Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

[NotreDameFan27]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

I kind of expect (I think) a UNO/Notre Dame final on Saturday evening in Kansas City. Is there any organized Notre Dame contingent of Notre Dame fan going?

I was thinking just that today. That is unless Notre Dame grossly underperforms or they can't get their offense going at all.

 

[Red Cows]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

I was thinking just that today. That is unless Notre Dame grossly underperforms or they can't get their offense going at all.

There is no way UNO should lose to Army, particularly since they are practically going to be playing in front of a home crowd. Omaha is less than a 3 hour drive from Kansas City. Besides the Army team, the other army that will be there are UNO fans.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

Besides the Army team, the other army that will be there are UNO fans.

Oh, I remember the travelling UNO fans. They'd bring their milk jugs full of coins, they'd wear hats with Uno cards stuck in the brims, they'd cheer with reckless abandon. Reminded me of UIC fans. Made me a little jealous (still does, actually).

So Mr. JJfP and I got free plane tickets to KC, a nice hotel for a song and a rental car for a song and a jig. I would say I hope the Irish make it worth the money, but that might not cut it. Both Friday games are on t.v. and the championship game Saturday evening will also be televised.

Notre Dame is the only team this weekend that returns its top 2 scorers (Tynan and Lee) from last season. Maine lost their top 2 and UNO and Army each lost 2 of their top 3 scorers from a year ago. That said, I'm looking for more scoring than from ND's 2 usual suspects (who combined for 75 points last year). Maine's returnees to look out for include Joey Diamond (who had 47 points last season) and Kyle Beattie (27 points). UNO returns Matt White (40 pts.) and Ryan Walters (25 pts.) while Army's scorers include Andy Starczewski (24) and defenseman Maurice Alvarez (14).

Steven Summerhays hopefully will pick up where he left off (stats-wise) last season. Maine will look to Dan Sullivan to backstop them most of this season. UNO will rely on alternate captain John Faulkner while Army will rely on their alternate captain Ryan Leets and Rob Tadazak in net.

To know a country, you must also know its history. The same is true of a man. The last two times ND has started off the season in an exempt tourney, they then finished those seasons at the Frozen Four. Let's hope history repeats.

 

[Red Cows]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

Steven Summerhays hopefully will pick up where he left off (stats-wise) last season. Maine will look to Dan Sullivan to backstop them most of this season. UNO will rely on alternate captain John Faulkner and Ryan Massa while Army will rely on their alternate captain Ryan Leets and Rob Tadazak in net. Massa had the better numbers for the Mavericks last season, but there's a reason Faulkner wears a letter this season. The same can be said of Tadazak and Leets for the Black Knights.

This sounds like you might have cut and pasted it from somewhere. If you did, or, even if you didn't, it's wrong. Ryan Massa no longer plays for UNO. He took a year off from the program back in July for personal reasons:

http://www.omavs.com/news/2012/7/11/MHOCKEY_0711124056.aspx

Supposedly, he's returning next season. I haven't even heard a rumor as to what this is about, either.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

This sounds like you might have cut and pasted it from somewhere. If you did, or, even if you didn't, it's wrong. Ryan Massa no longer plays for UNO. He took a year off from the program back in July for personal reasons:

http://www.omavs.com/news/2012/7/11/MHOCKEY_0711124056.aspx

Supposedly, he's returning next season. I haven't even heard a rumor as to what this is about, either.

No cut and paste. I looked at last year's stats, this year's roster, but didn't make the connection. It's fixed now.

 

[NotreDameFan27]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

For those of us that don't catch NBC Sports is there any idea if we can catch the IceBreaker Tournament (or even a live stream of NBC Sports) online? Thanks.

 

[Gusforhobey]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

I couldn't help but notice that ND tied the USA-18 team. Poor performance or was the game treated like a practice? Even if it was a full effort, ND shouldnt have a problem beating Maine.,

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

It wasn't necessarily a poor performance. I don't think it was treated as a practice as some of the after-the-whistle shenanigans got a little heated between our hotheads and their #7. I think it was rust.

