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Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

I think that this team won games last year in spite of Markell. The upperclassmen so far this season are not getting the credit and respect that they deserve from Osiecki from all outward appearances. The few interviews that he's given demonstrate that.
Gurtholfin said a few weeks ago that Eaves inherited a team with upperclassmen with bad attitudes and it caused problems. So what??? That team has nothing to do with this one.
This group of athletes has proven themselves to be respectful and worthy for the past three years IN SPITE of the adversity and lack of leadership.
I'm guessing that they were all looking forward to a new direction (some direction) and a great year under the new regime of "COACH OZ".
Having said that...none of us knows what's going on inside the locker room.
Why does this year have to be a throw away? That's ridiculous. There is a group of talented, smart eager athletes. They all want to win. None of the Seniors, or Juniors wants to be on this team to be a "springboard" for next year.
 
Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

JP1 said:
Well, the Buckeyes can't use the "playing too many freshmen" argument this weekend - UAH has 12 freshmen (11 true freshmen, 1 red shirt, includes all 3 goalies), 4 Soph, 3 Jr, 5 Sr. And they're coming off their best effort of the year after pushing MSU in earning a tie and 2-1 loss (UAH had arguable goal disallowed).

Will there be any audio and/or video available this weekend for those of us who can't be there?
Click to expand...
Big Ten.com has the audio and video. Link on the schedule page at the OSU "official" site.
 
Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

I also don't understand the hand wringing about this season.

Oz was brought in to, first and foremost, administer an enema to a program that was mired in a circle of suck. He currently does not have a single player that he recruited on this team, so by definition every player has some part of that circle of suck attached to him. His job is not to salvage a .500 year out of guys he didn't recruit and who don't (for whatever reason - talent, attitude, style) fit with his program. His job is to assess what he has, get rid of what doesnt fit (but they do get to keep their academic funding so spare me the cry me a river story about not trusting and how the CHL is all that and a bag of chips), try to nurture what is potentially salvageable, and get on with the business of flipping this roster and creating the program I am sure he promissed the athletic department during the interview process.

Oz will be judged on where this program is in three years and going forward. The rest is just foreplay.

Oh, and two more commits today including former UMD goalie Brady Hjelle and defenseman Alex McLean. I am sure that Steve Rohlik had a hand in the Hjelle commit.
 
Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

Puck Buck said:
I also don't understand the hand wringing about this season.

Oz was brought in to, first and foremost, administer an enema to a program that was mired in a circle of suck. He currently does not have a single player that he recruited on this team, so by definition every player has some part of that circle of suck attached to him. His job is not to salvage a .500 year out of guys he didn't recruit and who don't (for whatever reason - talent, attitude, style) fit with his program. His job is to assess what he has, get rid of what doesnt fit (but they do get to keep their academic funding so spare me the cry me a river story about not trusting and how the CHL is all that and a bag of chips), try to nurture what is potentially salvageable, and get on with the business of flipping this roster and creating the program I am sure he promissed the athletic department during the interview process.

Oz will be judged on where this program is in three years and going forward. The rest is just foreplay.

Oh, and two more commits today including former UMD goalie Brady Hjelle and defenseman Alex McLean. I am sure that Steve Rohlik had a hand in the Hjelle commit.
Click to expand...
Hopefully, Steve Brent hasn't signed any long term leases in Columbus then.....
 
Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

Sportsfan1 said:
Hopefully, Steve Brent hasn't signed any long term leases in Columbus then.....
Click to expand...

Actually, I think that is a great example that Oz isn't some crazy man with a God Complex running roughshod through the hallowed program that John Markell built. He isn't just dumping people or players simply because of an association with the previous regime - the decisions may be harsh, but they seem to be being made individually on their merits. He obviously saw value in retaining Brent, not so much on some of the players.

K Sir Ah, Sir Ah.
 
Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

Puck Buck said:
Actually, I think that is a great example that Oz isn't some crazy man with a God Complex running roughshod through the hallowed program that John Markell built. He isn't just dumping people or players simply because of an association with the previous regime - the decisions may be harsh, but they seem to be being made individually on their merits. He obviously saw value in retaining Brent, not so much on some of the players.

K Sir Ah, Sir Ah.
Click to expand...
Buy that man an adult beverage of his choice!:)
 
Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

Sportsfan1 said:
Why does this year have to be a throw away? That's ridiculous. There is a group of talented, smart eager athletes. They all want to win. None of the Seniors, or Juniors wants to be on this team to be a "springboard" for next year.
Click to expand...

WELL SAID. Eh.
 
Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

Puck Buck said:
Actually, I think that is a great example that Oz isn't some crazy man with a God Complex running roughshod through the hallowed program that John Markell built. He isn't just dumping people or players simply because of an association with the previous regime - the decisions may be harsh, but they seem to be being made individually on their merits. He obviously saw value in retaining Brent, not so much on some of the players.

K Sir Ah, Sir Ah.
Click to expand...

