BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

[BUtogether]

D corp

not D core

(gonna blame steve jobs again? )

From the moron who talks to himself and refers to himself in the 3rd person....you are so cute Nookie

 

[BUtogether]

UML's top 6 D got 33.1% of thier shots blocked, so I guess they're not very good either. I also checked top ranked Denver's top 6 D and they had 32.8% of their shots blocked, so I guess they stink as well.

Sean

Did you look up those records ?because clearly we can't win with Switzer and Diffley both playing defense....plus it's their not thier so according to the spelling teachers on this forum your point is invalid....right Wookie?

 

[chickod]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

This is the most reasoned post I've seen from you in months. This is not what you're saying in your in-game posts.

I let my emotions get the best of me. I was pretty upset Friday. At 7:56 I posted "Where are all the BU fans?" It's just very depressing to me to witness a tournament game with such a lousy atmosphere. No excitement or electricity. I know people tend to 'arrive late,' but time kept going by and the game got closer until I finally came to the realization that "This is it. Nobody else is coming." I don't know how to explain it other than saying going to a game that feels like a practice is not a lot of fun for me. Part of the enjoyment is a big crowd who really gets into the game. And I guess that's the problem. People that figure "Why should I go if I 'm just going to sit on my hands anyway? I can save money and stay home."

Sorry...when it comes to spectator sports I should have grown up somewhere else because the elitist big city "attitude" doesn't sit well with me. I feel completely out of place. I was the ONLY BU fan in my entire SECTION (of course, most of the section was empty after the Lowell fans - about 3,500 of them - left).

Well, I won't have to worry about that Friday. All the tickets have already been bought by North Dakota fans...

 

[UML Puck Hawk]

Good for his brother who cares...why are you even here troll

I'm sorry Swither wouldn't let you diddle him hoky, but that doesn't mean you needed to make a new username.

Ps. Guessing my sig won't show cause I'm on mobile. I'm referencing the time BUtogether said he'd blow Switzer

 

[Sean Pickett]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

People that figure "Why should I go if I 'm just going to sit on my hands anyway? I can save money and stay home."

A serious question: Do you go to all the BU home games every season, including the playoffs? Do you ever go to away games? What about NCAA games? I seem to recall you posting you were not going to Manchester in 2015, or am I mistaken?

Sorry...when it comes to spectator sports I should have grown up somewhere else because the elitist big city "attitude" doesn't sit well with me. I feel completely out of place. I was the ONLY BU fan in my entire SECTION (of course, most of the section was empty after the Lowell fans - about 3,500 of them - left).

Attendance this year was the worst in over 17 years, but it was still not terrible and would likely have been better if Notre Dame was not there. And with 4 teams and neutral fans BU probably had as many fans as UML or BC.

By the way, attendance was down for every league tournament this year.

Sean

 

[sterlippo1]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

A serious question: Do you go to all the BU home games every season, including the playoffs? Do you ever go to away games? What about NCAA games? I seem to recall you posting you were not going to Manchester in 2015, or am I mistaken?

Attendance this year was the worst in over 17 years, but it was still not terrible and would likely have been better if Notre Dame was not there. And with 4 teams and neutral fans BU probably had as many fans as UML or BC.

By the way, attendance was down for every league tournament this year.

Sean

plus, as most here realize, the HE Tourney is no where near as popular among the students of any of the three schools as the Beanpot is, given the time of year being somewhat a factor but not a big one. Not saying it's right but it's true and just the way it is.

 

[Sean Pickett]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

1/3 of your shots blocked isn't good and I didn't read anywhere that they were the top D cores in the country like I constantly here about BU with their ultra skilled 6 NHL draft picks....did you happen to check their points also?....way ahead of BU's NHL D core...rolls eyes

Lowell is the top scoring d core in the country. Not on twitter though. Just the ice

UML's top 6 D scored 27 goals with a 3.3% scoring percentage. Denver's top 6 D scored 15 goals with a 1.9% scoring percentage. BU's top 6 D scored 21 goals with a 3.0% scoring percentage.

What teams do you say had one of the top D corps in the nation if not UML and DU?

Sean

 

[Sean Pickett]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

plus, as most here realize, the HE Tourney is no where near as popular among the students of any of the three schools as the Beanpot is, given the time of year being somewhat a factor but not a big one. Not saying it's right but it's true and just the way it is.

The Hockey East Tournament has had one sellout year (semifinals and final) at TD Garden in 2005. It had a great run from 1998 (I'm missing attendance figures) or 1999 through 2006, but it started to drop off in 2007. Since then only 2011 has had higher per session and semifinal attendance, with this year the second lowest per session and lowest semifinal attendance. Attendance for the championship game has fared slightly better, but it was still on the lower end this year. This was also the 4th straight year that the championship game outdrew the semifinals. Before 2014 the last time that happened was in 2002 (with 2005 having the same attendance for both semifinals and final).

I really need the missing attendance figures for several years for Hockey East and more for the other league tournaments (2003 or earlier), but in general attendance at all of them has been in decline since around the same time. And as I mentioned before all the leagues saw attendance declines this year.

