Northeastern 2025-26: After Hours at the Old Barn

[navy44]

Any news on Connor availability for tonight? Pretty nasty hit, i would think #8 in maroon will have his head on a swivel tonight.

 

[BC/HE]

Any news on Connor availability for tonight? Pretty nasty hit, i would think #8 in maroon will have his head on a swivel tonight.

So will #81 for NU. Surprised he didn't get any penalties for all his rough and dirty play and a misconduct at the end.

 

[Ryecheers]

Any news on Connor availability for tonight? Pretty nasty hit, i would think #8 in maroon will have his head on a swivel tonight.

I thought the HEA commissioner had to review the penalties and rule whether #8 would be allowed to play tonight. He got 15 minutes worth of penalties, but had just ~10 seconds in the box. Suspension for a game might send a message to the players that the last minute of a game is not a time for fisticuffs or attempts to injure the opponent.

 

[Split-N]

I'll admit to being a glass half-full guy. But in my wildest dreams, I never imagined wins over the defending national champ, a recent national champ, and a sweep over a perennial blue blood. Will be interesting to note if the national poll voters even notice.

The Denver and both BC games have been defensive hockey clinics. Bottle 'em up and wait for a break. Good for 5-1 so far.

 

[RossiRules]

Ah I went, I don't think individually we are better than BC. However, as a team, right now we are better. The sum of our parts is the best thru 6 games that I can remember recently or if ever. I could not find 4 wins over three ranked opponents in October ever. Clearly, we are getting great goaltending but something else is clicking too. This system they play is not only working but it's frustrating our opponent. I'll take it. If we aren't ranked in the top 20 on Tuesday they can shove that poll up their ass.

 

[RossiRules]

Exhibition games in the NPI era are the same as during the PWR era. Pairwise being replaced by NPI doesn't change anything there.

I'd expect a split between BC and NU this weekend. If BC can manage a sweep I'd be impressed and would have some optimism. Goaltending is iffy and probably will be for the whole season. If NU sweeps BC, it would say a lot about each team and the long-term direction each program is headed.

One last ride in the old barn.

Expect a split not even close

 

[Ryecheers]

Ah I went, I don't think individually we are better than BC. However, as a team, right now we are better. The sum of our parts is the best thru 6 games that I can remember recently or if ever. I could not find 4 wins over three ranked opponents in October ever. Clearly, we are getting great goaltending but something else is clicking too. This system they play is not only working but it's frustrating our opponent. I'll take it. If we aren't ranked in the top 20 on Tuesday they can shove that poll up their ass.

That went well!! But excuse me if I don’t demand a place in the top ten just yet.
Split-N and I have been around long enough to have seen a better start in terms of Ws & Ls. In the fall of 1980 we started 12-0. Then we lost 2 , won a game, then lost every game to go 13-13. Complete penthouse to outhouse Polls were not national then, because eastern teams rarely met western teams until the NCAA Tournament. Also, in those wins, we gave up an average of 4+ GPG. We simply scored more. Scoring was much more prolific in the 70s & 80s. A win over BC or bu was so rare it could justify a parade down Huntington Ave.
What is so impressive about this short, enjoyable run is the team’s ability to adhere to a defensive system and excellent, if not elite, team speed. The goaltending has been terrific and has benefited from protection from the D (except for several breakaways).
It’s a long season, longer without a home rink. Hopefully the energy and discipline we’ve shown can be maintained and adapted, as we will have a target on our backs in coming weeks.

 

[PullTheGoalie]

First ever sweep of BC in a weekend home and home series! I am also thrilled with the depth and performance of the team. The mesh of new and returning players, so far they're playing like they've been together for awhile. Last year Mark Divver called Lane Zacher 'the best college goalie nobody knew'. Today, he posted 'now everybody knows'. It will be very interesting to see how the rest of this unique season unfolds.

 

[RossiRules]

That went well!! But excuse me if I don’t demand a place in the top ten just yet.
Split-N and I have been around long enough to have seen a better start in terms of Ws & Ls. In the fall of 1980 we started 12-0. Then we lost 2 , won a game, then lost every game to go 13-13. Complete penthouse to outhouse Polls were not national then, because eastern teams rarely met western teams until the NCAA Tournament. Also, in those wins, we gave up an average of 4+ GPG. We simply scored more. Scoring was much more prolific in the 70s & 80s. A win over BC or bu was so rare it could justify a parade down Huntington Ave.
What is so impressive about this short, enjoyable run is the team’s ability to adhere to a defensive system and excellent, if not elite, team speed. The goaltending has been terrific and has benefited from protection from the D (except for several breakaways).
It’s a long season, longer without a home rink. Hopefully the energy and discipline we’ve shown can be maintained and adapted, as we will have a target on our backs in coming weeks.

