Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

Don't get me wrong, winning the national championship would have been fantastic. However, I've faced enough adversity in my life to know that winning isn't everything. We all need to remember that this is collegiate athletics. At the end of the day a championship trophy or banner means nothing. These young men will have something much more important... an education that will serve them for the rest of their lives. Sure, a select few will get a taste of pro hockey, and even fewer might even make it into a career, but that's not the goal in my opinion.

I've only been a Bobcat fan for 9 years. I've only been a hockey fan for 9 years. I'll let you connect the dots. Not being able to skate (a long story I'll save for another time) I was never drawn to the sport. However, I fell in love with the game, and this team, the day a set foot in the TD Bank Sports Center and saw the product on the ice. I was hooked, and have been a rabid fan ever since.

That said, the sorrow I feel this morning is for those players who give their all to the game. For the families that provide the means for them to pursue a dream. For the fans that support them at home and on the road. I've made a great many friends because of this team... true friends that mean the world to me. They are the ones I feel the worst about.

I'm having trouble finding the words to adequately describe my feelings about this. I personally would not trade any of the memories this team has given me for a piece of hardware in a trophy case. Obviously, there are those who will think I'm crazy (and some have already pointed that out), but I know in my heart that our time will come. I can wait, and when it does happen, I'm sure it will be even sweeter than I can imagine.

The loss last night stings, no doubt. But our best days lie ahead.

#BobcatPride

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

I will say this -- I agree we need better players, but not at the expense of our identity. The better players all know Quinnipiac, now. They saw us beat Boston College, they saw us in the national title game. We won't be losing nearly as many recruiting battles. But we have to stick to our identity as a program. The second we sell out to our identity is the second we stop being so routinely successful.

As much as this sucks -- and boy does it suck -- we have to trust the process.

Well said Seth! I couldn't agree more.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

I agree. We need to still keep recruiting very good 4 year players but I think we need to supplement the team with a couple high guys that would leave early for the pros after 1 to 2 years.

Not for nothing, but we did have one of those game breakers. Too bad he was playing through injury, otherwise I wonder what Sam Anas could have accomplished this weekend.

 

[ecbrevik]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

Not for nothing, but we did have one of those game breakers. Too bad he was playing through injury, otherwise I wonder what Sam Anas could have accomplished this weekend.

If he had been able to close the deal rather than hit the pipe (twice), it may have changed the complexion of the game, and obviously his injury may have made a difference on those plays. Unfortunately we'll never know. In the ideal world both teams would be at full strength in a championship game because you want to play the best at their best, but because these games happen at the end of the season that is rarely the case. UND also had an injury last night to a key player on the 2nd line. While not as important to the team individually as Anas is to QU, it was a disruption for a team that is built on depth and rolling four lines that wear an opponent out over the course of a game.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

If he had been able to close the deal rather than hit the pipe (twice), it may have changed the complexion of the game, and obviously his injury may have made a difference on those plays. Unfortunately we'll never know.

Unfortunately, one bounce either way usually defines these games. That's just the nature of one-and-done. We certainly got our share of good bounces during the season, so we need to accept the bad ones even though they came in the biggest game of the year.

I still maintain that last night's loss does not diminish what we accomplished this year. Nobody can take that away from us.

 

[Saints17]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

Unfortunately, one bounce either way usually defines these games. That's just the nature of one-and-done. We certainly got our share of good bounces during the season, so we need to accept the bad ones even though they came in the biggest game of the year.

I still maintain that last night's loss does not diminish what we accomplished this year. Nobody can take that away from us.

+1

 

[cross cheque]

Unfortunately, one bounce either way usually defines these games. That's just the nature of one-and-done. We certainly got our share of good bounces during the season, so we need to accept the bad ones even though they came in the biggest game of the year.

I still maintain that last night's loss does not diminish what we accomplished this year. Nobody can take that away from us.

Congratulations on another great year, QU isn't an up and coming they are at the top of the hill and staying there.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

Unfortunately, one bounce either way usually defines these games. That's just the nature of one-and-done. We certainly got our share of good bounces during the season, so we need to accept the bad ones even though they came in the biggest game of the year.

I still maintain that last night's loss does not diminish what we accomplished this year. Nobody can take that away from us.

It certainly doesn't diminish the rest of the season, but I'd like us, as fans, to get away from just being happy to be there. The players and coaches have changed the culture at Quinnipiac, now the fans need to change their culture. We weren't just happy to be in the Frozen Four this year. With the team we had -- the skill, talent, depth, and heart we had -- we expected to be in Tampa. And depending how many defections there are, I really believe there's a chance next year that we should expect to be in Chicago. Getting to the Frozen Four wasn't a pipe dream, it was a legitimate goal set up by the best team in school history. In any sport.

And that's not a shot at you, Mark -- that's directed to everyone. Yes, it was a great year. The best year in program history. That's all great, and it should be celebrated. There's still a missing piece of hardware that we wanted.

