Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

[JW Tigers]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thie

CC was supposed to be awesome LAST year with a veteran team, a ton of talent, and one of the top goaltenders in the nation all coming off of winning the WCHA regular season title. While many of the players played well individually last year, the team was a major disappointment and just seemed to missing their spark. Then coming into this year we graduated a ton of talent (including the two top scorers, the best defensive d-man, among others). Our goaltender went pro after his sophomore season, and our top offensive d-man (and also third leading scorer) went pro after his junior year. So after losing all of those guys, we expected an entertaining team, but a major rebuilding year this season. While it is still that, the team is deep, disciplined, incredibly fast, and the new guys have done a fantastic job. Basically, we Tigers fans are enjoying it, but we are also very cautious. I don't know if they will continue to play this well, but they're sure fun! I do not, however think they are really the #3 team in the nation. They're good, but they're not THAT good. Anyway, I'm hoping to get home for a series in Jan or Feb.

HEA looks pretty weak this year to me (except for BC), so if the Huskies can start to score a few goals and learn more discipline, they could make a nice second half run...although I felt much better about their chances of doing that before they went to Maine and got pretty well annihilated. We'll see what the break brings for them, but I hope they can regroup and find their way. They have shown flashes this year, but there's been no consistency. And I will once again say that Mountain should get some regular playing time. I don't see that they have much to lose, and they could end up gaining a lot.

 

[Craig P.]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

NU fans, is this the general belief of the entire fanbase? If NU finishes 9th and BU 10th will it be a good year to be a NU hockey fan? Better than last year, with BU finishing 1st and NU one point behind in 2nd (pretending, for a second, that BU and NU didn't win any postseason hardware in 09)? Not trolling, flaming, insulting or anything else negative, just curious.

I exaggerated for effect. Certainly, I want NU to do well, but I'd have been happier with NU 2nd and BU 3rd last season, obviously, and I might even go so far as being happier with NU 3rd and BU 4th, something like that. Somewhere around home ice and/or not making the NCAA tournament is where I'd draw the line.

 

[kcnuloyal]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Does anybody among the NU loyal really spend time thinking about BU's troubles? It's fun to say that we hate them, but it's fun to say a lot of things in life. There's so much to fix in our own house, that each BU loss I see is only greeted with a shrug.

My only fear with BU is that over the Christmas break, Jack Parker will organize a get-together in which the entire team will realize in one giant "aha!" moment that they are actually quite talented, and then set the conference on fire for the last three months of the season.

All hyperbole aside, my only complaint with Cro is that he doesn't really have the personality or coaching pedigree (yet) to rally this team. I love the guy, and you can tell just by watching him that the passion is there and he can coach the hell out of a hockey team. But you don't necessarily hear much about the team growing together or bonding or any of that corny B.S. that teams should do, especially when times get tough. Maybe that's more the function of the team captains? I don't know...

 

[NUMcNeely]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

But you don't necessarily hear much about the team growing together or bonding or any of that corny B.S. that teams should do, especially when times get tough. Maybe that's more the function of the team captains? I don't know...

I get that feeling as well, I mean we are the only team I've seen not to huddle up around the net come the start of game time, little things like that that make you think that it is a collection of individuals as opposed to a functioning entity. I don't know, I maybe wrong, but I too also get impressions that there isn't much of that "bonding BS".

 

[lmj007]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

I get that feeling as well, I mean we are the only team I've seen not to huddle up around the net come the start of game time, little things like that that make you think that it is a collection of individuals as opposed to a functioning entity. I don't know, I maybe wrong, but I too also get impressions that there isn't much of that "bonding BS".

I don't think it really has anything to do with lack of "team bonding" at all. Cronin run's a "pro type" system, that might be the reason why the team doesn't huddle around the goalie before the start of the game.
Not sure if anyway else recalls but I remeber a few years back (might of been Cronin's 1st year, home game) where the NU players (non-starters) stood up on their bench durning the nathional anthem instead of on the blue line. The ref's made the players go to the blue line.....another "pro" thing, correct? I don't watch much pro hockey, so I might be totally off.

