BU: '22-'23 Season: Sail The Boats

[Bomber]

I think that was his point. He wasn't being derogatory, but the fact is, the BU team that was ON THE ICE wasn't going to win that game. It didn't matter who was hurt, because the "team" only consists of the players who can play.

And until they stop taking stupid penalties, they will NEVER win a national championship. I said this in October when I saw how chippy they were even in the first couple of games. It NEVER stopped. They had better get that under control.

Did it ever occur to you that the reason they took some of those penalties was because they were banged up/tired/over-matched against a faster/bigger team? Tuck's crosscheck and Webber's interference penalty (or was it boarding. Whatever.) were the two most costly, but they were playing on a thin edge given their opponent and their own issues.

Having said that, Jay knows they need to be better. The first post-game quote's from him addressed how you just can't give a team like that 8 power plays. He knows. I have faith that this team will learn and grow from this experience.

Someway, somehow, they were tied 2-2 going into the third against a deeper more skilled team. Yes, the goal post had something to do with that, (1990 and 1991 are on the phone to talk about hitting goal posts.) but they were IN IT. I would have loved to have seen how they would have faired with a fully healthy roster. I'm not saying they would have won, but crazier things have happened.

BU Hockey: Pride in Defeat

 

[Rogie21]

Someway, somehow, they were tied 2-2 going into the third against a deeper more skilled team. Yes, the goal post had something to do with that, (1990 and 1991 are on the phone to talk about hitting goal posts.) but they were IN IT. I would have loved to have seen how they would have faired with a fully healthy roster. I'm not saying they would have won, but crazier things have happened.
BU Hockey: Pride in Defeat

Take away the totally unnecessary penalty by Webber--BU's best PK defenseman--at the end of the 2nd period--and BU was in a position to possibly steal a win from a deeper and more skilled opponent.

In the regional tournament, BU had beaten the high-octane WMU Broncos at their own game and then out-defensed defensive-minded Cornell. But yesterday, the Gophers’ speed and skill game rendered the Terriers own speed game largely ineffectual. That and the seven power plays—several showing a lack of discipline—spelled doom for BU.

 

[chickod]

Did it ever occur to you that the reason they took some of those penalties was because they were banged up/tired/over-matched against a faster/bigger team?

No...because they've been doing it all year.

 

[joen05]

No...because they've been doing it all year.

Then you haven't been watching the same BU team over the past 10 games as the rest of us. During this streak, they've largely had the penalties in check, with 4 being the highest number of power play opportunities they surrendered in that time (and 6 penalties being the most they ammassed, and that was with Fensore getting a misconduct)

Pandolofo admitted that discipline cost them, but Minnesota generated a those calls with their speed / puck control / pressure (Hutson, Gallagher penalties). Referees certainly didn't help with the elbowing call on JOB. The undisciplined ones did cost them (Webber), but to say that the penalties they took last night were representative of this team as a whole this season is just wrong.

 

[Bomber]

No...because they've been doing it all year.

In your utopian world you root for a hockey team that doesn't take any penalties.

Fun fact: PIM BU = 10.68. Opponents = 12.15

 

[BU Fan 84]

Yeah, I think penalties were a problem at the beginning of the year. Before yesterday, I can't remember the last time I thought they were taking too many dumb penalties. Before Thanksgiving?

And no, injuries didn't keep us from being able to skate with that Minnesota team from LW1 to RD3. They're really good. We're pretty good. Just not on the same level, at all. We'll see how we do in the years to come. I am concerned we'll take a step back next season since our leaders are going to be offensive dead weight Tuch and Peterson but maybe, despite not having yet shown anything to make me think otherwise, they can improve drastically out of nowhere.

 

[chickod]

In your utopian world you root for a hockey team that doesn't take any penalties.

Fun fact: PIM BU = 10.68. Opponents = 12.15

Webber's penalty was at 20:00. The period was over. I never said that Jay DIDN'T realize the problem (I get it that he mentioned it in the press conference). I said he wasn't able to CHANGE it. It's just a lack of discipline, that's all. Don't jump all over me because I point out what's true. These aren't trips or interferences...they do NEEDLESS things like elbows and cross-checks. You don't hit a guy when you're looking at his numbers. You don't go up high into his head/neck when you're checking him into the boards. Like someone (I don't know if it was Melrose or Colby) said, all he had to do was keep both hands on the stick. That had nothing to do with Minnesota's "speed." The guy was against the boards and he just slammed him up high. If you don't think that's significant, fine. There's not much else to say.

