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

[Rover]

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

To sum up:

1) No excuse for the team to be this bad. Everybody loses players/coaches/equipment managers/puck bunnies after a championship. The team brought back enough talent, so I blame the coaches. As always, I'm not sure what they work on in practice, but apparently hitting the net isn't on the agenda.

2) Cohen did his one right thing in his hockey career by scoring that goal, so expect continued poor defensive play followed by people inexplicably defending him. Thanks for the goal Colby, now stop passing the puck to the guys in the other uniforms.

3) For the Frosh, I'd say Chiasson and Fidel have talent. The rest I haven't seen it yet.

 

[candycanes99]

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

To sum up:

1) No excuse for the team to be this bad. Everybody loses players/coaches/equipment managers/puck bunnies after a championship. The team brought back enough talent, so I blame the coaches. As always, I'm not sure what they work on in practice, but apparently hitting the net isn't on the agenda.

Sounds like the coaches have tried everything in the way of motivation. When the talent doesn't show up on the ice, it's ugly.

2) Cohen did his one right thing in his hockey career by scoring that goal, so expect continued poor defensive play followed by people inexplicably defending him. Thanks for the goal Colby, now stop passing the puck to the guys in the other uniforms.

I'm not defending the continued sucking by any means. He's a junior, he should have it together by now and should be able to pick up Shatty when he has a bad game and vice versa. That pair hasn't been the strength it should be.

3) For the Frosh, I'd say Chiasson and Fidel have talent. The rest I haven't seen it yet.

Lol, Fidel. Nice one. It wasn't until the second semester that the freshmen picked it up last year. Then again, that class is still finding it's way now.

 

[Scarlet]

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

It doesn't seem farfetched to me that Scoobey could be almost playing at a Strait-like level in two years.

We need to come up with another nickname. That one just won't work.

Now... Fidel Nicastro is awesome. Nice job Rover!

 

[bostonewe]

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

Just popping in with some thoughts on the weekend:

1) Someone needs to shackle Chiasson to the area around the goal (say 5' of chain) and force him the take shots from that radius. He missed no fewer than 10 opportunities from that range during the weekend.

2) I want to like Colby Cohen as a player, but he doesn't seem to have matured enough to really make the leap to being a great player. He does have a decent eye and a great shot, but he's a liability more often than an asset.

3) To Vermont's credit, I thought Madore had a great game on Friday - reminded me a bit of Lerg from 05-06.

4) Thoughts on whether or not having Ruikka miss another year is playing a role in not being able to sit defensemen when they need it? Nicastro was directly responsible for the second Vermont goal on Friday and Escobedo makes me cringe when he's on the ice (not just me, I conferred with some seatmates to be sure I wasn't over-reacting).

5) Finally thought Milan looked comfortable for the first part of the BC game (1st and most of the 2nd). Things seem to go to pot (not the bean one, either) in the third though...

 

[Rover]

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

Sounds like the coaches have tried everything in the way of motivation. When the talent doesn't show up on the ice, it's ugly.

I don't know...I was reading the Globe writeup and Parker's saying how he liked the effort. Was he watching the same 3rd period as the rest of us?

What bothers me the most is that they're poor on even the fundamentals. BC blocks a lot of shots so I understand about generating scoring chances. However, they're no excuse for consistantly missing the net, even when its wide open. If you can't do that, you shouldn't be playing hockey. Also, if the player is sitting on the opposing bench and not yours, don't pass him the puck when you're on the ice together; especially in your own zone. Then there's the vaunted power play. So I say again, I don't know what they're doing all day in practice. All of these things should have been worked out already.

 

[Federal League]

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

We need to come up with another nickname. That one just won't work.

Now... Fidel Nicastro is awesome. Nice job Rover!

Escobedo's nickname around the clubhouse is Scoobs. I think that's what Hammer meant to say. I like that, and don't think anyone should try and change it. I really like Fidel Nicastro. Well done, Rover.

 

[Federal League]

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

4) Thoughts on whether or not having Ruikka miss another year is playing a role in not being able to sit defensemen when they need it? Nicastro was directly responsible for the second Vermont goal on Friday and Escobedo makes me cringe when he's on the ice (not just me, I conferred with some seatmates to be sure I wasn't over-reacting).

