Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

[Federal League]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

FYI - With his 4 assists last night, Bonino is now 5 points shy of 100 for his career. I know last year there were basically countdowns every time someone got close, but I hadn't seen anyone mention this yet.

 

[collegefan06]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

FYI - With his 4 assists last night, Bonino is now 5 points shy of 100 for his career. I know last year there were basically countdowns every time someone got close, but I hadn't seen anyone mention this yet.

Nice note about Nick's point total sneeking up on us FL. It's funny but he seems to play "quiet" if you know what I mean. There is not the flash you see in some players in his game but he kind of goes about things like a quiet assassin.

I guess I'm also on your band wagon today about your sophomore player assessments and you summarized well the point I was trying to make about climbing back into home ice position for the HC playoffs.

On the sophomore skaters, I agree that Vinny is as hardworking as anyone on the ice and does lots of non-point things well. We get frustrated becasue he's often in position to finish and has not shown an ability to do so. I think this class is turning into a class with lots of solid players but lacks the go-to guys, many of whom were lost last year.

My main complaint about the entire team is the lack of mental toughness, of hating to lose and doing whatever is necessary to get the job done.

Providence game is evidence of that to me. They actually played well but didn't win on the score board. A mentally tougher team would have found a way.....kind of like 2 goals in a minute in DC and fighting from behind in the semi's and getting a game winning goal in the last 10 seconds in the regional finals........ nuff said.

 

[BU Hockey x2]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

Not a frequent poster, just a slow day with snow and the holiday so I thought I share some thoughts...

First off, after reading the last couple pages and seeing all the debate over how many points they need this weekend and what the teams goals should be at this point...I guess I just see things differently. Coming into the season I would imagine both the team and the fans shared the same hopes. HE regular season champs, HE playoff champs, Beanpot, Final Four and beyond. Of these only one seems absolutely unattainable. I can't help but be optimistic about the rest, because that's what makes attending each game fun. Realizing how cliche this is going to sound, the teams only goal should be to beat BC Friday, which will give us all another day/week of hope that they can turn things around.

Which brings me to other topic that has been discussed at length which is the play of the sophmores. I'd agree with most of what has been said. Millan hasn't been a solid as he was last year, but goalies have confused me forever. One thing I know for sure though is that a goalie can get hot overnight and stay hot. We'll need that to happen, soon! With Warsofsky and Connelly, were probably getting what we should expect which is generally between good and very good. Trivino and Saponari are the tough ones. I think we've seen a decent improvement in Trivino. He definitely looks stronger and he show some flashes of brilliance. He does appear to try to do too much some times, but I still feel like he has good upside. In regards to Saponari, there have been comments questioning his effort and those defending it. I'd probably side more with the later, however after watching him for two years, I'm just not sure he's all that good. He's a big, strong wing that skates well, but I just don't think he's exceptional at any aspect of the game. As a "power forward" type, in my opinion Chiasson is way ahead him already. He's more physical, get's his shot off more effectively, crashes the net and plays with a chip on his shoulder. All of which I think Saponari could do better.

Final comment, and then I'll dissappear for another month. Joe Pereira has been an absolute pleasure to watch since the day he stepped on the ice. He's a guy that seems to love every second he gets to spend on the ice and it's obviously contagious as we are seeing with his current line, which I'd agree with other posters, looked great Saturday night. If that line continues to contribute, a big run doesn't seem impossible.

Sincerely, Glass is Half Full.
(Well maybe not Andrew, not sure about him).

 

[Federal League]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

Gonna bump this thread with a fun (and useless) stat of the day: With an average height of 6-feet-0.65-inches, BU is the second tallest team in the country behind only Alaska-Anchorage (6-feet-0.89-inches).

Edit: And with an average weight of 191.54 pounds, BU is the sixth heaviest team in the country behind Harvard, Vermont, Notre Dame, Alaska-Fairbanks and Alaska-Anchorage.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

Gonna bump this thread with a fun (and useless) stat of the day: With an average height of 6-feet-0.65-inches, BU is the second tallest team in the country behind only Alaska-Anchorage (6-feet-0.89-inches).

Gryba lead team to victory. Gryba smash!