+100

I am amazed at some of the posters who think Oz is not trying to win games this season. The guy is at practice everyday and is putting the kids out there that he feels give us the best chance to win. I cannot believe anyone would think he is not trying to win now. Yeah, that would be such a great way to make a good first impression with your new boss (AD Gene Smith) ... let's tank this season just to get the young guys some playing time because they're the future.
 
Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

No CCHA points to be had this weekend. I guess we will be playing for PRIDE. Eh. " GO BUCKS GO. "



Fri, Nov 05 Alabama-Huntsville Columbus, Ohio 7:05 p.m.

Sat, Nov 06 Alabama-Huntsville Columbus, Ohio 7:05 p.m.
 
Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

osualum86 said:
+100

I am amazed at some of the posters who think Oz is not trying to win games this season. The guy is at practice everyday and is putting the kids out there that he feels give us the best chance to win. I cannot believe anyone would think he is not trying to win now. Yeah, that would be such a great way to make a good first impression with your new boss (AD Gene Smith) ... let's tank this season just to get the young guys some playing time because they're the future.
Click to expand...

From what my friends in the athletic dept have implied to me is that they are quite aware of Oz's intentions and of what he feels is required to build the program so he has their full blessings to do it his way and losses or a losing season at this point will not count against him in any way. The strategy is set for a several year plan to bring in the talent and train them properly. That's why the upperclassmen are at the back of the line because they have no place in the final part of the timeline. Sure he may be able to garner more wins with them but that's not the priority, indoctrinating the kids who have several seasons with him is and they will be initiating the large group of freshmen we'll have next year. Playing time is what grinds it into them and the game film analysis is invaluable. Have people forgotten that for the first several weeks of practice after reporting in the late summer it's Captain's Practice only and the coaching staff can't work with them at all until about 2 weeks before the first game? So he has to have players familiar with what he wants done with the newbies during that crucial time. This is the reality of it folks, be grateful what wins we get but it's development he's after and thats the way it will be. It's a solid approach to bring us what we want and need with our program as quickly as possible and if anyone can't see that then turn in your armchair coaching badges. When we're solid title contenders in a season or two (maybe three) you'll all feel it was worth it then. If you're still going to be unhappy this season then watch from the club level where you can drown your sorrows! LOL! Anyway NLI signing begins November 10th so let's see what we get. Verbals are tantalizing but not binding, signing is what locks it in.
 
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Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

Hockeybuckeye said:
From what my friends in the athletic dept have implied to me is that they are quite aware of Oz's intentions and of what he feels is required to build the program so he has their full blessings to do it his way and losses or a losing season at this point will not count against him in any way. The strategy is set for a several year plan to bring in the talent and train them properly. That's why the upperclassmen are at the back of the line because they have no place in the final part of the timeline. Sure he may be able to garner more wins with them but that's not the priority, indoctrinating the kids who have several seasons with him is and they will be initiating the large group of freshmen we'll have next year. Playing time is what grinds it into them and the game film analysis is invaluable. Have people forgotten that for the first several weeks of practice after reporting in the late summer it's Captain's Practice only and the coaching staff can't work with them at all until about 2 weeks before the first game? So he has to have players familiar with what he wants done with the newbies during that crucial time. This is the reality of it folks, be grateful what wins we get but it's development he's after and thats the way it will be. It's a solid approach to bring us what we want and need with our program as quickly as possible and if anyone can't see that then turn in your armchair coaching badges. When we're solid title contenders in a season or two (maybe three) you'll all feel it was worth it then. If you're still going to be unhappy this season then watch from the club level where you can drown your sorrows! LOL! Anyway NLI signing begins November 10th so let's see what we get. Verbals are tantalizing but not binding, signing is what locks it in.
Click to expand...

I'm not much of an armchair coach when it comes to hockey so I never got a badge (LOL)! I do feel we have a good one in Coach Oz and I am in his corner ... whatever it takes to get us to the level where we are competing for CCHA Titles and Frozen Fours on a yearly basis, I am all for it, even if it means a lot of losses the first season or two. I am heading down tonight and tomorrow to check out our "new" Buckeyes. Looking very forward to it. :)
 
Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

From the scoring stats it sure looks like the Buckeye seniors are getting their fair share of ice time. Seven of the top nine scorers are seniors.
 
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Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

chargersupporter said:
From the scoring stats it sure looks like the Buckeye seniors are getting their fair share of ice time. Seven of the top nine scorers are seniors.
Click to expand...

I read that also, so if the upper classmen are not getting much playing time, as has been suggested here in this thread, they sure are making the most of what little playing time they are getting!
 
Re: Ohio State 2010/2011 - No way but up.

I think playing an obviously weaker team tonight made us look better than we were. Saw puck control problems and 2 for 7 on the power play wasn't exactly inspiring. 41 to 15 on shots on goal but how will that stat be against Michigan or Miami? Still nice to get a win but obviously work to be done yet. I will say the guys looked like they were hustling for the puck harder than they have in years. Last season they rarely beat the other team to the puck along the boards. Overall level of intensity for us is up. This officiating crew actually gave us genuine home ice advantage, we could have been called for a lot more tonight than we were.
 
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