Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

[RossiRules]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

Sadly, the BB team has been a joke compared to what was there when Calhoun was the NU coach. Guys like Wes Fuller and John Williams would have been first options on almost all of the teams they've had since the 90's other than when Barea was at NU. Reggie was the best but the supporting cast was very good.

First although normally I would not comment as this has nothing to do with hockey, I will add that you can't compare the ECAC North Atlantic to the Colonial, it was a different game and having seen every home BBG from 1984 to 1989, I have to disagree. Yes Calhoun was great but he got lucky getting Lewis who was a 6th man at Dunbar in Baltimore with all 5 starters ahead of him on his HS team going to the NBA. The truth is, that if, Jim had not got him to sign with NU, and had he not recognized Reggie’s talent as he had only one other full ride at Univ. of MD Baltimore County, he would have likely never been offered the CT job.

The team was good but it was a big fish in a small pound they really had very few quality wins against good teams. Wes Fukler was not NBA caliber player neither was Andre Lafleur, who had when he graduated was the all time NCAA assist leader a record that stood for like 10 years. John Naduko or Jerry Corcoran all were starters and wound up playing in Europe. The fact is that, it was really was all Lewis, the team outside of him was not that good. In fact, you can argue that the team before his arrival that had the likes of Perry Moss, Dave Leitao and Pete Harris all who played in the ABA or CBA of the early 80's was likly a bit better it actually had more quality wins and even and NCAA tourney win at Fresno State. However if those teams played in the Colonial of today you would be crazy if you think they would have been anything but middle of the pack.

 

[RossiRules]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you. Obviously when just about every D1 high school team is minus two or three or more of the best players from their town, it's going to draw down the level of play. Hell, when Reading won the Super 8, probably the best player from Reading for that grad year might have been Steve Whitney but he was in prep school not the Middlesex league. What I'm saying is that if all of these players weren't moving on after the 9th or 10th grades to prep or juniors, then the level of competition would obviously be higher. Heck, I'd guess the Globe's All-Star team would be completely replaced if you included all the players who went to prep schools instead. All but two or three players I'd guess.

I still think the level of talent now is higher than it was 8-10 years ago. Seemed like a real funk for a while.

I like the EJHL. It seems to be a league with some very, very good players and many, maybe two-thirds who will head to D3. Nothing wrong with that. I play with lots of those guys over the summer(getting smoked usually) and they would all be superstars in high school(or already were). Many of them just aren't there though.

I totally disagree with you, I have 2 sons who played at a top public HS programs in West of the City in Needham before doing PG years and soon to top jr programs out West. In fact 2 of the last 3 years a public HS has been in or won the Super 8 that has never happened before. However, after 10th grade the cream of the crop is out of MA HS hockey doing their final time or PG years at spots like Avon Old Farms, Kent and St. Sebs., and Shatick St Mary's the list goes on, then its 2 or 3 years in the Jr's and bam you’re a 22 y/o freshman in a top college program.

When I played the freshman were 18 not 23, and they didn't come from states like Florida, Mo, Cali and Maryland. Today they do. The hockey powers have changed, you’re not going to get your entire team at a Arlington/Malden Catholic or CM. Heck in th elate 70's and early 80's Jerry York used to cherry pick those schools, however, if he did that today his team would be crap. The issue is this MA hockey is no longer a power because other states are catching up. There now are terrific jr teams all over the country but you look at the rosters they are filled with kids from NE, however they came from prep schools not public and Catholic schools.

 

[northeastern]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

Re. last night's Providence gm.. nice to see the team not give up being down 2-0, then 3-1. Especially against a club that has been playing well of late (them not us), & doing it on the road. I think we def had a chance to get the 'W' in the 3rd.. too bad it did not materialize.

Hopefully we can take the momentum into tonight's game. Home crowd looking forward to long awaited W at Matthews this season..(team too, more than us i guess).

Beaudry goes down a lot.. shoot high! Go Huskies

 

[Thiessen'sBetter]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

Beaudry goes down a lot.. shoot high! Go Huskies

Top shelf: "Where Momma keeps the peanut butter and Daddy hides the porn"

 

[Happy Husky Victory!]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

OK, I've been critical.... Tonight I finally found the team I've been looking for all season. The fouth goal, if im not mistaken, was a thing of beauty. Good effort by all, gotta keep this up. 3 point weekend! I'll take it.

 

[northeastern]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

That's more like it! ...

Phew..

 

[paulfb]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

Congrats to the Huskies for Saturday's win.

