Ohio State - 2014/2015

[klbaum1077]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

Klbaum1077, I saw the exact same thing last night. Our passing has been suspect all season and continued to be subpar last night. In spite of the poor passing, we were still in the game. Then late in the third period, inexplicably, we take two five-minute majors. That is inexcusable, plain and simple. This season is definitely slipping away, no question about that.

They were in the game thats the frustrating part of all this. I thought they played a decent game and once again Frey kept them in it all night long.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

They were in the game thats the frustrating part of all this. I thought they played a decent game and once again Frey kept them in it all night long.

That is definitely the most frustrating part of this! We were in the game, it's not like we were down three goals and it was out of reach! There was no reason to get chippy and commit stupid penalties that put us out of the game! I'm sorry, but the lack of discipline by this team is a direct reflection of this coaching staff! The culture of this hockey program really needs to change. It's become way too acceptable to lose hockey games here.

 

[klbaum1077]

That is definitely the most frustrating part of this! We were in the game, it's not like we were down three goals and it was out of reach! There was no reason to get chippy and commit stupid penalties that put us out of the game! I'm sorry, but the lack of discipline by this team is a direct reflection of this coaching staff! The culture of this hockey program really needs to change. It's become way too acceptable to lose hockey games here.

Something has to change I think this staff gets another year but they have to right the wrongs soon.

 

[klbaum1077]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

Weiss got a 1 game suspension for his hit.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

I have no defense for that hit by Weis. I know he is a freshman, but he has to know better than that. Those five-minute majors took us out of what could have been a winnable game. I agree that this coaching staff should get an opportunity to right the ship, although maybe Gene Smith should have taken a little more time to bring in a proven winner. I don't think Gene Smith realizes that men's hockey is the third most popular sport on campus. I know I have said this before, but I ran the numbers last season, and only football and men's hoops outdraw men's hockey at Ohio State. I have not checked the attendance numbers this season, but unless women's hoops is packing them in, men's hockey is probably still third in attendance. I hope someday Gene Smith and the athletic department start treating the hockey program like the third most popular sport on campus. In Rohlik's defense, and any other hockey coach here for that matter, it has to be an uphill climb to succeed here with the lack of commitment by the athletic department.

 

[klbaum1077]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

I have no defense for that hit by Weis. I know he is a freshman, but he has to know better than that. Those five-minute majors took us out of what could have been a winnable game. I agree that this coaching staff should get an opportunity to right the ship, although maybe Gene Smith should have taken a little more time to bring in a proven winner. I don't think Gene Smith realizes that men's hockey is the third most popular sport on campus. I know I have said this before, but I ran the numbers last season, and only football and men's hoops outdraw men's hockey at Ohio State. I have not checked the attendance numbers this season, but unless women's hoops is packing them in, men's hockey is probably still third in attendance. I hope someday Gene Smith and the athletic department start treating the hockey program like the third most popular sport on campus. In Rohlik's defense, and any other hockey coach here for that matter, it has to be an uphill climb to succeed here with the lack of commitment by the athletic department.

We have had this discussion before and i dont think hockey is high on the list of the higher ups in the athletic department. As far as briging in a proven winner it was so late in the year when Oz was fired and from an outsider looking in at how hockey is shoved aside at Ohio state im not sure anyone wanted to come here. My first thought was the coach from Denver but he disrespected ohio state when they went after him during the search after Markell was fired. I dont know if we could ever get a proven winner to come here. I wanted Beregon but they took to long and BG hired him and look at that program now. They have passed Ohio state in just 5 years.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

We have had this discussion before and i dont think hockey is high on the list of the higher ups in the athletic department. As far as briging in a proven winner it was so late in the year when Oz was fired and from an outsider looking in at how hockey is shoved aside at Ohio state im not sure anyone wanted to come here. My first thought was the coach from Denver but he disrespected ohio state when they went after him during the search after Markell was fired. I dont know if we could ever get a proven winner to come here. I wanted Beregon but they took to long and BG hired him and look at that program now. They have passed Ohio state in just 5 years.

It becomes a vicious circle. The athletic department won't make a legitimate commitment to hockey until someone comes in and wins here, but no proven coach will come here and have the necessary tools to win until the athletic department makes a commitment to the sport. I think it's pretty obvious that hockey is down toward the bottom when it comes to priorities. I remember the situation with the Denver coach (George Gwozdecky). I think the guy was playing Ohio State like a fiddle, just using the OSU job as leverage to get more money from Denver at the time. According to what I read online, he left Denver after the 2012-13 season to become an assistant coach for the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning. I agree 100% on Chris Bergeron at Bowling Green. Would loved to have gotten him here, and no question about it, BG has passed Ohio State at this point. I think the timing of Osiecki's firing really hurt the program more than anyone envisioned it would. As you alluded to, the firing happened so late that the athletic department didn't have much of a choice regarding who to bring in, and I am not sure they had too many takers the way the whole thing went down.

