Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

[MagnessMan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Wow! Impressive win. Gotta love the Power boost that one will bring. I agree that if BC stays healthy, their aren't going to many digits in the lose column. I guess that's a nice thing for all the Red Sox fans mourning on C. Ave.

 

[yuenight_for_IRISHICER]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

got to watch the stream in Phoenix airport, and had to board the flight after 2 period, and got in Chi-town to find that I actually didn't miss anything, and we did picked the fat victory we wanted and needed. Awesome!

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

There were a couple of times in the game where I had to remind myself that this was just 60 minutes of hockey, just one game. But they really looked pretty good last night, didn't they?

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

There were a couple of times in the game where I had to remind myself that this was just 60 minutes of hockey, just one game. But they really looked pretty good last night, didn't they?

I think most everyone would agree with that, though, man, do they need to work on face offs. They won only 39% of their face offs last night.

Rest up, boys. WMU is off to a hot start under their new coaching staff. I'd like to wipe out the memory of last year's ugly losses up at Lawson.

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Odd how funny the word "poop" is in print.

Anyhoo, forgot to add a huge kudos to the player who, while on his tummy, managed to swipe his stick at the puck with about 6 seconds left to send it out of the zone and end the comeback hopes of the Eagles. Was it Ryan Guentzel? Everyone in my posse was asking as we weren't sure.

I would suggest a look at the video to see who the Johnny-on-the-spot player was, but it appears as though Notre Dame is not archiving the video feeds of the games. Or am I mistaken?

Those faceoff numbers are a bit of a mystery, aren't they. I posted earlier Notre Dame won all three of the games where they lost the faceoff battle, and last night was about as bad as they've looked this year on the dot and yet they still came out OK. It's one thing to win when the other guys win a few more draws than you do, but the numbers were downright ugly last night. And I would go so far as to say that quite a few we won were not clean wins where we jumped right into our offense or transition game.

Next week should be a pretty good series. Western is off to a fine start, but we owe them big time. They keelhauled us pretty severely last time out. Hey, this weekend, a Navy analogy seems appropriate.

 

[Craig P.]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Anyhoo, forgot to add a huge kudos to the player who, while on his tummy, managed to swipe his stick at the puck with about 6 seconds left to send it out of the zone and end the comeback hopes of the Eagles. Was it Ryan Guentzel? Everyone in my posse was asking as we weren't sure.

They said Guentzel on the webcast.

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

They said Guentzel on the webcast.

Probably fitting. He seems to have found some of the passion missing in his game last season and appears to have really embraced his role as a leader on the team. I think so much was expected of him last year and since so many types of talent were lost after 2009 (grit players, defensive standouts, great faceoff guys, great scorers) was his role clearly defined going into the season? Whatever happened he is IMHO the leader in the most improved category.

 

[Irishhockey]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

This was my first game in a while and boy was I glad I made the trip, not to mention the effort with the accident on the Toll Road backing up traffic for hours.

First off, its great to see the new rink taking shape, the beginning of the seating is in place and man is that nice. I was so excited, I stopped the car and pointed out to my wife and kids where the rink would be positioned, where the Olympic rink would be placed etc., all with the exuberance of a giddy school boy at which they all just rolled their eyes and responded with how much they loved the Eddy Street Commons (or whatever that is called now) and the fact that there was a Chipotle and 5 Guys.

With that said, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this game. I had seen ND play on the Web during the LSSU series , read a lot about all the games and talked to some family and friends so I knew I should be keeping my eyes out for a couple of things like; turning the puck over in the neutral zone with some bad decisions and youthful defensive breakdowns. What I wasn’t sure about was ND’s ability to keep up with the speed of BC and their ability to play a puck possession game. During the first 12-14 minutes, I was convinced they wouldn’t be able to match, not only the speed, but the puck movement, but as usual I was wrong.

The 2010-2011 version of Notre Dame Hockey is a far cry from lasts years. Granted, I didn’t see a lot of games in person but when I did, I was not pleased with what I saw. Selfish hero hockey is how I described it and I was surprised to see it from a Jackson coached team. This year? Well that is shaping up to be a whole different story. I saw some sketchy defensive play, poor faceoff results and a couple of poor youthful decisions to hold on to the puck through the neutral zone when a dump would have been the right decision, but over all I think I saw a team that looks to be on track to end the year better than they started! And I am excited about the future, because that is where this team is going.

Johnson looked great, those new Freshmen looked great and it was nice to see some leadership. It was also nice to see Jackson lose his Sh** on the ref for that HORRIBLE 2nd period elbow call. Clearly a legal hit but apparently not to one of the refs, of which, both seemed 2 steps behind the play all night. Oh yeah, it was also nice to be a part of a crowd that wasn’t sitting on their hands.

