Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

[BoSox3066]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

Anyone hear about a Will ONeill injury? Didnt see him at all in the last ten minutes or so which was really odd especially given all the man advantage time. Hard to believe Timmy benched him for causing that 5x3 all he did was stick his arm between Dimman and an MSU guy unless there was something they didnt show on tv it was an attrocious call. Will's collected plenty of PIMs sticking up for teammates before without getting yanked.

 

[acs64]

Re: Michigan State Suite Tickets Available - Fellow Maine Fans

Re: Michigan State Suite Tickets Available - Fellow Maine Fans

Agreed........but a split with NoDak is a MUST now. A sweep (unlikely) would get them back to where we would all like them to be.

This weekend has gotta leave a bad taste....I'm hoping for a win and no less than a tie. Goaltending's gotta be on next weekend.

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

WAKE UP CALL...if this team THINKS it can just show up and win then there in for a long/long season...this team will have to out work the other team each night and for 60 minutes...goaltending is the question mark along with the penalty kill. Until they can string back to back games with grit and desire then you can look forward to a long season of win one/lose one...win two/lose two...6-5/5-4 games....you can do that early but come crunch time that goes out the window...defense/grit and Team play is the only way this team moves forward. {imo}

 

[amherstblackbear]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

WAKE UP CALL...if this team THINKS it can just show up and win then there in for a long/long season...this team will have to out work the other team each night and for 60 minutes...goaltending is the question mark along with the penalty kill. Until they can string back to back games with grit and desire then you can look forward to a long season of win one/lose one...win two/lose two...6-5/5-4 games....you can do that early but come crunch time that goes out the window...defense/grit and Team play is the only way this team moves forward. {imo}

This weekend has gotta leave a bad taste....I'm hoping for a win and no less than a tie. Goaltending's gotta be on next weekend.

acs is right. I don't think Maine just showed up in East Lansing and expected to win. I thought they outplayed the Spartans for most of the series. But they have a knack for terrible turnovers. And let's be honest - Maine's goaltending is probably in the bottom third of DI hockey right now. Someone has to step up. I have no stake in it, I don't care who does it. But someone will have to, or this team really isn't going anywhere. They won't be able to take advantage of the skill that they *do* have if they're always playing paranoid about protecting their keepers.

 

[MEpucknut]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

According to the article in the BDN Whitehead benched a couple of guys (http://new.bangordailynews.com/2010/10/16/sports/spartans-topple-black-bears/)

We had a great third period, but you can’t win a game playing one period against a real good team in their own rink,” Whitehead said. “So the penalties we took obviously cost us and I waited too long to bench (No.) 27 and some of the other guys, but once I did, the boys played well. But it was too little too late. This is a great wakeup call for us. Now, we know we’re not going to win if we get in the penalty box like that.

Sounds like Mr. Whitehead is a little angry and is publicly calling em out!

 

[amherstblackbear]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

I really believe that the best thing Maine can do to cut down on penalties is to play more of their games in a conference where ice hockey isn't treated like field hockey.

Maine is playing NoDak at Orono, so . . . mission accomplished.

 

[acs64]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

I don't think Maine just showed up in East Lansing and expected to win. I thought they outplayed the Spartans for most of the series. But they have a knack for terrible turnovers. And let's be honest - Maine's goaltending is probably in the bottom third of DI hockey right now. Someone has to step up. I have no stake in it, I don't care who does it. But someone will have to, or this team really isn't going anywhere. They won't be able to take advantage of the skill that they *do* have if they're always playing paranoid about protecting their keepers.

Yeah, I mean I thot Maine played well but for a few mistakes and some really strange reffing. They were a bit snakebitten and MSU got a little better goaltending. I knew this would be a tuff series...MSU in their own barn? Of course thats gonna be an uphill battle. Having said that, I think the S brothers gained some valuable experience playing there which will translate well down the stretch. I hated to see them come out with so little, but Im optimistic about these guys. They're playing hard and want to win....so long as they continue to improve, especially in the defensive zone, they should be just fine. Now if we could just get Grant to come in a few afternoons to show them some D zone tricks.

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

why does maine need to cut down on penalties?
the ticky tack calls went both ways... and if there are going to be 20 ticky tack calls in a game, 10 each way, I thought that the best power play in the country would benefit from that?

and that was not even the case, maine was on the PP 10 times to MSU's 7. One thing timmy still fails to realize is that defensemen MUST play on the edge of getting penalty calls... knocking a puck carrier around who is about to score is almost never called anyway. in spite of reality, Timmy makes the defensemen play poke check and timid-D.

pokechecking either leads to nothing or an accidental trip... knocking a guy on is As5 is usually a legal play... notice that OConnor did not play after playing physically a couple weeks ago.
also, while it is nice that Abbott is scoring, I think that it is no surprise that teams are scoring up a storm against him and his line... he is the new Hopson of defensive zone forewards

Maine has finished 2 tie games on the PP and could not score... it is not the bad penalties killing Maine, it is the coaching.

