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Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

bsaeagle64 said:
It's been that way since I attended NU '66-'71 except one of the Crowder years when the team drew 50K for the season (this season so far only 34K), and still wasn't a 'winning' team in the standings. The NU students are about as apathetic for Ice Hockey as you can get (except for those few who do show up no matter what). The Dog House was a sight to behold in the Crowder years. Nowadays, even the students don't show up.

The NU Huskies could be the #1 team in the country and be undefeated, and Matthews Arena would still have empty seats. I guess that's life in the big city.
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Back during Crowder's tenure, it seemed that the athletic department did more to promote the team and get students to attend. Heck, Crowder used to buy pizza for the Doghouse in appreciation for their support. Except when the team plays BU or BC, the place is always half full at best. I think athletics at NU has taken a backseat as opposed to other things, such as increasing the academic standing of the school and expansion.

As for tonight's game, I thought Schechter played a great game. Why haven't they played him more often? He could very well play forward with the speed he has.

That last Maine goal was entirely on Gunn. He simply got beaten in a footrace to the puck and failed to force the Maine player to the outside. Witt was also a bit off his game tonight, but he did make a couple of terrific stops.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Motorboaters said:
As for tonight's game, I thought Schechter played a great game. Why haven't they played him more often? He could very well play forward with the speed he has. That last Maine goal was entirely on Gunn. He simply got beaten in a footrace to the puck and failed to force the Maine player to the outside.
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That last goal was painful because Gunn has the step on the guy. Just got beat to the puck. I know speed isn't his game but you have to win that battle. Bad defensive breakdown led to goals 1 and 3. Need to learn from the mistakes fast, time is running out. No room for error anymore. Reid needs to bury his chance from Roy, simple as that. Bury it, everyone goes home happy. Take the point and move on, tomorrow's game just got even bigger. Maine gets their suspended F back, so they'll be reinforced. Both teams could have pulled out the W, both teams had breakdowns, so tomorrow should be a war.

Schechter really impressed me. Fennell got his first NCAA point but I am nervous as hell with him out there, especially with Darou. I was shocked to see Stone in the lineup. Over Nathan? I assume Cody came back too fast from his concussion, but why Stone? Also, thought the PP actually looked competent at times...baby steps I guess, small victories are still victories with that facet of the game.

Also, was reported after the game that JM said Manson, Benning, and Hedges are being evaluated daily, could all return soon. Contradicts what I heard earlier in the night, word around the balcony was Benning tore his ACL. Hopefully it isn't that bad, as that has implications for next year as well. Manson I saw in his suit, no sling or anything, so that's a good sign.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

As I said earlier, no reason why Schecter hasn't seen more ice time with how porous this defense is. Also, the Saucerman-Lauwers pairing was a disaster last night.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

NU_Husky said:
Also, was reported after the game that JM said Manson, Benning, and Hedges are being evaluated daily, could all return soon. Contradicts what I heard earlier in the night, word around the balcony was Benning tore his ACL. Hopefully it isn't that bad, as that has implications for next year as well. Manson I saw in his suit, no sling or anything, so that's a good sign.
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Good to hear with Manson. Looking at potential quarterfinal match-ups against UNH, PC or UVM, we'd have a hard time winning without him. The defense last night was literally a collection of 3rd pair/healthy scratches. Good thing we have Witt.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Depending on how the season plays out, we could finish anywhere from 2-7. That's nuts...could jump into 2nd tonight with a W and a BC win over UML. We control our destiny, this is going to be a fun (and stressful!) last 7 days of the season!
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Tilldog40 said:
As in Matthews arena tonight.
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I missed tonight's gm.. read that ZAR, Szmatula Roy line was awesome.. glad to hear it!
Also nice for Witt to get his groove back.

3pts from a good Maine team.. not bad. Matthews might have been dead.. glad this team is anything but! :) Way to go Huskies.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Split-N said:
...Big opportunity for Schechter and Fennell, though.
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After what I saw on the stream this weekend, Mr. Schechter just might have played his way into the rotation.

Anyway, not the prettiest two games of the year but very possibly the grittiest two, especially considering that three regulars were out injured. One of the hallmarks of this team (and probably the thing I like best about it) is that they don't roll over when they're down. It would have been real easy to mail it in on Friday night after going down two goals but they came back and went home with a point. Same thing tonight after giving up another two-goal lead. So while three points aren't as good as four, they're a heckuvalot better than any of the alternatives, and (pinch me), NU has now won 18 games and is sitting in third place.

Still, nothing's over. The first-round bye remains up for grabs. But they control their own destiny and can seal their post-season fortunes by doling out some payback to the ratdogs next weekend for all the pain and heartache they've caused over the years. Time to step up and take what's there for the taking.

Two things that irk me--
--The one time they need help from the beagles, said beagles cough up a two goal lead in the third period and let UML get a point. Otherwise, NU is in second by virtue of the tiebreak.
--All the empty seats at Matthews. Attendance has become beyond embarrassing. And the Doghouse is pathetic--a shadow of what it was just a couple of years ago.
 