I started following them in 1984. Yes that start had them in Sports Illustrated. However, I looked back thru all the Pairwise years and USCHO polls and could not find 4 wins in the month of October against ranked opponents. Long way to go but it's a pleasant surprise

 

[navy44]

The problem with the poll, and why it is basically a bunch of crap, is that the preseason pollsters assign an imaginary wish list of teams they desperately want to cover. Its based on rosters, coaches, and "pedigree" (national championships in 1960, legendary coach, etc). There are exceptions, for example when you have a known quantity like Devon Levi, you may get some love in the poll. However, the problem is that when the swimsuit top 10 start off the season with a few losses, excuses are made ("they are phasing in a lot of young players", or, "tendy is having a rough stretch"), so they remain in the top 20. Gophers are the shining example this year, losing games but they are dropping from an imaginary position they never earned. I'm not saying the NPI is accurate at this point, and honestly, don't care if NU gets votes if they keep playing like this. But when teams with a 52 NPI (Minn) are still there, or an undefeated team like Wisconsin is below BC,BU, UConn, the poll is worthless.

Even now, the NESN talking heads are talking about Zacher as if this is just a lucky few games, and "we'll see if he can keep it up". Tomorrow will be interesting.

 

[navy44]

This is interesting though...........

https://x.com/Buccigross/status/1985055680294945128

 

[navy44]

Polls are out.............NU at #14

https://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-i-mens-poll

BU at 3-5-1 still in at #12
BC at 2-4-1 still in at #18
PC after splitting with UML gained a spot to #15.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Man... this is exciting! NU might actually advance a round in the NCAA tournament for the first time since the early years of the Reagan administration!!!

 

[Split-N]

I'll take #14 after so many years in hockey Siberia. But left to wonder what was in the coffee of the voters who had Denver (with 3 losses and which NU shut out) at #9 and UMass (decisively beaten) at 13. But that's the nature of national polls. Brand recognition counts.

NickP (above) probably trolling us but he's absolutely right about not getting past Round 1. The wounds from 2009 (vs Cornell); 2018 (vs Michigan) 2019 (vs Cornell again) and 2022 (vs WMU) still bleed.

 

[mookie1995]

Man... this is exciting! NU might actually advance a round in the NCAA tournament for the first time since the early years of the Reagan administration!!!

Let’s not go licking each other’s popsicles just yet

 

[Ryecheers]

Please don't

NickP (above) probably trolling us but he's absolutely right about not getting past Round 1. The wounds from 2009 (vs Cornell); 2018 (vs Michigan) 2019 (vs Cornell again) and 2022 (vs WMU) still bleed.

I'll take #14 after so many years in hockey Siberia. But left to wonder what was in the coffee of the voters who had Denver (with 3 losses and which NU shut out) at #9 and UMass (decisively beaten) at 13. But that's the nature of national polls. Brand recognition counts.

NickP (above) probably trolling us but he's absolutely right about not getting past Round 1. The wounds from 2009 (vs Cornell); 2018 (vs Michigan) 2019 (vs Cornell again) and 2022 (vs WMU) still bleed.

Please don't remind me of those disappointments, especially the 2009 choke by Brad Theissen, our All-American,Hobie Baker finalist goalie.After giving up a softie tie goal with 17 seconds left and a game winner in OT, he signed with Pittsburgh. Without ever touching the ice, he got (I didn't say "earned") a Stanley cup ring, and his name was etched onto the cup!! Husky fans were rewarded with nightmares and thoughts of what might have been. We have needed very thick skins. assume nothing until the final buzzer sounds.

 

[RossiRules]

I'll take #14 after so many years in hockey Siberia. But left to wonder what was in the coffee of the voters who had Denver (with 3 losses and which NU shut out) at #9 and UMass (decisively beaten) at 13. But that's the nature of national polls. Brand recognition counts.

NickP (above) probably trolling us but he's absolutely right about not getting past Round 1. The wounds from 2009 (vs Cornell); 2018 (vs Michigan) 2019 (vs Cornell again) and 2022 (vs WMU) still bleed.

I have been saying the same thing as Nick since 1984. I don't judge seasons by tournament wins. I judge them by wins over BU and BC and in recent years at least since the Jim Madigan era we have won are share, that's what likely frosts Nicks pea balls. That and that poor excuse for a football team they they have over at the Heights that is about to go 1 and 8. Lol. They along with UMass might want to consider 1AA with New Hampshire,RI and Bryant. Lol

 

[mookie1995]

Nick’s pea balls

 

[fahey4prez]

Man... this is exciting! NU might actually advance a round in the NCAA tournament for the first time since the early years of the Reagan administration!!!

Stop it. So much hockey yet to be played. I’m praying this season isn’t the opposite of the past several. Fast start and slow finish.

 

[mookie1995]

“past several”