Sean

 

[chickod]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

A serious question: Do you go to all the BU home games every season, including the playoffs? Do you ever go to away games? What about NCAA games? I seem to recall you posting you were not going to Manchester in 2015, or am I mistaken?

Sean

A few months ago you asked me "What would it take to get you to start coming again? (I'm paraphrasing but I'm pretty close - not going to go back and look it up)
I wasn't going to get into this now...I was actually preparing to write a detailed response and then just figured it would be better as an "offseason" discussion.

But, to answer your question...we had season tickets for seven years and due to a variety or reasons were unable to renew. I have been to every arena in the league (except Alfond because it's essentially a weekend long thing). I was at the Frozen Fours (they didn't call it that then) in '72, '73, '74, '78, '95, '98, '04, '09 and '15. I was at both games in Manchester in 2015. I have been at almost every BU NCAA regional game in either Worcester or Manchester since the late '90s (save a couple) and a couple in Providence.

Let's just stop there for now. We can revisit this after the season. And I get it that attendance is down nationwide. I'm not BLAMING anyone. Why does everything think that there has to be blame attached to everything? It is just very disappointing and deflating to me personally (I said "to ME") to go to a game in a half-empty arena, because I remember the (I know I'll get slammed for this) "good 'ole days." Sorry. But when we didn't have cell phones, in-game constant noise and "activities" to feed peoples' short attention spans, and when people actually went to WATCH the game, PARTICIPATE and CHEER for their teams, it was much better. I can't help when I was born. Also, to put things in perspective so that you can better understand, here is a list of what I have been to (only a partial list):

- saw Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain play in Boston Garden
- saw Bobby Orr and Gordie Howe play in Boston Garden
- saw George Blanda, Tobin Rote, Lance Alworth, Jim Nance, Babe Parilli, Gino Cappalletti, Ron Burton, Billy Cannon, Cookie Gilchrist and many others play in the old AFL at Fenway Park in the '60s
- was at Game 6 of the 1975 World Series (Carlton Fisk's home run) at Fenway
- was at Game 4 of the 1977 Stanley Cup Finals (final game of a Canadiens' sweep) at Boston Garden when Montreal beat the Bruins 2-1 on a Jacques -Lemaire goal in OT to win the Stanley Cup - Guy LaFleur was on that team
- was at the 1977 ECAC Semi-Finals - UNH beat Cornell 10-9 on a Bob Gould goal 19 seconds into the 2nd OT / in the nightcap, BU (with Silk, Meagher, Eruzione, Craig) was trailing Clarkson (with Dave Taylor) 6-4 before scoring 3 goals in the last 3 some-odd minutes to win 7-6
- was at the "Bucky Dent" playoff game in 1978 at Fenway
- was at the Frozen Four (not called that then) in '78 in Providence when BU beat favored Wisconsin (with Mike Eaves - the player)...Jack O'Callahan beat two forecheckers and threw one up to Silk who slid it over to Bethel for one of the most beautiful goals I have seen and BU went on to win
- was in Anaheim for all three ALCS games in 1986 (including the Dave Henderson game)
- was at Fenway when Clemens dueled Dave Stewart in the ALCS

I'm sure (no, I KNOW) I have left plenty out...

You have to understand that for someone who has played sports all his life, it's pretty difficult to watch others play anyway, without having to do it in a crappy atmosphere. Also, as I get older, I want to avail myself of every opportunity to experience some things that I have missed along the way. Another factor is one can only rely on adrenaline so much. I have been very fortunate in my life (which is why I included the above list) to have experienced some incredible events, but the downside is it is tougher to get excited now. I mean, how do you ever top DC in '09? That doesn't make me a "fair weather" fan. I just find it personally disappointing to sit and watch in a lousy environment when I could be out doing something else, like playing golf. We only have so much time on this earth so I would prefer to be active as much as possible.

There are plenty of other reasons more applicable to BU specifically, but I won't go into that here. It's a good off-season discussion to have. Many other programs are plagued with the same challenges, but right now we should be discussing the upcoming playoffs.

 

[chickod]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

plus, as most here realize, the HE Tourney is no where near as popular among the students of any of the three schools as the Beanpot is, given the time of year being somewhat a factor but not a big one. Not saying it's right but it's true and just the way it is.

Unfortunately, that's true. Which could lead to another discussion, which, as I said above, is better left for the off-season...

 

[mookie1995]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

"Finally, the preseason Hockey East favorite Boston University travels out to Fargo following a stunning defeat in the Hockey East semifinal at the hands of crosstown rival Boston College. The Terriers boasted six players on the U.S. World Junior Championship team, including goaltender Jake Oettinger, who is sixth in the country in goals-against average at 2.09.

The Terriers, however, did not have an easy time in the regular season. BU was swept by Merrimack late in the season and lost to Connecticut earlier in the season."

Read more: http://www.uscho.com/2017/03/19/a-q...nnesota-duluth-is-the-top-seed/#ixzz4bnlm115K

nice

 

[defkit]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

"Finally, the preseason Hockey East favorite Boston University travels out to Fargo following a stunning defeat in the Hockey East semifinal at the hands of crosstown rival Boston College. The Terriers boasted six players on the U.S. World Junior Championship team, including goaltender Jake Oettinger, who is sixth in the country in goals-against average at 2.09.

