Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

[Scarlet]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

We have to root for BC tonight, right? If BC and BU win, BU finishes in 2nd. (Due to head-to-head tiebreaker vs. UNH.)

Why? To hope we finish second? Is there a benefit in that? Playing....is it Vermont over NU? Is that what happens if we finish second? Not being a wiseass here, I just want to know if I'm missing something. We have home ice. What is the benefit of rooting for BC? Not that I wouldn't (weeeelll, I wouldn't but for the purpose of this discussion, let's say I would if we got some benefit out of it- heh), but what purpose would it serve? Does BC beating UNH help BU in our chances to make the tournament? Is that it? Or are you saying we need to do that (hope we win and root for BC to do so) so BU finishes second? And if it's just to finish second, is it because you don't want us to play Northeastern? Is it because if we make it to the Garden you'd rather we play one team over another to help our chances to get a bid? I'm curious.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

Why? To hope we finish second? Is there a benefit in that? Playing....is it Vermont over NU? Is that what happens if we finish second? Not being a wiseass here, I just want to know if I'm missing something. We have home ice. What is the benefit of rooting for BC? Not that I wouldn't (weeeelll, I wouldn't but for the purpose of this discussion, let's say I would if we got some benefit out of it- heh), but what purpose would it serve? Does BC beating UNH help BU in our chances to make the tournament? Is that it? Or are you saying we need to do that (hope we win and root for BC to do so) so BU finishes second? And if it's just to finish second, is it because you don't want us to play Northeastern? Is it because if we make it to the Garden you'd rather we play one team over another to help our chances to get a bid? I'm curious.

1) uvm is a better alternative to either maine or nu.
2) that will set up a bc-1 & bu-2 seeding, which will allow us to avoid them until the he final.

 

[Federal League]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

1) uvm is a better alternative to either maine or nu.
2) that will set up a bc-1 & bu-2 seeding, which will allow us to avoid them until the he final.

BU avoids BC until the finals by finishing third, too. Two main reasons for wanting to finish second instead of third are: 1) UVM is, at least on paper, an easier first-round opponent than NU. 2) BU would get last change against UNH in a possible semifinals matchup.

 

[mpereira]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

Wowwwwwwwww...how can that be?

When is BU's spring break?

Next week so there is no excuse to not have a packed house tonight but obviously no signs that will actually happen.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

I was really hoping for a BU-Maine series to be honest with you Doesn't seem very likely at the moment, but that would have been fun...

 

[mpereira]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

When I said next week I mean it starts next friday. One more week of classes so everyone is on campus still

 

[mpereira]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

I was really hoping for a BU-Maine series to be honest with you Doesn't seem very likely at the moment, but that would have been fun...

Would have been fun if we could pick up those TUC wins...

 

[chickod]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

i asked this on the game thread, but i'll ask it here as well - did anybody get a good look at clendening's hit last night? i was at that end of the ice but wasn't looking in the corner when it happened

This is going to get me on a rant about officiating, but here I go anyway. First of all, let it be said right from the beginning objectively that NU got the worst of it last night, and that's what let to them losing thir cool last night. There were many borderline calls that were "let go" early on. I can think of one case with about five minutes to go where the BU defenseman just simply pulled down the NU guy right behind the BU net and there was no call. It was pretty blatant. But, that aside, the refs (some more than others, but Hansen in particular) seem to be more interested in "evening up" the game rather than just making the calls. Clendening's hit came right after Ruzier was thrown out, so they were looking for anything to even it up. It was almost more accidental, but according to the rule, it had to be called. The problem with any of these "hitting from behind" type calls (and this is a general comment, not meant to imply favoritism for any team) is that the players have gotten saavy. As soon as they see anyone coming towards them, they simply turn their back and it becomes an automatic call. So to be fair, the officials ARE in a bit of a dilemma. The comments last night were, "They let the game get out of control." But in the next breath, it's "What a horrible call!!!" The guy in front of me (we were in the 2nd row of the balcony right over the penalty box -Section 39) was so incensed and screaming at Hansen that I lierally thought he was going to try to jump out of the balcony and go after him. And this is after his guy (Ruzier) practically launched himself into the corner initiating the hit that ultimately got him ejected. So what are they supposed to do? Personally, I still say go back to "softer" equipment and less protection so that there is some vulnerability. If someone's vulnerable, they are less likely to head hunt.

