BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

[Agganis]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

May I suggest Moscatel and Moran to take their place in the stands? I mean really, what are they thinking with those terrible 3rd period penalties?

Thank goodness for O'Connor. Good for him.

Moran has IMO been the 7th best forward this year, one penalty (his third of the year when he has played in all but one game) in a game where the refs were as erratic as that does not make me want to bench him in the least.

Moscatel's penalty was the 2nd worst call of the night behind only the phantom ND slash. He slowed up and briefly hugged the player so it wasn't boarding, somehow that turned into a charging call. I would be fine to see Collier or Kurker get some time over him, but not because of that "penalty".

O'Connor was incredible.

 

[Rover]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Not bad to take 3 out of 4 even though ND isn't as good as they typically are, considering that once again the best player on the ice (excluding goalies) played for the other team. I can understand BU's lack of talent as Quinn didn't recruit these guys, but the D is downright frightening. A tandem of me, DavidB, and Brian Gentry, known as "The 800 Pound Line" could easily weave through these guys like they're traffic cones and get a point blank shot on net. There has to be some adjustment in technique that can cut down on this, because right now it looks like 6 Tom Morrow's out there.

 

[Agganis]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Not bad to take 3 out of 4 even though ND isn't as good as they typically are, considering that once again the best player on the ice (excluding goalies) played for the other team. I can understand BU's lack of talent as Quinn didn't recruit these guys, but the D is downright frightening. A tandem of me, DavidB, and Brian Gentry, known as "The 800 Pound Line" could easily weave through these guys like they're traffic cones and get a point blank shot on net. There has to be some adjustment in technique that can cut down on this, because right now it looks like 6 Tom Morrow's out there.

As of now BU is averaging 3.8 more shots allowed per game than they did last year, and just finished probably the hardest stretch of the season. With the next 6 games against ECAC, AHA, or winless HE teams that number should normalize. Obviously all shots aren't created equal and last year is the gold standard of defense Quinn aspires to, but I don't think the situation is half as bad as you seem to think.

 

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Food for thought: Evan Rodrigues is on a 12-game goal scoring drought. He's a prime example of Quinn's comment from Saturday's post-game: ‘I’m just going to pick top corner, bar and in.’

 

[Rover]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

As of now BU is averaging 3.8 more shots allowed per game than they did last year, and just finished probably the hardest stretch of the season. With the next 6 games against ECAC, AHA, or winless HE teams that number should normalize. Obviously all shots aren't created equal and last year is the gold standard of defense Quinn aspires to, but I don't think the situation is half as bad as you seem to think.

What part of 58 shots allowed are you struggling with? Against a .500 team? On your own ice. Or the two blowouts vs BC and Maine? I don't care if the team is padding its shots allowed % against Holy Cross and UConn. As the old saying goes, if this is your best, your best won't do.

The only reason why BC didn't get 58 shots against us is too many of the shots were going in on the initial rush that they didn't need to bang home multiple rebounds until the puck went in the net. Furthermore, forwards weave around the D, as in all of the D-men, more easily than any time I can recall.

I have high hopes for Quinn with this program but they've got to nail that down better even with existing players.

 

[J.D.]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Moscatel's penalty was the 2nd worst call of the night behind only the phantom ND slash. He slowed up and briefly hugged the player so it wasn't boarding, somehow that turned into a charging call.

I was tuning in and out of the game, so I don't know how the game was called all night long (and I don't know if you were at the game or watched on TV)...but I thought that one was a legit penalty. It wasn't a case where the guy turned at the last second. His back was turned the whole time and Moscatel hit him by the boards. I didn't see much of a hug at all on that one. I was surprised they called it charging, but not surprised a penalty was called on that play. What's funny is, if he goes on with the hug move, they probably call him for holding. They will look for any excuse to call something. I know there have been guys at the NHL level who want players to have the ability to do that hug/hold into the boards as an alternative to just hitting someone from behind.

 

[buoldtimer]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

I was tuning in and out of the game, so I don't know how the game was called all night long (and I don't know if you were at the game or watched on TV)...but I thought that one was a legit penalty. It wasn't a case where the guy turned at the last second. His back was turned the whole time and Moscatel hit him by the boards. I didn't see much of a hug at all on that one. I was surprised they called it charging, but not surprised a penalty was called on that play. What's funny is, if he goes on with the hug move, they probably call him for holding. They will look for any excuse to call something. I know there have been guys at the NHL level who want players to have the ability to do that hug/hold into the boards as an alternative to just hitting someone from behind.

I thought it was a legit call. It sounded like the coach thought it was a good call during his postgame press conference.

 

[buoldtimer]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Moran has IMO been the 7th best forward this year, one penalty (his third of the year when he has played in all but one game) in a game where the refs were as erratic as that does not make me want to bench him in the least.