Corky used to yell and scream his first semester behind the bench, rallying the troops and getting guys fired up, now he looks as though he ODd on heroine, calm as a Hindu cow

but whatever, the smart people have moved on and have stopped complaining... I guess it would be like complaining about the weather in Maine.

 

[Big Papa]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

Its okay guys we will come back on a tear. We have the guns and we will be a force. I am not worried.

 

[amherstblackbear]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

the smart people have moved on and have stopped complaining... I guess it would be like complaining about the weather in Maine.

You want a trade?

I've got your 6-month summer right here. I'll throw in 2 months of triple-digit temps and near triple-digit humidity, with overnight lows in the mid-80s.

If there were a job for me in Maine, I'd be there.

 

[rufus]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

I don't think goaltender is the problem, or at least won't be. There may be some growing pains right now, but once Sirman and Sullivan get some games under their belts, they both look like they'll be fine.

Team defense, and the defensemen in particular, are what needs work. Turnovers, passes right to the other team, generally soft defensive play, coupled with a few major breakdowns every game, and we have what we have. Why is Van Dyk even in the lineup?

 

[sandiegoblkbr]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

The d-men are/will be the weak link on this team IMO.

By the way......Merrimack destroyed UConn tonight 7-1. Mr. Bartus was yanked after he gave up his 6th goal on 12 shots.........

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

I don't think goaltender is the problem, or at least won't be. There may be some growing pains right now, but once Sirman and Sullivan get some games under their belts, they both look like they'll be fine.

Team defense, and the defensemen in particular, are what needs work. Turnovers, passes right to the other team, generally soft defensive play, coupled with a few major breakdowns every game, and we have what we have. Why is Van Dyk even in the lineup?

the D was pretty good when Campbell Blair was around telling the boys not to listen to Tim and to play defense.
Now , Tim is dictating how defense is to be played.
Don't blame vanDyk for his failure to improve, nobody improves under this regime.

some people said that they noticed a dead canary in the mine a few years ago, and others just said look at all those frozen fours.

 

[Runsub5]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

The d-men are/will be the weak link on this team IMO.

By the way......Merrimack destroyed UConn tonight 7-1. Mr. Bartus was yanked after he gave up his 6th goal on 12 shots.........

Bartus allowing 6 goals! He's human after all.

 

[amherstblackbear]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

I dunno. Put Palmisano in a Maine uniform and swap out maine goalies, and Maine wins both of those games. Even with the blueline turnovers.

Obviously, it's never *that* simple. But Maine doesn't need a best-in-the-country lock-down defense to succeed with this team. And if they take chances to generate transition opportunities, once in while it's going to put the defense and especially the goalie on the spot. I don't want to see the team reined in. They could really use a goalie who can make a save for them now and then. I'm not saying none of the three can be that guy, or that none will. Just pointing out the obvious - right now, none of them are that guy.

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

I dunno. Put Palmisano in a Maine uniform and swap out maine goalies, and Maine wins both of those games. Even with the blueline turnovers.

Obviously, it's never *that* simple. But Maine doesn't need a best-in-the-country lock-down defense to succeed with this team. And if they take chances to generate transition opportunities, once in while it's going to put the defense and especially the goalie on the spot. I don't want to see the team reined in. They could really use a goalie who can make a save for them now and then. I'm not saying none of the three can be that guy, or that none will. Just pointing out the obvious - right now, none of them are that guy.

True...but sooner then later one of the 3 has to be the go to guy. Sirman seems to be the #1 at the time,but I wouldn't count out Ouellette. I think Sullivan is more or less a backup.

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

Bertus...
How did walrus put it?
Maine made another goalie look like an all American?

Did anyone else notice that the very first time in 10 years that Timmy pulled put a white board and set up a play during a time out... Maine scored
So it seems that not only does coaching during a game have a positive effect, but Tim actually knows about it.


Where are the apologists?
Apparently after 4 down years they have completely lost interest, while the nutcases are still following the team

 

[Hoover]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

Here's what I saw in Lansing..........

Maine started the game Thursday very strong with good speed and a tenacious forecheck attack - they created havoc around the MSU goal for most of the 1st period and had MSU on their heels a lot. The power-play looked good, with nice puck movement and control. With a 3-1 lead after one period and a large edge in shots on goal, it looked like Maine was on their way to a convincing win.