 

[FireKnight]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

Congratulations to you guys on a great season and representing yourselves and the ECAC well in Tampa both on and off the ice. Nobody on this planet can outnumber the Sioux fans (heck, there were probably a dozen on my flight home this morning to NY) but your fans showed in numbers and they were passionate.

 

[IsThereADog]

Congrats to North Dakota - their talent was on full display last night. I was blown away by how they were able to consistently dance across the blue line with possession against a team trying to force the dump and chase.

The seniors will be missed - great competitors who accomplished a great deal.

Next year should be another good one. I hope Sam gets to play in the tournament at close to 100%.

 

[FireKnight]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

Next year should be another good one. I hope Sam gets to play in the tournament at close to 100%.

Do you think Anas is going to stay for another year?

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

And that's not a shot at you, Mark -- that's directed to everyone. Yes, it was a great year. The best year in program history. That's all great, and it should be celebrated. There's still a missing piece of hardware that we wanted.

I stepped in front and took it right between the eyes!

I guess the fact that we look at this from 2 different perspectives, you as an alum that was fortunate to be closer to QU athletics than I, and me as a parent and fan, means that we'll likely see it differently. Being there, to me, means that we were able to accomplish something during the regular and post season run. I'm not diminishing the fact that it would be sweet to bring that trophy to Hamden, but the fact that we haven't yet doesn't mean that we won't. Our time will come.

What you said earlier about the program can be equally applied to us fans: we have to stick to our identity.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

Do you think Anas is going to stay for another year?

Yes, I think Sam is back next year. I think there are only 3 guys we could potentially lose: Devon Toews, Tim Clifton, Connor Clifton. Surprisingly, I think the biggest risk is Tim Clifton with the season he had (and maybe that doesn't make it surprising at all).

 

[ZYanksRule]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

I stepped in front and took it right between the eyes!

I guess the fact that we look at this from 2 different perspectives, you as an alum that was fortunate to be closer to QU athletics than I, and me as a parent and fan, means that we'll likely see it differently. Being there, to me, means that we were able to accomplish something during the regular and post season run. I'm not diminishing the fact that it would be sweet to bring that trophy to Hamden, but the fact that we haven't yet doesn't mean that we won't. Our time will come.

What you said earlier about the program can be equally applied to us fans: we have to stick to our identity.

I agree -- we're building to it, and this program is going to win a national title one day. It's going to happen. And it's going to be so, so, so sweet when it does.

This was an incredible season. The best in school history, and frankly one of the best non-championship seasons by any team in NCAA hockey history. Two losses during the regular season is incredible. These guys took us on an incredible ride for the last six months, a ride I wouldn't trade for anything. Of course the season wasn't a failure -- I'd hope Quinnipiac will host some type of a fan rally for them this week so they can be properly thanked for all they gave this University. This was a historic season, and one to be celebrated.

And the best part of all, this is a program that does things the right way. As I said earlier about our identity, our identity is a program that does things the right way, that acts the right way. That's worth celebrating just as much as a championship would have been.

 

[bothman]

Yes, I think Sam is back next year. I think there are only 3 guys we could potentially lose: Devon Toews, Tim Clifton, Connor Clifton. Surprisingly, I think the biggest risk is Tim Clifton with the season he had (and maybe that doesn't make it surprising at all).

Need to look at ages. Miles wood was a 21yr old frosh so gone. Any guys who are 22-23, their bodies have developed and should be ready for professional ranks. Worth trading a year of college for ECHL or depth player in AHL? I wouldn't.

 

[willythekid]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

Congrats on the great season Quinny fans... excellent showing from your classy fans. This Sioux fan looks forward to doing battle with you guys in the future. Classiest team from the East, no doubt.

 

[cross cheque]

Do you think Anas is going to stay for another year?

I don't think I've ever seen a player take more two hand cross checks in the back than Anas, maybe there's a prize pool for the guy that separates him at the torso?

 

[Larson210]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

Don't think there is really anything here to mention that hasn't already been said. I will say I thoroughly enjoyed the trip down here. Never been down south before and the city was a joy to be in for a few days. It made me really wish it was summer back in Maine ...

Also, THANK YOU to LT - we went to Four Green Fields and it was fabulous. I'll be back there someday no doubt!

See y'all at Sidestreet or the Bank in October.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

And the best part of all, this is a program that does things the right way. As I said earlier about our identity, our identity is a program that does things the right way, that acts the right way. That's worth celebrating just as much as a championship would have been.

Lol. I'll just "agree to disagree" with this one.

Congrats on the run, guys. Pretty fantastic season all around, certainly making yourselves at home in the powerhouses of the nation.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Quinnipiac Bobcats 2015-16 - The post-season journey...

Lol. I'll just "agree to disagree" with this one.

Not for nothing Brandon, but this gets old. Sure, Rand isn't the most liked coach in America and I understand most of the why's for that. But the program is certainly among the better ones out there, and I don't mean on-ice only. We bring in good kids who do well academically, get involved in the community, and have never given a bad name to the school. The entire athletics department is top-shelf.