I'm a BC fan up from New York for the Maine game and saw the PC-NU game. I like the Huskies' first line of MacLeod, McNeely and Silva. Friends also told me at the start of the season that NU could surprise. What has accounted for NU's poor record until now?

 

[NU bee]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

Congrats to the Huskies for Saturday's win.

I'm a BC fan up from New York for the Maine game and saw the PC-NU game. I like the Huskies' first line of MacLeod, McNeely and Silva. Friends also told me at the start of the season that NU could surprise. What has accounted for NU's poor record until now?

undisciplined play, a non-existent PP, and a few injuries

 

[mwade]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

Recap got fixed so the mini-gallery now works - http://www.uscho.com/recaps/2010/11/20/northeastern-blanks-providence/

 

[Jon]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

Top shelf: "Where Momma keeps the peanut butter and Daddy hides the porn"

I'm the big scary man guy!!!

(Incidentally, where can I get my hands on a "Beat PC" t-shirt"?!?!)

 

[GoNU5]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

I'm the big scary man guy!!!

(Incidentally, where can I get my hands on a "Beat PC" t-shirt"?!?!)

They usually sell them at the games for $10, you might have to wait until next year, they usually sell the t-shirt for the team we play that night

 

[osuhockeyfan]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

So, I'm new to Husky hockey, I posted a few times in the preseason thread, but due to computer issues have been away for much of the season so far. I have been to a game at Matthews which I'll admit is a pretty nice arena. Anyways so I'm too lazy to read the many pages back so forgive me if I repeat anything, but what is the deal with this team? When I saw them play they looked like they'd never been coached in their life. Now part of my problem is I come from a background following Oswego (which is a perennial powerhouse) and D3 hockey, but from what I've seen and heard of Northeastern's play this season I'd not be surprised if half the D3 teams could beat them this year. I don't expect to win every game, especially at the D1 level where it's amazing if a team can keep up a .700 record for the season let alone the .800-.900 records I'm used to at Oswego, but still to be this bad is ridiculous. I will say though that I was rather impressed by the quality of play of Rawlings, he made some stellar saves, and could be posting much better numbers if his defense gave him more support. Admittedly I have little experience with Northeastern or D1 hockey for that matter, and am saying all this on only having seen 1 game and reviewing some statistics, but it seems to me that some serious changes need to take place, and if I'm wrong in any of my claims/assumptions by all means set me straight. I just can't help but be disheartened following the Huskies this year, and am even slightly regretting my choosing Northeastern for grad school over DU.

 

[northeastern]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

Admittedly I have little experience with Northeastern or D1 hockey for that matter, and am saying all this on only having seen 1 game and reviewing some statistics, but it seems to me that some serious changes need to take place..

.. wow

 

[northeastern]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

..am even slightly regretting my choosing Northeastern for grad school over DU.

..only slightly? I think some serious changes need to take place.. (have to abide by your standards c'mon)

 

[osuhockeyfan]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

Only slightly cause the academics and financial aid are doing a good job of outweighing the negative that is Husky hockey. Seriously though, please tell me that this year is a fluke, or something, cause it really is sad going from being at a powerhouse school that is known for dominating the sport to the dismal season that Northeastern has had so far. Now I know why when I introduced myself in the off season board I was told "welcome to the suck."

 

[GoNU5]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

Only slightly cause the academics and financial aid are doing a good job of outweighing the negative that is Husky hockey. Seriously though, please tell me that this year is a fluke, or something, cause it really is sad going from being at a powerhouse school that is known for dominating the sport to the dismal season that Northeastern has had so far. Now I know why when I introduced myself in the off season board I was told "welcome to the suck."

Northeastern's only ever been considered a powerhouse in the 1980's, and brief stints of strengths outside of that. This team is heavily composed of freshmen and sophmores, and we were hurt early on by injuries of players that were intended to play a lot of minutes and contribute in a big way. There was a lack of identity and that hurt the offensive lines, since they were not as coordinated as more seasoned players are. The defense has stepped up, and goaltending has been decent so far. In addition, we caught come bad breaks here and there, and took way too many penalties. All of this coalesced to put us where we are now.

However, if you saw Saturday's game you would feel a lot better. A 5-0 win is a solid boost to the team, and puts them in an excellent spot going forward. We have two, possibly 3 players who should return to the lineup soon, either just before the break or right after it. The upperclassmen have started stepping up and contributing in a way we wanted them to, and the underclassmen are playing better, and more coordinated. The special teams have been good the past few games, and that's really been helping us.

