Cronin Must Go

[Craig P.]

Re: Cronin Must Go

(4) They need to get away from dumping every single time they touch the puck. All it does it loose possession and when they lose the majority of 1 on 1 battles I just don't see the point. Make some strong passes and breakout! It's exactly why BC is so much better then NU! They posses the ability to stickhandle and pass unlike the huskies. Dumping and chasing and hoping is not the answer.

I never felt like NU had a clearly bad balance between dumping and carrying the puck in last night. The risk against a team like BC is that if you don't get the puck in deep, a turnover high in the offensive zone gives the Eagles an instant odd-man rush going the other way. Considering we just saw six goals put up against the best defensive team in the country, I think there's zero room to criticize the offensive gameplan last night.

Now, I only get to see NU rarely (so far, the UMass, Harvard, and BC games that were televised), so maybe this is more of an issue at other times, but it hasn't struck me as an issue in the times I've watched.

 

[Disgusted in Amherst]

Re: Cronin Must Go

Hey we will trade you Tootie Cahoon and Len Q. and 2 defensemen to be named later for Cronin if you are not happy with him. Congrats on a great Beanpot was pulling for your team to win last night.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Cronin Must Go

You're dead wrong with this statement. Thiessen's freshman year was Cronin's second. He was a Cronin recruit. Stole him from the likes of NoDak and Cornell.

Well, I don't know if I would say dead wrong. I stand corrected regarding Thiessen. However, he still only had mild success. That part was correct. Thanks for the correction.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Cronin Must Go

do you ever read what you write?

you have no idea what you are talking about. one of the best coaches in college hockey and is at Northeastern, good luck recruiting vs BC, BU, UNH and to a lesser extent(thank you TW), Maine.
HUH???
With that many young players and to have improved so much since October speaks volumes to him and the type of kids he is bringing in. if your kid can handle him, no better guy to get the most out of a team

tearing it up right now, who cares about slow start with that many youing players out there in every key situation. great for next 3 seasons+

didnt make playoffs alst year, huge turnover This isn't even a freaking sentence

2009 lost in ot is semis at Garden.

NU has a bright future and looks ready for a very strong 2-3 year run.

ALOL

 

[Chickens@NU]

Re: Cronin Must Go

Well, I don't know if I would say dead wrong. I stand corrected regarding Thiessen. However, he still only had mild success. That part was correct. Thanks for the correction.

He's had success recruiting... the issue has been replenishing the talent that has left early (Newton, Thiessen) and overcoming injuries to key players (Quailer, Muench, etc.). They are working on building depth within the roster, and I believe that will be when the program really moves up the standings for a sustained period of time.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Cronin Must Go

He's had success recruiting... the issue has been replenishing the talent that has left early (Newton, Thiessen) and overcoming injuries to key players (Quailer, Muench, etc.). They are working on building depth within the roster, and I believe that will be when the program really moves up the standings for a sustained period of time.

Possibly. Again, my opinion in all this was that regarding Cronin it's kind of a wait and see. Cronin hasn't had any stinker seasons, he hasn't had any really great seasons. Much of it was out of his control. But from here on out it is in his control and if it were up to me I wouldn't get rid of him yet. Maybe in 5 years if NU never gets home ice ... but he definitely deserves more of a chance then the original poster is advocating for.

 

[Slasher7]

Re: Cronin Must Go

BC. They just outworked us in the corners all night.

I would disagree with this statement. NU outworked and outhustled BC all night long. BC won because their overall talent was greater than NU's maximized work ethic. Once BC realized they could skate at will up the middle, they dominated. That overtime was an absolute clinic, but NU was the harder working team as far as Im concerned. They never quit either and thats a direct byproduct of Cronin.

 

[SkinsFan09]

Re: Cronin Must Go

I would disagree with this statement. NU outworked and outhustled BC all night long. BC won because their overall talent was greater than NU's maximized work ethic. Once BC realized they could skate at will up the middle, they dominated. That overtime was an absolute clinic, but NU was the harder working team as far as Im concerned. They never quit either and thats a direct byproduct of Cronin.

I think BC's size outdid us when we tried dump and chase last night. Worked against Harvard but not against the Eagles. The only gripe about last night was before BC went up 4-3, they missed an easy checking from behind call against McLaughlin behind the net.

Either way, I just want to get on to the next series. A split would be huge and then we try for another split vs. UNH and as far as I'm concerned, we go for the sweep vs. BU.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Cronin Must Go

I would disagree with this statement. NU outworked and outhustled BC all night long. BC won because their overall talent was greater than NU's maximized work ethic. Once BC realized they could skate at will up the middle, they dominated. That overtime was an absolute clinic, but NU was the harder working team as far as Im concerned. They never quit either and thats a direct byproduct of Cronin.

Agreed. I can't believe anyone watched that game and came away with a sense that BC dominated NU on the walls. BC was slow to get to loose pucks and NU was not hesitant at all. They handled the physical stuff quite well on the walls and were turning those won battles into scoring chances left and right. It seemed like the only time BC got it out of trouble was when the puck would squirt out of the NU player's possession right into a waiting BC player's possession. Otherwise, another NU player would just come in for puck support. NU's puck support was superb.

