Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

[Euler18]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

Nice game from Brown last night. As a BU fan I was less than happy with Harry Z's hit but chippy-ness aside, I was impressed

Thanks for the kind words.

BU is a contender for the national title. Brown isn't there yet, but we're moving in the right direction. The Bears are skilled and well-coached. They play an interesting brand of hockey, relying on speedy forwards, mobile defensemen, and a simple but effective 1-3-1 backchecking system, which is fun to watch. The skill level will continue to improve as the new recruiting classes join the program in 2011 and 2012.

 

[DarthBruno]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

Wouldn't you agree that good coaching has a lot to do with it?

Yes. I believe it has nearly everything to do with it. I am one happy Brown fan!

 

[DarthBruno]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

Some comments by a BU player and coach on the Boston hockey blog: http://thebostonhockeyblog.blogspot.com/

Jack Parker: "We’ve seen [Brown] play. They’re a very good hockey team. I tried to explain to my team that they’re the Merrimack of the ECAC. They’ve been a cellar-dweller for a long time, now all of a sudden they’re a real good team. They’re playing very hard, and they’ve got enough talent to beat you but usually they beat you by outworking you and they certainly tried to outwork us tonight."

David Warsofsky (defenseman): "To tie a team like that, on paper they might not be the best team, but they work real hard and if they keep it up, they’ll go somewhere in this league. … They were real physical. They finish their hits everywhere. They didn’t let up. They played smart although they took some penalties. Other than that, they’re a pretty smart team. They played their systems well. I think it was a game of who was going to outwork the other one."
"Hopefully we’ll have a couple of responses for some of those cheap hits they had tonight."

 

[Waterboy66]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

Lot's of good discussion about the games over the last week. Watched a few, and they were great hockey to watch. While these teams Brown play give Bruno credit for working hard I think they are also missing the point that Brown also has great coaching and some serious skills. While the effort has been good, so has the coaching and the skill level.

A year ago after 8 games this team was 0-7-1 and had just lost to Bentley. Now they are disappointed not having won games at both UNH and BU. What a difference a year makes.

Congrats to coach Whittet, his staff, and the team.

 

[Mike Hutter]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

Final thought on the BU game: Credit the Bears' mental frame of mind. Jack Millea brutalized them with a marginal call on Farnham to give BU a 5x3, and the Carrier penalty was a mystery. Clemente was checked into the goal with a puck covered to account for BU's second goal - and after Harry Z's ejection (the easiest call they had to make), the team kept its composure and stayed focused on the task at hand. Just an observation, but impressive to this fan.

Great observation - keeping their composure will be a key to a sweep this weekend. You can expect U to have its usual chipiness against Brown and RPI, even with some key personnel losses, won't forget Brown's physical play in the playoffs. If Brown keeps its head in the game, Brown should win as it certainly has the palyers and coaching to do it.

 

[Brunofan]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

It's not just that the Bears got six of a possible eight points, but HOW they did it: playing a creative, up-tempo, no-excuse, in-your-face brand of hockey in four of the toughest rinks in the east. These kids believe that they can play with anyone.

Wouldn't you agree that good coaching has a lot to do with it?

For sure. Did you get the impression from my joy of taking 6 of 8 points from tough opponents as a slight on the coach?

 

[mwade]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

Forcing myself to "spam" everyone today (well the threads of teams I've shot this season at least).

Having a Cyber Monday sale on http://HockeyPhotography.com - 10% off prints with coupon code 2010-10 (enter on checkout page) or 15% off orders of $150 or more with coupon code 2010-15.

Brown galleries can be found here - http://hockeyphotography.photoshelt...lege-Hockey-Brown-University/P000055XEBvV_jxU - or enter your favorite player's name in the search box here - http://hockeyphotography.photoshelter.com/search-page

Prints make great holiday gifts for yourself or someone else.

Thanks,
-Melissa

 

[Euler18]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

Forcing myself to "spam" everyone today (well the threads of teams I've shot this season at least).

