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

[dmjossel]

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

I agree. And frankly, I don't think it's debatable.

That's funny, because from 1989-1998 I'd have said the exact opposite with regards to BC and BU, and I think others might have agreed with me.

BC always had highly touted players with incredible individual skills. BU had them, too, but they played like a team, and it always seemed to us like it was being done with smoke and mirrors. Players would graduate and new ones would come in and the machine kept grinding-- it was like everyone was a replaceable part in a perfect system.

In those years I'd have said BU could take almost any kid and make a good player out of him, and BC was just getting good players and playing them.

That's all personal and subjective, of course, but I did watch the league quite closely during those years, and that was the impression I always had of the two programs. Perhaps today it is different.

 

[mookie1995]

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

The '99 class was Larocque, O'Connell, King, Travis Roy, Ronan, and Brendan Walsh. The 3 that remained with the team were very good, but when you lose half a senior class it is hardly surprising that a team that plays sub-optimally.

mmmm. bunny was very good. albie and ronan were alright.

let's not go overboard buttering our muffins here.

the other players on that team just didn't step up and 'develop'. quebec, hanson, heron.
plus poti left early, and drury and sylvia graduated. that threesome right there had the talent to cover a lot of holes that ended up being exposed once they left.

 

[J.D.]

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

That's funny, because from 1989-1998 I'd have said the exact opposite with regards to BC and BU, and I think others might have agreed with me.

BC always had highly touted players with incredible individual skills. BU had them, too, but they played like a team, and it always seemed to us like it was being done with smoke and mirrors. Players would graduate and new ones would come in and the machine kept grinding-- it was like everyone was a replaceable part in a perfect system.

In those years I'd have said BU could take almost any kid and make a good player out of him, and BC was just getting good players and playing them.

That's all personal and subjective, of course, but I did watch the league quite closely during those years, and that was the impression I always had of the two programs. Perhaps today it is different.

The earliest I can remember BC hockey is under York, I believe the '94-'95 season where BC lost the HE play-in game against UMass. But what you're saying sounds like it's in line with my point of view and has always made me wonder what history would look like if York was at BC as long as Parker has been at BU.

 

[limey]

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

mmmm. bunny was very good. albie and ronan were alright.

let's not go overboard buttering our muffins here.

the other players on that team just didn't step up and 'develop'. quebec, hanson, heron.
plus poti left early, and drury and sylvia graduated. that threesome right there had the talent to cover a lot of holes that ended up being exposed once they left.

I wasn't using them as an example of players who developed well. I was simply pointing out that the dropoff after 1997 can largely be atrributed to holes left by King, Walsh and Roy. We will never know how good Travis would have been, but King and Walsh played at a very high level.

Albie was decent. Ronan was quite good as a defensive defenseman with a superb hipcheck. I still believe Larocque was the best goalie I have ever seen at BU and it isn't that close.

 

[J.D.]

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

the other players on that team just didn't step up and 'develop'. quebec, hanson, heron.

I don't remember Heron being a great player, but I just looked him up and unless I'm seeing an error, I see that he scored 36 goals over his last two years.

Anyway, I miss those good ole days when I could catch BC-BU on channel 68 with Doug Brown on the call...

Jim Prior must have loved calling out Greg Kweebeck

 

[mookie1995]

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

I'm not talking about individual progression. More about the team's success. What has been the problem?

1) they play bc four to six times a year. being #2 to that strong #1 exposes a lot of issues. unfortunate, but a fact.
2) bu's guys will tend to leave early if they are ready, while bc's are staying. haynes could/should have left. krieder-maybe. but probably not yet as he was a young freshman. cam, not sure. anyhows, they stayed. bu should have wilson, colby, bonino, and shattenkirk as seniors this year. strait as a senior last year.
3) mistakes on recruiting. bu has had more of their share than bc. with the small number of scholarships to give out, your mistakes are magnified.
4) das boot. they should have had a big time senior goalie last year (bennett). they should have had a big gun on wing this year (saponari). when these two were brought in, much was expected. add this to the early departures and there is no margin for error.

 

[ActionJoe]

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

I'm not talking about individual progression. More about the team's success. What has been the problem?

That's a great question. Parker has been great with individual progression once players leave college. FL basically spelled it out with all the players he listed.

As for team success. I think leadership has been a big problem. From both Parker and captains. Parker definitely focuses a lot on developing skills for players to succeed beyond college hockey. Maybe he is doing that a bit too much and not focusing on developing his players to be leaders and team players. The past six years with the exception of Gilroy and MacArthur, I have never heard too much about the captains having huge positive influences. I'm not sure how the captains were for 2004 and before.

My feeling is when I think of the Terriers, I see them more as goofy kids who have talent but seem to goof off and not get things done. When I think about the Eagles, they are scary efficient, determined, and just appear so far ahead maturity wise. I can't come up with specific reasons, it's just a feeling. Either way, the Terriers seem stuck in this funk of not putting everything into their game thinking their individual talent will take them where they need to go. Maybe pulling in such great and highly ranked players isn't always the best if that's the reason. Having a team full of studs who can't work together just leads to break downs and goofing off.

