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Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

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Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

BU consistently outworked Harvard on the boards, but was having noticeable difficulty in transition the whole night. I don't think the Terriers were prepared for Harvard's aggressive play in the neutral zone as they had considerable difficulty gaining the offensive zone and turned the puck over too many times in transition. On the other side of things, at least one, maybe two of Harvard's goals came in transition play (I don't remember if it was one or two). That was the difference through two periods. Kieran wasn't his sharpest in the first period, though the defense kind of hung him out to dry on more than one occasion. As another poster commented, Harvard could have scored more goals if not for some nice saves.

Looking at the USCHO poll this morning it's apparent that the 5 teams ahead of us all lost at least once this weekend. Think BU will start getting thrown some first place votes in the next poll? And what effect will that have on our guys? I don't want a high ranking to go to this team's head so they think they can start sleep walking through games again.
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

KnightsOfTheRound said:
Looking at the USCHO poll this morning it's apparent that the 5 teams ahead of us all lost at least once this weekend. Think BU will start getting thrown some first place votes in the next poll? And what effect will that have on our guys? I don't want a high ranking to go to this team's head so they think they can start sleep walking through games again.
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Agreed, though it's interesting that the pairwise numbers thinks more highly of the team than some fans do. (Granted that record is mostly prior to the departure of Trivino and Coyle.) That said, it's a kick to watch Courtnall and now Santana play balz out hockey. Likewise to see Clendening emerge.

Harvard had BU back on its heels the first and much of the second period. The defense was backing way in and Escobedo got undressed misreading a play. I hope such things can get fixed. I just wish somebody else in addition to #5 could step up big time, but if I had choose, I'd rather root for heart than mere talent.
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

Interesting you mention Courtnall and Santana. I'd like to think the effort coming from these two is representative of what this team's mindset is becoming. Simple work your butt off hockey. Not at all difficult to root for these guys the way they seem to be willing to respond to what's taken place around the team in the recent past
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

steakbomb said:
Interesting you mention Courtnall and Santana. I'd like to think the effort coming from these two is representative of what this team's mindset is becoming. Simple work your butt off hockey. Not at all difficult to root for these guys the way they seem to be willing to respond to what's taken place around the team in the recent past
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Agree with what I've seen so far... Hope that work your butt off attitude mindset is infectious.
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

ericredaxe said:
I would think so. He cheers for them to lose because he wants Parker gone.
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I actually am happy despite the Parker thing because they are showing that the dog Coyle isnt needed and that players like Megan, Courtnall and Noonan are so much more valuable to a winning program then the overrated bust was. So in short Coyle's departure has given me a new rallying cry.
 
Jofa said:
I actually am happy despite the Parker thing because they are showing that the dog Coyle isnt needed and that players like Megan, Courtnall and Noonan are so much more valuable to a winning program then the overrated bust was. So in short Coyle's departure has given me a new rallying cry.
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Regardless of the reason for the departures, we've all seen teams 'wake up' or improve their focus after injury or some other event that removes players from the fold.

In the event the departures may remove people that weren't fully committed, I've seen organizations improve performance under the old "addition by subtraction" rule.

Could be the captains, the coach etc but the departures of those players was an opportunity for some leader in that organization to convince the rest of them it was a "good" thing.
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

Parker isn't going to leave until he wants to leave. So there is no reason to root against the team to succeed, despite the fact that you want Parker to retire.

I've always liked to watch Courtnall play, he tries his heart out on the ice. Connolly is one of the most likeable guys I've met and how he conducts himself on and off the ice is nice to see. This team lost some talent but they do have some high character guys remaining. I can't say I expect much from the season, but I will hope for the best.

