Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

is this another one of those times?

It's definitely on of those times (of the month) for MCHOCKEY.

 

[MCHOCKEY]

Mack was terrific in the second period but did you really think they carried the play in the other two periods?

we all say things that afterwards we wish we hadn't..........i suspect this is one of those times for you

is this another one of those times?

I thought mc skated with them in the first period and at times controlled the play, especially the first half of the period. The parker/york comment was said tongue in cheek, which I do regret saying as manyof the posters here dont remember me from years ago. As for the last comment about players turning towards the boards, talk to the very nice bc fans next to me who brought up that part of the conversation saying that they were seeingit more than ever from this squad. Or perhaps that its just being called more often right now.

Yes, I was frustrated about a few of the calls (offsides, etc), and the non calls...so I regret posting some of the tongue in cheek comments. Back to our regularly scheduled programming. Next week is more important than ever.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Seeing it more is still different than being coached to do that. Do you honestly believe they're being taught to put themselves in vulnerable positions where they could get severely hurt?

 

[RENCEB]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Maybe I should post this on Craigslist:
Wanted. Scorers. Snipers, tip-in artists, greasy goal scorers, anyone who can play forward and put the puck in the net. 22 year old Freshman are preferred, but will consider most anyone.
MC forwards have scored exactly 2 goals in the last 4 games. That should happen almost by accident. Honestly, perhaps they should think about playing Stollery at forward. Time to do something really out of the box, because what they are working with now ain't gettin it done.

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Maybe I should post this on Craigslist:
Wanted. Scorers. Snipers, tip-in artists, greasy goal scorers, anyone who can play forward and put the puck in the net. 22 year old Freshman are preferred, but will consider most anyone.
MC forwards have scored exactly 2 goals in the last 4 games. That should happen almost by accident. Honestly, perhaps they should think about playing Stollery at forward. Time to do something really out of the box, because what they are working with now ain't gettin it done.

how about a different ad
Wanted: crap opponents, ranked in the very bottom 1/4th of NCAA teams to play against so that Merrimack can beat on them mercilessly, game after game and raise the expectations of all of the fans, coaches, players and onlookers.

how many goals did you expect to score with a banged up team, playing against 2 of the top 5ish teams in the country?

MC was "lucky" to face so many "bad" teams at the beginning of the season

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

3) I always thought Parker was the only coach in boston that had the refs in his back pocket...that was until tonight...I can't believe that BC could do no wrong through that whole game with the exception of one minor penalty midway through the first.

you shouldda seen PEaves play and not get called.

 

[RENCEB]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

how about a different ad
Wanted: crap opponents, ranked in the very bottom 1/4th of NCAA teams to play against so that Merrimack can beat on them mercilessly, game after game and raise the expectations of all of the fans, coaches, players and onlookers.

how many goals did you expect to score with a banged up team, playing against 2 of the top 5ish teams in the country?

MC was "lucky" to face so many "bad" teams at the beginning of the season

Why would I need to place an ad for something that had already happened? and by the way, this offensive abyss goes back further than these past 2 weekends.

I expect their forwards to score more than 2 goals in 4 games. To me, that's not an unrealistic expectation for any team, ya think? Sure they are "banged up", but some of the guys from whom I expected some offense (Collins, Flanigan, Bates) have been MIA on the scoresheet. They miss Madsen, but he wasn't exactly a sniper (granted he did have an HT against your Black Bears in the playoffs last year).

My expectation coming into the season was 3rd through 5th. I knew the Goaltending and D would be their strength; I just didn't think they would struggle this badly (9th in team offense) scoring goals.

 

[Yuppie Scum]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Why would I need to place an ad for something that had already happened? and by the way, this offensive abyss goes back further than these past 2 weekends.

I expect their forwards to score more than 2 goals in 4 games. To me, that's not an unrealistic expectation for any team, ya think? Sure they are "banged up", but some of the guys from whom I expected some offense (Collins, Flanigan, Bates) have been MIA on the scoresheet. They miss Madsen, but he wasn't exactly a sniper (granted he did have an HT against your Black Bears in the playoffs last year).

My expectation coming into the season was 3rd through 5th. I knew the Goaltending and D would be their strength; I just didn't think they would struggle this badly (9th in team offense) scoring goals.

It's looking likely at this point (80% according to http://www.playoffstatus.com/hockeyeast/hockeyeaststandings.html) we'll be facing said Black Bears in the first round. Maine has a better chance at easy HEA points in the remaining schedule facing UNH and NU. Even though we took 5/6 from the bears, the prospect of an away series at Alfond is nothing to sneeze at.

I have pretty low expectations for the rest of this campaign, hopefully the guys will exceed them! Stealing some points from UML would really juice our NCAA chances.

 

[MCHOCKEY]

Seeing it more is still different than being coached to do that. Do you honestly believe they're being taught to put themselves in vulnerable positions where they could get severely hurt?