 

[J.D.]

Yeah, I think penalties were a problem at the beginning of the year. Before yesterday, I can't remember the last time I thought they were taking too many dumb penalties. Before Thanksgiving?

And no, injuries didn't keep us from being able to skate with that Minnesota team from LW1 to RD3. They're really good. We're pretty good. Just not on the same level, at all. We'll see how we do in the years to come. I am concerned we'll take a step back next season since our leaders are going to be offensive dead weight Tuch and Peterson but maybe, despite not having yet shown anything to make me think otherwise, they can improve drastically out of nowhere.

I think you guys will score plenty of goals next year. You have a good group of freshman forwards in Wilmer, Greene, Hutson and Kaplan. Will still have Lane Hutson and add Celebrini. With that it's probably fine having guys like Tuch and Peterson who don't have a ton of skill but are experienced players. I think the questions will be in goal and on defense. I am assuming Commesso will sign and I believe you will be losing Fensore (did Colby Cohen pronounce his name correctly?) and McCarthy. Hutson is great but I don't see a ton of talent on the backend.

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Met some really, really great BU fans during and after the game.

hope to see you many, many more times in the future! Maybe next year in St Paul

 

[chickod]

did Colby Cohen pronounce his name correctly?

Nope. It was "Fen-SOAR" all night.

 

[Scarlet]

No...because they've been doing it all year.

It was a huge problem at the start of the season but they actually were able to do better throughout the rest of the season, give or take a few games so for you to harp incessantly about this, well, I don’t know what to say. Yes, the penalties were an issue. No one here is denying that. Would the outcome have been any different if they didn’t commit any of them? Maybe. Probably not. Give it a rest.

While I don’t want to be one of those “It’s just an honor being nominated” people, it was just a treat to watch this team this year. I love that seniors came back this season and then lead this team to Tampa. I know they’re disappointed but I think they can and should be very proud of the season they had. I didn’t think they were going to win, but like Bomber said, tied at the end of two? There was a teeny glimmer.

I was kind of hoping to see Lane Hutson do some Lane Hutson things though.

 

[joen05]

I was kind of hoping to see Lane Hutson do some Lane Hutson things though.

Yeah - this was one of the bigger disappointments to me in this game. I had hoped that not getting into the Hobey Hat Trick would have been a big spark, but that didn't pan out. If anything, I'd say he got a little exposed. The things that he was able to do against almost everyone else this season just didn't work, most evidenced by the penalty he took in the defensive zone trying to do too much.

If this is a learning experience for him and he gets even better as a result, I'll take it.

Very proud of this team. Loved watching them develop, and go on this run. Looking for it to continue. Jay's the guy.

 

[Rogie21]

I think you guys will score plenty of goals next year. You have a good group of freshman forwards in Wilmer, Greene, Hutson and Kaplan. Will still have Lane Hutson and add Celebrini. With that it's probably fine having guys like Tuch and Peterson who don't have a ton of skill but are experienced players. I think the questions will be in goal and on defense. I am assuming Commesso will sign and I believe you will be losing Fensore (did Colby Cohen pronounce his name correctly?) and McCarthy. Hutson is great but I don't see a ton of talent on the backend.

Barring any early departures, BU’s top nine forwards are likely to be: Tuch, Peterson, Zabaneh, Greene, Wilmer, Q. Hutson, Kaplan, Celebrini, Harvey and Lachance. The last three currently are the top three goal-scorers in the USHL. They’ll be strong at center with Celebrini, Greene and Zabaneh. Could see adding a portal forward for some extra experience. On the back end, they'll be replacing two four-year regulars--Fensore and McCarthy--with two well-regarded freshmen in Case's brother, Gavin, and Swedish D Tom Willander. Perhaps an experienced portal D, too.

 

[hydrant]

Barring any early departures, BU’s top nine forwards are likely to be: Tuch, Peterson, Zabaneh, Greene, Wilmer, Q. Hutson, Kaplan, Celebrini, Harvey and Lachance. The last three currently are the top three goal-scorers in the USHL. They’ll be strong at center with Celebrini, Greene and Zabaneh. Could see adding a portal forward for some extra experience. On the back end, they'll be replacing two four-year regulars--Fensore and McCarthy--with two well-regarded freshmen in Case's brother, Gavin, and Swedish D Tom Willander. Perhaps an experienced portal D, too.

