Just learned that we lost last night! What's up with that? From the summary on the DU website, sounds like it was almost a 2-1 shot advantage, but DU couldn't finish. Also sounds like the team has a lot to work on. I guess it's good to have the weaknesses exposed early. I imagine it will take a significant amount of time (esp. for the returning players) to adjust to Montgomery's system.
Good summary. Sounds like an "interesting" game, but always good to hear that the compete level is high. That is at least half the battle.The team had only one day of real practice on Saturday before playing last night. Eight of the 10 true freshmen played last night. The only two not to play were 3rd string goalie Greg Ogard who was dressed and injured forward Brad Hawkinson. The Pios dressed 23 players last night including the three goalies. The 20 skaters are two more than normally dress for an NCAA game. All 20 skaters got ice time which means the normal rolling of 3 lines was not utilized last night. In addition, there was a ton of special teams play which also disrupted a normal flow to the game. That game was the first chance for the whole team to play as one. As Monty said he saw improvement as the game went on and liked the compete level. This week will involve the implementation of their systems before they face Merrimack this coming weekend. This a very young team with only 2 seniors. It is going to take a while to gel.
How about a teeny, tiny bit of respect for your opponent UNB last night? Shots were 10-9 for UNB in 1st and 10-7 for DU in the second. The third period was the difference shot wise, with DU blasting UNB 19-4. 16 of DU's shots in the game came on their 9 power plays (3 in each period).
It is normal that UNB would have the early jump. They've had a few exhibition games to work on their systems, and the Pioneers would understandably be a bit disorganized in their first game. By the third period, the second game in two nights at altitude probably hampered the V-Reds play (one of the UNB players was tweeting after the game wondering who put the cement in his skates). The night before UNB was 1-0 down with CC before the third period, before giving up 4 goals in the third period (3 on the PP). So similar script.
How about a teeny, tiny bit of respect for your opponent UNB last night? Shots were 10-9 for UNB in 1st and 10-7 for DU in the second. The third period was the difference shot wise, with DU blasting UNB 19-4. 16 of DU's shots in the game came on their 9 power plays (3 in each period).
It is normal that UNB would have the early jump. They've had a few exhibition games to work on their systems, and the Pioneers would understandably be a bit disorganized in their first game. By the third period, the second game in two nights at altitude probably hampered the V-Reds play (one of the UNB players was tweeting after the game wondering who put the cement in his skates). The night before UNB was 1-0 down with CC before the third period, before giving up 4 goals in the third period (3 on the PP). So similar script.
Why? Who cares (aside from you, of course)? They came in with a team made up of 25 year old Canadians (a formula that brought us great success in the past) and beat a team that hasn't even named a captain yet. You want a trophy or something? Blow it out your barracks bag.
I don't think it's that big a deal that DU lost the game. I honestly don't know too much about the Canadian university teams. Other than the fact that DU usually wins these games, but I seem to recall some close games, too. The main thing is when your rival down the road beats a team 5-0, it's generally not a good sign when you lose to the same team the next night.That's not what I meant at all. I was speaking to some of the angst here from a few DU fans, who seemed perturbed/worried/disappointed that they didn't blow the doors off a very good CIS team, who yes, certainly have some older, more experienced players (but no NHL prospects). From my perspective, UNB should have beat CC as well, but got done in by penalties in the third period (and the Olympic ice and the altitude). UNB was a very good team last year and is working to repeat that while adjusting to several player changes. Losing to them shouldn't be a big deal.
That's not what I meant at all. I was speaking to some of the angst here from a few DU fans, who seemed perturbed/worried/disappointed that they didn't blow the doors off a very good CIS team, who yes, certainly have some older, more experienced players (but no NHL prospects). From my perspective, UNB should have beat CC as well, but got done in by penalties in the third period (and the Olympic ice and the altitude). UNB was a very good team last year and is working to repeat that while adjusting to several player changes. Losing to them shouldn't be a big deal.
