BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

[Rover]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

Not sure I even want to get into this, but what concerns me more (and we are ALL disappointed...and after putting things in perspective there's no choice but to move on) is that you seem so ANGRY. Have there been teams in the past (and I'm not even talking BU hockey here...just in general) that are perceived to have "mailed it in?" Yes. Are there teams that have underachieved? Yes. Does THIS team fit into either of those categories? NO WAY. I saw nothing but top notch effort all year from this team. I hardly even noticed the Providence celebration, because I was looking down at our end of the ice at the complete devastation that these players, some of whom couldn't even stand up for a full minute, felt at the end of this game. I can't fault inexperienced players for making mental mistakes in the biggest game of their lives. They left everything out there. Disappointment...sure. But anger? No.

chickod, buddy, I've got far, far, far more important things on my mind than BU hockey as evidenced by this is the first game I've attended since the end of last year (for two really good reasons ). However I learned from our experiences in the 90's that you don't necessarily make it back anytime soon. Could be another 14 years frankly. This team DID have the most talent of a squad that lost a national title since the 91 team IMHO. Its more of a shame than being angry that they squandered a great opportunity. Having said that, don't get me wrong - the program is in much better shape than it was during the end of Parker's tenure. What the program needs to do is not put this loss behind them, but use it to motivate them to make it back a next time sorta how BC became a bit more money in title games after several disappointing losses in previous years.

 

[Scarlet]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

chickod, buddy, I've got far, far, far more important things on my mind than BU hockey as evidenced by this is the first game I've attended since the end of last year (for two really good reasons ). However I learned from our experiences in the 90's that you don't necessarily make it back anytime soon. Could be another 14 years frankly. This team DID have the most talent of a squad that lost a national title since the 91 team IMHO. Its more of a shame than being angry that they squandered a great opportunity. Having said that, don't get me wrong - the program is in much better shape than it was during the end of Parker's tenure. What the program needs to do is not put this loss behind them, but use it to motivate them to make it back a next time sorta how BC became a bit more money in title games after several disappointing losses in previous years.

Saturday was the first game you attended? Well no wonder they lost. All that negativity you brought.......please stay away next season!!!

 

[Rover]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

Saturday was the first game you attended? Well no wonder they lost. All that negativity you brought.......please stay away next season!!!

You're telling me about negativity? Okay...

 

[mookie1995]

Saturday was the first game you attended? Well no wonder they lost. All that negativity you brought.......please stay away next season!!!

No kidding

The only thing that could trump my shirt was rover

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

Ya know, at this point whether you think it's a winnable title or not, it's important to just get there so you can keep getting back. Success breeds success, the experience gained will be big for future years. York always said you want to be knocking on the door consistently and then you'll win one ( or 4 ). After last year and everything else the past few seasons, just getting to the FF and not having anyone get arrested (you're all winners!) is a big deal. The program is headed in the right direction and from what Sandusky tells us, the future is very bright (and I actually believe it). To wax poetic about blowing winnable title games is a fool's errand; they are all winnable as we found out in 2007 and 2015 no matter how big a favorite or underdog. I'd be more ****ed off that they only got there twice since 1997 but that's just me.

I thought Eichel was going to dazzle everyone and blow the roof off the place in the 2nd when he almost scored a spectacular goal when I believe it was 3-2. That would have been goodnight Friars and been a Gaudreau type moment for BU. He couldn't quite put it past Gillies. Very interesting to see him lose it in the box and punch the glass.

To me BU clearly tried to sit on the lead in the 3rd and that is usually bad policy.

I was a little surprised to see the body language from the players heading back to the bench after the whistle when Gillies made that diving stop with about a minute left. The BU players had gloves up to their faces and sticks in their helmets, etc. That was disappointing to me. There is a minute left (think Quinn would like to have that timeout back?) and the fans are crying in the stands and the players are all flipping out like the game is over. W T F. Gotta play 60 minutes.

I hope O'Connor can get a deal signed and move on with a fresh start. Like he said, Sht happens. That's sports, it can and will happen eventually and you just hope it isn't you. Sounds like he was a stand-up kid doing interviews after the game so he obviously has a good head on his shoulders and his parents should be proud.