Moscatel's penalty was the 2nd worst call of the night behind only the phantom ND slash. He slowed up and briefly hugged the player so it wasn't boarding, somehow that turned into a charging call. I would be fine to see Collier or Kurker get some time over him, but not because of that "penalty".

O'Connor was incredible.

Moran's play has improved considerably. Off course, he's a 21 or 22 year old sophomore, also.

 

[Terrance]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

So BU is at 6-6-1 through a very difficult stretch of games on their schedule (although they have what is looking like an extremely difficult stretch to finish the season playing BC, UML, Northeastern (and possibly Harvard), Notre Dame, and UNH in all of their last 9 games). While a few wins and losses have come in different games than I expected (namely the win vs Wisconsin and the loss to Maine), this is pretty much exactly where I expected this team to be in terms of their record. They obviously aren't playing as well as I think most people hoped (and the loss of Hohmann hurts), but they're hanging around. If they can now go and take care of business in the lighter part of their schedule, they could really build some confidence and put themselves in a good position heading into February. The majority of their opponents over the next 10-12 games are teams BU can and should beat. They should go at least 8-4 over that stretch, but if they want to be in the hunt for a bid to the tournament, they'll probably need to be more like 9-3 or 10-2 and get a win over UML and/or BC. At the beginning of the season I expected BU to finish at about 18-14-2 and 5th in the league. If they reach that I can't complain.

 

[defkit]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Anybody else notice Oksanen seeming to regress into a Nervous Nelly again like he did last year? Not sure if it is a confidence thing, but he seems to go from being very confident to very nervous, apparently in a matter of a couple games. I hope he can find his way back.

Somerby is a beast. He seems to have Morrow's height but is much more filled out. He coule really develop into a force.

Also, it seems our power play is focused on a move where the point men switch sides while passing back and forth. I don't see the advantage - does anyone else? I know in one game it cost us a SHG (was it the opener against UMass?). Maybe Quinn likes it since it was the play that gave us the NCAA GWG in 2009 (though not on a PP). if it is to get the guys lined up for one-timers, why don't hey just start on the other side? I guess it's easier to stop the puck zinging around the boards when you are on your shooting side. Then once the play is set up, switch to one-timer position?

 

[Rover]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Anybody else notice Oksanen seeming to regress into a Nervous Nelly again like he did last year? Not sure if it is a confidence thing, but he seems to go from being very confident to very nervous, apparently in a matter of a couple games. I hope he can find his way back.

Somerby is a beast. He seems to have Morrow's height but is much more filled out. He coule really develop into a force.

Also, it seems our power play is focused on a move where the point men switch sides while passing back and forth. I don't see the advantage - does anyone else? I know in one game it cost us a SHG (was it the opener against UMass?). Maybe Quinn likes it since it was the play that gave us the NCAA GWG in 2009 (though not on a PP). if it is to get the guys lined up for one-timers, why don't hey just start on the other side? I guess it's easier to stop the puck zinging around the boards when you are on your shooting side. Then once the play is set up, switch to one-timer position?

Haven't noticed but perhaps he's setting up the power play as he'd like it to be run, and then when he can get some better players in here it'll click more often?

 

[DoubleA]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Went to both games this weekend. As a Terrier season ticket holder, I considered this to be the marquis weekend of the home schedule for the season. I totally expected Agganis to be full and rockin'. Unfortunately, not the case. No Dakota is a big-time Div 1 program with a big reputation, and they're generally pretty fun to watch. And they rarely visit New England.

Friday night - my guess 66% full.
Saturday night - my guess 75% full.
Student attendance was poor to mediocre both nights.

What the heck? If you don't fill the arena when a North Dakota comes to town, when can you?

Being a Black Bear fan, I noted that Alfond was totally packed Saturday night when BC got spanked 5-1. Alfond hasn't been packed in a loong time.

 

[Rover]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Went to both games this weekend. As a Terrier season ticket holder, I considered this to be the marquis weekend of the home schedule for the season. I totally expected Agganis to be full and rockin'. Unfortunately, not the case. No Dakota is a big-time Div 1 program with a big reputation, and they're generally pretty fun to watch. And they rarely visit New England.

Friday night - my guess 66% full.
Saturday night - my guess 75% full.
Student attendance was poor to mediocre both nights.

What the heck? If you don't fill the arena when a North Dakota comes to town, when can you?

Being a Black Bear fan, I noted that Alfond was totally packed Saturday night when BC got spanked 5-1. Alfond hasn't been packed in a loong time.

Haven't most students left for the week for Thanksgiving? Does anybody have class this week? This wasn't the best time to schedule a series like North Dakota IMHO. Not sure why they couldn't have given us one of those scintillating RPI match-ups last weekend instead.

 

[ericredaxe]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Went to both games this weekend. As a Terrier season ticket holder, I considered this to be the marquis weekend of the home schedule for the season. I totally expected Agganis to be full and rockin'. Unfortunately, not the case. No Dakota is a big-time Div 1 program with a big reputation, and they're generally pretty fun to watch. And they rarely visit New England.