Having a Cyber Monday sale on [etc]
Thanks,
-Melissa

When did spam become allowed in the Fan Forum?

 

[Mike Hutter]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

This weekend has #2 (Yale), #13 (Union), #16 (RPI), and #22 (Brown)ranked teams coming to Meehan. When was the last time Meehan had 4 ranked teams for a weekend series? 1965 NCAA Frozen Four? If this game is not a sell-out or close to it, when will that happen?

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

This weekend has #2 (Yale), #13 (Union), #16 (RPI), and #22 (Brown)ranked teams coming to Meehan. When was the last time Meehan had 4 ranked teams for a weekend series? 1965 NCAA Frozen Four? If this game is not a sell-out or close to it, when will that happen?

Yale?

 

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

This weekend has #2 (Yale), #13 (Union), #16 (RPI), and #22 (Brown)ranked teams coming to Meehan. When was the last time Meehan had 4 ranked teams for a weekend series? 1965 NCAA Frozen Four? If this game is not a sell-out or close to it, when will that happen?

Well, the last sellout was in 2004, when we hosted Harvard and both teams were ranked. Throw in the fact that Yale won't be visiting Meehan this weekend and I'd say not for a while. Give it a couple years; the timing has to be PERFECT (as it was for Harvard in 04).

 

[BrunoFan00]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

Well, the last sellout was in 2004, when we hosted Harvard and both teams were ranked. Throw in the fact that Yale won't be visiting Meehan this weekend and I'd say not for a while. Give it a couple years; the timing has to be PERFECT (as it was for Harvard in 04).

Also, Union and RPI don't bring with them the recognition of an Ivy rival, at least for the students. Though they are both top programs in the league, our students typically have a lot more energy when it's a Harvard or Cornell in the building. A shame that the Yale game will be held over winter break, when the students are still on break.

That said, I know the coaches and program are committed to making every game an event, and that happens with an exciting, good team that competes and succeeds every night. I know there are many of us who can recall plenty of early season games with big crowds that dissipated after a couple of losses.

 

[Humanoid]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

That said, I know the coaches and program are committed to making every game an event, and that happens with an exciting, good team that competes and succeeds every night. I know there are many of us who can recall plenty of early season games with big crowds that dissipated after a couple of losses.

That in and of itself is something completely different. There seemed to be a general malaise around the program that the new coaching staff has infused with life and reinvigorated. Even during last year's 0-8-1 start and loss to Bentley, Brown looked good and were looked at like "When are these guys gonna break through!" And when they did it was awesome.

In the past it was more of a - "oh hey they won a game. this won't last" attitude. Now it's "let's keep it rolling," which builds a general excitement.

 

[Euler18]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

That in and of itself is something completely different. There seemed to be a general malaise around the program that the new coaching staff has infused with life and reinvigorated. Even during last year's 0-8-1 start and loss to Bentley, Brown looked good and were looked at like "When are these guys gonna break through!" And when they did it was awesome.

In the past it was more of a - "oh hey they won a game. this won't last" attitude. Now it's "let's keep it rolling," which builds a general excitement.

It's hard to disagree with Humanoid. Nevertheless, maybe the time has come to leave the past behind unless it means focusing on the recent past: last season's amazing turnaround!

Brendan Whittet and his excellent coaching staff have established themselves as top-notch professionals in addition to solid citizens. They know the game but, more importantly, they know how to teach the game. They have the players believing that Brown can beat any team in the country. The Bears are fun to watch. They play an up-tempo, physical, in-your-face style while also being very sound on fundamentals.

There was never any question in my mind that Whittet was the right guy to revive the Brown hockey program.

 

[Waterboy66]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

Listening to the play by play of the Union vs Brown game it strikes me that while the rest of the team and coaching staff have a new attitude, Jack & Mike are still as negative as ever. The good news for any opposing fans listening is that they don't have to put up with Brown 'homers', but it would be great to have a little more positive attitude coming across the broadcasts.

