Re: 2016/2017 Lowell Thread: Hoping for Chicago pt 2
With one day to go , probably time to talk a little about hockey. Last weekend we saw Lowell near its best for about 54 minutes against the Irish and then for about 30 minutes vs BC. It was really refreshing to see them play such a complete and dominant game vs Notre Dame. The key was puck management through the NZ and first touches in both the defensive and offensive zones which meant they were hard on pucks.Probably the best game I have seen them support the puck and make successive 3-4 foot passes breaking out and then through the NZ and then into the attack.
Against BC, this was a true "gut-check" win and credit to the team and coaching staff for believing in their defensive structure and in each other showing the resilience to get the win. Lowell was good for about 30 minutes and then stopped moving their feet and forcing the play. They also got into trouble when they started going lateral with pucks instead of advancing it forward and then pressuring and staying above the puck. I don't think I have seen Lowell players get stripped of the puck like we saw the last 30 minutes of that game.
It may be a real good lessen that they went through such a high stakes game and struggled so much the second half and still got the win. Lowell, despite showing great defensive structure, really played nervous the last 30 minutes. Players were stumbling and fumbling with pucks, unable to make strong clears and consecutive passes and really did not make any hockey plays. They were on their heels and hung on for the win. I think the pressure of being to the HE final game the last 2 years without a win really played on their minds. Now having gone through that and gutting out a win, I believe they will be able to manage the pressure that much better in the Regionals and we shouldn't see the team shut down like they did especially in a tight game. Interesting was Coach York's comments in regards to hitting the cross bar and if that goal goes in , BC is going to the NCAA tourney, Even though that would have only tied the game, he felt they would have won as they were dominating the play.
Cornell will be an interesting opponent as they are big and physical. Lowell has struggled against teams this year that have played a heavy game, forechecked hard, shut down the walls and clogged the NZ. The key though will be whether Cornell can do that with any pace. We saw that Lowell can be vulnerable in their own end as BC exposed their defensive zone coverage. As Lowell sat back in the NZ, BC attacked with speed. They were able to get first touches on pucks on the entry and the initial scrum. Early on in the game Lowell defence was able to close and eliminate the first touches and they had good support with their box plus one structure. Once Lowell stopped moving their feet, BC was able to get first touches and then immediately rimmed the puck away from the initial scrum. With 4 players down low, Lowell would then re-adjust to the rimmed puck and then BC would then throw it to the weak side and had Lowell scrambling. Not sure if Cornell will have this game plan but BC exposed Lowell to some degree in the last regular season games and then in the HE final in this fashion.
I really feel that this Lowell team has started to come into their own and recognize how they need to play to their identity. It was very positive to see the best players have a positive impact in the games last weekend and the underclassmen step up and make major contributions. If this team can duplicate their efforts from last weekend and put that into play for an entire 60 minutes, I really like their chances of making a trip to Chicago. Specialty teams, the NZ, making smart and hard decisions and advancing the puck and with pace should be keys to a victory. Can't wait.
) this seems a horrible waste of $$. Enough to feed people for a long time