Friday night - my guess 66% full.
Saturday night - my guess 75% full.
Student attendance was poor to mediocre both nights.

What the heck? If you don't fill the arena when a North Dakota comes to town, when can you?

Being a Black Bear fan, I noted that Alfond was totally packed Saturday night when BC got spanked 5-1. Alfond hasn't been packed in a loong time.

Friday was 3,882 and Saturday was 4378. I think a "sellout" is 6150... so 63% and 71% full.

I don't think the whole week is a vacation week. Are there any students that post on here anymore that can verify this? Maybe a lot of kids fly out and just skip class on Mon/Tues this week. The student attendance was really weak though.... At one point saturday night section 108 looked like it was 20% full at most.

 

[defkit]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

How do student tickets work these days? I'm guessing that a $35 Sports Pass no longer gets student free tickets, as was the case when I was there. Back then, you just had to make sure you showed up to the ticket office at Case early enough for the big games to get a ticket (I think it was Tuesdays for Students, Wednesdays tickets went on sale to the general public).

Do you just buy the tickets and get a student discount?

Because I am confident that in addition to the holiday break, the cost of tickets is another issue (one that has been hashed out here aplenty). I would go to at least twice as many games (and bring my son with me) if the tickets were more reasonable priced.

 

[SomedayCameSuddenly]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

How do student tickets work these days? I'm guessing that a $35 Sports Pass no longer gets student free tickets, as was the case when I was there. Back then, you just had to make sure you showed up to the ticket office at Case early enough for the big games to get a ticket (I think it was Tuesdays for Students, Wednesdays tickets went on sale to the general public).

Do you just buy the tickets and get a student discount?

Because I am confident that in addition to the holiday break, the cost of tickets is another issue (one that has been hashed out here aplenty). I would go to at least twice as many games (and bring my son with me) if the tickets were more reasonable priced.

I'm currently a student and tickets do come free with a sports pass (one included in tuition)... if I remember correctly you go to agganis from Monday through Friday from 10pm until 5pm and can pick up a ticket for the game for the weekend. This is slightly annoying to do if you live on east campus and have class from that time period. This is what usually discourages me from going to games even though I did go to the game on Friday. I think the solution to this is to allow students entry if they present their ID, like they do for every other BU sporting event, at the game. Also there is class this week on monday and tuesday.

 

[ericredaxe]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

I'm currently a student and tickets do come free with a sports pass (one included in tuition)... if I remember correctly you go to agganis from Monday through Friday from 10pm until 5pm and can pick up a ticket for the game for the weekend. This is slightly annoying to do if you live on east campus and have class from that time period. This is what usually discourages me from going to games even though I did go to the game on Friday. I think the solution to this is to allow students entry if they present their ID, like they do for every other BU sporting event, at the game. Also there is class this week on monday and tuesday.

If you don't get a ticket before friday, can you still get a student ticket free with sportspass the day of the game (assuming the student tickets are not all spoken for)?

 

[SomedayCameSuddenly]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

If you don't get a ticket before friday, can you still get a student ticket free with sportspass the day of the game (assuming the student tickets are not all spoken for)?

I have never tried so maybe someone else would be better equipped to answer but the reason I haven't tried is on the website it says the pickup location is Monday-Friday 10-5 where it says ticket location. The whole process was never explained to me as a student when I came here. http://www.bu.edu/agganis/events/terriers/student/

 

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

the cost of tickets is another issue (one that has been hashed out here aplenty). I would go to at least twice as many games (and bring my son with me) if the tickets were more reasonable priced.

Is it just the cost of tickets? Or also the associated costs (parking, concessions) plus the effort of getting to/from Agganis? I bring that up b/c the latter is becoming more problematic for people I know who used to go to most games - especially those trying to go to Friday games after work, from the 'burbs, with kids in tow.

 

[ericredaxe]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Is it just the cost of tickets? Or also the associated costs (parking, concessions) plus the effort of getting to/from Agganis? I bring that up b/c the latter is becoming more problematic for people I know who used to go to most games - especially those trying to go to Friday games after work, from the 'burbs, with kids in tow.

I think it is all of the associated costs as well.

The friday games with kids is a double edge sword. If they have them at 7:00 they lose people since it is harder to get to after work. If the games are 7:30 or 8:00 (as for an occasional TV game) they lose some people with kids as it gets harder with keeping the kids up later.

I think one base of fans that have truly been priced out are the recent grads. I went to a ton of games my first few years after graduating, and I wonder how many I would have gone too at $35 per game plus a few $8.03 beers. I think at that point games were $11 or $12 and the beer was in that closet in WBA at a pretty reasonable price. Kids that just graduated in the past few years generally don't have a lot of disposable cash and wont do to many $75 nights out.