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

[Huskies01]

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

Two. Manson and Benning. And only Benning because of what he could potentially be. Manson was the only legit top 4 guy we had, and the BU series showed how much we missed him. I'm gonna have nightmares of Lauwers and Gunn trying to keep up with Gaudreau next year.

Not being able to stop guys like Gaudreau does not worry me. He will get his points no matter who we throw out there. Fahey, Olesniak, McGillis, the best of the best get their points. Cause you know, they are really good.

Its can they stop the average to above average player to good player. I think Gunn can, if paired with a guy who can handle the puck.

Dax actually won me over a bit during the Maine series. I could deal with him as a 3rd pairing guy, playing less minutes, rarely during crunch time, never on offensize zone faceoffs, not on special teams. An Adam McQuaid type if you will. He is going to have games like he did Game 2 vs UNH, but I think with actual coaching and a system in place he could be useful. Its when he starts chasing the puck he gets in trouble. Just keep him in front of the net, in between the circles and he is fine.

Benning needs to show growth this year. If he doesnt the team is dead.

 

[beanstalk]

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

Two. Manson and Benning. And only Benning because of what he could potentially be. Manson was the only legit top 4 guy we had, and the BU series showed how much we missed him. I'm gonna have nightmares of Lauwers and Gunn trying to keep up with Gaudreau next year.

Schechter had the highest average plus/minus per games played of anybody on the team, offense or defense. Among players who played at least 15 games, it wasn't even close between him and the next person. He went from sitting in the stands for 3 months to leading the breakout on the first PP unit, even when Manson and Benning returned. I assume that the coaches saw something in him. He was plus 3 on the BC weekend because he was the only Dman with BC speed. Don't understand why you wouldn't want him back. BU weekend was not lost due to overall D play, as we limited BU to under 30 shots in both games and outshot them by 25 shots on the weekend, a rarity for us. BU losses were due to opportunistic goals by BU, subpar play by Witt (had a great year, but a bad weekend) and failure of offense to capitalize on chances. Yes, there were a few muffs by Dmen that contributed, but we had those muffs in every game all year long (and many of them by Manson and Benning). The difference was that Witt usually stood tall when that happened and saved their bacon (and, for awhile, NU's season). That didn't happen during the BU weekend. What the BU weekend showed was how important Clay Witt was to NU's success and how we could not overcome a subpar game by him without scoring at least 5 goals. It was not a referendum on our Dmen, who played significantly worse in other games during the year.

 

[HHound]

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

Schechter had the highest average plus/minus per games played of anybody on the team, offense or defense. Among players who played at least 15 games, it wasn't even close between him and the next person. He went from sitting in the stands for 3 months to leading the breakout on the first PP unit, even when Manson and Benning returned. I assume that the coaches saw something in him. He was plus 3 on the BC weekend because he was the only Dman with BC speed. Don't understand why you wouldn't want him back. BU weekend was not lost due to overall D play, as we limited BU to under 30 shots in both games and outshot them by 25 shots on the weekend, a rarity for us. BU losses were due to opportunistic goals by BU, subpar play by Witt (had a great year, but a bad weekend) and failure of offense to capitalize on chances. Yes, there were a few muffs by Dmen that contributed, but we had those muffs in every game all year long (and many of them by Manson and Benning). The difference was that Witt usually stood tall when that happened and saved their bacon (and, for awhile, NU's season). That didn't happen during the BU weekend. What the BU weekend showed was how important Clay Witt was to NU's success and how we could not overcome a subpar game by him without scoring at least 5 goals. It was not a referendum on our Dmen, who played significantly worse in other games during the year.

Good observation about Schecter and about the bu weekend. Every team's D makes some critical mistakes in virtually every game. The goalie's job is to compensate for them as best he can. That is one tough position to play (I tried it once. Just once.) and I try not to criticize them too frequently. Unfortunately Rawlings caused me to make an exception.

I suspect that we might see another goalie recruit as there are several excellent keepers who are available. The fact that Theut (pronounced Toyt) came from the EJHL doesn't concern me as good goalies come from all over. No league has a monopoly on them.

 

[northeastern]

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

Schechter had the highest average plus/minus per games played of anybody on the team, offense or defense. Among players who played at least 15 games, it wasn't even close between him and the next person. He went from sitting in the stands for 3 months to leading the breakout on the first PP unit, even when Manson and Benning returned. I assume that the coaches saw something in him. He was plus 3 on the BC weekend because he was the only Dman with BC speed. Don't understand why you wouldn't want him back. BU weekend was not lost due to overall D play, as we limited BU to under 30 shots in both games and outshot them by 25 shots on the weekend, a rarity for us. BU losses were due to opportunistic goals by BU, subpar play by Witt (had a great year, but a bad weekend) and failure of offense to capitalize on chances. Yes, there were a few muffs by Dmen that contributed, but we had those muffs in every game all year long (and many of them by Manson and Benning). The difference was that Witt usually stood tall when that happened and saved their bacon (and, for awhile, NU's season). That didn't happen during the BU weekend. What the BU weekend showed was how important Clay Witt was to NU's success and how we could not overcome a subpar game by him without scoring at least 5 goals. It was not a referendum on our Dmen, who played significantly worse in other games during the year.