 

[friarfan7]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

No kidding

The only thing that could trump my shirt was rover

As a Providence grad and fan, I wanted to formally congratulate BU on a great season. From a 10 win team to one that almost won the NC, that is quite a remarkable turnaround. Based upon Eichel joining the program, there was an implicit understanding that this year's BU team was going to be good (3rd or 4th in HE preseason, correct?), but I don't think most, including myself, thought they were going to be *this* good. I really enjoyed watching your team play this year when I could-- it was a fast, exciting, and competitive brand of hockey.

Also, as a former goalie for 12 years and one that trained with BU goalie coach Mike Geragosian throughout high school (great guy!), I have to say that I truly feel for Matt O'Connor. I've never been a participant on a stage that magnificent, but I can tell you that if you've ever gone the process of letting in a soft goal, it is one of the most gut-wrenching feelings that you can experience-- you feel your stomach and your heart sinking inside you. I really hope that he's able to use this experience as a positive development for his future plans.

Hohmann was everywhere on the ice tonight. I did have a question re: Oksanen -- when did he move from defense to forward, and whose decision was it? I mean, the kid can clearly score, so I'm wondering why he was hanging out on the blue line.

Again, congrats on a great season and if next season begins on the second weekend in October, we're only 179 days away.

 

[Rover]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

I'd be more ****ed off that they only got there twice since 1997 but that's just me.

Exactly what I'm worried about.

And Mookie, I'll see you in hell.

 

[chickod]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

Ya know, at this point whether you think it's a winnable title or not, it's important to just get there so you can keep getting back. Success breeds success, the experience gained will be big for future years. York always said you want to be knocking on the door consistently and then you'll win one ( or 4 ). After last year and everything else the past few seasons, just getting to the FF and not having anyone get arrested (you're all winners!) is a big deal. The program is headed in the right direction and from what Sandusky tells us, the future is very bright (and I actually believe it). To wax poetic about blowing winnable title games is a fool's errand; they are all winnable as we found out in 2007 and 2015 no matter how big a favorite or underdog. I'd be more ****ed off that they only got there twice since 1997 but that's just me.

I thought Eichel was going to dazzle everyone and blow the roof off the place in the 2nd when he almost scored a spectacular goal when I believe it was 3-2. That would have been goodnight Friars and been a Gaudreau type moment for BU. He couldn't quite put it past Gillies. Very interesting to see him lose it in the box and punch the glass.

To me BU clearly tried to sit on the lead in the 3rd and that is usually bad policy.

I was a little surprised to see the body language from the players heading back to the bench after the whistle when Gillies made that diving stop with about a minute left. The BU players had gloves up to their faces and sticks in their helmets, etc. That was disappointing to me. There is a minute left (think Quinn would like to have that timeout back?) and the fans are crying in the stands and the players are all flipping out like the game is over. W T F. Gotta play 60 minutes.

I hope O'Connor can get a deal signed and move on with a fresh start. Like he said, Sht happens. That's sports, it can and will happen eventually and you just hope it isn't you. Sounds like he was a stand-up kid doing interviews after the game so he obviously has a good head on his shoulders and his parents should be proud.

Can't really disagree with any of this...we just need a couple of more days. And as I think about it...yeah, we all got "sucked in." If you look at expectations we would have had no right to "expect" to win it all this year. Just getting there was great...but although I hear what you're saying about York's philosophy...it's easy to say that NOW...after you HAVE been there multiple times. Were you saying that the FIRST time you got there, though? When you get to the last game with the talent this team has, the previous expectations are history. You're there...and you want to win. Because you DON'T know when you'll get there again. Hopefully this will be the first in another series of "runs," but you can't be satisfied just to get there and lose.

Regarding the last minute...we were more surprised he didn't take the timeout immediately after "the goal," since that's when the team was on the verge of a complete meltdown. Again, it's easy to say they "should have" fought to the end, but I think there was a sense that their luck had run out, and they knew it. This game was lost in the first ten minutes of the 3rd period, when we still had the lead. You could see it coming. That's where the second-guessing, if any, will occur. Should they have changed their forecheck? Should they have been more aggressive? Were they sitting on the lead? These are all things that are easy in hindsight. I haven't seen video of the postgame yet so I don't know if any of these things have been addressed. I would imagine it would be pretty difficult for some reporter to ask such a direct question in that situation. He might get his head bitten off.

