Split-N
All Hail
You might be on to something. Mack certainly racked up a statement win vs UConn last night.
USCHO Fan Forum
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.
Northeastern 2022-23: Unfinished Business - Great Expectations
- Thread starter Split-N
- Start date
You might be on to something. Mack certainly racked up a statement win vs UConn last night.
RossiRules
Registered User
Last edited:
This game was GRIM!
The offense played as though they had just met each other on Monday. They checked like they were afraid of contracting Covid from the Union players. With Bucheler, Struble and Spott out, (for unexplained reasons), we got a look at most of next season's defense. OY! And enough about Levi being the college best goalie in the country. That was last year! 12 goals in his last 3 games including at least two tonight which should have been ordinary saves. It isn't easy being a goalie behind he rookie D we put out tonight, but if he keeps playing like he has recently, Buffalo might suggest that he stick around here for another year and pickup his degree.
Sacred Heart must be licking their chops in anticipation of Tuesday night. If we can "withstand" their challenge, and squeeze past LIU and Bentley, we might show that we still belong in the top 30!
These guys better show proper respect for each and every opponent. They are just not playing well enough to win without 100% effort!
This team has a lot to prove.
Last edited:
We made the 4 hour drive today from Buffalo to see our beloved Huskies live. It's a treat to be able to,and good to see plenty of other NU fans there.
The Huskies looked good in the first period,they got the puck in some really dangerous spots in front of the net. When this team owns the front of the net, they do good things. For the rest of the game, however, they had a tough time with all the traffic. They break out well but 2 Union goals came in transition off giveaways. This team wants to play slick, aesthetically pleasing hockey but right now it's not producing enough. Levi looks very ordinary lately. Part of that is who's in front of him, but he doesn't dominate his space.
I wish I wasn't aware of how much potential this team is supposed to have, because it makes me keep thinking they're underachieving.
The Huskies looked good in the first period,they got the puck in some really dangerous spots in front of the net. When this team owns the front of the net, they do good things. For the rest of the game, however, they had a tough time with all the traffic. They break out well but 2 Union goals came in transition off giveaways. This team wants to play slick, aesthetically pleasing hockey but right now it's not producing enough. Levi looks very ordinary lately. Part of that is who's in front of him, but he doesn't dominate his space.
I wish I wasn't aware of how much potential this team is supposed to have, because it makes me keep thinking they're underachieving.
Split-N
All Hail
This would have been treason if you had said it in October but now it's painful truth. Devon has consistently been getting beat high glove side from the base of the faceoff circle, which is something he would have routinely shut down last year. But goaltending isn't the reason they are where they are. On paper, there's so much firepower up front that it shouldn't matter who is in goal. But they can't seem to finish a line rush or close out a game to save their souls.
Last edited:
Would anyone be able to refresh me in how we got Doyle? Did BU immediately realize how much of a liability he is? Why did we end up with him?
what happened between the first and second period? One goal gave them too much confidence and they thought it was going to be a walk in the park?
there is something terribly wrong with the leadership. It’s one thing to get chippy with some local rivals, that’s fine and potentially alluring to fans. Getting in fights with Union after a game where you looked like crap and should have no pride? Dreadful.
I don’t think struble or bucheler or spott being out had much to do with this disaster. They probably have nagging injuries, but in the back of my head I’m hoping they were benched as not deserving of ice time.
I don’t know where we go from here because I can’t recall an offense being so widely hyped. What do you possible change in this lineup to get things going? We are definitely missing a breakout offensive defenseman. Guys like benning, Davies and harris were pivotal contributors of past teams.
beyond that are we missing the guys with heart? The average guys like Schule or Filipe that may not have big careers but could grind and make things happen when you needed it.
what happened between the first and second period? One goal gave them too much confidence and they thought it was going to be a walk in the park?
there is something terribly wrong with the leadership. It’s one thing to get chippy with some local rivals, that’s fine and potentially alluring to fans. Getting in fights with Union after a game where you looked like crap and should have no pride? Dreadful.
I don’t think struble or bucheler or spott being out had much to do with this disaster. They probably have nagging injuries, but in the back of my head I’m hoping they were benched as not deserving of ice time.
I don’t know where we go from here because I can’t recall an offense being so widely hyped. What do you possible change in this lineup to get things going? We are definitely missing a breakout offensive defenseman. Guys like benning, Davies and harris were pivotal contributors of past teams.
beyond that are we missing the guys with heart? The average guys like Schule or Filipe that may not have big careers but could grind and make things happen when you needed it.