To Scarlet: Please read my earlier post. Again, taking the anti-BC bias out of it (I don't like BC, either), who would you rather play in the semi-finals? BC or UNH? It's a no-brainer, isn't it? First of all, it delays playing BC and allows one more opportunity for someone (probably Merrimack) to upset them and knock them out. And seriously, you wouldn't rather play Vermont instead of Maine in the quarterfinals? Are you kidding? Vermont has won FIVE league games this year. I know we have tough games against them, but it's not even close. And do I want to play NU again after last night? Can you imagine potentially five games IN A ROW against them? It's ABSOLUTELY better for us to finish 2nd in the league, not only for next weekend but for the Garden as well!! And, as I said before, UNH may not even get there the way they are playing (and that would put us against the sixth seed because they will have knocked out #3 UNH, whoever that would be, but they won't have a good a record as UNH). In fact, we could potentially play NOBODY who was seeded higher than 4th if everything breaks right. Wouldn't you rather have a chance to avoid the top two seeds? I know I would! Again, this is all predicated on my OPINION that we are NOT going to get in via the PWR route, so we have to most likely WIN the HE tournament.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

BU avoids BC until the finals by finishing third, too. Two main reasons for wanting to finish second instead of third are: 1) UVM is, at least on paper, an easier first-round opponent than NU. 2) BU would get last change against UNH in a possible semifinals matchup.

yeah... but if bu wins and finishes 3rd, and uhn wins then bc is 2nd.

my hopes for tonight require a lot of "and's"

i need bucky to win tonight, AND du to win. this will send bucky to CO to play cc next weekend. after last nights collapse we need bucky to win three straight over cc to win that comparison. so i got that going for me

 

[chickod]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

And to WildShawn (because I saw that you are currently on), no disrespect intended towards UNH. Just being objective...nobody in their right mind would WANT to play BC (so don't take it that we WANT to play UNH). I actually like UNH, three of my family members went there and if I didn't go to BU I would probably root for them (and do when we're out of it).

 

[J.D.]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

Clendening's hit came right after Ruzier was thrown out, so they were looking for anything to even it up.

And this is after his guy (Ruzier) practically launched himself into the corner initiating the hit that ultimately got him ejected. So what are they supposed to do? Personally, I still say go back to "softer" equipment and less protection so that there is some vulnerability. If someone's vulnerable, they are less likely to head hunt.

Ruzier. A combination of Randy and Guzior. Simply stunning

 

[mpereira]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

To Scarlet: Please read my earlier post. Again, taking the anti-BC bias out of it (I don't like BC, either), who would you rather play in the semi-finals? BC or UNH? It's a no-brainer, isn't it? First of all, it delays playing BC and allows one more opportunity for someone (probably Merrimack) to upset them and knock them out. And seriously, you wouldn't rather play Vermont instead of Maine in the quarterfinals? Are you kidding? Vermont has won FIVE league games this year. I know we have tough games against them, but it's not even close. And do I want to play NU again after last night? Can you imagine potentially five games IN A ROW against them? It's ABSOLUTELY better for us to finish 2nd in the league, not only for next weekend but for the Garden as well!! And, as I said before, UNH may not even get there the way they are playing (and that would put us against the sixth seed because they will have knocked out #3 UNH, whoever that would be, but they won't have a good a record as UNH). In fact, we could potentially play NOBODY who was seeded higher than 4th if everything breaks right. Wouldn't you rather have a chance to avoid the top two seeds? I know I would! Again, this is all predicated on my OPINION that we are NOT going to get in via the PWR route, so we have to most likely WIN the HE tournament.

Northeastern is already locked in as the 6 seed. I dont love the idea of seeing them in the semis either. Maybe someone else can clarify this but don't they reseed before the semis anyway? Last year we were the 3 and played the 4 Maine and #2 BC played #8 UVM(who had just beat UNH). I think that is how it works so in this scenario #1 BC would play NU(again) at the garden and we would play the winner of 4 MC vs 5 Maine. I might be wrong but I think that is how it works. I agree UVM is a much better draw than NU for the quarters even thought that would mean increased chatter from jcarter for a week haha. If this team wins tonight and sweeps uvm or whoever in the quarters and then gets to the semis it is still a chance they could get in via the pwr

 

[Federal League]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

yeah... but if bu wins and finishes 3rd, and uhn wins then bc is 2nd.

Yeah, I wasn't thinking about that. BU could win and BC and UNH could tie, though, and then BU would be 3rd and BC 1st.

 

[slurpees]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

Would have been fun if we could pick up those TUC wins...