Great game to watch in person. Cant wait until I make the trip again later this year!!

 

[sterlippo1]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Wow! Impressive win. Gotta love the Power boost that one will bring. I agree that if BC stays healthy, their aren't going to many digits in the lose column. I guess that's a nice thing for all the Red Sox fans mourning on C. Ave.

depends on which end of Commonwealth Avenue you are referring to .... congrats to ND. Nice win by the Irish........

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Inside College Hockey offers the latest proof that if you read the polls for any other reasons than the same ones you read the comics you need to see a doctor. Notre Dame beats BC but not only does BC not drop out of the top spot, they see fit to only raise the Irish ranking from 14 to 13... Plus the only loss is to #5 BU. Like I said, comedic value only... Thank God they only serve to fill bandwidth on college hockey websites.

 

[moe24]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

I'm very excited for this weekend's series. You guys are our first real competition of the season. We may be off to a "hot" start, but we've only been slightly better then the mediocre teams we've played so far. At this point we are all no more then cautiously optimistic for the season. What are the Irish expectations for this weekend? I'd be pleased with a split myself. Is there any lingering feelings from being WMU's only quality wins last season?

 

[J.D.]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Inside College Hockey offers the latest proof that if you read the polls for any other reasons than the same ones you read the comics you need to see a doctor. Notre Dame beats BC but not only does BC not drop out of the top spot, they see fit to only raise the Irish ranking from 14 to 13... Plus the only loss is to #5 BU. Like I said, comedic value only... Thank God they only serve to fill bandwidth on college hockey websites.

You can complain about ND only moving up one spot, but what is the issue with BC staying #1? They've played four tough road games and came away 3-1. Who would you have at #1?

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

You can complain about ND only moving up one spot, but what is the issue with BC staying #1? They've played four tough road games and came away 3-1. Who would you have at #1?

I wouldn't have anyone at #1, or #58, for that matter. The polls are stupid, and I offered my own team's ranking versus their schedule and BCs ranking as evidence. I'd really rather not get into some sort of a p!$$ing match about polls, and certainly not with a BC fan (sorry if the assumption is incorrect) but by logic if BC is STILL good enough for that particular group of thinkers to rate them the best in the NCAA, then how is it possible to only bump ND up one spot? And I'm not saying BC isn't deserving. I actually think the polls are ridiculous, and even if you want to give them more credibility than I think they deserve, there is no way they can be a reasonable representation of how good the various schools are until enough teams have gotten fairly deep into their schedule anyway. Much like I posted that Notre Dame's win over BC is but one game --just 60 minutes of hockey in a long year, so how much can it mean?

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

I'm very excited for this weekend's series. You guys are our first real competition of the season. We may be off to a "hot" start, but we've only been slightly better then the mediocre teams we've played so far. At this point we are all no more then cautiously optimistic for the season. What are the Irish expectations for this weekend? I'd be pleased with a split myself.

Western/ND series always seem to be more than the component of the records of either school. Notre Dame's first NCAA season included an early season sweep at the hands of the Broncos and we looked like we had no desire to defend. Then in the CCHA first round series later that season you guys took us to OT in a decisive third game, and without Jason Paige's OT goal, our first NCAA trip would have occurred some other time. On at least 2 other occasions great recent runs have been derailed -- if only temporarily -- by Western really throttling ND. I'm sure you guys still remember 2001, when another craptastic edition of the Notre Dame hockey team took 3 of 4 points from the Broncos in January and then at the end of the season split a series with you guys. I think those four games pretty much derailed a good season for Western and cost you guys home ice in the playoffs. And I think everyone realizes what a house of horrors Lawson is to Notre Dame.

Every now and then I fall victim to the cliche machine, but when Notre Dame plays Western Michigan in hockey, you can throw out the records.

Is there any lingering feelings from being WMU's only quality wins last season?

Yeah, a few... hence the keel-hauling reference...

 

[J.D.]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

I wouldn't have anyone at #1, or #58, for that matter. The polls are stupid, and I offered my own team's ranking versus their schedule and BCs ranking as evidence. I'd really rather not get into some sort of a p!$$ing match about polls, and certainly not with a BC fan (sorry if the assumption is incorrect) but by logic if BC is STILL good enough for that particular group of thinkers to rate them the best in the NCAA, then how is it possible to only bump ND up one spot? And I'm not saying BC isn't deserving. I actually think the polls are ridiculous, and even if you want to give them more credibility than I think they deserve, there is no way they can be a reasonable representation of how good the various schools are until enough teams have gotten fairly deep into their schedule anyway. Much like I posted that Notre Dame's win over BC is but one game --just 60 minutes of hockey in a long year, so how much can it mean?

