Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

[ck1969]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

It's a work in progress, I saw a lot of things to like, and a lot of the same old same old. After SLU took the lead early in the game, there was a lot of individual play, skating the puck into the zone and taking low percentage shots from out high. And when they re-took the lead late, Maine wasn't prepared for the momentum boost that gave them, and were caught flatfooted by the increased intensity, and gave up another one quickly. Mental toughness and the ability to handle adversity need improvement, and yeah, they need to bring a nastier disposition to their play on the ice.

But in the third, they were back to driving the net, making some piles in front, and trying to scrap for goals. And while the PP was ineffective, I was glad to see that it wasn't just 'get the puck to the point for a shot'. They do seem better at getting the puck out of their own end, and moving it up ice, had some moments of real nice playmaking, Their positioning looks better. But also too many moments of falling back into TIMMAY hockey. Gonna take a while for Red to knock that out of them, and to toughen them up both mentally and physically.

TIMMAY really did a job on this program.

Yeah he did. It's going to take the majority of this season to get things back on track. There isn't a ton of talent on this roster. None of these kids know how to"win ugly" and that's what they're going to hafta do. This offense isn't going to win by scoring 5 goals or even 4. They need to learn to win 2-1 1-0. This is gonna be a h e ll of a test for Red.I for one am going to take this season for what it is. Sorta out with the old and in with the new.....and that will take time.

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

Yeah he did. It's going to take the majority of this season to get things back on track. There isn't a ton of talent on this roster. None of these kids know how to"win ugly" and that's what they're going to hafta do. This offense isn't going to win by scoring 5 goals or even 4. They need to learn to win 2-1 1-0. This is gonna be a h e ll of a test for Red.I for one am going to take this season for what it is. Sorta out with the old and in with the new.....and that will take time.

+1

 

[rufus]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

See, I don't think they'll be winning all 2-1 or 1-0. I think there's potential there to be a decent team. But they've gotta commit to working hard every shift. use their teammates to generate space and scoring opportunities, and be willing to pay the price to get into the areas and make the plays where that can score from. It won't be easy, and it's gonna take more than just lofting in shots from out by the circles. They gotta go hard to the net, and be willing to bang around and cause havoc when they're down there.

There were lots of plays, not just scoring chances, but on the breakout, where guys found their teammates with nifty little passes right on their stick. But just as many where they couldn't get pucks through, or the passes were off. Fundamental stuff that Red will teach and correct. So as the season wears on, there'll be more of the former, and less of the latter.

But hard work and compete level are also key. Too often this weekend, they just let down. And Red is well aware of that.

 

[whatever]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

It's a start.

Something positive: STL scored a little less than they did on Tim at this time last year, and Red's team scored a little more.

 

[Fishman'81]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

Some observations from Canton:

Red sat Cerretani on Saturday; good move there... And if Rutt doesn't smarten-up I'd sit him, too; he's no where good enough to tolerate his temper-tantrums.

Byron, Renouf and (maybe) Morgan look like keepers among the Freshmen. The first two are definitely the pick of the litter IMO; they have the smarts and the physical tools to stand out.

Maine inexplicably took the 2nd off on Saturday... They otherwise showed a willingness to work, yet this team still has nearly nothing in terms of finishers, and they lost practically every physical battle against SLU.


PS: I ran into a couple of Maine parents (separately) at an Ogdensberg eatery after the game, and asked how the guys liked the new coaching regime... I got the jaundiced-eye, and the same answer twice, more-or-less: "They're not sure yet" and "They're still on the fence." I wasn't exactly sure how to take that, but I'm guessing that Red has an agenda that might possibly involve some culling of the Timmy-Era recruits.

...And ya know what?, he needs to do that.

This group of players isn't even going to any NCAAs, let alone any FFs. It's probably the least-talented Maine team I've seen since the waning years of the Semler's tenure. If Gendron is to succeed, given his mandate, he'll need to weed-out the dead wood sooner rather than later.

 

[CollegeHockeyRinkReport]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

I'm actually surprised 2-3 players weren't cut over the summer, but Micheletto made three-four cuts this summer after his first season in Amherst. Expect that to happen next summer in Orono.

 

[Fishman'81]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

Three or four cuts isn't going to make a dent in what Maine needs to do to get back to relevance, if you ask me... I'm thinking 10-12 for starters.

The question is: can Red find any real talent to replace those warm bodies?

 

[Priceless]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

And here I was thinking the zombies on The Walking Dead were out for blood...

 

[walrus]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

cut 10 or 12, that ain't happening. They've had one week of practice, give'em some time. We all know this team lacks finishers but lets get a system in place before axing folks

 

[ck1969]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

cut 10 or 12, that ain't happening. They've had one week of practice, give'em some time. We all know this team lacks finishers but lets get a system in place before axing folks

I agree. Besides there is no way he could find enough kids to fill 10-12 spots right away. He's going to have to bake with the ingredients in the cupboard. Like I said before. It's going to take 3 yrs minimum. He's got to get some of his kids in before the Win/Loss improves. I don't think a lot of people have grasped how deep Tim burried this program.

 

[blackbearbandie]

I agree. Besides there is no way he could find enough kids to fill 10-12 spots right away. He's going to have to bake with the ingredients in the cupboard. Like I said before. It's going to take 3 yrs minimum. He's got to get some of his kids in before the Win/Loss improves. I don't think a lot of people have grasped how deep Tim burried this program.

It wasn't just Whitehead burying the program; The Athletic Department helped, because there was no accountability, or at least appeared as if there wasn't. How can they justify those $50 seats? The Athletic Department has been out of touch with reality for a while now, it seems. At least we know we have a competent coaching staff that will instill discipline and the proper work ethic that is necessary to be competitive, but they still need capable players that have the ability to succeed.