It's real hard to win in this league when dressing 3 freshman D-man every night......that to me is one of the biggest reasons why the team doesn't have a winning record. Another reason is the special teams. Power play is getting better but our PK stinks! IMO, Greg Costa not playing up to his abilities and not stepping up as a senior is one of the major reasons why our PK is so bad.

 

[roma]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

I don't think it really has anything to do with lack of "team bonding" at all. Cronin run's a "pro type" system, that might be the reason why the team doesn't huddle around the goalie before the start of the game.
It's real hard to win in this league when dressing 3 freshman D-man every night......that to me is one of the biggest reasons why the team doesn't have a winning record. Another reason is the special teams. Power play is getting better but our PK stinks! IMO, Greg Costa not playing up to his abilities and not stepping up as a senior is one of the major reasons why our PK is so bad.

According to Dennis Chisholm; the main reason why his first year the team only won 3 games was because they had to play 3 frosh D men.

 

[MENU]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

another great picture on the front page of NU hockey

 

[kcnuloyal]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

another great picture on the front page of NU hockey

Ha...we're grabbing headlines with regularity now.

 

[lmj007]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

24 Drew Daniels

11 Justin Daniels
Talented, needs to get stronger and not get knocked off the puck too easy. Grade: B-
2 Drew Ellement
??
12 Steve Morra
N/A
46 Bryan Mountain
Has played in 4 games, stated 2. Played very well vs. MC in the win and has a getter GAA than Rawlings. Deserves some playing time in the second half. Seems much more focused than Rawlings. Grade: B+
5 Jake Newton
Our best Freshmen D-man. Seven points thus far and plays very a very physical D. I see this kid wearing the “C” his senior year. Grade: A
37 Chris Rawlings
Only a freshmen but these days big things are expected from rookie goalies (look at BC, BU). Needs to be more consistent. Stole one for us vs. BU. IMO, has a lot of natural talent but lacks focus. Grade: B
3 Chris Student
??
9 Garrett Vermeersch
Our “rookie” of the 1st half with J, Newton a close second. Amazing stick handling and such a quick release on the PP. Grade: A
91 Robbie Vrolyk
Got out to a fast start but has been in a scoring drought of late. Still a freshmen, will get better for sure. Grade: B
29 Matt Lipinski
Not much expected of this kid, scored his first goal in W vs. ME. Doesn’t make too many mistakes. Adds some depth. Grade: B+
8 J.P. Maley
Limited playing time due to injury. Isn’t carrying the puck up the ice like previous season. Grade: B
18 Mike McLaughlin
Everyone expected much more from this kid from his showing as a freshmen. Zero goals, 1 assist, ouch! Need him to have a much more productive 2nd half. Grade: C-
21 Drew Muench
Limited play due to injury. Has had a few unbelievable assists this year and IMO, he should be the 2nd point man on the PP with Vermeersch. Grade: B+
10 Steve Quailer
N/A
27 Alex Tuckerman
Kind of like Donovan, takes too many penalties often in the offensive zone. There are shifts when this kid looks like the best player on the ice and others when he’s totally unnoticeable. Grade: B-
30 Mike Binnington
N/A
28 Mike Hewkin
Makes too many mistakes and probably doesn’t see much playing time if our other D-men are healthy. Grade: C
19 Wade MacLeod
Off to slow start by his standards. Needs to learn to pass the puck more (2nd coming of R. Ginand). With Quailer out, he needs to be the goal scorer. Grade: B
94 Tyler McNeely (C)
Very tough responsibility of being given the “C” as a junior. Not the most talented player but makes up for it in effort. Too many penalties. Grade: C+
17 Steve Silva
Needs to show some more maturity & discipline on the ice. Shows too much emotion at times. Has been our best face-off guy. Need more scoring production in second half. Grade: B-
22 Greg Costa (A) Very disappointed with his play thus far, zero goals, 1 assist as a senior. Can’t win face off’s and doesn’t look as shard/aggressive on the PK compared to previous seasons. Grade: D
23 Chris Donovan
Disappointing season thus far, not sure if he’s injured or just a healthy scratch for the 5 games he’s missed. Takes STUPID penalities, many of them in our offensive end. Grade: C-
4 Jim Driscoll
Limited action due to injury. Our best stay at home D-Man, who cares if he doesn’t score. He’s improved every season and for us to be successful, will need him healthy on the PK. Grade: B+
13 Randy Guzior
Limited action secondary to injury. Did a decent job playing D when he was needed at that position. Zero points, ouch. Expected some production from the senior. Grade: C
16 Kyle Kraemer
Leads the time in goals and tied for the lead in scoring. Has really stepped up as a senior, one of the nicest surprises thus far. Grade: A
6 David Strathman
Has a lot of offensive ability, highlighted by great goals in the W’s vs.s MC & ME. Also improved on the defensive end, 2nd best overall D-men after Driscoll. Garde: B+
32 Dylan Wiwchar
Limited playing time, only 1 pt in 4 games played. Kudos for being able to help our at Defense for a few games. Grade: B