And while Maine lost a lot from last season, they are the type of team that always scares me. On paper, ND should win, but hockey is played on ice, not on paper.

 

[Gusforhobey]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

Speaking of hotheads. Look for Joey Diamond (#39) to get under the skin of some players. He already has 1 ejection this year.

 

[NotreDameFan27]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

Honestly, could und.com be anymore inept? They link the wrong radio station so we're getting the Penn High School football game instead of the hockey game. Jesus Christ.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

That's because Notre Dame has football on the brain now that Brian Kelly has figured things out...

As for that hockey game: Sloppy. Very sloppy. Both teams. I have to say this was probably the worst game I've seen Anders Lee, Sam Calabrese and Kevin Lind play. Thankfully, it's nice and early and there's still plenty of time to scrape the rust off. And thank goodness Steven Summerhays played quite well. That save (the one that was akin to the diving stick save he made against MSU last season) was magnificent. Thinking about the fact that Coach Jackson said he will give Mike Johnson one of the starts in these first 4 OOC games has me in a near-panic. W. T. F?! While one goal did it tonight, with Johnson in net, one goal will not do it.

Again, I continue to be thoroughly impressed by Thomas DiPauli. I see some good chemistry on the Tynan-Rust-DiPauli line. They had some good speed and good chances tonight. They just couldn't quite get it done. Well, except for the goal, which eventually went in off some Maine defender after a few whacks at the puck.

We did meet some very friendly KC locals who came out for some hockey, gave good BBQ advice and talked ND with us. Then we had the pleasure of talking with an awesome Maine fan for the entire second game. Very entertaining and loved talking college hockey with us. Then of course there was the sighting of, the meeting of, the talking with and the picture taking with Ken Morrow. Yes, that Ken Morrow. Mr. JJfP said that made the weekend.

If ND wins their game tomorrow, that will finally make the weekend. Tall order given how physical and quick UNO was. Here's to starting the season with 2 wins. Do you realize it has been 10 years...TEN YEARS...since ND started the season without a loss in their first 2 games?

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

What became a worrisome trend last year at times was evident last night, the inability to put the puck in the net regardless of how they dominated game flow. Too many shots off target, too many shots blocked, too many low percentage shots right into Sullivan's chest protector. For half a season we saw that the team did not need to rely on getting one ugly goal a game to win. This team has the skilled players to score goals. It might sound a bit impatient, but hopefully it shows up quickly, and sticks around for a full season.

It's especially frustrating considering how well they played the game defensively. Summerhays looked better than solid, the team forced turnovers and backchecked very well, and they held what was one of last season's better offensive teams off the scoreboard. Much like their classmates a few hundred yards to the north, maybe this team will win with great defense and just enough offense. But I don't think it was necessarily constructed that way. One game -- and just one "official" week of practice -- does not a season make, but if there are too many like last night, it's might be another long season.

The NBC Sports Network crew, especially Pierre Maguire, loved Kevin Nugent and Bryan Rust by the way. listening to their commentary about Bryan I'm led to believe a great deal is expected of him this season, and if he has that kind of a breakout year it won't be a surprise to the Notre Dame coaching staff. Maguire was absolutely giddy about Nugent's shifts in the first period.

 

[NotreDameFan27]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

What became a worrisome trend last year at times was evident last night, the inability to put the puck in the net regardless of how they dominated game flow. Too many shots off target, too many shots blocked, too many low percentage shots right into Sullivan's chest protector. For half a season we saw that the team did not need to rely on getting one ugly goal a game to win. This team has the skilled players to score goals. It might sound a bit impatient, but hopefully it shows up quickly, and sticks around for a full season.