I mean, they have Rosen, who has more than held his own in the few games he's played as far as I'm concerned. If Parker wanted to sit one of the d-men, he certainly has a capable replacement. I think this situation is very similar to the "Why isn't Kraus part of the rotation?" situation. In my opinion (Parker hasn't actually said this), I think Parker simply thinks Escobedo and Nicastro are more talented than Rosen, much like I think he thinks Millan and Rollie are simply more talented than Kraus.

 

[kennedy]

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

I like that, and don't think anyone should try and change it.

Well, then. That's settled.

 

[ItsBUsBeanpot]

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

be careful, don't forget we won last year in spite of millan.

I will assume this is a joke, as we would not have been anywhere near the title game if it weren't for Millan.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

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

I love it when you fanboys give us the pet names of the players. It makes the season go by faster and is a lot more entertaining. What did 'shatty' and 'scoobs' have for lunch today?

 

[Scarlet]

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

I will assume this is a joke, as we would not have been anywhere near the title game if it weren't for Millan.

Ah, you haven't had the pleasure of the internet posting stylings of Hokydad!!It's his belief that the Merrimack goalie is leaps and bounds ahead of Kieran Millan and the Millan is an average goalie at best and not the reason BU won a title last year. It was a fantastic conversation. You should feel sorry you weren't able to partake. I'm sure the next time we play Merrimack it will all be replayed, so don't forget to read those threads when that happens. You can also check him out in the Providence season thread. He's taking a few longtime fans to task for having the gall to criticize Tim Army.

 

[Federal League]

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

Well, then. That's settled.

My sarcasm detector is starting to beep.

I love it when you fanboys give us the pet names of the players. It makes the season go by faster and is a lot more entertaining. What did 'shatty' and 'scoobs' have for lunch today?

I think I was just called a fanboy for the first time since my well-documented name change. Good to see. My last 4 positive reps were all from BC fans. I was starting to get worried.

BTW, I actually could tell you what Gryba had for lunch today, but only because I passed him during one of his 5 trips up for more food. That dude can eat. I typically leave player stalking to others.

 

[ActionJoe]

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

You are completely right about Gryba, but the difference with Colby is that he is already in his junior year and you are comparing our thinking to the way we thought about a freshman.

Then I didn't make it very clear then. Gryba was about as god awful as Colby up to his junior year. Gryba did the same stupid things his freshmen, sophomore, and part of junior year that Colby has done. I really hope to see some improvement in Colby's skill after the winter break but that is asking for a lot. More generally, I hope the entire team takes a good long look at themselves over break and figure out they need to pick it up and not slouch around, no matter how hard they think they are playing in practice and in games.

 

[Agganis]

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

We need to come up with another nickname. That one just won't work.

Escobedo's nickname around the clubhouse is Scoobs.

Yeah, the nickname started with the team and is based off his last name. Escobedo -> Scobe-Do -> Scooby Doo -> Further nicknames off of Scooby Doo.

Hey, it's better than "Dizzy"

 

[BCHF]

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

It is really none of my business but I saw a ton of talent from the BU bench on Saturday evening. More "real" hockey talent then I have seen on any other team BC has played this year to date and I have seen every game. By far UMASS works the hardest with the talent they possess which pales big time with the players BU can put out on the ice...

I know many of these players having watched many of them for years and cannot understand the lack of offensive output they currently are struggling through. I felt strongly that the game Saturday night would be hard fought and could have gone either way. Fair to say it was very quite until Sneep's goal for the BC fans late into the second. It is BU's lack of response to that goal that confounds me.

They will be fine if they finish more opportunities going forward! 0 PP goals by BC and fewer shots against! I personally am really looking forward to Fenway Park contest and hope BU rights the ship before it is two late for 2009/2010.

 

[Rover]

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

It is really none of my business but I saw a ton of talent from the BU bench on Saturday evening. More "real" hockey talent then I have seen on any other team BC has played this year to date and I have seen every game. By far UMASS works the hardest with the talent they possess which pales big time with the players BU can put out on the ice...