I have no idea if any of this is close to true but just throwing it out there seeing maybe if others agree or can expand.

 

[J.D.]

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

1) they play bc four to six times a year. being #2 to that strong #1 exposes a lot of issues. unfortunate, but a fact.
2) bu's guys will tend to leave early if they are ready, while bc's are staying. haynes could/should have left. krieder-maybe. but probably not yet as he was a young freshman. cam, not sure. anyhows, they stayed. bu should have wilson, colby, bonino, and shattenkirk as seniors this year. strait as a senior last year.
3) mistakes on recruiting. bu has had more of their share than bc. with the small number of scholarships to give out, your mistakes are magnified.
4) das boot. they should have had a big time senior goalie last year (bennett). they should have had a big gun on wing this year (saponari). when these two were brought in, much was expected. add this to the early departures and there is no margin for error.

1. Having to play BC shouldn't preclude BU from having success on the national level, should it? I mean they've only met once in the NCAAs during this stretch.

2. Good point. Parker has recruited some high profile guys who it seems have indeed left earlier than BC guys. Why is that? Depends on the individual I guess. Do you like that recruiting philosophy? Or do you want guys that will stick around longer?

 

[BigRedTerrier]

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

That's a great question. Parker has been great with individual progression once players leave college. FL basically spelled it out with all the players he listed.

My feeling is when I think of the Terriers, I see them more as goofy kids who have talent but seem to goof off and not get things done. When I think about the Eagles, they are scary efficient, determined, and just appear so far ahead maturity wise. I can't come up with specific reasons, it's just a feeling. Either way, the Terriers seem stuck in this funk of not putting everything into their game thinking their individual talent will take them where they need to go.

I agree with this completely

 

[mookie1995]

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

1. Having to play BC shouldn't preclude BU from having success on the national level, should it? I mean they've only met once in the NCAAs during this stretch.

2. Good point. Parker has recruited some high profile guys who it seems have indeed left earlier than BC guys. Why is that? Depends on the individual I guess. Do you like that recruiting philosophy? Or do you want guys that will stick around longer?

-maybe it plays on the teams mental aspect. after losing to bc again last monday they couldn't get going. i dunno?? and while not having bc's success nationally, they have had success. this year they travelled and beat bucky and notre dame. won more nc than michigan this decade. it's just a degree of success. bc fans should know that more than anyone (1949 -to- 2001). heck, bu has always been able to let a team elevate themselves come ncaa tournament time. at ford field with the banners i was pointing out to my kid how only a couple teams have won a single title, and they had bu to thank for it . jerry's first title in 84, then northern in 91. sad.... but that's what can happen when you are in the position.

-i want guys that will win to come in every year to replace those who want to leave (that's not asking too much, is it? )

 

[slurpees]

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

2. Good point. Parker has recruited some high profile guys who it seems have indeed left earlier than BC guys. Why is that? Depends on the individual I guess. Do you like that recruiting philosophy? Or do you want guys that will stick around longer?

A factor here could be Boyle. He can turn a kid from a high schooler to an NHL body in two or three years, so when they're leaving, they've got the body size and mass to compete at the pro level. No one leaves BU early who isn't physically ready. With Boyle here, you'd have to be a fool to do that.

 

[J.D.]

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

-maybe it plays on the teams mental aspect. after losing to bc again last monday they couldn't get going. i dunno?? and while not having bc's success nationally, they have had success. this year they travelled and beat bucky and notre dame. won more nc than michigan this decade. it's just a degree of success. bc fans should know that more than anyone (1949 -to- 2001). heck, bu has always been able to let a team elevate themselves come ncaa tournament time. at ford field with the banners i was pointing out to my kid how only a couple teams have won a single title, and they had bu to thank for it . jerry's first title in 84, then northern in 91. sad.... but that's what can happen when you are in the position.

I can see a short-term Beanpot hangover, but I'm just talking in general--BU's lack of success in the national tournament compared to what they were used to in the '90s, etc. I just don't see where having to play BC prior to that hurts. If anything, you'd think playing against great teams would help prepare you for games like that.

 

[mpereira]

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

That's a great question. Parker has been great with individual progression once players leave college. FL basically spelled it out with all the players he listed.

My feeling is when I think of the Terriers, I see them more as goofy kids who have talent but seem to goof off and not get things done. When I think about the Eagles, they are scary efficient, determined, and just appear so far ahead maturity wise. I can't come up with specific reasons, it's just a feeling. Either way, the Terriers seem stuck in this funk of not putting everything into their game thinking their individual talent will take them where they need to go. Maybe pulling in such great and highly ranked players isn't always the best if that's the reason. Having a team full of studs who can't work together just leads to break downs and goofing off.

I have no idea if any of this is close to true but just throwing it out there seeing maybe if others agree or can expand.