They killed BC's defense all night long.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Cronin Must Go

I think BC's size outdid us when we tried dump and chase last night.

Are you nuts? NU's dump and chase worked fantastically last night. Rarely did BC get the puck in possession and easily get it out. Maybe on NU line changes.

 

[SkinsFan09]

Re: Cronin Must Go

Well, maybe it was just for a short period of time but as the game wore down late in the thrid, as we dumped, it kept resulting in rushes for BC. I wasn't paying attention to it early in the period but late in the third there was a point where BC had us on the dump and chase quite a few possessions in a row. It worked well early in the period, especially on Reid's go-ahead goal.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Cronin Must Go

However I have yet to see anything that has been exceptional or extraordinary.

Honestly don't know the answer to this, but where does NU's 2008-2009 season rank in their history?

(2) A losing record this year is VERY disappointing imho. They have not played up to their capabilities and whether or not we want to admit it its partially the coaches fault.

16 underclassmen playing last night, right? Wouldn't next year be a better indicator? NU is showing that they are much better this year than they were last year when they missed the playoffs entirely. I would imagine next year they'll be fighting for home ice.

However, I think NU was lucky they caught Muse on an off night.

I'm nitpicking, but I think it was more that NU was opportunistic and caught BC's defense on a terrible night.

If he does not have Beanpot/HE Title(Reg season or Tournament)/Frozen Four Appearance then you can have a valid argument. However with the talent coming in and the growth of the young players it is not unreasonable to expect at least one of those in the next four years.

Curious what NU fans' expectations for the program are...do you expect NU to compete for league titles and the FF every year? Once every couple years? Do you expect NU to be a bubble team for the NCAA tourney every year?

one of the best coaches in college hockey

no better guy to get the most out of a team

OK, now this is as big a stretch as NU Speed Racer. Ultimately, Cronin lands in between.

I also don't think BS wanted to give up 6 goals to NU and have to go into overtime...

Who is BS?

Cronin hasn't had any stinker seasons, he hasn't had any really great seasons. Much of it was out of his control. But from here on out it is in his control and if it were up to me I wouldn't get rid of him yet. Maybe in 5 years if NU never gets home ice ... but he definitely deserves more of a chance then the original poster is advocating for.

Are you not counting his first season as a stinker and NCAA appearance as a great one? It's simple for me. NU had 16 underclassmen playing last night. Let's see how the team progresses over the next two seasons.

 

[NUMcNeely]

Re: Cronin Must Go

I'll start by saying I am a cro-dawg.

That said my main criticism of the man has is the development of the recruits he has brought in. This time last year we are praising the budding young stars of Jake Newton (ok he left, mild pass), Justin Daniels (where the F is he? I thought he could get 30 points this year), Vermy (non-puck-hogging-factor). The year before that, we looked at Quailer and Tuckerman (did little last year, pass with injury this year) to contribute heavily offensively for the rest of their time at nu. So, what happened? Is it their work ethic? Is it Cro's struggles to coach offense? I don't know what it is, most of the above players have some level of "excuse" you can tag them with, but if you had told me two years ago this time that mclaughlin would be the best forward of that recruiting class (08-09) I would have had a tough time believing that. Cudos to him, he's my favorite player.

I don't think anyone has trouble seeing the increased level of talent, but do we do a good job here at NU of raising it and letting it blossom at the collegiate level? Yes there are examples of players developing, but the above examples are frightening when you consider the talent level that each player came in with, I don't know what it is, but they just havent upped their game.

 

[Craig P.]

Re: Cronin Must Go

Honestly don't know the answer to this, but where does NU's 2008-2009 season rank in their history?

On par with 1993-94, a shade ahead of 1997-98. Basically, a tie for the best season since 1988, which is the last time NU won any real silverware. 1988 and 1982 are both better seasons: 1988 NU won the HEA tournament and a Beanpot, and 1982 NU won the ECAC tournament and went to what we now call the Frozen Four. The other three Beanpot-winning seasons (1980, and I believe 1984 and 1985) are debateable; NU got the Beanpot but didn't do anything else special in those seasons.

 

[dmjossel]

Re: Cronin Must Go

BC and would bet house on it.

How nice a house is it?

 

[J.D.]

Re: Cronin Must Go

How nice a house is it?

 

[dmjossel]

Re: Cronin Must Go

No way to win that bet, then. Either way, you lose. Pass.

 

[nufan2001]

Re: Cronin Must Go

I never felt like NU had a clearly bad balance between dumping and carrying the puck in last night. The risk against a team like BC is that if you don't get the puck in deep, a turnover high in the offensive zone gives the Eagles an instant odd-man rush going the other way. Considering we just saw six goals put up against the best defensive team in the country, I think there's zero room to criticize the offensive gameplan last night.

Now, I only get to see NU rarely (so far, the UMass, Harvard, and BC games that were televised), so maybe this is more of an issue at other times, but it hasn't struck me as an issue in the times I've watched.

