Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread
I'll take 11 over the next 3 games.
A very good effort by the Hawks last night. Boulanger played another solid game and he deserved better. They had plenty of scoring chances but nothing to show for it. It seems like the same old story over the past few years.
I just lost my entire post due to Vista. Can't wait for tax money.
Bob, you're right as usual. Seems like the same old song but the problem as has been stated many times before is the lack of offensive capitalization on these "USDA Grade A" chances. It's just flat out frustrating. Boulanger has played well over the past couple of games. Good to hear that Carr was dressed for last night's game. Friday's game is far too important and is a must win for the River Hawks if we want to talk playoffs. Carr should get the start if he is fully healthy. It's also must win for the River Hawks on so many other levels, especially after the last two HE home games which were stinkers and long-term goals for the team.
As far as playoffs, tonight's happenings in Burlington wasn't the best with Vermont getting the win but wasn't the worse if Providence had swept. Vermont starts a hellish schedule by going to Maine for two next week; not the place I'd want to go after the debacle in Durham tonight. You have to watch a replay of that game, especially the final minute; words can't justify that ending. They next play UNH and BU before playing us. PC has a game at home vs. BC, then travels to UMA with a 1-0-1 season series lead. UMA hosts BU on NESN, which is the Friday affair.
What concerns me is the sudden winless streak by UMA since their 6-0 tubthumping of Vermont last month. They are 0-3-1 in their last four and absolutely got embarassed this weekend against BC/Merrimack. By a strange scheduling quirk, they end the season with BC, Merrimack, and Maine. If not careful, they could very well go winless for the remainder and be tied for eighth, possibly with us. Even if we take care of business against PC and UVM, it may not be enough if one of those teams leapfrog to seventh. I think we have to split against Maine to get in but it's starting to look like it's going to be a race for four teams to grab the last two playoff spots.
Last comments on this weekend's happening...
While not set in stone, it's really starting to look like there will be playoff hockey in the Merrimack Valley for the first time since 2002. The sad reality is that it will be in Essex County at Merrimack College. With a five point lead and tiebreakers held against BC/BU, decent showings (splits) against Maine and UNH would all but guarantee home ice for the Warriors. I don't think they win HE, but they are very much alive for finishing second with splits against ME and UNH and sweeps against UMA and PC. They are in the driver's seat and control their fate, they now simply have to execute by holding serve at home and winning at Maine, UMA, and PC. I'll tell you one thing, I may decide to spend the $20 bucks and take in the UNH/MC game. Tickets may actually be hard to come by, especially if Merrimack can steal points for UNH on Friday.
Stat of the Night: Excluding the loss against us, Merrimack has outscored its opponents 30-6 in their four wins at home this semester.