I don't know what you expect Parker to do when he recruits? Don't draft guys with NHL potential? It is not just BU where the kids goof around. You are naive if you think that. We all forget about a few BC kids drinking in a car that crashed into the green line last spring so quickly. I think that is worse than anything any BU player has done recently.

 

[mookie1995]

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

I can see a short-term Beanpot hangover, but I'm just talking in general--BU's lack of success in the national tournament compared to what they were used to in the '90s, etc. I just don't see where having to play BC prior to that hurts. If anything, you'd think playing against great teams would help prepare you for games like that.

-bu's teams in the 90s were like college all star teams. with the number of nhl lifers that rotated through the roster bu should have won 8 titles. that continuous, year after year success in the national tournament is unknown. --oh, except of course that bc is experiencing it now.

-bu playing bc 4 times this year hurts at the bottom line! take away those losses and bu is 14-5-7 and a 2 seed. 14-9-7 has them out. makes it tough to compete on that national stage when youre at t's pub. (unless it's national karaoke stage)

 

[J.D.]

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

I don't know what you expect Parker to do when he recruits? Don't draft guys with NHL potential? It is not just BU where the kids goof around. You are naive if you think that. We all forget about a few BC kids drinking in a car that crashed into the green line last spring so quickly. I think that is worse than anything any BU player has done recently.

Have no idea what to make of your user name, so I'm going to avoid that...anyway, very simple question for you. What's the problem with BU? As for the t incident, you might want to check your facts on who crashed into who...I'm pretty sure the T admitted the driver was going way too fast. Plus, the driver of the BC vehicle was not drinking/drunk.

-bu playing bc 4 times this year hurts at the bottom line! take away those losses and bu is 14-5-7 and a 2 seed. 14-9-7 has them out. makes it tough to compete on that national stage when youre at t's pub. (unless it's national karaoke stage)

Well, yes, BC is 4-0 against BU this year, but it's been pretty even most years, no?

 

[DaveStPaul]

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

I'd like 4 points against Proviced this weekend. Is that too much to ask?

 

[Redd10]

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

I'd like 4 points against Proviced this weekend. Is that too much to ask?

it'd depress me if i answered that question truthfully. that being said, I sure hope we can pull 4 points against PC, although they did play us pretty tough early in the year

 

[slurpees]

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

I don't know what you expect Parker to do when he recruits? Don't draft guys with NHL potential? It is not just BU where the kids goof around. You are naive if you think that. We all forget about a few BC kids drinking in a car that crashed into the green line last spring so quickly. I think that is worse than anything any BU player has done recently.

The car crash isn't the best example, the facts that came out when it first happened were not facts. What the players did wrong was drink heavily then pile too many people into a car. The driver was sober, the crash was caused by the T driver. Then they ran away after. Not angels, but not criminals.

 

[mpereira]

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

Have no idea what to make of your user name, so I'm going to avoid that...anyway, very simple question for you. What's the problem with BU? As for the t incident, you might want to check your facts on who crashed into who...I'm pretty sure the T admitted the driver was going way too fast. Plus, the driver of the BC vehicle was not drinking/drunk.

The driver wasn't a player...the players(Milner and Co) fled the scene and there was numerous empty bottles/cans in the car. All I am saying is they were dumb to even be in a car while they drank because that is an easy way to get caught drinking underage. The fact that they hit the T may have been the T's fault but they shouldn't have been in that situation. Drink at parties or in your own room like every other college kid.

And I guess you are not an Oregon Ducks/Might Ducks fan or listen to Cedric Maxwell do Celtics radio games haha

As for BU...the kids aren't exactly staying in on weekends but this year and last year just seems like a lack of quality leadership. Last year's team was full of upperclassmen who didn't want to work to win coming off a title and this year we have few upperclassmen as the whole senior class is in the ahl/nhl.

 

[J.D.]

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

The driver wasn't a player...the players(Milner and Co) fled the scene and there was numerous empty bottles/cans in the car. All I am saying is they were dumb to even be in a car while they drank because that is an easy way to get caught drinking underage. The fact that they hit the T may have been the T's fault but they shouldn't have been in that situation. Drink at parties or in your own room like every other college kid.

I know the story. I don't know where they were coming from/going to, but I have a hard time picturing them simply driving around aimlessly slugging beers. I have to believe they were coming from a party/going to one.

As for BU...the kids aren't exactly staying in on weekends but this year and last year just seems like a lack of quality leadership. Last year's team was full of upperclassmen who didn't want to work to win coming off a title and this year we have few upperclassmen as the whole senior class is in the ahl/nhl.

Quite an indictment on guys like Pereira, Connolly and Warsofsky as I thought people on here were saying they are good leaders. BTW, I'm not even talking about this year specifically. BTW, I'm not even talking about this year specifically, just in general.

Anyway, no guarantee on early departures this off-season, but I would fully expect BU to be back in the tourney next year. If not, then I'd really be worried.