What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

BU 2020-21 Season: The Road to … Nowhere?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Lemonade said:
Patrick Donnelly twitter:BU head coach Albie O'Connell confirms David Farrance and Drew Commesso are available this week.

Train kept a roll in’....
Click to expand...

Albie was non-committal about goalie plans for the Merrimack series, but giving each one a start would seem the best way to get Commesso back after a month off. He said the staff would monitor Farrance's times, keeping it to 15-18 minutes. He pointed out that BU could play seven Ds and that he was pleased with the defensemen’s penalty-killing, noting that “the guys who have played those minutes deserve to keep playing.” From that I’d surmise that Farrance will be on the ice for even-strength and power plays. Seven Ds means one of the 13 forwards who've been playing must sit; two, if he decides to get Wise into the line-up. Albie also said that face-offs are an area they need to improve, adding that sometimes it’s a five-man problem rather than just the guy taking the draw.
 
Rogie21 said:
Albie was non-committal about goalie plans for the Merrimack series, but giving each one a start would seem the best way to get Commesso back after a month off. He said the staff would monitor Farrance's times, keeping it to 15-18 minutes. He pointed out that BU could play seven Ds and that he was pleased with the defensemen’s penalty-killing, noting that “the guys who have played those minutes deserve to keep playing.” From that I’d surmise that Farrance will be on the ice for even-strength and power plays. Seven Ds means one of the 13 forwards who've been playing must sit; two, if he decides to get Wise into the line-up. Albie also said that face-offs are an area they need to improve, adding that sometimes it’s a five-man problem rather than just the guy taking the draw.
Click to expand...

There is no way Commesso plays both games. Not only from a health stand-point, but Vinny deserves it. Doesn't matter who the opponent is.
 
Bomber said:
There is no way Commesso plays both games. Not only from a health stand-point, but Vinny deserves it. Doesn't matter who the opponent is.
Click to expand...

Have to wonder if Wise will dress for a game (i'm guessing he does). But the question is who comes out? Since there will be 7D will probably be dressed, 2F will come out (if wise dresses). I'm guessing deboer and Armstrong but who knows, Armstrong is good on PK. Some tough decisions will happen this weekend, but ones needed if we're gonna make a run.
 
Bomber said:
CHN article on the BU goalie situation.

Also, I understand wanting to maintain privacy, when it comes to a student athletes health, but we aren't stupid. Commesso and Farrance weren't just in "COVID protocol." For over a month.

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2021/02/25_BUs-Goaltending-Situation.php
Click to expand...

Yes they were. BU apparently has a policy that athletes who test positive cannot play for 30 days and are monitored during that time as they return to practice.
 
Do any of you agree with the comment that Abel "struggled" in the game against BC? I disagree. I thought he played pretty well. A defensive lapse in the waning seconds of OT that became the game winner to me doesn't constitute a struggle. As for him falling on the ice - what dumb luck. I'm not going into any back and forth on COVID protocol. The school has a policy. I have no idea if Comesso and Farrance both tested positive or were exposed or what. I do know they have to have three straight negative test results before they're allowed back. So here we are end of February and they're both back. Hoping they both ease back into things so they can get stronger.
 
Scarlet said:
Do any of you agree with the comment that Abel "struggled" in the game against BC? I disagree. I thought he played pretty well. A defensive lapse in the waning seconds of OT that became the game winner to me doesn't constitute a struggle. As for him falling on the ice - what dumb luck. I'm not going into any back and forth on COVID protocol. The school has a policy. I have no idea if Comesso and Farrance both tested positive or were exposed or what. I do know they have to have three straight negative test results before they're allowed back. So here we are end of February and they're both back. Hoping they both ease back into things so they can get stronger.
Click to expand...

The tell regarding had COVID/didn't have COVID is the reference to "limited minutes." Clearly, they are working their way back to health.

I agree with you on Abel. He played a solid game against BC.
 
BU has probably the most stringent return to play Covid policy in the country (debatable if it a good thing or bad thing). I for one applaud how BU has handled the pandemic but do notice that Cam Newton was positive on Oct 2 and returns to play NFL football on Oct. 18. 16 days from testing positive. BU protocol doubles that time compared to the Patriots but if they are looking out for the best of their student athletes then its a good thing in my eyes.

I thought Abel was fine during the BC game. He gave them a chance to win and played well. I think the goaltending this year is why BU is where they are. I fully expect them to split goaltending duties this weekend. They still need more scoring from upfront and need to find ways to create more shots. You cannot get outshot every game and expect promising results. Shooting roughly 15% isn't sustainable. Hopefully with Ferrance and Cockerill back the offense and puck possession time will improve.
 
Vinny starts in goal. Farrance is paired with Webber. Fensore-McCarthy. Vlasic-Jarman.
Same lines, minus DeBoer.
 
What a devastating loss. In a normal season, laying a stinker isn't a big deal. Many of us remember that the '95 championship team lost 8-1 to PC right after the Beanpot if memory serves. However, in a season of 13-15 games, that luxury does not exist. How ironic would it be if the game that gets us over the NCAA qualifying hump is also the game that kicks us out of the running in terms of whether we deserve to be in the field. I hope they can rebound tonight, but it seemed the coaches struggled to come up with a plan to counter what Merrimack was throwing at them, so I am concerned.
 
I think BU is safely in the NCAA field unless you have a total collapse. What's left, Merrimack and then maybe a series against UML? If you lose the next 4 games and finish 9-7? Missing tournament is certainly on the table. But that seems highly unlikely.
 
defkit said:
What a devastating loss. In a normal season, laying a stinker isn't a big deal. Many of us remember that the '95 championship team lost 8-1 to PC right after the Beanpot if memory serves. However, in a season of 13-15 games, that luxury does not exist. How ironic would it be if the game that gets us over the NCAA qualifying hump is also the game that kicks us out of the running in terms of whether we deserve to be in the field. I hope they can rebound tonight, but it seemed the coaches struggled to come up with a plan to counter what Merrimack was throwing at them, so I am concerned.
Click to expand...

It's unrealistic to expect a stinker-free season. Yes, the stakes are higher this season. Let's see how they rebound. That'll be the true test.

BU Hockey: It's Not A Real Hockey Season Until We See How You Respond to a Little Adversity
 
defkit said:
What a devastating loss. In a normal season, laying a stinker isn't a big deal. Many of us remember that the '95 championship team lost 8-1 to PC right after the Beanpot if memory serves. However, in a season of 13-15 games, that luxury does not exist. How ironic would it be if the game that gets us over the NCAA qualifying hump is also the game that kicks us out of the running in terms of whether we deserve to be in the field. I hope they can rebound tonight, but it seemed the coaches struggled to come up with a plan to counter what Merrimack was throwing at them, so I am concerned.
Click to expand...

Huge overreaction. That game alone will not come close to knock BU out of the tournament.

An opportunity for coaching and team leadership to step up and right the ship. It was the first truly bad performance of the season - excluding the first game against PC considering the asinine game 1 vs game 9 scenario.
 
Is the video stream choppy for anyone else?

ETA - Win or lose today, I’m hoping they spend a couple of full practices working on just face offs.
 
Last edited:
Scarlet said:
Is the video stream choppy for anyone else?

ETA - Win or lose today, I’m hoping they spend a couple of full practices working on just face offs.
Click to expand...

Yes, the stream was choppy on my end.

Faceoffs, Good Lord, yes.

The guy doing color for MC was Mike Machnik, if I heard correctly?


For my money, the only other persons who have cared for MC hockey more than he over the past 25 - 30 years, have been paid to do so.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top