The 2nd and 3rd periods were much different however, as MSU was more aggressive and quicker to loose pucks than Maine. Turnovers in the neutral zone and in their own end by the defence led to so many odd-man rushes against that I lost count. Some undisciplined penalties didn't help either, as Diamond was called for a couple of needless penalties (in my opinion) - he played well, but needs to find the line between being aggressive and being reckless. Sirman played well for the most part - he was completely screened on the first goal, he had absolutely no chance on the shorthanded goal (which was the result of another turnover by the defence - at the MSU blueline). I think he should have stopped one of the 2nd period goals - a clear shot from well out - but he was solid overall.

I thought that Maine would come out strong on Friday after letting a game they should have won the night before slip away, but MSU was much more aggressive and kept pressure on the Maine defence throughout the game. Maine played well at times and had many scoring chances, but Palmisano made several great saves. The power-play was again moving the puck well, but couldn't finish until the 5-on-3 halfway through the 3rd period. The winning MSU goal in the 3rd was the result of another turnover and poor defensive zone coverage. Sullivan played well and made several nice saves on point-blank chances by MSU.

After seeing both games, I can say that the goaltending was not the weak spot in Lansing. The defence as a group has to be better - they have to reduce the turnovers in all 3 zones and make better shot selections instead of shooting into the defenders' shin pads. The power-play, as I said before, moved and controlled the puck well, but they were waiting for the perfect play before putting the puck on net - maybe trying too hard after the success of the PP last season. Abbott played well, Nyquist and Flynn were both skating and handling the puck well but they couldn't make the last move past an MSU defender to get scoring chances.

I'm confident the power-play will improve and start to produce, and the goaltending looks ok so far - team defence and cutting down on the turnovers will be a key for this team going forward.

All in all it was a good time for my wife and I in Lansing - we saw about 2 dozen people with Maine gear on and we met several nice people from Maine during the Thursday morning skate - including one who posts here on the Fan Forum.

 

[acs64]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

Here's what I saw in Lansing..........

Maine started the game Thursday very strong with good speed and a tenacious forecheck attack - they created havoc around the MSU goal for most of the 1st period and had MSU on their heels a lot. The power-play looked good, with nice puck movement and control. With a 3-1 lead after one period and a large edge in shots on goal, it looked like Maine was on their way to a convincing win.

The 2nd and 3rd periods were much diffenent however, as MSU was more aggressive and quicker to loose pucks than Maine. Turnovers in the neutral zone and in their own end by the defence led to so many odd-man rushes against that I lost count. Some undiciplined penalties didn't help either, as Diamond was called for a couple of needless penalties (in my opinion) - he played well, but needs to find the line between being aggressive and being reckless. Sirman played well for the most part - he was completely screened on the first goal, he had absolutely no chance on the shorthanded goal (which was the result of another turnover by the defence - at the MSU blueline). I think he should have stopped one of the 2nd period goals - a clear shot from well out - but he was solid overall.

I thought that Maine would come out strong on Friday after letting a game they should have won the night before slip away, but MSU was much more aggressive and kept pressure on the Maine defence throughout the game. Maine played well at times and had many scoring chances, but Palmisano made several great saves. The power-play was again moving the puck well, but couldn't finish until the 5-on-3 halfway through the 3rd period. The winning MSU goal in the 3rd was the result of anothet turnover and poor defensive zone coverage. Sullivan played well and made several nice saves on point-blank chances by MSU.

After seeing both games, I can say that the goaltending was not the weak spot in Lansing. The defence as a group has to be better - they have to reduce the turnovers in all 3 zones and make better shot selections instead of shooting into the defenders' shin pads. The power-play, as I said before, moved and controlled the puck well, but they were waiting for the perfect play before putting the puck on net - maybe trying too hard after the success of the PP last season. Abbott played well, Nyquist and Flynn were both skating and handling the puck well but they couldn't make the last move past an MSU defender to get scoring chances.

I'm confident the power-play will improve and start to produce, and the goaltending looks ok so far - team defence and cutting down on the turnovers will be a key for this team going forward.

All in all it was a good time for my wife and I in Lansing - we saw about 2 dozen people with Maine gear on and we met several nice people from Maine during the Thursday morning skate - including one who posts here on the Fan Forum.

Thanks for the recaps. Pretty much the way I saw it too. I think Sirman and Sullivan will be fine. Havent seen Oullette play yet, but I see some real competition for playing time.

 

[irishfan85]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2010 - 2011

Coming up for the North Dakota series...how come the hotels are so expensive/no rooms available at many? Any big happenings in the area this weekend? Homecoming?