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Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

I was at the game tonight. We came out flying had a great initial 10 minutes and were pretty much out played during the next 50, except for all but the times when the ZAR, Szmatula, & Roy line was on. Roy skated circles when he needed too be that guy and had 4 pts with an assist on every goal. We also clanged the crossbar once. However, I am happy with 3 out of 4 points against a very talented, and more physical Black Bear team.

Sadly, Maine fans likely out numbered NU fans 55% to 45% in a only 1/2 full Matthews, so sad. Considering ,we had 3 starters sidelined, I think we did ok. However the D is so suspect and will eventually be are ungluing. Maine is not a great road team.

We also had to deal with the referee trio of the stooges of Bernard, Miller and Kelleher, who absolutely must hate NU and sleep with a picture of Jerry York under their pillows, because there were some absolute crap calls against NU and plays that should have been called against Maine including a horrible leg check at center ice that left Szmatula withering in pain in front of the Husky bench.

As I sold my season for tonight’s game I was forced to purchase at the box office, as a result I was sandwiched between 2 Maine fans who might have had eight total teeth together, they both smelled of Marlboro reds and looked like they had taken a few days off from their Meth Lab to travel south to the big city. I am told there is an imaginary line just North of Portland that separates their insanity and cross breeding from the rest of this civilized nation, tonight I was a first hand witness to this truth.

Anyway, home and away with BU next week and who knows 2nd place is a possibility. Who da thunk it in October, not me, not anyone! Also, I have thought that Witt had really returned back to earth a bit, since the 2nd goal that broke up, the tie against BC in the Beanpot, but tonight he made some saves that really kept us in it. Nice job Clay!
 
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Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Fennell was more impressive then Schechter. Schechter can skate, but that is about it. Clueless on the defensive side of things. I was impressed with Fennell this weekend. Probably the first time in two years he looked like he knew what he was doing. Yeah, neither guy got major minutes, I felt Fennell did more then his. Though if you want to plug Schechter in for DD, you would not get a complaint out of me.

Lets be honest, this Maine team is OK. Not great, not good, OK. But they brought it both nights and NU answered each night.

I really like Roy-Szmatula-ZAR together, they work. ZAR is a better winger for those two then Pimm. The other 9 guys you can mix and match. All grinders for the most part. Interchangeable parts. Does not matter who is with who. Gotta keep the two skill guys together though. They wasted to many games keeping them apart.

Nice weekend. Great chances to build on it next weekend.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Split-N said:
--The one time they need help from the beagles, said beagles cough up a two goal lead in the third period and let UML get a point. Otherwise, NU is in second by virtue of the tiebreak.
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NU is #9 in the pairwise. If bc defeated UML, NU might be #8. The west games are still in progress so that might change before the night is over.
 
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Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Huskies01 said:
Gotta keep the two skill guys together though. They wasted to many games keeping them apart..
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agree. in close gms (come playoffs especially).. its nice to be able to get some scoring going & have decent goaltending as back up. sounds like that's what happened tonight & Maine is not a bad club at all.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Roy-Szmatula should be kept together for the rest of the season. That line dominated tonight. And ZAR can park his big frame in front of the net to capitalize.

Another fantastic game by Schecter.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

RossiRules said:
I was at the game tonight. We came out flying had a great initial 10 minutes and were pretty much out played during the next 50, except for all but the times when the ZAR, Szmatula, & Roy line was on. Roy skated circles when he needed too be that guy and had 4 pts with an assist on every goal. We also clanged the crossbar once. However, I am happy with 3 out of 4 points against a very talented, and more physical Black Bear team.
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What game were you watching, NU pretty well handled Maine 15 minutes of the 3rd period until desperation kicked in for Maine. The game should've been a blowout by the 5 minute mark of the 3rd in NU's favor.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

SkinsFan09 said:
What game were you watching, NU pretty well handled Maine 15 minutes of the 3rd period until desperation kicked in for Maine. The game should've been a blowout by the 5 minute mark of the 3rd in NU's favor.
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I think NU played well, Rossi is right after the first 10 minutes which NU dominated Maine then controlled the next 15 minutes. I think it evened out pretty much from there for the rest of the night. A blowout? Sorry I have to disagree this game should not have been a blow out.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

retsap71 said:
I think NU played well, Rossi is right after the first 10 minutes which NU dominated Maine then controlled the next 15 minutes. I think it evened out pretty much from there for the rest of the night. A blowout? Sorry I have to disagree this game should not have been a blow out.
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And that is the one scenario that has me nervous. That UMass loss is going to haunt them. As bad as BU is, and they are real bad. I think they are 1-14-3 in the last 18, it is still going go be tough to sweep them.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

SkinsFan09 said:
Roy-Szmatula should be kept together for the rest of the season. That line dominated tonight. And ZAR can park his big frame in front of the net to capitalize.

Another fantastic game by Schecter.
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+1. I hope he gets a regular spot in the rotation after Manson and Benning return. I thought the top 3 lines worked well last night, that fourth line makes me cringe whenever they come out though. Pond on the 4th makes it better, Hedges needs to get well soon. Not only is he another scoring threat and a puck handler, he's our best faceoff guy. Very pleased with the 3 points, time to get the last 4 points of the year from bu.
 
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