 

[pinch]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

Osiecki was fired in April... no more than a month after most coaches are let go.

 

[klbaum1077]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

Osiecki was fired in April... no more than a month after most coaches are let go.

I realize that but its still a month after the season and when you consider how the big Wigs at Ohio state view hockey what big time coach is going to come here?

 

[#1collegehockeyfan]

when you consider how the big Wigs at Ohio state view hockey what big time coach is going to come here?

If the big time coach is jumping from a smaller hockey program it can happen.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

If the big time coach is jumping from a smaller hockey program it can happen.

Hope I live long enough to see us get a big time coach here who can turn this program into a perennial NCAA Program, Frozen Four once in a while, maybe even win a National Title someday.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

We actually came quite close in 1997-98. In a FF Semi-Final, we were tied with BC 2-2 deep into the game. In that particular year, there were a number of very good teams, of which we were one. But there really wasn't a dominant team. Had all of the planets aligned properly... well, just sayin'.

A few more details from this trip down memory lane: Offensively, the squad was led by Hugo Boisvert and a talented group of underclassmen. At the same time, a classy group of seniors accepted supporting roles on the team. That scenario can be an absolute minefield in terms of keeping everyone united, and on the same page. And yet, they all bought in. That's a credit to the entire roster, and the coaches as well.

OK, 1998 was a long time ago. Before long, that season will predate the lives of the soon-to-be Buckeyes. But the point is that it can be done here, despite the inherent disadvantages of hockey recruiting at this particular latitude.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

We actually came quite close in 1997-98. In a FF Semi-Final, we were tied with BC 2-2 deep into the game. In that particular year, there were a number of very good teams, of which we were one. But there really wasn't a dominant team. Had all of the planets aligned properly... well, just sayin'.

A few more details from this trip down memory lane: Offensively, the squad was led by Hugo Boisvert and a talented group of underclassmen. At the same time, a classy group of seniors accepted supporting roles on the team. That scenario can be an absolute minefield in terms of keeping everyone united, and on the same page. And yet, they all bought in. That's a credit to the entire roster, and the coaches as well.

OK, 1998 was a long time ago. Before long, that season will predate the lives of the soon-to-be Buckeyes. But the point is that it can be done here, despite the inherent disadvantages of hockey recruiting at this particular latitude.

That is precisely the point I think most of us are trying to make ... that Ohio State can and should be able to put a winning hockey team on the ice, provided the athletic department makes a commitment to the program and brings in the right guy to recruit and develop talent. I know we are only a year-and-a-half into the Rohlik era, so he probably needs another couple of recruiting classes. However, with the talent we have on the team, seems like we should be having more success now. OTOH, the continued lack of discipline is alarming, and a reflection of the coaching staff. I will continue to support the program as I always have, but at this point, I am just not 100% sure we have the right guy in place to lead this team and develop talent.

 

[spiehler]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

... Ohio State can and should be able to put a winning hockey team on the ice, provided the athletic department makes a commitment to the program and brings in the right guy to recruit and develop talent. I know we are only a year-and-a-half into the Rohlik era ...

How much time should a coach be given? Bergeron's in his 5th season at BG, and the team has been improving. [I was afraid that Markell would end up at BG after OSU cut him loose. My thinking at the time was if he couldn't produce a good team with all the resources OSU can provide, how could he possibly succeed at Bowling Green?] Beside hiring the right guys, how can Ohio State demonstrate its commitment to men's hockey?

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

How much time should a coach be given? Bergeron's in his 5th season at BG, and the team has been improving. [I was afraid that Markell would end up at BG after OSU cut him loose. My thinking at the time was if he couldn't produce a good team with all the resources OSU can provide, how could he possibly succeed at Bowling Green?] Beside hiring the right guys, how can Ohio State demonstrate its commitment to men's hockey?