Trust me, I'm not calling for a ****ing match. In fact, I agree that these polls don't mean anything. All you need to know is that the polls have a 0% component when it comes to PWR--as it should. Again, I was only questioning you about BC still being ranked #1. Notre Dame should be higher, but as I saw last year, it's all about where you start in the polls. Stupid, but that's how the voters work.

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

All you need to know is that the polls have a 0% component when it comes to PWR--as it should.

I am aware. I go back to the smoke filled room days.

By the way, I was more than impressed with the BC team. I thought before the game this edition may have been the best of the recent #1 teams (yeah, yeah I know) Notre Dame has played, and despite the result, I think it's still probably true. I have not seen a team move the puck that well in quite some time. This is a team that will be hard to beat.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Strange how I think this upcoming weekend against a recharged WMU team will be as telling as the game Saturday was against #1 BC. Given the new staff in Kalamazoo, the age difference between the 2 teams and the beat down ND received last spring at the hands of the Broncos, I'm taking zilch for granted. Mr. JJfP has never seen ND win at Lawson, and regardless of the outcome this Saturday, it will stay that way as (luckily?) we play against each other late Saturday night. We will get to listen to the game before suiting up ourselves, so here's to a reversal of years past...

As stated, WMU is on average as a team more than 2 years older than ND. I don't know how much stock I put in the age of a team, but it's always listed, so it means something to someone. WMU has 19 guys out of 29 on their roster who can legally buy booze. ND has 10 of their 27 players who are legally able to buy (though I don't recommend it... ).

WMU is off to a hot start at 4-1-1. They split with Canisius, swept Mercyhurst and beat and tied St. Lawrence. They are averaging 2.67 GF while giving up 2.17 GA. Nick Pisellini has been in goal for their unbeaten streak and has a stellar GA of 1.56 with a save % of .938.

ND is 4-1 behind an offense averaging 4 goals/game and a defense averaging 2.6 GA. Like Pisellini, Mike Johnson has been in net for the wins. He's got a GA of 2.0 with a save % of .933.

WMU's PP is good at 20.7%. Their PK is average at 84%. ND's PP is anemic at 15.4%, but the PK is still solid at 93.1%. WMU is averaging a PPG/game. ND is just under a PPG/game. (Taking out the majors and misconducts for both teams: ) WMU seems to be pretty disciplined, taking only a hair over 4 penalties/game. ND takes just over 5/game.

Max Campbell is the leading scorer for WMU with 6 points. Ryan Guentzel leads ND with 7 points. WMU has 8 players averaging at least a half a point/game. ND has 9 averaging at least a half a point/game. I'm still waiting for the juniors who are dressing to make more of an impact on the scoresheet. However, I certainly can't say I'm dissatisfied with the way the other 3 classes are performing.

Speaking of classes, will someone tell Mike Collins that captain Joe Lavin is a senior.

Henry David Thoreau said, "...if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

As stated, WMU is on average as a team more than 2 years older than ND. I don't know how much stock I put in the age of a team, but it's always listed, so it means something to someone. WMU has 19 guys out of 29 on their roster who can legally buy booze. ND has 10 of their 27 players who are legally able to buy (though I don't recommend it... ).

I think it means something if your freshmen and sophs are 21 and 22 compared to a bunch of 18 and 19 year olds, but a lot less comparing 22 year old upperclassmen with 2 or 3 years of NCAA hockey under their belts versus guys who are 24 or 25 with the same NCAA experience. Besides, as long as one guy is old enough to by the alcohol, that's all you really need. (kidding, only kidding...)

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

I think it means something if your freshmen and sophs are 21 and 22 compared to a bunch of 18 and 19 year olds, but a lot less comparing 22 year old upperclassmen with 2 or 3 years of NCAA hockey under their belts versus guys who are 24 or 25 with the same NCAA experience.

Yes, WMU is the team who had a 21 1/2 year old freshman Mark Letestu skating 4 years ago. Had he stayed, played 4 years and graduated, he would've been 25 last season playing against a Riley Sheahan who had a few months prior just turned 18. Fortunately for all parties, he's playing with with Sid the Kid and doing quite nicely.

 

[theprofromdover]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Yes, WMU is the team who had a 21 1/2 year old freshman Mark Letestu skating 4 years ago. Had he stayed, played 4 years and graduated, he would've been 25 last season playing against a Riley Sheahan who had a few months prior just turned 18. Fortunately for all parties, he's playing with with Sid the Kid and doing quite nicely.

Several years ago BC played Maine after January 1. Dan Bertram was 17 and the Maine captain, Leveille, was 26.