 

[Rover]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

buoldtimer upthread mentioned his disappointment with the whole sophomore class. I couldn't agree more. Millan, while he's been ok recently, has regressed. Warsofsky has been fine, but I haven't really seen anything in the way of improvement. Trivino, as has also been mentioned, shows flashes here and there but he's largely invisible out there. Connolly has been a major disappointment this year, probably the biggest regressor last night's nice gritty goal aside. He seems to have an uncanny knack for skating and passing the puck OUT of scoring areas in the offensive zone. And Vinny Saponari. What a joke. He's the softest player I've seen in some time and has no business on the first line.

All of that said, I think the Pereira-Megan-Gaudet line has been the team's best by far in '10. So we've got that going for us.

I agree with a lot of this. Millan and Warsofsky are playing okay but not like leaders/difference makers. Connolly I was hoping for more of a McCarthy type presence out there which I haven't seen. Trivino and Saponari have been putrid. These guys were supposed to pick up the slack. Instead Trivino looks to be taking the Jason Lawrence route, so maybe we can hope that he works up to being the 6th best player on a good team by his senior year. Saponari is even worse. I have no faith in him in the offensive zone. Missing wide, having the puck bounce over his stick on clear breakaways, etc.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

Saponari is even worse. I have no faith in him in the offensive zone. Missing wide, having the puck bounce over his stick on clear breakaways, etc.

In regards to Saponari, there have been comments questioning his effort and those defending it. I'd probably side more with the later, however after watching him for two years, I'm just not sure he's all that good. He's a big, strong wing that skates well, but I just don't think he's exceptional at any aspect of the game. As a "power forward" type, in my opinion Chiasson is way ahead him already. He's more physical, get's his shot off more effectively, crashes the net and plays with a chip on his shoulder. All of which I think Saponari could do better.

Saponari- Can't agree with this, either. There's a lot of things you can criticize Vinny for, but I don't see how being soft is one of them. He's one of the hardest workers on this team along the boards, in the corners and below the goal line. If you wanna criticize him for shooting wide, not burying rebounds, etc., go right ahead, but I just don't see how you can call him soft. Also, his passing has been very good all season..

If anyone has a knack for passing the puck out of the scoring areas, it's Vinny Saponari.

well......Vincent is not getting his ice time because he has neked pictures of the coaching staff...

he is either
1) the world's greatest practice player
or
2)
the best of a not-so-good group on that wing.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

http://goterriers.cstvauctions.com/auctiondisplay.cfm?auctionnbr=17420

this is terrible!!!

you can go to ticketmaster and get in for $135.40. now for only a bid of $40 more ($10/pp ) you get all this including the media buffet!!! [sure, you could lose a finger or two in THAT line, but c'mon!! ]

less than a day to go!

[not to mention NO bids on the team autographed poster ]

 

[Federal League]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

now for only a bid of $40 more ($10/pp ) you get all this including the media buffet!!! [sure, you could lose a finger or two in THAT line, but c'mon!! ]

I hope they feel compelled enough to impress the winning bidder that they give us something other than finger sandwiches. We got chicken and broccoli alfredo against UVM and steak tips against BC, which was dope. Other than that, nothing but cold cuts, chicken salad and tuna salad. It's still free, though, so I'm not gonna complain too much, especially when half the HE arenas don't give us anything.

P.S. We only bite off fingers if you try to take something off our plate.

 

[25 N Countin']

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

I hope they feel compelled enough to impress the winning bidder that they give us something other than finger sandwiches. We got chicken and broccoli alfredo against UVM and steak tips against BC, which was dope. Other than that, nothing but cold cuts, chicken salad and tuna salad. It's still free, though, so I'm not gonna complain too much, especially when half the HE arenas don't give us anything.

P.S. We only bite off fingers if you try to take something off our plate.

Oh man, Agganis definitely has WBA beat in that area. Other than Ed Carpenter's wife's coffee cake, we had press box donuts and insta-stale popcorn at games. Getting to go to the media room at the Fleet Center two-to-four times a year was like heaven compared to the usual.

Lowell's pizza was always nice too.