Personally, I don't think there's any way for sure that we will even know if this was a case of the strategy, or a case of not EXECUTING the strategy. My observation tells me that, as I have said all year, it was inexperience rearing its ugly head at the worst possible time. Sometimes you only have to freeze for a split second and it's too late. Just that increased reaction time with something that has been instinctive all year can make the difference. I don't think it's any more complicated than that. Did DQ get "outcoached?" That goes back to the coach is a genius if the players execute and culpable if they don't. It's a chicken and egg question that we'll never know the answer to.

I'm heading to the golf course and I'm not going to think about this any more until next fall.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

taken away the forecheck, not changing who took in zone face off and in zone coverage on final goal after a timeout? hmmmm. maybe...
execute what.

you have to say, "do not lose the faceoff and get your guy, period. Everything to the corner or sidewall, nothing to the middle of the ice, nothing

what were they doing during timeout, talking about selfies??

 

[chickod]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

you have to say, "do not lose the faceoff and get your guy, period. Everything to the corner or sidewall, nothing to the middle of the ice, nothing

what were they doing during timeout, talking about selfies??

I'm sure if you were the coach BU would have won 50 National Championships...but I "have to say" to YOU...who cares what you think?

 

[Hokydad]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

I'm sure if you were the coach BU would have won 50 National Championships...but I "have to say" to YOU...who cares what you think?

ditto Tiger. get to the course and shut up like you promised. What does, paradise mini golf mini flexible tee times??

 

[Hurl82]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

taken away the forecheck, not changing who took in zone face off and in zone coverage on final goal after a timeout? hmmmm. maybe...
execute what.

you have to say, "do not lose the faceoff and get your guy, period. Everything to the corner or sidewall, nothing to the middle of the ice, nothing

what were they doing during timeout, talking about selfies??

If you're going to continually hammer away at BU on the defensive coverage failures on the GWG by the Friars, how would you explain not one but two BU forwards shaking free and getting the chance to take a shot on Gillies inside the final minute?

It was 6 on 5, but two forwards made their way right to the crease area. Miscues happen under pressure.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

If you're going to continually hammer away at BU on the defensive coverage failures on the GWG by the Friars, how would you explain not one but two BU forwards shaking free and getting the chance to take a shot on Gillies inside the final minute?

It was 6 on 5, but two forwards made their way right to the crease area. Miscues happen under pressure.

huge difference on a scrum vs face off in zone coverage. you don't go over kids diving thru the air and puck bounces etc. you do go over(every single practice) where you line up and who you cover on a faceoff.

Plus, letting BU miss like that at the end made it even sweeter, elevated Gillies status.....

also not sure if diving to the side of the net and wildly swinging with one hand, on your backhand counts as a "quality" shot..

 

[Golden007]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

Feel bad for O'Connor? F him. He goes down alongside Bill Buckner as the biggest goats in Boston sports history. What a fvking idiot. Two games in a row no less. That is the worst goal I've ever seen given up on any level in my 35 years of watching hockey. He should take out a full page ad tomorrow in the Globe and Herald and apologize to the fans who had to shell out scalper level prices to make the game thanks to inept athletic department.

Quinn gets some blame for clearly not getting these guys to match PC's intensity (and kudos to Providence). It was a Parker-esque performance, and I don't mean that in a good way.

Rover, as much as I would have liked to see BU close this out, I think your anger is clouding your judgment. First of all, these are student athletes, not professionals. If O'Connor was perfect, he'd be playing in the NHL with home ice locked up. Give the kid a break.....he didn't intend to misplay that puck. There are a lot of nerves to deal with in a big game like this, and I think more credit is due Providence than blame is due BU, for finding a way to get to and win this game as a low seed. These are college students who have a lot to deal with to play their sport and meet their academic obligations.

And Quinn is one of the finest coaches you'll find, in my opinion. This game slipped away, unfortunately, but it's over. Now it's time to reload and win it next year. This will be a motivating memory for all of the returning players.