I'm a Terrier fan, even 3000 miles away. I'll be listening on Friday and Saturday Night, beat the Friars!
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

goalguard said:
I just wish somebody else in addition to #5 could step up big time, but if I had choose, I'd rather root for heart than mere talent.
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I agree that Clendening has been stepping up recently, but when it comes to D you can't discredit Noonan. Clendening can go through some super low periods, and sometimes he creates more turnovers than opportunities. But as for Noonan - in his two years he's the only dman I've seen steadily improve. And if we're going for heart, I'm fairly positive he has more heart than most of the D put together. Just fun to watch him play.
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

I posted this in the alumni thread but wanted to share here as well. Great article on one of the greats to play for the Terriers - Mike Grier.

Soooo, Providence this weekend. I am so happy that the Saturday game is in Providence and not Friday's game. Maybe the team will get there in plenty of time and not delay the drop of the puck because they were stuck in traffic. Honestly, it's one of the easiest rinks to get to but Friday nights are the worst time to do that.
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

KnightsOfTheRound said:
Looking at the USCHO poll this morning it's apparent that the 5 teams ahead of us all lost at least once this weekend. Think BU will start getting thrown some first place votes in the next poll? And what effect will that have on our guys? I don't want a high ranking to go to this team's head so they think they can start sleep walking through games again.
Click to expand...

Second in the country. Huh. Totally agree with your last sentence. While it's really good to see, I wonder what effect, if any, this will have. These two games against Providence this weekend are important. The loss back in October was not pretty. I don't want to see that happen again.
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

Scarlet said:
Second in the country. Huh.
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The video board at Matthews Arena was correct!! :D

BU has jumped up 8 spots in 2 weeks. I would still rather been between 5-9, but that's this year in college hockey. Very few (any?) elite teams this year. #2 is not that far from #10.
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

Scarlet said:
Second in the country. Huh. Totally agree with your last sentence. While it's really good to see, I wonder what effect, if any, this will have. These two games against Providence this weekend are important. The loss back in October was not pretty. I don't want to see that happen again.
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Yeah, as nice as it is to be appreciated, this is one of those cases, especially with all the intersession drama, where I almost wish there was more space between us and the top spot. Always better to have a chip on your shoulder and something to prove than to get complacent. THat being said, the team did a great job grinding out two tough wins this last weekend, so hopefully I'm just not giving them enough credit and they can keep it up against a good Providence team this weekend. Echoing earlier comments, there's so much parity this year that the season can really go anywhere from here.
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

Avis!

Some teams take well to confidence. Let's see what these boys do with it.
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

This weekend was interesting on a couple of points. I half expected being down two goals with Millan upset with himself to see these games turn into the sort of embarrassment we saw with Holy Cross or Lowell in the first half. But they dug in and ground out some wins instead. I think the intersession shakeup may have gave them a sense of needing to step up and work. At least I hope so. We'll find out more as the season goes on.
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

KnightsOfTheRound said:
Yeah, as nice as it is to be appreciated, this is one of those cases, especially with all the intersession drama, where I almost wish there was more space between us and the top spot. Always better to have a chip on your shoulder and something to prove than to get complacent. THat being said, the team did a great job grinding out two tough wins this last weekend, so hopefully I'm just not giving them enough credit and they can keep it up against a good Providence team this weekend. Echoing earlier comments, there's so much parity this year that the season can really go anywhere from here.
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I wouldn't exactly call this a "good Providence team." They are a mediocre team that Nate Leaman has playing with more purpose and discipline.
Their most impressive win of the season is still over a BU team that took them lightly and got what they deserved. Nothing but grief.

If BU plays hard and is not unlucky, then the Friars should fall. If BU takes them lightly, they'll get nothing, again.
 
Re: Boston University 2011-2012 Season Thread: Part III: Now What?

Harry Cleverly said:
I wouldn't exactly call this a "good Providence team." They are a mediocre team that Nate Leaman has playing with more purpose and discipline.
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I was giving them a little bit of the benefit of the doubt, but I'll stand by my comment as they are above .500 in Hockey East play and won the only previous matchup between these teams this season. Whether you think they are a good team or not, we agree in your final point that BU cannot take them lightly.
 
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