No J.D., That was part of the tongue on cheek comments I was speaking of. I don't think out is being taught. I just think that players are doing it a LOT more often and coaches don't seem to be doing anything to correct it...and I'm saying all coaches, nit just york. for the record, I do think that bc is back to playing like the #1 team in the country.

 

[MCHOCKEY]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

you shouldda seen PEaves play and not get called.

Trust me KnowItAll, I did see PEaves play many times. I was at the infamous game where he and Exter collided...I was even interviewed on the channel 7 news the next night and gave my honest opinion (that it wasn't a dirty hit, but wasn't a clean one either...he could have pulled up, but it's a fast game and these freak things happen) I always thought Ben was a better hockey player, but Patrick has had a better run up in the NHL. Like I said in my original post, it was a joy to watch Kreider play this weekend. The kid is a beast...he has the size, the speed and the talent. I can see him having a LONG career if he can stay healthy.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Anyone have any updates on the progress of Carter Madsen? I know it was a terrible injury and he had a few surgeries right after the injury, just haven't heard much about him lately.

It was a serious shame to see that happen.

 

[garymadsen]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Anyone have any updates on the progress of Carter Madsen? I know it was a terrible injury and he had a few surgeries right after the injury, just haven't heard much about him lately.

It was a serious shame to see that happen.

Thanks for your concern about Carter. He had 5 surgeries in total to repair the injury, out of the hospital on Feb 8th. He is back on campus attending to his studies. Subsequent checkups with the surgeon report that the healing is progressing nicely but will be a long process. Carter is in good spirits and starting some light physio to aid in his recovery. Obviously, he would prefer to be out there helping the Warriors towards a Championship. Thanks again for the support of all well wishers.

 

[rdurk86]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Seeing it more is still different than being coached to do that. Do you honestly believe they're being taught to put themselves in vulnerable positions where they could get severely hurt?

I think players, not just BC but most teams, are being coached to sell the hits from behind a little harder because of the sensitivity by the refs and the league. I've seen a few where it looked like a player was just leaning on them in the back and they go right down. It's not easy for the refs to distinguish between a legit hit from behind vs. leaning on the offensive player. I've seen players get boarded, go down in a heap for 10-15 seconds, get helped off, then take the faceoff on the 5 min power play. Maybe they got the wind knocked out, or maybe they were selling a more severe injury to get a 5 and a game. There's a lot of grey area in this situation for sure.

In other words, I don't think they're intentionally turning and facing the boards or turning their backs on players, but when they do feel some push from behind, they'll try and draw the call.

 

[Yuppie Scum]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Successful weekend I would say. Though I don't think Lowell was playing at the top of their game, there's a lot of positive to take from it.

What expectations should we set for the Umass weekend? I know they are fighting for their playoff lives, but can we say there's enough separation between us and them that we can take 3-4 points?

 

[RENCEB]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Successful weekend I would say. Though I don't think Lowell was playing at the top of their game, there's a lot of positive to take from it.

What expectations should we set for the Umass weekend? I know they are fighting for their playoff lives, but can we say there's enough separation between us and them that we can take 3-4 points?

Gotta take 3 minimum to secure home ice (I'm assuming that Maine will beat UNH @ Alfond).
Taking 3pts from UML was big...had them on the ropes Saturday night, but couldn't stay out of the box in the last 5 minutes of the game. PK has deteriorated (loss of Madsen is huge in that regard) since early in the year.
UMass is fighting desperately to get that 8th spot, battling N'Eastern.

 

[irishfan85]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Blowing that lead late was not good. It was a two point swing. 3rd seed is a big difference compared to 4th seed. It would have given us the TB over UML and put us in much better position for 3rd.

 

[MCgrad07]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

As dishearting as it was to tie on Saturday it was a very positive weekend. Friday night was the best the team has played in the second half. It was also nice to get 3 PP goals on the weekend. Friday night's game will be huge a U Mass is trying to get in the playoffs. I see Merrimack winning a close game Friday and winning by 3 on Saturday

 

[irishfan85]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

I like Merrimack's chances whether it's at Maine or hosting Maine. Maine's goaltending and defensive play in their own end is very suspect. Cannata has to get hot and the Warriors need to stay out of the box. Big weekend for Merrimack. Hopefully they get one more point than Maine does.

 

[MCHOCKEY]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

I see Merrimack winning a close game Friday and winning by 3 on Saturday

Ummmmm...are we watching the same team here? The only way this team wins by 3 is if it's 3-0...they have struggled to score 3 goals in the 2nd half of the season...hoping they can put up some point like Friday, rather than the way the only put up 2 on Saturday. 2 goals/game isn't going to get you far in this tournament, or any tournament for that matter, no matter how good defensively you are. I see two 1 goal games...perhaps an ENG in one of them...I'll say 3-2 at UMass, 3-1 (ENG) at home.

 

[irishfan85]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

They won 5-2 Friday night against a much better team. They need to take advantage of playing a lesser team than Lowell and Maine have this weekend.