 

[skatin_terrier]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

Reading the fine print

"... must dress and act accordingly and in a professional and courteous manner while participating in this experience. ...if... the winning bidder is not acting in a professional and courteous manner, Boston University Athletics may end the Experience and no refund or additional services will be offered to the winning bidder whether or not the entire experience was completed. Winning bidder may be required to sign an indemnification waiver prior to participating."

Kinda wipes me right outta contention...

 

[Sect8RowESeat15]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

Hey All...Have an extra ticket for Friday night's game at bc...Section CC...$30. I live in Central CT so I would likely need to send it to you...Contact me at Anthony.V.DeVita@espn.com if interested.

 

[BU Hammer]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

Oh man, Agganis definitely has WBA beat in that area. Other than Ed Carpenter's wife's coffee cake, we had press box donuts and insta-stale popcorn at games. Getting to go to the media room at the Fleet Center two-to-four times a year was like heaven compared to the usual.

Lowell's pizza was always nice too.

I've yet to find a good slice of pizza at any HE arena, although I didn't try it at Lowell. Northeastern and Providence (and Agganis, FWIW) are all somewhere between "lousy" and "I'll just have a pack of Swedish Fish."

Not that I have a right to complain about the Agganis press food, but I think it's safe to say we all live for food at the TD Garden. It's actually the reason we got B's credentials this year

 

[Federal League]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

Interesting practice yesterday. Here's my practice recap/weekend preview.

I'd love to get an inside view on what the captains are doing differently in the second half of the season to motivate the team. They've been quoted as saying they felt that they needed to be better captains in the second half . . . how is that going?

Asked Shattenkirk about it yesterday. Because I don't foresee any of us using these quotes in an article anytime soon, I'll post his answers in full.

On what he personally has done differently since break:
"I kind of wanted to be a little more intense in practice and get on guys, and I’ve been focusing on that. I think I kind of took a major step back this weekend defensively, especially in the Merrimack game after watching film yesterday. I have to make sure I balance staying on everyone else as well as staying on myself."

On what he, Bonino and Gryba have done differently as a group:
"We’ve had some small team meetings. We’re trying to just keep everyone focused. I think we really should’ve gotten on everyone Saturday morning before the game just to make sure everyone was refocused. We should stay on top of that just to make sure that we don’t have any complacency creep in. Hopefully, we won’t have any more of those minor setbacks like against Merrimack."

 

[limey]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

First off, after reading the last couple pages and seeing all the debate over how many points they need this weekend and what the teams goals should be at this point...I guess I just see things differently. Coming into the season I would imagine both the team and the fans shared the same hopes. HE regular season champs, HE playoff champs, Beanpot, Final Four and beyond. Of these only one seems absolutely unattainable. I can't help but be optimistic about the rest, because that's what makes attending each game fun. Realizing how cliche this is going to sound, the teams only goal should be to beat BC Friday, which will give us all another day/week of hope that they can turn things around.

Based on the loss of personnel coming into this season, these were patently unrealistic hopes except for the Beanpot.

 

[candycanes99]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

Based on the loss of personnel coming into this season, these were patently unrealistic hopes except for the Beanpot.

Expectations can be unrealistic, but not hopes. I think we're all still hoping some of them can happen.

 

[slurpees]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

hahaha Gryba got a timeout.

 

[pirate]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

So, how many points do we need this weekend?

Here's hoping we can all argue amongst ourselves in the weeks to come about home ice etc. vs. watching the HE tourney from a distance.

I'm glad I am so busy this year...no time to notice the performance but did watch the DVR of the Providence game sometime last week...was able to ff through most of it...nothing much to see here, keep moving.

Trying to work out the travel schedule to happen to be in Beantown in early Feb...might just work out that I need to be up there on a Monday night. Funny how that goes some times.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

We need about 4 points every weekend from here on out.

Regardless we need to win the HE tourney.

 

[TommyNoblesIsLife]

Re: Boston University 2009-2010 Season Thread II: Still got a pulse, time for CPR

It seems that Gryba forgot to mention that he is also working on beating his teammates up more often. I mean, Victor Saponari? Really? I understand it fires players up, but I still feel fighting your own teammates can't be that good.