Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread
...it seems to me there are very short memories about what happened a few yrs ago. We had ZERO admin support before Meehan. We almost lost our program and that is something that will reverberate in these classes that we are seeing now. Haven't I also noticed people complaining about lack of budget? I would imagine all that would have affected what we can recruit as far as class size, etc. Nothing is simple.
Les, you are absolutely right, nothing is ever simple. I will agree with you that saying
balancing the class size is an easy task is oversimplification in my view. Patman does have a point though. The graduation of a 10+ been a problem since 1998 and is the primary reason why Lowell struggles to find consistency on a year to year basis.
Yes, the attempt to shut us down four years ago is about 25% of the reason why this team has the record it does. We did lose a handful of recruits and rostered players during that time. That was four years ago and we have to look forward. Unless a miracle bestows itself on Post Office Square (now known as the Tsongas Center), it's going to be at least another two years before Lowell has a legitimate shot of making it back to the Garden, let alone NCAA's. Economics and politics is part of the deal, Meehan is doing his part on that end.
We are not a BC, BU, UNH, Maine, North Dakota type team where the New England schools have full D-I resources. North Dakota is D-II, but we all know that Sioux hockey in North Dakota is the flagship sport. We complete for recruits and positioning against the NU, PC, UMA, UVM and Merrimack order. Personally, I think there is some Lowell envy that Merrimack has gotten it together. Let face it, 2011 is their version of our 1996. It's also a Catch-22. As a fan of college hockey, it's great that the smallest school in D-I will have it's best year in their D-I history. Unless hell freezes over based on their schedule, Merrimack also make its return to the NCAA's in 23 years. For sake of argument, what's that going to feel like walking into Volpe next year and perhaps seeing at the very least, a 2011 NCAA banner. If it is more, which team you do think they will try to raise that banner(s) against. I guarantee you it will be their rival, UMass Lowell. As a fan of Lowell, their success scares the crap out of me. We can't afford to be second rate to any of the non big-four schools over the long haul or allow Merrimack be the #1 school in the Valley.
Lowell had NCAA caliber teams in 2002, 2006, (2009), and 2010. We seen some very good, quality players come through this program during Blaise's tenure. For a lot of the key players, one can easily argue that you haven't seen these players take that step up to next level. Name one forward during this time to make that progression and stay all four years. I can't because Ed McGrane was a Whitehead recruit, Ben Walter left before his senior year, Andrew Martin got hurt, and Jason Tejchma's stats were skewed because of the last freshmen laden team. The rest are all defense men or goalies...Collar, Goers, Dehner; Hutton. We wonder why we can't score goals or
more accurately, the "big goal". I hate to harp on Merrimack again but last night they lose their star player the night before on a chippy play, go up 2-0 at home the following night, blow the lead to UNH on penalties, and still find a way to win. How did they win...a freshmen defensemen makes a fantastic keep, skates north, throws a harmless wrist shot on the net with forwards crashing. The screen shot blocked the view and beats DiGiorlamo like a rented mule. Never heard Volpe that loud.
The theme I have interpreted by the posters who want Blaise out is time. I think the biggest fear is that we will be put under review again if wins and tournament appearances don't come in the next five or so years. I have to agree with them, the time is now and a luxury we don't have. Within two years, this team need to be above .500, regardless on whom may be the coach of this team during that period.
The University has a very difficult choice at the end of the season and will decide if a change needs to be made now If not, this decision will be postponed for a year. No matter when or where the decision may come, the outcome will be a huge gamble.
I'll tell you one thing, that's a decision I'm glad I don't have to make.