Lot of scoring leaving. I think defense will be better next year than this year. We played 4.5 defenseman for the last 3 games, and only 5 were regulars throughout the year. Will need freshman to step up once again next year, as well as add a decent goalie from the portal.

 

[Bomber]

Any chance Case stays to play with his brother? Is he eligible for a grad year? (I'm so confused about the 5-year/COVID rules.)

 

[hydrant]

Any chance Case stays to play with his brother? Is he eligible for a grad year? (I'm so confused about the 5-year/COVID rules.)

He is eligible. After breaking his collarbone I'm sure some teams may have backed off wanting to sign him (If he is not signed by 7/1). Looks like next year regardless we will have 2 LHD and 4 RHD for regulars.

 

[BU Fan 84]

I think you guys will score plenty of goals next year. You have a good group of freshman forwards in Wilmer, Greene, Hutson and Kaplan. Will still have Lane Hutson and add Celebrini. With that it's probably fine having guys like Tuch and Peterson who don't have a ton of skill but are experienced players. I think the questions will be in goal and on defense. I am assuming Commesso will sign and I believe you will be losing Fensore (did Colby Cohen pronounce his name correctly?) and McCarthy. Hutson is great but I don't see a ton of talent on the backend.

I always get nervous relying on incoming Freshmen for scoring. We've had some top USHL/USNTDP scorers before that don't pan out - Wise, Weiss, Hank something or other are the most recent ones that come to mind. I do think this year's Freshman class is a very good class to build on. I just think it would be good to have a couple 15-goal scorers from Seniors or Juniors and I don't see Tuch and Peterson doing that. Defensively, I am skeptical of Vinnie - could be good based on the limited time he has had, but who knows whether he's actually good enough for a top team. I am worried Webber will leave early. He's solid in his own zone and just seems like the type of player that will go for an AHL contract. I am pretty surprised that none of the Seniors are apparently coming back? Not just Stevens or Armstrong, but I just don't see Skoog or Brown having an NHL career. Maybe Brown will get called up for a few games here and there when someone has some injuries but that's about it. Are we really expecting Fensore or McCarthy to have NHL careers? Fensore is good but small. I think Grzelcyk was better and has gotten lucky with a really rare opportunity. Not sure why the majority of the seniors would leave for a middling AHL career - if that.

 

[BU Fan 84]

Any chance Case stays to play with his brother? Is he eligible for a grad year? (I'm so confused about the 5-year/COVID rules.)

Everyone that was on any team in any sport for the 2020-21 season is eligible. Apparently even if you used a redshirt or transfer year prior to that season. So for some people it could be a 6- or 7-year college career.

 

[brassbonanza]

Any chance Case stays to play with his brother? Is he eligible for a grad year? (I'm so confused about the 5-year/COVID rules.)

Yes, in fact I've heard it's a real possibility due to the potential timeline of his injury recovery and the prospect of playing with his brother. I have no idea if a decision has been made either way, but I've heard it is not open and shut that he's leaving. Additionally, I've heard a handful more of the current seniors may use their Covid year. No idea who or how many, just that it's been discussed.

And no, injuries didn't keep us from being able to skate with that Minnesota team from LW1 to RD3. They're really good. We're pretty good. Just not on the same level, at all.

I could not disagree more with this. Fensore is nursing the leg injury he sustained against UVM and is clearly not at full strength. I'm told Webber has been nursing a nagging lower body injury for the better part of a month too from a blocked shot towards the end of the season. Of course, we're without Case.

Those three injuries alone prevented us from being able to compete against Minnesota's front line Fs. I'm not saying we'd have shut them down, but if you think the loss of Case and two other top D playing at 50-75% had no impact - especially on the increased load on Hutson and Gallagher, I don't know what to tell you.

We skated 4-4.5 D, two of which were healthy, against the #1 team in the country last night and were tied heading into the 3rd period.

This is before we consider Zabaneh's injury and Skoog being unable to contribute.

They just didn't have the horses and the guys who were out there could not handle the load by themselves. It was an extraordinary effort.

 

[J.D.]

Additionally, I've heard a handful more of the current seniors may use their Covid year. No idea who or how many, just that it's been discussed.

I am always curious how this goes. Like do all of these guys get scholarships in their additional year? Because that would impact incoming freshmen. Or do some of these guys who were on scholarship willingly pay for a year of school for their extra year? A lot more for a college coach to juggle these days and navigate the portal temptations etc.