Split-N
All Hail
In fairness, Union was the clear aggressor and the penalty sheet shows it: Six minors, two majors, and two game misconducts to Union against two minors to NU. There were two scrums. The second started when an NU player (probably a former teammate) gave Connor Murphy a congratulatory stick tap on the pads and a Union guy then cross-checked him in the head from behind. Needless, pointless, brainless, and gutless.
Last edited:
defkit
New member
On Doyle, I have no inside info, but I can tell you that for an older freshman that committed to BU eons ago, I was surprised that he wasn't more prepared for D-1 hockey. He did get some games in, but at times struggled. I am guessing he figured out that he wasn't going to get a ton of ice time, so he decided to look elsewhere. Of course I could be completely off base. FWIW, I actually thought he looked pretty good in the 2 games against BU.
PullTheGoalie
Active member
I was never a fan of Doyle. Maybe he'll surprise me in the time he has left. I'm a hard marker and my opinions are sometimes perceived as too harsh. I'll hold my tongue at this time. I will say that even as this season appears to be a lost one, it is only one season. We have had a pretty good run for almost ten years. I'm going to try to remember that for now.
Last edited:
Is flohockey the only place to watch this thing?
Split-n you are correct. In fairness Union started it. I think there is something to be said for walking a way, but that’s a lesson it took me a long time to learn.
maybe Doyle had an axe to grid against BU but in general he passes the puck more away than he does to his own team. I look forward to hearing pullthegoalies complete thoughts one day.
tonight’s game is meaningless and can only serve to confirm our pessimism. I am optimistic that it will at least be enjoyable to watch.
Split-n you are correct. In fairness Union started it. I think there is something to be said for walking a way, but that’s a lesson it took me a long time to learn.
maybe Doyle had an axe to grid against BU but in general he passes the puck more away than he does to his own team. I look forward to hearing pullthegoalies complete thoughts one day.
tonight’s game is meaningless and can only serve to confirm our pessimism. I am optimistic that it will at least be enjoyable to watch.
Yes, the game was enjoyable to watch - if you were hoping for Sacred Heart to show how far they've progressed and how much NU has regressed since the start of the season. Perhaps I should apply the 24 hour rule. with the passage of time, perhaps I will be able to find something, anything positive about the game tonight. For now my only suggestion is that at the team's Christmas party, Doyle deserves to play the role of Santa Claus.
RossiRules
Registered User
Oh well...we absolutely suck and Levi kinda looks like a HS goalie on a JV team. That said, we can all now focus on other things because the losses are just going to keep coming and it's going to get pretty ugly. We've been here before and we know the issue is coaching. Right? It's the elephant in the room but never pick your friend to be a coach.
PullTheGoalie
Active member
I know Spott has been injured. Are Bucheler and Struble hurt, too?
If I remember correctly, which I do, you said the same thing about Jimmy Madigan for several years after he became the coach. Back then, you had no idea about what goes on behind the scenes. I'd be willing to bet that you still haven't learned very much about what it takes to put a successful Hockey East team on the ice.
RossiRules
Registered User
Well we haven't won an NCAA game in 40 years. What I am saying is with our program, it doesn't matter, nobody cares. At a place like BU they do..and that's why they have a new coach, even when the coach they got rid of was likely pretty good. When there isn't performance they make changes bcuz they have to and we don't. Do you think Jim Madigan could have been a coach at BC or BU or a top program with no NCAA wins in 10 years? That's kind of what I am saying..that's all. It's not disparaging to the current coach but look at the resume. Do you think it's strong enough to not only win in HE and the NCAAs? I don't I never did and think patronage and being nice and rewarding a good soldier doesn't win championships. That's just me. Of course I understand that we aren't BC or BU with a line of blue chip former NHL alumni chomping at the bit to coach the hounds. I actually believe we won a few bean pots when Jerry and Jack were actually mentally at their career sunsets in a kind of career Alzheimer's. The point I'm making is that it's not going to change. At NU performance in sports hockey included isn't expected as it's generally seen as an accoutrement to academics only. Which is fine. It's an environmental issue that exists within NU itself derived from generally low expectations from alumni, fans and the administration. Thus it will be virtually impossible to move the program forward beyond what Jim has accomplished except perhaps in a miracle season. It's an attitude, a perception as well, as to what can be tolerated. Arguably places like CT and UMA have kind of moved ahead of our program in shorter periods. This may be because some aspects of an x factor or because of a different agenda when it comes to the direction of the program in general. I don't believe that has changed even with Jim as AD. You likely need a university president who embraces this attitude. Has the program moved forward yes..that's all on Jim. Kudos! However to get to the next level??? Well in order to do that we would need to fill the barn with fans and develop a ND kinda swagger..who really thinks that's possible? I don't. Although, this team was picked to win HE for the 1st and only time in 40 years basically the entire existence of the league and while we have had some injuries...something else is wrong. Perhaps the 1st thing is that an administration must understand that a coach can and should make more $ than an AD, if he has success. Catch my drift. This ship could right itself but we both know it's not likely as the patsies on the schedule are pretty much in the rear view mirror and we didn't best them as a result, the pairwise is pretty much lost. So we are fast approaching the need to win the HE tournament and it's only the 1st week of December. Don't get me wrong maybe it's mental and they rip off 13 straight wins..and I hope they do but think they won't. They look lost, have regressed and play without passion and are often undisciplined. I believe those are issues you hang on a coach...sorry.