..true. & well thought out.

 

[walrus655321]

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

Schecter scared the crap out of me at times early in the season, but after that first Maine game I thought he played pretty well. He seemed a little overmatched on the large ice of the Whit in the game I saw (game 3), but so did every D on the team. I wouldn't mind him as a 3rd pairing guy...don't know that I want him seeing 25+ minutes a game but he has a role here, especially if he continues to improve.

 

[Huskies01]

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

Schechter had the highest average plus/minus per games played of anybody on the team, offense or defense. Among players who played at least 15 games, it wasn't even close between him and the next person. He went from sitting in the stands for 3 months to leading the breakout on the first PP unit, even when Manson and Benning returned. I assume that the coaches saw something in him. He was plus 3 on the BC weekend because he was the only Dman with BC speed. Don't understand why you wouldn't want him back. BU weekend was not lost due to overall D play, as we limited BU to under 30 shots in both games and outshot them by 25 shots on the weekend, a rarity for us. BU losses were due to opportunistic goals by BU, subpar play by Witt (had a great year, but a bad weekend) and failure of offense to capitalize on chances. Yes, there were a few muffs by Dmen that contributed, but we had those muffs in every game all year long (and many of them by Manson and Benning). The difference was that Witt usually stood tall when that happened and saved their bacon (and, for awhile, NU's season). That didn't happen during the BU weekend. What the BU weekend showed was how important Clay Witt was to NU's success and how we could not overcome a subpar game by him without scoring at least 5 goals. It was not a referendum on our Dmen, who played significantly worse in other games during the year.

I agree with you on the bu weekend. I thought the forwards were more to blame the first game then the defense. Witt was not sharp for either game either.

As for Mr. Schechter, being a good skater is the only thing he offers. Which is nice, but you need more then at this level of play. He does not have much else. The +/- thing is nice, and everyone likes to throw out the BC weekend as some sort of reason he should be in there more. Perhaps the reason he was a plus player that weekend is due to him being lucky enough to be on the ice when we scored during the limited minutes he played that weekend? Its not like he was out there 20+ minutes each game. More like 5. That weekend was dumb luck on his part more then anything else.

Yes, he looks amazing when we have a few guys on defense we will describe nicely as "plodders" when it comes to skating ability. Yes, he looks like a player when compared against DD and Fennell. But after two seasons of watching those two, I think we all can agree that those two do not belong at this level, even with Fennell showing slight improvement the last month. And I mean slight.

But that does not make him a guy I want in my defensive rotation going forward. Can anyone remember something he did while playing DEFENSE that sticks out in your mind either then skating up the ice? A blocked shot? Winning a puck battle behind the net? Knocking the puck away in a goal mouth scrum? Being the lone guy back and stopping an odd man rush?

 

[TheRevengeance]

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

Jim Madigan suspended by Hockey East for the first game of 2014-15.

http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/201...-coach-jim-madigan-conduct-unh-playoff-series

 

[claver2010]

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

As always, Bertanga is a clown:

"Using the media to criticize an official's decision is contrary to league policy and is inherently unfair to the officials who work hard for college hockey each and every night," said Bertagna in the release. "Hockey East and Northeastern University expect better from our head coaches and Jim has acknowledged his error in this situation."

...

Now let's play name that coach:

When asked what the difference between his team’s win against Boston College on Friday and its loss to the Eagles on Saturday, XX head coach xx had a simple answer.

“The officiating … and obviously BC’s top line played like the best line in college hockey,” xx said.

...

“I’m not complaining about any of the calls. It just needs to be the same way both ways, you know, in my opinion.”

“I don’t know why we switch officials from one game to the next when the officials have a good feel for the series,”

http://www.bcheightssports.com/2014/03/16/game-two-notebook-heavy-on-the-hits/

 

[NU_Husky]

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

Jim Madigan suspended by Hockey East for the first game of 2014-15.

http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/201...-coach-jim-madigan-conduct-unh-playoff-series

Worth it. The criticism had to be given, I'm proud of Madigan. The level of incompetency among HE officials has been covered time and again on these forums, so I won't go into that. Considering it's one game against an OOC opponent, I'm not to concerned. Unless Roby decides he needs at assert himself, of course...

 

[beanstalk]

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

I agree with you on the bu weekend. I thought the forwards were more to blame the first game then the defense. Witt was not sharp for either game either.

As for Mr. Schechter, being a good skater is the only thing he offers. Which is nice, but you need more then at this level of play. He does not have much else. The +/- thing is nice, and everyone likes to throw out the BC weekend as some sort of reason he should be in there more. Perhaps the reason he was a plus player that weekend is due to him being lucky enough to be on the ice when we scored during the limited minutes he played that weekend? Its not like he was out there 20+ minutes each game. More like 5. That weekend was dumb luck on his part more then anything else.

Yes, he looks amazing when we have a few guys on defense we will describe nicely as "plodders" when it comes to skating ability. Yes, he looks like a player when compared against DD and Fennell. But after two seasons of watching those two, I think we all can agree that those two do not belong at this level, even with Fennell showing slight improvement the last month. And I mean slight.