 

['93'99??]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

Some observations from Canton:

Red sat Cerretani on Saturday; good move there... And if Rutt doesn't smarten-up I'd sit him, too; he's no where good enough to tolerate his temper-tantrums.

Byron, Renouf and (maybe) Morgan look like keepers among the Freshmen. The first two are definitely the pick of the litter IMO; they have the smarts and the physical tools to stand out.

Maine inexplicably took the 2nd off on Saturday... They otherwise showed a willingness to work, yet this team still has nearly nothing in terms of finishers, and they lost practically every physical battle against SLU.


PS: I ran into a couple of Maine parents (separately) at an Ogdensberg eatery after the game, and asked how the guys liked the new coaching regime... I got the jaundiced-eye, and the same answer twice, more-or-less: "They're not sure yet" and "They're still on the fence." I wasn't exactly sure how to take that, but I'm guessing that Red has an agenda that might possibly involve some culling of the Timmy-Era recruits.

...And ya know what?, he needs to do that.

This group of players isn't even going to any NCAAs, let alone any FFs. It's probably the least-talented Maine team I've seen since the waning years of the Semler's tenure. If Gendron is to succeed, given his mandate, he'll need to weed-out the dead wood sooner rather than later.

Good post. This is the mark of a good coach. Few great coaches are ever really "loved" by their players, most notably you know who. Putting the fear of god into these young kids is is a part of what is necessary.

 

[UncleRay]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

cut 10 or 12, that ain't happening. They've had one week of practice, give'em some time. We all know this team lacks finishers but lets get a system in place before axing folks

I agree. Besides there is no way he could find enough kids to fill 10-12 spots right away. He's going to have to bake with the ingredients in the cupboard. Like I said before. It's going to take 3 yrs minimum. He's got to get some of his kids in before the Win/Loss improves. I don't think a lot of people have grasped how deep Tim buried this program.

Agreed. Some cuts may happen, but it won't be the equivalent of a recruiting class or two.

 

[rufus]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

I thought Cam Brown looked really good too. A little spark plug there.

 

[blackbearbandie]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

Goal production, power play will be priorities in practice for Maine this week

By Larry Mahoney, BDN Staff
Posted Oct. 14, 2013, at 5:44 p.m.
http://bangordailynews.com/2013/10/...n-practice-for-maine-this-week/?ref=SportsBox

ORONO, Maine — It certainly wasn’t the start they wanted.

But first-year University of Maine coach Red Gendron was philosophical about season-opening 3-1 and 5-2 losses over the weekend at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y.

“Listen, it’s going to be a work in progress. You know it, I know it,” said Gendron. “We aren’t going to fix this in a day.”

Gendron said there are “no excuses” for not winning.

“I don’t care if we’re playing the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. I expect us to win,” said Gendron. “We need to expect that from ourselves.”

 

[rufus]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

Again, loving what we're hearing from this new coaching staff. You can't expect to practice things at half-speed, and then have them work when the other guys are coming at you full speed.

The on-ice portion of Sunday’s practices are “more [up] tempo and skill-oriented. It’s about executing puck skills with speed. They don’t have to battle [contact] on Sundays.”

 

[sandiegoblkbr]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

How can they justify those $50 seats?

They can't. Cut the prices back to $25 for prime location chairbacks.........maybe $30 for prime games vs. BC, BU, UNH and Notre Dame.

It's insane to charge $50 to see Bentley or AIC play........insane!!!!!!!

 

[Fishman'81]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

I agree. Besides there is no way he could find enough kids to fill 10-12 spots right away. He's going to have to bake with the ingredients in the cupboard. Like I said before. It's going to take 3 yrs minimum. He's got to get some of his kids in before the Win/Loss improves. I don't think a lot of people have grasped how deep Tim burried this program.

Never meant to imply that replacing 10-12 guys in one year was a realistic possibility; I was just opining that Maine is 10-12 players short of an NCAA berth right now.

To be fair, I was encouraged to see a general improvement in play across the board in Canton (aside from finishing-off scoring chances, of course.)

While the D gave up a couple of costly odd-mans, I didn't once hold my head in my hands over a Heggarty-style, own-zone pass across the low crease in heavy traffic, for instance... (That sort of thing happened all the time with Tim's teams.) And, Maine generated more Grade-A opportunities than did SLU on Friday, and nearly as many on Saturday. They just don't finish-off plays, as we all know already.

If I could wave a magic wand, there wouldn't be many guys I'd retain on this roster... Lomberg is a kinda-sorta waterbug at times, but he tends to spectate in his own end, and Shore really hasn't panned-out thus far. I'm pretty high on Byron and Renouf on the basis of a very small sample-size, and that's about it, aside from Marty, who is definitely better than average, but not a savior.

The cupboard is as bare as it's been in years and years... It's gonna take every second of three years to right the ship, at minimum, if you ask me.

 

[BoSox3066]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

If I could wave a magic wand, there wouldn't be many guys I'd retain on this roster... Lomberg is a kinda-sorta waterbug at times, but he tends to spectate in his own end, and Shore really hasn't panned-out thus far. I'm pretty high on Byron and Renouf on the basis of a very small sample-size, and that's about it, aside from Marty, who is definitely better than average, but not a savior.

The cupboard is as bare as it's been in years and years... It's gonna take every second of three years to right the ship, at minimum, if you ask me.

Have you ever seen Devin Shore play?

 

[Fishman'81]

Re: Maine Hockey '13-14: Are you Red-E?

Yes, maybe 10 games or so in person, and several times more on TV...

He's a smart player, but he's not really a significant scorer at the D-1 level. He'd probably be the best player on the third line on a contending team, at best.

His numbers speak pretty accurately for themselves, IMO.