 

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

Listening to the play by play of the Union vs Brown game it strikes me that while the rest of the team and coaching staff have a new attitude, Jack & Mike are still as negative as ever. The good news for any opposing fans listening is that they don't have to put up with Brown 'homers', but it would be great to have a little more positive attitude coming across the broadcasts.

Yeah, but I watched the stream, and we were just awful tonight. The score was not indicative of the performance. It should have been a 3 or 4 goal victory for Union, as we didn't show up to play until the third period.

 

[BrunoFan00]

Yeah, but I watched the stream, and we were just awful tonight. The score was not indicative of the performance. It should have been a 3 or 4 goal victory for Union, as we didn't show up to play until the third period.

I was there, and it was a case of Union winning a game by exacting its style on Brown. Union was better tonight, plain and simple, and if not for a couple miscues by their goalie and nice shots by Jack Maclellan, the game could have been a blowout. We were fortunate to get what we got, truthfully. Union kept after it...especially after Brown successfully killed the Siers major... and I was impressed with their focus and ability to consistently follow their game plan.

As to the broadcasts, I've found them considerably more upbeat, which is a factor of recent play. The comment at the end of the UNH game by Mike: to be walking out of a tie with UNH disappointed is a sign of how far this program has come in a short time. The commentary in the BU postgame similarly discussed the difference a year makes. If Mike and Jack were down on the team's performance based on the first period or so, it was entirely accurate, especially in contrast to the way Brown came out against UNH and BU.

Got to get it back against RPI tomorrow, though second game in the weekend, quick turnaround with 4 p.m. start, and an emotional Engineer squad after last year's playoffs could conspire against us.

 

[Onion Man]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

Bad loss tonight I thought. Coming off some strong road efforts vs. UNH and BU, I thought Brown would fare better vs. a team like Union. Big game vs. RPI tomorrow for confidence. This team is much more fun to watch than previous Brown entries.

 

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

This game was exactly the same progression as the second Princeton game- 2-0 lead evaporates, the other team goes up 3-2, we tie it, they get a third period winner. Only we actually seemed to want to be on the ice vs Princeton. Whittet said it best in the USCHO recap: we lacked any intensity or passion from the beginning to the bitter end and were absolutely awful, to paraphrase. I don't care if Harry is out; this is still a very talented team, and the fact that we were in this game while performing inarguably the worst we have to date this season leads me to believe that, had we showed up, we would have won with relative ease. Frustrating, especially after all the progress and statements we made in Western NY and against the Hockey East powerhouses. Hopefully we rebound tomorrow against an RPI team that will hopefully be exhausted from Yale. We certainly shouldn't be tired tomorrow; we didn't play hard enough to be.

 

[Humanoid]

Re: Brown Hockey 2010-2011 - Onward and Upward

Listening to the play by play of the Union vs Brown game it strikes me that while the rest of the team and coaching staff have a new attitude, Jack & Mike are still as negative as ever. The good news for any opposing fans listening is that they don't have to put up with Brown 'homers', but it would be great to have a little more positive attitude coming across the broadcasts.

I caught the game last night on B2, and I didn't think they were negative at all. If they say Brown does well we accuse them of being homers. If they criticize their team, we accuse them of being negative?

I think, as I've mentioned before, the time has come to stop thinking that Brown is a poor program and relish when they play well. We need instead to criticize this team. Indeed, after the way they played against UNH and BU, they came out and laid a stinker first period. In contrast to how well we've seen them play, we should expect more out of them, and I find it refreshing that Mike and Jack aren't apologizing for a bad period. They could've blamed it on Z's absence, and they could've blamed it on the refs, but instead they stood up and said "we didn't play well."

That's refreshing to see an honest take out of a program where we've finally started to expect more than a last place effort. We should expect them to play well and when they don't, we critique them. It's not like they're losing to Bentley again... (gentle zing from a Bentley guy hehehehe).