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Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

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Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

CollegeHockeyRinkReport said:
Union more well prepared come tourney time than Quinnipiac because of goaltending.
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That could be Quinnipiac's undoing,if goaltending is not up to the task like the rest of the team...they have the talent and the Coach to make a push for a return trip to the F4. Goaltending is always a MUST.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

rufus said:
Right now, it's probably in their heads a little bit. But they struggle to score goals on the road, maybe because they just aren't as comfortable in strange environments, and not in the cozy Alfond. They're also a pretty young team, and young teams have growing pains.

But as was said, they've only been really out of a road game once, and that was the BC schmucking. A break or two here or there, a lucky bounce or a shot that's a couple inches to the left or right, and we wouldn't be talking about their road woes. While it's unfortunate, I've got no problem with it, nor am I concerned. Compared with how this team has looked for most of the past six or seven years, I'm thrilled as hell with what they've done this year. At the very least, they're fun to watch again, and they don't take no crap from anyone.
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Maine possesses the killer-instinct at home, but has looked a little tentative on the road....

I think that Red will beat it out of them. ;)
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Aerman said:
Really? You're ruling out Minny? :confused:
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It's not a bad prediction strategy. That overall #1 seed, especially when it is a very wide gap to the next team, always seems to get upset at some point in the tournament. The track record for a team like that isn't great in the tournament since it expanded (and probably going back a few years into the previous 12-team tourney as well).
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Aerman said:
Really? You're ruling out Minny? :confused:
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I don't think they'll fair well against an eastern team. Wilcox is the wild card.
Their best chance would be against BC... similar styles. They'll get the crap kicked out of them by the others, especially QU.
If Brown makes it in, they're my wild card. That team can HIT!!!
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

MaineMan said:
I was at both Umass games. Maine did a great job cycling in the corners to maintain possession but could not create enough quality scoring chances. Made their goalie look like the best in show.

I wrote that off as early in the season with a new coach/system.

I was at BC. They looked like they did at Umass except they were playing BC.

I think what Red has done at home has been spectacular.

I don't think you can only blame a lack of talent when there is such an absurd discrepancy in home and away records.

Maybe Red needs to play a recording of the Stein song on the away bench?
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OK so you saw 2 way early games and the one anomaly road game. See what Rufus posted. Winning on the road is extremely difficult for ANY team, esp in Hockey East. Puck luck can play into it as much as anything else. My issue with your previous statement is about Red's coaching. I'm not defending the road record. But it hasn't been because of lack of effort (exception BC game) or bad coaching. They've been in every road game and given a great effort. If that's a reflection on bad coaching then you have a skewd version of what good coaching is I guess. Bad coaching is what we witnessed the last 5 years.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

The NCAA tournament is an absolute crap shoot. Just get in and every team has between a 2-10% chance of winning the thing. Parity is the name of the game once you start talking about the top 16 or so teams.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

AMC said:
The NCAA tournament is an absolute crap shoot. Just get in and every team has between a 2-10% chance of winning the thing. Parity is the name of the game once you start talking about the top 16 or so teams.
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Let's take a look at where Maine was and where they are headed...

Over the first 13 games(not counting exhibition games) Maine was 6-6-1 losing to Vermont 3 times, St. Lawrence twice, and UMass-Amherst once.

After that, and over the last 11 games(not counting exhibition games) Maine went 6-3-2 with loses to UNH, BC, and Quinnipiac all on their home ice.

Now Notre Dame looks to be a decent squad, and getting a win on their ice will be a challenge. Same goes for Northeastern. However, I can see Maine cleaning up against Merrimack and at a minimum getting a split with PU at home. This leave the 4 games on the road as the wild cards. Win only one of them and it looks like a .500 type finish to close out the season. Win more on the road and it is looking like a solid top four finish in HE.

Some positives to look forward too... Oullete getting some needed rest as he has carried the load in goal. Lomberg is emerging as a very strong winger. S. Swavely getting to heal his injury. In addition, I noticed Heinke, Campbell, and Merchant much more lately than earlier in the season.

Wouldn't it be amazing if this team(picked to finish 8th in the league) emerged as the dark horse and got home ice for the playoffs. I am not sure any team in this league would want to travel to Alfond for the playoffs. Now, if Maine can play well enough to get home ice, win a series at home during HE playoffs, and travel to Boston for the HE finals... you have to think that puts them squarely in the mix for an NCAA playoff berth. That, in my mind, would be a good season.

Particularly, when you consider the team is young and have some decent recruits lines up.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Hey Priceless where are you? Do something about all these spammers starting threads. Flex some muscle!!
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

So Maine isn't playing in the Florida tournament next year. It would be interesting to know how they are going to fill all their NC games other than playing UNH.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Drew S. said:
So Maine isn't playing in the Florida tournament next year. It would be interesting to know how they are going to fill all their NC games other than playing UNH.
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Kind of disppointing. Seems like a casualty of the added nonconference games, plus maybe added travel costs with Notre Dame in conference. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.
 
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Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

amherstblackbear said:
What's the backstory? Link?

Kind of disppointing. I'm guessing it's money?
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It's probably money. I just wonder who they'll fill the games with. They had six games this year that were absolute rubbish so hopefully they have something in mind. I guess UConn and the two with UNH OOC are four of them, will be interesting to see who they play for the other 10.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Didn't I hear that Maine was heading to Alaska next year for one of the early season tourneys? I know those are OOC exempt which would still allow the 12 non-conference games.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Bring back the Dexter Classic. Bring in UHN, Vermont, and Dartmouth maybe, and have at it.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

amherstblackbear said:
What's the backstory? Link?

Kind of disppointing. I'm guessing it's money?
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It's all about money. Oh well. I like the ManchVegas/Portland games. Don't have to fly to those. Plus FINALLY a meaningful game in Portland. Love the 5 min drive.
 
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