2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

[ScottK]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

What was the third time??

The last 2 games of the 1991-92 season. Lowell ended the regular season with a 4-0 loss at UNH, then lost 7-0 at PC in the Hockey East Tournament when it was single elimination.

 

[leswp1]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

The last 2 games of the 1991-92 season. Lowell ended the regular season with a 4-0 loss at UNH, then lost 7-0 at PC in the Hockey East Tournament when it was single elimination.

Maybe we should cite some positive statistics. With snow predicted and the latest fiasco I would rather live in the past in a good way then remember the painful stuff.

 

[John_Fuller]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

Maybe we should cite some positive statistics. With snow predicted and the latest fiasco I would rather live in the past in a good way then remember the painful stuff.

I'll fill in for Chaz for this installment of "On This Date in UML History"

20 February 1998:

"The UMass Lowell River Hawks edges Merrimack College, 4-3, at the Tsongas Arena for the program's 500th win"

Ironically, we are two away from the program's 700th win.

We do have a national championship "hockey" team. Just because it has the word "field" instead of "ice" in the name shoudn't matter, right?? That's being positive.

As I said last night, can these girls skate?? Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[Patman]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

Shawn Walsh was the iconic Maine coach who put together a string of amazing teams in Maine that had them competing for the Nat'l title in his tenure. Shawn was a very emotive and 'big' personality. During this time We had first Bill Riley, then Bruce Crowder and finally Tim Whitehead. Tim was up for renewal here and rejected the offer we gave to take an interim Position as Head coach when Shawn Walsh was Dx'd with cancer. Shawn died and Tim has been there since. Lottsa people upset that Tim is still there.

This leaves out the various editorial comments and opinions about ability, cheating, and all the other things people go on about, etc.

As far as I recall, Tim was hired as a scout by Vancouver after losing the Lowell job and then was hired up at Maine as an "assistant" just prior to 9/11.

 

[Patman]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

Thanks. I don't mean to make people feel old. "Shawns players" must be a reference to your former coach. Forgive me for being ignorant. I've only been following Hockey East since 2006. I don't know who he was and definitely can't recall the history of the league as well as you or some of the others.

Do some reading... whatever you think of Shawn Walsh, certainly a legend and a character. I remember sitting behind the Maine bench in the 1999 regional (when I was a junior in HS not even considering going to Lowell... I have a guidance councilor to thank for that) and his mother-in-law talked to me and my father... I don't remember much of the conversation or what Walsh did on the bench itself (I was watching the game... wasn't at the point where you watch the coaches and the other fine details). To this point, the older members of the boards, before his death, had a general "Walsh Is Satan" meme going.... certainly high, if not strange, respect for the man behind the bench.

 

[Babikian]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

Imagine Lowell won 3 out of their next 4 games and PC lost all 4. Then NU had to forfeit their season because of the NCAA Recruiting violation which would put us in 8th place. I know it wont happen but it makes you wonder.

 

[pressbox]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

yeah, and the NCAA found out that he scored a majority of the goals in back to back games against BC and the game-winner last night...lol

 

[NUMcNeely]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

Imagine Lowell won 3 out of their next 4 games and PC lost all 4. Then NU had to forfeit their season because of the NCAA Recruiting violation which would put us in 8th place. I know it wont happen but it makes you wonder.

Too soon!

 

[UMLFan]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

I've got nothing positive to say.

"The UMass Lowell River Hawks edges Merrimack College, 4-3, at the Tsongas Arena for the program's 500th win"

Ironically, we are two away from the program's 700th win.

From Feb 20, 1998 to today is 13 years exactly. Averaging just over 15 wins per season in that stretch.

And this kinda makes me even sadder.

 

[leswp1]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

Imagine Lowell won 3 out of their next 4 games and PC lost all 4. Then NU had to forfeit their season because of the NCAA Recruiting violation which would put us in 8th place. I know it wont happen but it makes you wonder.

I want to drink that Koolaid! Gimme some!

 

[rivercluck2006]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

Shawn Walsh was the iconic Maine coach who put together a string of amazing teams in Maine that had them competing for the Nat'l title in his tenure. Shawn was a very emotive and 'big' personality. During this time We had first Bill Riley, then Bruce Crowder and finally Tim Whitehead. Tim was up for renewal here and rejected the offer we gave to take an interim Position as Head coach when Shawn Walsh was Dx'd with cancer. Shawn died and Tim has been there since. Lottsa people upset that Tim is still there.

This leaves out the various editorial comments and opinions about ability, cheating, and all the other things people go on about, etc.