But that does not make him a guy I want in my defensive rotation going forward. Can anyone remember something he did while playing DEFENSE that sticks out in your mind either then skating up the ice? A blocked shot? Winning a puck battle behind the net? Knocking the puck away in a goal mouth scrum? Being the lone guy back and stopping an odd man rush?

Defensemen in hockey are like defensive backs in football. If you don't notice them, then they are probably doing a great job. Keep it simple. As I recall, you didn't notice he played over 10 minutes in the third period of the second Maine game. You thought he hardly touched the ice. That's because he did everything right and shut down their forwards before the spectacular needed to be done. The coaches noticed, which is why they double-shifted him that period. He is a bit scary at times when he jumps into the offense too soon or is out of position, but that is coachable. And his physical strength can increase. He has skating and stickhandling and those are two skills that are hard to teach to a player who doesn't have them by 18 years old.

 

[northeastern]

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

Jim Madigan suspended by Hockey East for the first game of 2014-15.

http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/201...-coach-jim-madigan-conduct-unh-playoff-series

..double standard.

 

[northeastern]

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

..and btw, i'm all for the league punishment.. just pls be unbiased Bertagna.

 

[NU_Husky]

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

As always, Bertanga is a clown:

This sums it up nicely.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

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

You know, Madigan really is an azzhat and we all know this as well. Whining about officials doesn't change my view on this.

BUT I think it's sad that Hockey East will just sweep this under the rug and put the blame on Madigan because he was probably absolutely right to criticize the officials. They were bad 15 years ago and they've been getting worse and worse. They don't know the rules. They kick guys out for hitting too hard with no actual infraction according to the rule book. They literally change the outcomes of games, several of them recent (and involving wrong calls that helped Notre Dame win games but I'm not going with a conspiracy theory there). They've absolutely bungled assignments in NCAA tournaments and changed the outcomes of those games as well, including a quick whistle in the national title game where Michigan scored (2011) and also a game I believe involving Michigan and Miami in a regional before that. The only time we've seen an official release was when the refs actually got something RIGHT on something that wasn't completely CLEAR in the rulebook.

It's especially a slap in the face to all Hockey East fans to release this and cry about how it's "unfair to the officials." Talk about unfair when these g**** clowns change the outcomes of games based on their inability to properly handle their jobs and they put their ostrich heads into the sand. We've got two refs out there now and 4 guys wearing stripes. Know the rules, get it right, and if not, go ref beer league games at New England Sports Center on Tuesday nights.

That entire office needs to be cleaned out.

 

[northeastern]

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

you know, you really are a azzhat and we all know this as well.. & you whining about officials doesn't change my view on this either.. but, dead on.

oh & they wouldn't dare ref men's league at NES.. might need to enter witness protection after.

 

[claver2010]

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

You know, Madigan really is an azzhat and we all know this as well. Whining about officials doesn't change my view on this.

Don't disagree Madigan is a moron as well. I can't wait till these idiots blow another call in on the national stage.

I'm just thrilled we don't have to deal with them again till October.

 

[SkinsFan09]

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

Hockey East officiating is possibly worse than the NBA. It needed to be said and it shouldn't be swept under the rug how much of an abomination these guys have been and are. The no-goal screw job in Game 3 was just another example. How do on-ice refs have less angles than commentators and why is Hockey East okay with that? In Hockey East you are barely allowed to crash the net and hitting hard, forget about it.

 

[Motorboaters]

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

Hockey East officiating is possibly worse than the NBA. It needed to be said and it shouldn't be swept under the rug how much of an abomination these guys have been and are. The no-goal screw job in Game 3 was just another example. How do on-ice refs have less angles than commentators and why is Hockey East okay with that? In Hockey East you are barely allowed to crash the net and hitting hard, forget about it.

More affectionately referred to as "The Durham Screwjob."

 

[Huskies01]

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

More affectionately referred to as "The Durham Screwjob."

Remind me. How many minutes had NU led in the series up to that point? The team screwed itself. The winning goal the night before probably should have been wavied off, though the one before that should not have been.

They were never winning that game. UNH had an answer for NU at every point and time.

That goal that gets waived off just ties it too. Not the winning goal. They needed one more.

Lets not rewrite history that the refs stole one from us. Even if it was a good goal.

 

[retsap71]

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

Remind me. How many minutes had NU led in the series up to that point? The team screwed itself. The winning goal the night before probably should have been wavied off, though the one before that should not have been.

They were never winning that game. UNH had an answer for NU at every point and time.

That goal that gets waived off just ties it too. Not the winning goal. They needed one more.

Lets not rewrite history that the refs stole one from us. Even if it was a good goal.

Where as I am not saying they lost cause of the ref's. If that goal is allowed and it is a tie game, everything changes. I am a firm believer in that things to not play out the same. First off if goal is allowed, face off is in center ice, its 5 on 5 not 5 on 4, score is tied, which means you may take fewer chances. Whole game changes, now you will say they lose cause this what you do and also fits your agenda. They very well may still lose, but you don't know that.