I understand exactly your point and it is valid. It has consistently been a gameplan prior to the beanpot. I think a change should have been made in this gameplan prior to the beanpot not specifically for BC. I remember a couple times in that game where they made it past the blueline or near it with possession and then just chipped it in when they had numbers! I'm big time hater on dump and chase as it is because it is so unexciting, but I also do not think NU has the strength to beat BC on the boards or the speed to beat them there.

But thinking more on this... I don't think NU is better then BC in any facet of the game.. so pick your poison. We needed BC to make mistakes, they made them and we did not capitalize. That is what it came down to.

 

[nufan2001]

Re: Cronin Must Go

Honestly don't know the answer to this, but where does NU's 2008-2009 season rank in their history?



16 underclassmen playing last night, right? Wouldn't next year be a better indicator? NU is showing that they are much better this year than they were last year when they missed the playoffs entirely. I would imagine next year they'll be fighting for home ice.



I'm nitpicking, but I think it was more that NU was opportunistic and caught BC's defense on a terrible night.

(1) That was a great flash of brilliance but it would nice to see some consistency. They didn't win anything . That Cornell Game was pretty **** ugly in the NCAA's too. It was a great thrill to actually be good for a year, but there was no hardware.

(2) This is year two since that 08-09' year. We haven't had any consistent success. That last few weeks of the season last year were pretty miserable. They dropped to ninth when I think they were in about fourth or somewhere around there. That's a pretty big choke. Last years team SHOULD have been a playoff team IMO. Now here we stand after the beanpot in February with a losing record worse than last years. That is a disappointment IMO. If NU doesn't get home ice in the next two years (after this season) something is wrong. Especially with the talent I see at the freshman and sophomore level. Who knows? Maybe this beanpot will be the fuel that fires up Northeastern, but they have far from an easy schedule to go for the rest of the season. Hell, an insane run could make this entire argument invalid and give them home ice. LOL. Time will tell.

(3)Eh..... They both sucked.


I'm watching the goal's again from the beanpot on youtube... Just to prove a point on how I think Rawling's play was far from exceptional.

1st goal : His fault, gotta keep the pad on the post
2nd goal : His fault, could you be SLOWER sliding to the other side of the net
3rd goal : Questionable.... Not his fault, definitely screened, but looking at the replay he saw the pass to the slot but didn't move??? Look at how SLOW he is side to side.
4th goal : His fault, overcommitted himself, dropped too early, slid too far with the first man, brought himself out of position. Somwhat questionable because I think an NU defensemen could have cleared that puck.
5th goal : NOT his fault, nasty shot, typical BC goal. Great speed, great snipers.
6th goal : NOT his fault, deflected in off Kreider as he flew by.
7th goal : NOT his fault, great goal.

That's three or four goals in my book that he could have had.... Really disappointing.

 

[Chickens@NU]

Re: Cronin Must Go

(1) That was a great flash of brilliance but it would nice to see some consistency. They didn't win anything . That Cornell Game was pretty **** ugly in the NCAA's too. It was a great thrill to actually be good for a year, but there was no hardware.

(2) This is year two since that 08-09' year. We haven't had any consistent success. That last few weeks of the season last year were pretty miserable. They dropped to ninth when I think they were in about fourth or somewhere around there. That's a pretty big choke. Last years team SHOULD have been a playoff team IMO. Now here we stand after the beanpot in February with a losing record worse than last years. That is a disappointment IMO. If NU doesn't get home ice in the next two years (after this season) something is wrong. Especially with the talent I see at the freshman and sophomore level. Who knows? Maybe this beanpot will be the fuel that fires up Northeastern, but they have far from an easy schedule to go for the rest of the season. Hell, an insane run could make this entire argument invalid and give them home ice. LOL. Time will tell.

(3)Eh..... They both sucked.


I'm watching the goal's again from the beanpot on youtube... Just to prove a point on how I think Rawling's play was far from exceptional.

1st goal : His fault, gotta keep the pad on the post
2nd goal : His fault, could you be SLOWER sliding to the other side of the net
3rd goal : Questionable.... Not his fault, definitely screened, but looking at the replay he saw the pass to the slot but didn't move??? Look at how SLOW he is side to side.
4th goal : His fault, overcommitted himself, dropped too early, slid too far with the first man, brought himself out of position. Somwhat questionable because I think an NU defensemen could have cleared that puck.
5th goal : NOT his fault, nasty shot, typical BC goal. Great speed, great snipers.
6th goal : NOT his fault, deflected in off Kreider as he flew by.
7th goal : NOT his fault, great goal.

That's three or four goals in my book that he could have had.... Really disappointing.

I agree with all your points. The issue I see with consistency right now is injuries. How many players have we lost due to injuries for extended periods of time with this team? Quailer, Tuckerman, Vrolyk, Muench, etc... Qualier is not Wes Welker and I think he is just starting to come back to his old form after that injury. It's hard to stay consistent with that many injuries trying to keep line chemistry.