The Terriers, however, did not have an easy time in the regular season. BU was swept by Merrimack late in the season and lost to Connecticut earlier in the season."

Read more: http://www.uscho.com/2017/03/19/a-q...nnesota-duluth-is-the-top-seed/#ixzz4bnlm115K

nice

"Stunned"? Like the dead parrot from Monty Python? (You stunned him just as he was waking up!)

Disappointed? Sure. Stunned? far from it. Not even surprised.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

scarlet wasn't stunned

 

[Jofa]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

ah ha...

didn't someone write last week that the 4-5-6 group at the time (western, goofs, terriors) were set up where in that order whomever won a game was going to get 4?

Now I feel worse about Friday huge difference playing as a #1 in Manchester.

 

[Rover]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

people seem to forget there's a part that comes after a blocked shot

edit: and there's a hell of a lot of difference of getting a D-shot blocked down low versus up high... losing it up high often means the other team takes it... unless you're us and you play every **** puck presented, ever. Down low... hell, some times its just as effective as a pass

Beat me to it. 100% correct. Not saying D should never try a slapper from the blue line, but when your whole offense relies on that, and you either hit someone in the shin and the puck goes the other way for an odd man rush, or you shoot right into the goalie's chest because no one is in front of the net, its a **** ineffective offense. Last night Lowell was pulling the trigger by the face off circle and throwing it on net when they had guys in front, not into 3 defenders.

 

[defkit]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

Even though we are the higher seed, the team can go into the game with the mentality that they are the underdog, given the location of the game and how well UND has been playing lately.

Also, having the last change could make a difference.

One thing is certain, Oettinger will have to have a strong game. There will be waves of momentum and if he can make the stops and the d can clear the rebounds, we stand a chance.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

feb 6th.

that was the last time bu scored the 1st goal in a game.

mookie's thinking if that continues and there won't be more than one game in fargo.

 

[Thiessen'sBetter]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

Yes, BU was the #1 overall seed in 2009 and had to first play #15 overall Ohio State in the first round as #2 overall was Notre Dame who got #16 overall Bemidji State. That worked out well for BU, but as noted BU then got New Hampshire, who beat North Dakota, in the second round.

And remember it was just two years ago that #15 overall Providence got to play in Providence in #4 overall Miami's bracket.

Sean

I just looked up the box score from the BU/Ohio St game and was amused by Bruins great Matt Bartkowski's stat line for OSU. He scored a goal but was -4. Sounds about right

 

[Harry Cleverly]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

The season is not over, and can still be salvaged by getting through Fargo. But overall, and despite tying for first place in Hockey East during the regular season, this season has been a disappointment in relation to what could-have-been.

At the start of 2017, BU was the flavor of the moment. Seven players from a terrific World Junior Tournament, including six from the Gold Medal-winning Team USA. And to beat an ECAC-leading Union team without seven of its top players was a tremendous result.
Bring on the NCAAs. Bring on anyone. Or so it seemed.

But the road to Chicago has not been so easy. And to watch the pairings announced on ESPN, and for the Terriers to be barely an after-thought??? It seemed Saturday's tickets already have Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota printed on them ...

This BU team has been a disappointment. Not ready to play from the opening faceoff. Slow starts almost every game. Having to play catch-up seemingly all of the time. Even against inferior talent.

The two positives have been showing enough character to rally from behind. And Oettinger has been terrific goal, often holding BU in games until the skaters decide to play, and beyond.

A lot of players have had good stretches to the season. But they haven't all played well at the same time.
The third and fourth lines simply don't produce much offense, even if you can't fault THEIR effort!

I look at Cloonan. Very fast, works hard, comes back to check, moves the puck. And hasn't scored a single goal all season. Hasn't scored in over 60 games. At one point in the HE playoffs, he was centering the first line.
No goals all season. And on the first line. Or on the usual third line, is still amazing enough.

JFK, Greenway and Harper were terrific, until the final two months.
It took Bellows four-fifths of the season to find his bearings, and become a strong contributor. Maybe he will continue to step it up?
Keller has been terrific, and Bobo has had a good year. Roberto doesn't have big numbers, but you notice what he does.
Losing Olsson's leadership and grit hurt, but he is not a big numbers producer.

I wonder if all of the NHL scouts notice what McAvoy doesn't do? Powerful skater and good puck carrier, for sure. But far too many mistakes. He is so much better when he plays within his considerable abilities than when he tries to do everything.
With Fabbro, Krys and Hickey, who have all been solid or better, BU should have one of the best defenses in all of college hockey. Somerby and MacLeod allow BU to skate three pairs against anyone. In front of a terrific goalie.

The potential is still there for a strong run. But that has been being said since October.
They have been too easy to bottle up, to frustrate. To draw unnecessary penalties.

What does this team have in them? What do they want to be?
We will find out in Fargo.

 

[chickod]

Re: BU 2017 Season Thread III: Terriers falling (into the off season)

What does this team have in them? What do they want to be?
We will find out in Fargo.

Pretty much sums it all up...