belong the spoils". When we start winning these close one-goal games and putting Lowell behinds in these seats (which are primarily occupied by Lowell alums) is when we won't have to put up with it visiting fans going home happy and Lowell alums wanting to puke.
Standings are starting to revert back to the late 90's/early 2000's with the big four in control and Providence (which I think is a faction of these relatively weak HE schedule). Going to be an important series with a Merrimack team that is my dark horse for home ice and have gotten out to a rather mediocre start to the season, save their home win over BC. They really haven't answered their road woes question but I'm expecting a split even thought it is still almost two weeks before the puck drops.