Yes, but Maine is currently on a very hot streak right now, so getting those wins would not at all be a guarantee. I'm not even sure who'd be favored. There is virtually no advantage PWR-wise to a QF series against NU over VM. The only way we get Maine is by rooting for us to lose or tie, not good. The biggest thing we need right now for the PWR is sheer wins. We can't control what others do, so the best thing we can do to improve our standing is get as many wins as possible. On paper, the best path to that is to hope for the #2 spot. Wins, wins, wins.

 

[chickod]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

Northeastern is already locked in as the 6 seed. I dont love the idea of seeing them in the semis either. Maybe someone else can clarify this but don't they reseed before the semis anyway? Last year we were the 3 and played the 4 Maine and #2 BC played #8 UVM(who had just beat UNH). I think that is how it works so in this scenario #1 BC would play NU(again) at the garden and we would play the winner of 4 MC vs 5 Maine. I might be wrong but I think that is how it works. I agree UVM is a much better draw than NU for the quarters even thought that would mean increased chatter from jcarter for a week haha. If this team wins tonight and sweeps uvm or whoever in the quarters and then gets to the semis it is still a chance they could get in via the pwr

But what everyone if forgetting is that if they "sweep ...in the quarters" and "get to" the semis, you're implying that they LOSE in the semis (otherwise you would have said "get to the finals"). That LOSS will undo any good the sweep did. Sorry, I don't have a crystal ball but, as I said before, given that there are always upsets in conference tournaments, you've got to be up around #12 to be assured of getting in "via PWR." I just don't see it happening. They need to win the tournament - that's why I laid out that scenario. Yes, they reseed, but what I'm saying is that if we are the 2 seed, we CAN'T play BC until the finals. If they get knocked out before then, we become the 1 seed and play the LOWEST remaining seed, which CAN'T be #4 (because they will have knocked out #1 BC). That means it would either be #3 UNH or whoever (potentially) beats them in the quarters, which would have to be a #6 seed. Yes, it would have to be NU to beat UNH (because they ARE locked into #6), so we would play them in the semis. But again, who would you rather play? NU or BC (if we finish fourth)? I just think the best CHANCE is for us to be second. There will always be "dangerous" scenarios, but we can't control that! And I don't really believe in the law of averages over a small sample size. YES, I know BC beat us in Worcester in 2006 after we beat them four times in a row, but do you want to bet that the law of averages will mean that we win the next one? Did you SEE them play last night. They are flying, as they always are at the end of the year and could have won that game 8-0. No thanks, maybe I'm like Pedro and want to call BC "my Daddy" but I don't want to see BC, ever.

 

[mpereira]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

Yes, but Maine is currently on a very hot streak right now, so getting those wins would not at all be a guarantee. I'm not even sure who'd be favored. There is virtually no advantage PWR-wise to a QF series against NU over VM. The only way we get Maine is by rooting for us to lose or tie, not good. The biggest thing we need right now for the PWR is sheer wins. We can't control what others do, so the best thing we can do to improve our standing is get as many wins as possible. On paper, the best path to that is to hope for the #2 spot. Wins, wins, wins.

I agree with this. All they can do is go out and win games right now. Hopefully they can win in an ideally packed house tonight but who knows the way the fans have been recently

 

[Scarlet]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

BU avoids BC until the finals by finishing third, too. Two main reasons for wanting to finish second instead of third are: 1) UVM is, at least on paper, an easier first-round opponent than NU. 2) BU would get last change against UNH in a possible semifinals matchup.

OK, that's more clear - thanks.

So here's a question - what loss or tie hurt with regards to NCAA chances? Did coughing up the lead to Vermont last week hurt? What about the Notre Dame tie in the Shil-whatever the name is Tourney? If we held on there, would it have helped us more?

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

OK, that's more clear - thanks.

So here's a question - what loss or tie hurt with regards to NCAA chances? Did coughing up the lead to Vermont last week hurt? What about the Notre Dame tie in the Shil-whatever the name is Tourney? If we held on there, would it have helped us more?

if they beat uvm friday night, they'd be winning the DC comparison. if they beat harvard in the 3rd place game they'd be winning the RPI comparison. if they beat rpi they'd be winning the CC comparison.

 

[slurpees]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

Not much to be accomplished from the what-if game. There are still opportunities in front of us.

 

[Scarlet]

Re: Boston University 2010-11 Part III - Is That So Much To Ask?

Not much to be accomplished from the what-if game. There are still opportunities in front of us.

I understand that. I just don't want to come here to read that they don't get into the tourney because Wisconsin lost to CC, or whatever. If they don't make it into the NCAAs, it's because of letting those wins slip away.