Do some reading... whatever you think of Shawn Walsh, certainly a legend and a character. I remember sitting behind the Maine bench in the 1999 regional (when I was a junior in HS not even considering going to Lowell... I have a guidance councilor to thank for that) and his mother-in-law talked to me and my father... I don't remember much of the conversation or what Walsh did on the bench itself (I was watching the game... wasn't at the point where you watch the coaches and the other fine details). To this point, the older members of the boards, before his death, had a general "Walsh Is Satan" meme going.... certainly high, if not strange, respect for the man behind the bench.

Thank you folks for the notes. I will have to follow up and do some reading. It appears he did a lot of good things but also did some bad things which got him in trouble. Also thanks to "John_Fuller" and "UML Weatherman" for the warm welcome. It has been a tough season after watching three years of pretty good hockey.

 

[leswp1]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

JUst read the Sun where the headline questions whether it is time for Blaise to be done and Skinner does not say no when asked if they are considering double - To be fair he says they wait until the end until they evaluate all the coaches but he certainly didn't say no right away which I am surprised at.

 

[John_Fuller]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

I've got nothing positive to say. From Feb 20, 1998 to today is 13 years exactly. Averaging just over 15 wins per season in that stretch. And this kinda makes me even sadder.

Meteorologists and Accountants...Two groups that know how to brighten one's day.

 

[leswp1]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

Meteorologists and Accountants...Two groups that know how to brighten one's day.

Well, the Meteorologist can at least talk about sun....

 

[UMLFan]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

JUst read the Sun where the headline questions whether it is time for Blaise to be done and Skinner does not say no when asked if they are considering double - To be fair he says they wait until the end until they evaluate all the coaches but he certainly didn't say no right away which I am surprised at.

There's even a poll set up on the Sun's sports site as to whether or not he should stay as coach.

 

[leswp1]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

There's even a poll set up on the Sun's sports site as to whether or not he should stay as coach.

Yikes. I guess the Scum has jumped ship in a big way. I know that they are not really a news organization (they are excellent at reporting only what they want) but this one is a bit much to swallow. They have very little to do with the program except for a little article every week and now they are throwing the coach under the bus? They go from not covering things at all to saying in not so many words get rid of him.

I still have no opinion regarding what is right for the program but I don't like the Scum trying to sway the opinion.

 

[J.D.]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

I would imagine you guys are more upset with how UML did last year compared to this year, right? Given the expectations following the '09 run to the HE title game...

I actually think Blaise is a decent coach, but am wondering after all these years, why can't he get more balance in recruiting? It's nice having "loaded" teams like last year, but that results in no consistency for the next couple years. And the biggest problem is that UML has underachieved in their last two "loaded" years. Seems to me he's been able to recruit/develop some solid talent though...

My question to all of you is, if UML played up to expectations last year and back in 2005-2006..would that be enough for you guys?

 

[UMLFan]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

Yikes. I guess the Scum has jumped ship in a big way. I know that they are not really a news organization (they are excellent at reporting only what they want) but this one is a bit much to swallow. They have very little to do with the program except for a little article every week and now they are throwing the coach under the bus? They go from not covering things at all to saying in not so many words get rid of him.

I still have no opinion regarding what is right for the program but I don't like the Scum trying to sway the opinion.

It's a poll, and it's a discussion we've been having here as well. What they did isn't too outta hand.

I would imagine you guys are more upset with how UML did last year compared to this year, right? Given the expectations following the '09 run to the HE title game...

I actually think Blaise is a decent coach, but am wondering after all these years, why can't he get more balance in recruiting? It's nice having "loaded" teams like last year, but that results in no consistency for the next couple years. And the biggest problem is that UML has underachieved in their last two "loaded" years. Seems to me he's been able to recruit/develop some solid talent though...

My question to all of you is, if UML played up to expectations last year and back in 2005-2006..would that be enough for you guys?

For some I'm sure it would. For others, like myself, no. I hate this cycle of a couple of bad years, and then hope for one or two good ones. I want more consistency, years where we're competing for home-ice more often, etc. Hell, the fact that we've had home ice in the playoffs once during Coach's tenure is just killing me.

 

[J.D.]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

Also, maybe the most maddening thing for you guys last year is how well UML played BC...

Honestly, UML should have been better than BU and Maine last year IMO.

 

[Patman]

Re: 2010/2011 UML In-Season Thread

For some I'm sure it would. For others, like myself, no. I hate this cycle of a couple of bad years, and then hope for one or two good ones. I want more consistency, years where we're competing for home-ice more often, etc. Hell, the fact that we've had home ice in the playoffs once during Coach's tenure is just killing me.

I think we'd surely tolerate this for two home-ice positions and 1+ NCAA tournament appearances... but if we had those we wouldn't have a season like this. The bigger issue is that we cratered that far... what do we have to look forward to in the next few years? Is this just a turnover year where old and new players have problems with each other? Do we find our legs next year as roles settle?

I think we all kinda figured by now we'd be floating between say 3rd and 8th on a regular basis... 10th by a mile is very disappointing.