It's especially frustrating considering how well they played the game defensively. Summerhays looked better than solid, the team forced turnovers and backchecked very well, and they held what was one of last season's better offensive teams off the scoreboard. Much like their classmates a few hundred yards to the north, maybe this team will win with great defense and just enough offense. But I don't think it was necessarily constructed that way. One game -- and just one "official" week of practice -- does not a season make, but if there are too many like last night, it's might be another long season.

The NBC Sports Network crew, especially Pierre Maguire, loved Kevin Nugent and Bryan Rust by the way. listening to their commentary about Bryan I'm led to believe a great deal is expected of him this season, and if he has that kind of a breakout year it won't be a surprise to the Notre Dame coaching staff. Maguire was absolutely giddy about Nugent's shifts in the first period.

They just need to find a way to gel together. I think Jackson is still playing with the lines. But if he's going to keep Lee and Tynan apart, i'd definitely keep Tynan and Rust together.

 

[GUYMAN]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

I know it was the 1st game, but that save made early in the 2nd period may not be topped all season. Should have scored more than one goal, but I'll take winning the season opener against a good squad like Maine.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

Whew. It's a good day to be a Notre Dame fan. Some of the positives to take away from the weekend would include 100% on the PK so far, a goal by Anders Lee, a great showing by Thomas DiPauli, hard work by Peter Schneider and Kevin Nugent (who were favorites of the Maine fan we sat with), shots on net, solid play by Steven Summerhays, mistakes not ending up in the back of the net, a trophy and 2 wins to start the season for the first time since Aniket Dhadphale and Brian Urick were seniors (1998). Let's hope with this line-up, this past weekend means a good start to a special season.

This was definitely well-worth the (little) money I spent.

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

This team has the skilled players to score goals. It might sound a bit impatient, but hopefully it shows up quickly...

Well, request granted. Lee and Tynan both get on the scoresheet and a freshman comes up with the game winner. A freshman I might add who was the player I picked to be the one making the most impact (patting myself on the back). DiPauli played pretty well throughout the weekend.

Summerhays has not only earned the number 1 spot, he's played extremely well. 50 saves and 3 GA versus two pretty sound offensive teams, and this coming off a great finish last season. Overall the Irish looked sound this weekend, especially considering the lack of practice and the newness of the season. I saw a lot of good this weekend and nothing glaringly bad.

Notre Dame's non-conference schedule looks pretty daunting. On top of the two teams we just saw we get North Dakota, Duluth, Minnesota again, and the fairly regular tilt against BC. All but one of the non-conference teams we play or have played made the NCAAs last season, and are regular participants in post season play. I'm curious as to the makeup of other team's non conference schedules. If the weakest opponent others play is a decent WCHA team (UNO), I'd be surprised. Jeff Jackson, Tom Nevala and Jack Swarbrick are to be commended for both putting together an interesting schedule and not shying away from a challenge.

 

[beersong]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

So, the most important question is what is the best place to drink this weekend?

 

[CDOUG]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

Will the series with UMD be broadcast through the Notre Dame website....or elsewhere? When I checked the Notre Dame website under live events it looked like it would be but then on the rolling schedule on the bottom of the hockey homepage it only showed a radio broadcast?

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

So, the most important question is what is the best place to drink this weekend?

Fiddler's Hearth downtown (about a mile from campus). Great atmosphere. Gold-star Guinness. Good food. Reasonable prices.

Will the series with UMD be broadcast through the Notre Dame website....or elsewhere? When I checked the Notre Dame website under live events it looked like it would be but then on the rolling schedule on the bottom of the hockey homepage it only showed a radio broadcast?

ND streams all their home games (except those on t.v.) for free on und.com. You likely will have to wait til game time to get access to it.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '12-'13: Why would you not wanna go there?

Yay for Steven Summerhays! CCHA GOTW and INCH POTW.

Also, the CFIA's b-day is tomorrow. Wasn't it nice of the team to bring a gift back from KC?