 

[northeastern]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

.. time for the coaching staff to earn their 'A's by getting (squeezing), the most out of each player... this will (in turn), move the player up a grade as well. Its a win-win

 

[SteveF]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thie

19 Wade MacLeod
Off to slow start by his standards. Needs to learn to pass the puck more (2nd coming of R. Ginand). With Quailer out, he needs to be the goal scorer. Grade: B

mixed message much?

 

[Agganis]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

I exaggerated for effect. Certainly, I want NU to do well, but I'd have been happier with NU 2nd and BU 3rd last season, obviously, and I might even go so far as being happier with NU 3rd and BU 4th, something like that. Somewhere around home ice and/or not making the NCAA tournament is where I'd draw the line.

Ok, thats reasonable, besides the difference between 1 and 2, 4 and 5, or 8 and 9, there is really not much of a difference between one position in the standings and the position right behind it.

Gotta love seeing BU fans trolling in a NU thread. And then confirming for us their sense of entitlement. As if anyone would ever forget that.

I hardly see how asking if two NU fans opinions are shared by others is trolling, but to each his own I guess.

 

[NUMcNeely]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

So....heading in another direction with this season thread....anyone heading up to Hanover? What expectations should we have from this tournament?

 

[choog]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

I'm heading up to Hanover, hoping to get some skiing in that weekend and catch the games at night

I've been expecting an easy win against Dartmouth, then a tough one against Lowell, but after catching up with UVM in the last seconds of a couple periods, I'm thinking it could be a nail biter...


We shall see! Be sure to bring some warm clothes, that's for sure. And as people have already discussed, I'm looking forward to checking out Dartmouth's campus, though I'm sure it'll be fairly empty

 

[lmj007]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thie

mixed message much?

My bad...I ment he needs to be our "point producer". Whether that comes in the form of goals or helpers, he needs to be the man.

My wife and I are planning to make the trip to Hanover....

 

[BigRedTerrier]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Not sure if it's been mentioned here yet, but there's been some rumor on the Cornell fan blog "ELynah" that they'd be playing your Huskies at MSG next year. Any truth to this?

 

[NUMcNeely]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Not sure if it's been mentioned here yet, but there's been some rumor on the Cornell fan blog "ELynah" that they'd be playing your Huskies at MSG next year. Any truth to this?

I've heard from a few people that we are playing at MSG next year, so it is very possible that we would be playing Cornell.

 

[choog]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

I heard that it was a resounding "YES" from the Zamboni man with regards to heading to the MSG next year.


... do we trust him? I'll say sure, why not.

 

[citydog]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

I've heard from a few people that we are playing at MSG next year, so it is very possible that we would be playing Cornell.

Indeed the consensus is that at least one game at MSG next fall is in the works - there may be a four-team tournament brewing.

 

[Huskies01]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Re: Official 2009-2010 Northeastern University Huskies Season Thread - Life Post Thiessen

Indeed the consensus is that at least one game at MSG next fall is in the works - there may be a four-team tournament brewing.

While I have also heard about a game next year at MSG, I do not see a four-team tournament happening. Not enough time and really hard to bring in enough fans to fill seats for 3 to 4 games, depending if you play a loser game before a championship game.