My personal opinion is that we should probably give a coach five years as that ensures that he has all his own guys in the program. Bergeron was obviously a home run hire for Bowling Green (my wife is a BG grad so we spend some time up there), and they are having a great season. They are currently 6th in the Pairwise and unless they have a colossal meltdown, I think they get in the NCAA Tournament this season. I know everyone is sick of hearing this, so I will apologize in advance for this response, but the best answer to your last question would be for the athletic department to actually build the hockey programs their own arena! Both of our hockey venues are arguably the worst in their respective leagues. I know everyone thinks the Schott is so great, and I am sure the behind the scenes stuff is nice (locker room, weight room, etc.), but the game atmosphere is pathetic. When you're playing in an arena that seats 17,500 for hockey and it's 25% full, the atmosphere is terrible. Did I mention that the team doesn't even get to practice there most of the time due to other events going on at the Schott? I'll cut myself off on this because I am beating a dead horse here, but you asked the question, so I answered. Us OSU regulars have had this discussion about the facility more times than I can count. If you look around at the other BIG Ten teams, they all have their own facilities, other than Wisconsin, but they draw really well at the Kohl Center so playing their games in their basketball arena isn't hurting their program. Wisconsin is having a down year by their standards and they still had 11,776 at their last home game. That's not bad for a venue that holds 15,359 for hockey. If Wisconsin was actually having a decent year, they would probably be selling out. Anyway, that is enough from me. I think I answered your question.

 

[spiehler]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

[BG is] 6th in the Pairwise and unless they have a colossal meltdown, I think they get in the NCAA Tournament this season.

Not a colossal meltdown, but my boys have lost two of their last three. I know the Pairwise and KRACH are mathematical, but I'm mystified. I've seen all the home games, and I've seen wins, but I look at the inconsistent play and wonder how BG has won so many games.

... the best answer to your last question would be for the athletic department to actually build the hockey programs their own arena!

I agree that the Schott feels like an empty cavern even when there are 5000 people there. OSU has gone from one extreme to the other as far as hockey facilities. I have a hard time believing money is what's blocking an ice arena.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

Not a colossal meltdown, but my boys have lost two of their last three. I know the Pairwise and KRACH are mathematical, but I'm mystified. I've seen all the home games, and I've seen wins, but I look at the inconsistent play and wonder how BG has won so many games.
I agree that the Schott feels like an empty cavern even when there are 5000 people there. OSU has gone from one extreme to the other as far as hockey facilities. I have a hard time believing money is what's blocking an ice arena.

Yeah, this weekend's loss and tie at Bemidji has Mrs 86 nervous about BG's season. I think they will get the ship righted and be fine, but she is a little disappointed that they are splitting series right now. Try not to laugh too hard at this, but I have emailed AD Gene Smith in the past about our hockey facilities, and that was basically what he said, that they didn't have the money for a new hockey arena right now. Um, yeah, right, whatever you say, Gene! LMAO at that, obviously. Yeah, we don't have money for a new hockey arena, but we do have money for a new scoreboard and more seats in Ohio Stadium, we have money for a new boathouse for the rowing team, etc.. Basically, OSU seems to have the money to do anything they want to do ... except build a new arena for our hockey programs so they have a legitimate shot at recruiting talented players and getting our programs to the next level!

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

No surprises tonight, Ohio State taking it on the chin in Minneapolis, losing 4-1 after two periods of play. There is still 20 minutes of hockey to be played and I just got home from the women's game (3-2 win over Minnesota State), so I did not see the first two periods. We'll see what happens in the final period.

 

[klbaum1077]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

No surprises tonight, Ohio State taking it on the chin in Minneapolis, losing 4-1 after two periods of play. There is still 20 minutes of hockey to be played and I just got home from the women's game (3-2 win over Minnesota State), so I did not see the first two periods. We'll see what happens in the final period.

New week same team! Stupid penalties costing them PPG's. Cant complete passes, losing their man on Defense costing them goals as well. This team is what they are and that is not very good and just have not seemed to get better as the year has went on. I feel bad for Frey he had no chance on any of the 4 goals. When are they going to be held responsible for the dumb penalties? Its time to just sit guys i dont care who you are if you take a stupid contact to the head penalty its time to sit.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State - 2014/2015

New week same team! Stupid penalties costing them PPG's. Cant complete passes, losing their man on Defense costing them goals as well. This team is what they are and that is not very good and just have not seemed to get better as the year has went on. I feel bad for Frey he had no chance on any of the 4 goals. When are they going to be held responsible for the dumb penalties? Its time to just sit guys i dont care who you are if you take a stupid contact to the head penalty its time to sit.

Isn't it the coaching staff's job to develop players and improve as the season goes along? This season has slipped away. Hopefully Rohlik has a good recruiting class coming in. Clearly, the culture needs to change here.