I know many of these players having watched many of them for years and cannot understand the lack of offensive output they currently are struggling through. I felt strongly that the game Saturday night would be hard fought and could have gone either way. Fair to say it was very quite until Sneep's goal for the BC fans late into the second. It is BU's lack of response to that goal that confounds me.

They will be fine if they finish more opportunities going forward! 0 PP goals by BC and fewer shots against! I personally am really looking forward to Fenway Park contest and hope BU rights the ship before it is two late for 2009/2010.

That's what frustrates us too. This team doesn't have last place level talent. It always seemed to me that, last year being the exception, BU players never seem to give max effort out there, either all game or all year. Maybe its the kind of players they recruit, maybe the relationship between players and coaches, team captains, etc but I rarely get the sense that players would go through a brick wall for the team the way York and Walshy's teams always would for example. There's been a consistant problem of the team losing to less talented squads mostly due to coming out flat in big games and not matching their opponents' intensity.

 

[BCeagle]

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

That's what frustrates us too. This team doesn't have last place level talent. It always seemed to me that, last year being the exception, BU players never seem to give max effort out there, either all game or all year. Maybe its the kind of players they recruit, maybe the relationship between players and coaches, team captains, etc but I rarely get the sense that players would go through a brick wall for the team the way York and Walshy's teams always would for example. There's been a consistant problem of the team losing to less talented squads mostly due to coming out flat in big games and not matching their opponents' intensity.

Yes but you lost a lot of finishers who scored 75 to 80% of BU's goals last year. Of the goal scorers, Bonino is the only one that returns. You also miss a playmaker like Wilson.

 

[BUTerrierfan]

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

I mean, they have Rosen, who has more than held his own in the few games he's played as far as I'm concerned. If Parker wanted to sit one of the d-men, he certainly has a capable replacement. I think this situation is very similar to the "Why isn't Kraus part of the rotation?" situation. In my opinion (Parker hasn't actually said this), I think Parker simply thinks Escobedo and Nicastro are more talented than Rosen, much like I think he thinks Millan and Rollie are simply more talented than Kraus.

I would agree that on defense Rosen appears more than capable. He is an touted as an offensive d man supposedly in the mold of Warso and Shatty. Based upon how things are going, maybe a message to the other d is in order by a benching or two. Also if given the time, he could excel as well. How can it be much worse than it is now? I think it is a bit different with three goalies though as you have your starter, backup (or alternate starter) and your third goalie who hopes to play a handful of games. With only 7 active d now, the well is drying up, so a shakeup may be in order. For that matter, perhaps start Kraus against RPI?

 

[slurpees]

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

For that matter, perhaps start Kraus against RPI?

No. This game is actually quite important if the team somehow puts together a second half run. This would put us at 2-0-1 vs. the ECAC thus greatly helping out coop against all of them since our rpi will likely be sagging behind. It also is important for us to get a W going into the break to keep morale up and have something to build on.

I love it when you fanboys give us the pet names of the players. It makes the season go by faster and is a lot more entertaining. What did 'shatty' and 'scoobs' have for lunch today?

Off by a few threads, the Northeastern thread and their plethora of links to Thiessen's blog are a few screens down.

 

[defkit]

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

Am I the only one that is already looking ahead to next years group of freshmen forwards? I'm pretty confident that Nieto, Gill, Coyle, and Cisse could all beat out some of this years players.

When losing so much talent, the team needs other players to step up. From what I've seen, here is how I would rate the key players:

Bonino: N/A - can't judge given injury time
Warsofsky - has improved
Shattenkirk - slight regression
Colby - regressed
Connolly - steady, slight improvement
Vinny - slight regression
Trivino - slight improvement

I was really hoping that either Gilroy or Glass would have shown they belonged by elevating their game to become legit threats. But it just hasn't happened.

We have only one true threat at forward (Bonino), and it is too easy for an opponent to shut him down since he has a weak supporting cast.

The only way I see this team turning it around is if the goaltending improves enough to grind out some 3-2 wins. I wish I could feel better about our chances, but offensive talent doesn't just wake up halfway through a season.

Prove me wrong Terriers!