Last edited:
If this week wasn't a huge wake-up call for everyone at the program, I don't know what is. I usually have to watch all the games on TV, outside of the one or two I make in person. I'll preface the following comments with this: I've appreciated as I got older what I know, what I can know, what I don't know, and what I can't possibly know. I watch plenty of hockey but without a hockey background, I don't always understand the plays and the flow enough to say what they should've done. I'm not in a position where I know what's going on at practice or if what they're coaching is actually being done on the ice.
I think any successful college-level program, in any sport, requires good motivation/direction/man management; good recruiting; and a good technical/X's and O's aspect. Some coaches can do all three. Some programs need another guy. From the stands, it looked like Madigan was great at the first two. He could sell anyone on NU, and in his decade as coach the team got vastly better mentally. Not only did they become a team that handled big games well, but there was a drive, a competitive intensity to the teams. I got the impression that Keefe was the X's and O's guy. (Those of you closer to things can correct me if I'm wrong). What I've suspected from watching on TV, and really felt on Saturday at Union, is that the competitive drive and focus was missing. You used to have guys who were passed over by other schools and they had a point to prove. (I felt like the whole ethos of the school was that way for a long time, but that's another discussion). I haven't seen a team lately that 'brings it', they look/act like they already have 'it'. I don't (and can't) know what the coaches tell them. I don't (and can't) know what they're saying to motivate each other. From here, it doesn't look like a group that acts like they have something to prove, something to gain, something to achieve. It looks like a group who's out there to look good on this rest-stop along their career path. I've come to think that I don't miss having a chip on my shoulder - over time, it's annoyingly heavy, and a lousy way to look at the world. But on Saturday I missed having a hungry, focused team. Those were a lot more fun to root for than the highly-rated ones that only tease you once in a while with what they're capable of. (I kinda suspect that our colleagues at BC and BU have wondered this over the past few years too).
Not everyone will look like they care at a level like Jim Madigan, or Zach Solow. But where is the fire right now?
I think any successful college-level program, in any sport, requires good motivation/direction/man management; good recruiting; and a good technical/X's and O's aspect. Some coaches can do all three. Some programs need another guy. From the stands, it looked like Madigan was great at the first two. He could sell anyone on NU, and in his decade as coach the team got vastly better mentally. Not only did they become a team that handled big games well, but there was a drive, a competitive intensity to the teams. I got the impression that Keefe was the X's and O's guy. (Those of you closer to things can correct me if I'm wrong). What I've suspected from watching on TV, and really felt on Saturday at Union, is that the competitive drive and focus was missing. You used to have guys who were passed over by other schools and they had a point to prove. (I felt like the whole ethos of the school was that way for a long time, but that's another discussion). I haven't seen a team lately that 'brings it', they look/act like they already have 'it'. I don't (and can't) know what the coaches tell them. I don't (and can't) know what they're saying to motivate each other. From here, it doesn't look like a group that acts like they have something to prove, something to gain, something to achieve. It looks like a group who's out there to look good on this rest-stop along their career path. I've come to think that I don't miss having a chip on my shoulder - over time, it's annoyingly heavy, and a lousy way to look at the world. But on Saturday I missed having a hungry, focused team. Those were a lot more fun to root for than the highly-rated ones that only tease you once in a while with what they're capable of. (I kinda suspect that our colleagues at BC and BU have wondered this over the past few years too).
Not everyone will look like they care at a level like Jim Madigan, or Zach Solow. But where is the fire right now?
Last edited:
PullTheGoalie
Active member
I did see a report that Bucheler and Struble are injured. Nothing about when they may return though.