 

[chickod]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

And Quinn is one of the finest coaches you'll find, in my opinion. This game slipped away, unfortunately, but it's over. Now it's time to reload and win it next year. This will be a motivating memory for all of the returning players.

+1 I posted this on another thread. After the disappointment and shock had waned, I have one lasting memory. The image burned into my brain is watching the BU players sprawled out on the ice in front of me, some unable to get up for a full minute. That told me all I needed to know about the commitment these players have made to this program. And that told me all I need to know about the coach. We don't have to worry - the program is back and in good hands.

 

[chickod]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

Man...I got so carried away with all these posts I missed my tee time at the mini-golf course! I was really excited about putting that ball through the windmill, too.

But I'll have to shake it off. I'll just pop my dislocated wrist back in after all this typing and go to the range and hit a few...just hope I can find a golf course in Fitchburg....ghettos usually don't have nice courses...then again, you might be surprised...

 

[BCeagle]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

I was a little surprised to see the body language from the players heading back to the bench after the whistle when Gillies made that diving stop with about a minute left. The BU players had gloves up to their faces and sticks in their helmets, etc. That was disappointing to me. There is a minute left (think Quinn would like to have that timeout back?) and the fans are crying in the stands and the players are all flipping out like the game is over. W T F. Gotta play 60 minutes

With that minute left Providence almost made a fatal mistake with their soft clearing of the puck out of their defensive zone. The puck was intercepted out of the air by a BU player but never got to the net the shot was deflected wide of the net a couple of times I believe. Yeah I was surprised Eichel was banging the glass in the box losing it.

 

[Rover]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

Rover, as much as I would have liked to see BU close this out, I think your anger is clouding your judgment. First of all, these are student athletes, not professionals. If O'Connor was perfect, he'd be playing in the NHL with home ice locked up. Give the kid a break.....he didn't intend to misplay that puck. There are a lot of nerves to deal with in a big game like this, and I think more credit is due Providence than blame is due BU, for finding a way to get to and win this game as a low seed. These are college students who have a lot to deal with to play their sport and meet their academic obligations.

And Quinn is one of the finest coaches you'll find, in my opinion. This game slipped away, unfortunately, but it's over. Now it's time to reload and win it next year. This will be a motivating memory for all of the returning players.

Yeah yeah yeah, I wrote this two hours after the game and I haven't slept in 3 months. What I will say is this, to whom much is given much is expected. Athletes get breaks the rest of us don't due to god given talent (you can't turn anybody into a goalie, or major league pitcher, etc). So with that comes hightened scrutiny. These guys aren't kids. People his age are currently getting shot at in Iraq and Afghanistan so lets keep that in perspective. However, with any luck he can put this all behind him but also improve his game so that misplaying the puck into his own net stops happening (this wasn't his first time doing that). What I do like is that he seems to get that from the coverage I read of his press conference.

 

[buoldtimer]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

Has anyone met Hokydad? Does anyone know his background?

Given his strong opinions and the confidence with which he dispenses his insights and information, I must surmise that hockey is his livelihood.

 

[Terrier520]

Re: BU season thread 4 - 2014-15 // destiny's children

Regarding the BU timeout. didn't that happen right after an icing? I think it was Quinn trying to buy some time or even get a line change.

More random thoughts:

-I was thinking that after the soft goal, BU would step up and play like they were trailing (like the Yale game, I'd say)
-O'Connor: I hold him in high regard for his work this season, but something was getting to him as the tournament wore on, and he got a case of the yips. I'm really sorry to have seen it happen. Heck, it sorta happened to Kieran Millan, and we didn't care in '09. You couldn't go to Connor for the National Championship game, plain and simple. We owe O'C our respect and thanks, and I wish him the best.
-BU only trailed for roughly 30 minutes (give or take) in the entire postseason. That includes the HE semifinals. That's pretty impressive, actually.
- We'd be hard-pressed to find fans that didn't like Quinn's passion or ability to work with this team.
- Like I said, I was happy that BU made the Frozen Four. I'd rather see consistent Frozen Fours than the rare championship. Everyone expects BC to be there by now. And NoDak. I want BU to be the same.
- I was surprised to see the emotion from Eichel, honestly. He's very even-keeled, and I think that he wanted it bad.