In summary, while we aren't in a great position right now, I think we could be looking on the start of the swing upward.

 

[northeastern]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

..the academics and financial aid are doing a good job of outweighing the negative that is Husky hockey...

..now see, those first two are horrible reasons to go to school. You should def consider a transfer.

 

[osuhockeyfan]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

That does make for a more hopeful situation, though I still question the quality of Northeastern's coaching. Looking back, the best record posted by any coach for the school is a measly .483 career. Not one coach has been able to maintain at least a .500 throughout their tenure. While there are some decent players such as Rawlings and MacLeod, I question the recruiting skills of the coaching staff. I'll admit that Freshmen often take time to get adjusted to the style of play and are usually not as impressive or well developed as upperclassmen but that still doesn't explain why no freshman has more than 4 points thus far. I guess I'm just spoiled having gone to Oswego, especially after last year where we had 12 freshmen 3 of whom had over 20 points on the season, and we still made it to the Frozen Four. When I see a team like Northeastern I just think of what they could do if they had a good coach behind them.

 

[GoNU5]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

That does make for a more hopeful situation, though I still question the quality of Northeastern's coaching. Looking back, the best record posted by any coach for the school is a measly .483 career. Not one coach has been able to maintain at least a .500 throughout their tenure. While there are some decent players such as Rawlings and MacLeod, I question the recruiting skills of the coaching staff. I'll admit that Freshmen often take time to get adjusted to the style of play and are usually not as impressive or well developed as upperclassmen but that still doesn't explain why no freshman has more than 4 points thus far. I guess I'm just spoiled having gone to Oswego, especially after last year where we had 12 freshmen 3 of whom had over 20 points on the season, and we still made it to the Frozen Four. When I see a team like Northeastern I just think of what they could do if they had a good coach behind them.

I'd actually argue that recruiting is one of Cronin's strong suits. He's recently been able to grab a number of highly touted recruits, many of whom had offers from top programs like BU, Michigan, etc. Quailer chose Northeastern over Denver, despite living in Colorado. Oleksiak could be a first round draft pick, and every game there's been scouts up in the rafters taking notes. I've been keeping an eye on recruiting (having a lot of free time allows me to do so), and whenever I see top players being looked at by schools, you see the schools in contention are the traditional powers (BU, UNH, Michigan, Miami, Denver, BC, etc.) and then Northeastern. The next few years I feel you'll see a lot of draft picks coming through the school. We could have as many as 4 or 5 of our Defensemen being draft picks next year, and we'll likely have at least 2 or 3.

The reason Northeastern's record is spotty at best is because we're in an ultra-competitive league. BU, BC, UNH consistently make the NCAA playoffs. Vermont and Maine are strong programs with lots of players in the NHL, and with plenty of visits to the NCAA tournament as well, and schools like Merrimack, UMass, and UMass Lowell have programs on the rise, while Providence has a strong history as well. This makes it hard for Northeastern to carve out a winning record amongst all that, but I believe this is a program on the upswing.

 

[WDR357]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2010-2011 Season Thread

I totally disagree with you, I have 2 sons who played at a top public HS programs in West of the City in Needham before doing PG years and soon to top jr programs out West. In fact 2 of the last 3 years a public HS has been in or won the Super 8 that has never happened before. However, after 10th grade the cream of the crop is out of MA HS hockey doing their final time or PG years at spots like Avon Old Farms, Kent and St. Sebs., and Shatick St Mary's the list goes on, then its 2 or 3 years in the Jr's and bam you’re a 22 y/o freshman in a top college program.

When I played the freshman were 18 not 23, and they didn't come from states like Florida, Mo, Cali and Maryland. Today they do. The hockey powers have changed, you’re not going to get your entire team at a Arlington/Malden Catholic or CM. Heck in th elate 70's and early 80's Jerry York used to cherry pick those schools, however, if he did that today his team would be crap. The issue is this MA hockey is no longer a power because other states are catching up. There now are terrific jr teams all over the country but you look at the rosters they are filled with kids from NE, however they came from prep schools not public and Catholic schools.

Ahh, I think our difference is in semantics. I agree that MA High School hockey has certainly dropped it's level of play but overall there are plenty of good hockey players coming from MA, it's just they choose the preps or juniors these days. Long gone are the days of a goalie playing high school hockey in MA and then moving on to the NHL the next season. Seems around late 90's was when players stopped heading straight from high school to D1 hockey and started with the post grad and junior routes that almost everyone takes now.

BTW, you missed a good game Saturday night...