I'm not sure how you can really say that the team on the losing end of a 5-0 game "should have won," especially when 2/3 of your support of that argument is very flimsy (big ice and altitude???) and the other 1/3 (penalties) is your own team's fault! (Unless you're saying that the refs were horrible.)
How about a teeny, tiny bit of respect for your opponent UNB last night? Shots were 10-9 for UNB in 1st and 10-7 for DU in the second. The third period was the difference shot wise, with DU blasting UNB 19-4. 16 of DU's shots in the game came on their 9 power plays (3 in each period).
It is normal that UNB would have the early jump. They've had a few exhibition games to work on their systems, and the Pioneers would understandably be a bit disorganized in their first game. By the third period, the second game in two nights at altitude probably hampered the V-Reds play (one of the UNB players was tweeting after the game wondering who put the cement in his skates). The night before UNB was 1-0 down with CC before the third period, before giving up 4 goals in the third period (3 on the PP). So similar script.
Every year it amazes me that NCAA rules don't allow more team practices for hockey. I think Mitch Hyder said that basketball now gets 42 days of practice before the regular season. Doesn't make sense to me.
Looking ahead-- the Merrimack Warriors will be here Friday and Saturday. They tied McGill 1-1 last night. Next year Alex Carle, yes that Carle. will be skating for the Warriors. And that is my total knowledge of our first opponent.![]()
DU had the opportunity to have 4 practices prior to this Sunday. The plan, as far as I know (which is a quite credible source), was to have a practice on Thursday, on Friday and twice on Saturday. So basically, the coaches weren't on the ice with the guys until just a few days before the "game" yesterday, which was basically a glorified scrimmage which allowed various personnel to get more acquainted with some NCHC tweaks in rules and procedures (hence the shootout despite a 2-1 final).
I really do have to comment on the current atmosphere surrounding the program...the whole feel is different with Monty in charge. There is something pretty cool happening right now which feels pretty **** good. If this "feeling" can be coupled with on-ice success (which I think it will), we are on to something special happening in the program right now. My honest opinion.
The more I type, the deeper I dig.
I'm not explaining my point of view very well. UNB is a very good CIS team, by CIS standards. They can normally hold their own with NCAA teams, especially since they've usually had several exhibition games under their belt by the time they play an NCAA team in the fall (a definite advantage). However, the difference in refereeing can be a challenge -- what might be considered just a solid hit in the AUS (UNB's conference) is often called roughing in the Hockey East games I've watched. So the CIS players start to question what is and isn't a penalty and get frustrated. Maybe you get the same effect when you play out of conference games. Then you add it third-period fatigue against often younger legs and you often start to see Canadian teams like UNB take obstruction penalties, especially their younger d-men who are playing NCAA teams for the first time.
Add in the challenges of the altitude in Colorado, which is certainly a new experience for the UNB players who play their whole season at or near sea level, combined with the Olympic ice width which is a first this season for UNB and a first-ever for some of their new players, and it is a bit of an extra challenge.
So in normal circumstance I would expect UNB to have a fairly close game score-wise with any NCAA opponent (based on their normal script of scoring early on a rusty opponent playing in their first game, and then perhaps holding on for a potential win, or taking advantage of a cold goalie who rotates into the game in the second or third period). Even when they lose, which is more often than not, they don't normally get blown out.
So "should have won" was a poor choice of words when I really meant was that based on the last few years going in I was expecting UNB to have a decent chance to win, but not knowing in the CC game how much effect the high-altitude or the Olympic ice would have. And that game was indeed close for two periods, and then ugly (for UNB) in the third. Before they left Fredericton I thought UNB had a chance to jump early on CC and maybe win if they went all-out, less chance against DU due to fatigue and facing a tougher opponent, and then perhaps a rebound win against Air Force as the V-Reds became more acclimated. Thanks to the Tea Party shut down of the government UNB won't get to play that third game.