The Barr Has Been Raised at UMaine

[ticapnews]

Maine had never been shut out by an Atlantic Hockey opponent.

 

[ticapnews]

Tough loss. The team had chances but could not capitalize. Should have been a 7-6 thriller, instead it was 1-0 and the only goal was a fluky bounce. Both goaltenders played well. It seems Maine still faces Dominic Hasek every week.

Elsewhere, Merrimack defeated BU, CC beat BC and Lowell managed a tie with Michigan State. At least Providence saved Hockey East by defeating Denver. Oh, and Michigan lost. Apparently the Wolverines aren't invincible after all.

 

[Drew S.]

I really question the wisdom of having one of your two paid assistants with zero experience in American college hockey. He probably has helped with recruiting, even though Alfie is the one on the road, but maybe next year Ben needs to go in a different direction. It would be nice to have a dman on the staff so you have every position covered.

I said this after the Omaha series, something is really off right now. This isn’t a great Maine team by any means but no way should they be getting shutout by Sacred Heart at home.

 

[Runsub5]

Nice to see Maine play with discipline. It's been awhile since Maine played 60 minutes of hockey with only 2 penalty minutes.

 

[Fishman'81]

I really question the wisdom of having one of your two paid assistants with zero experience in American college hockey. He probably has helped with recruiting, even though Alfie is the one on the road, but maybe next year Ben needs to go in a different direction. It would be nice to have a dman on the staff so you have every position covered.

I said this after the Omaha series, something is really off right now. This isn’t a great Maine team by any means but no way should they be getting shutout by Sacred Heart at home.

This is Red's team, and you've been defending his recruiting for YEARS.

Get your story straight.

 

[Fishman'81]

Border Pillow Fight

Early nominee for Post of the Year, with your follow-up on the Granite State Gas-bag a close 2nd.

Carry on!

 

[acs64]

First time watching Maine in quite some time. No talent offensively that I can see. Cant teach talent, gotta recruit it. Thought Theissen looked pretty composed out there. Couple of D impressed with ability to carry the puck. Sacred Heart....how things have changed.

 

[acs64]

Nice to see Maine play with discipline. It's been awhile since Maine played 60 minutes of hockey with only 2 penalty minutes.

Yep, move in the right direction. I didnt start streaming it until late in the first I think it was and didnt see a Maine penalty rest of the game.

 

[NorthMike]

Nice to see Maine play with discipline. It's been awhile since Maine played 60 minutes of hockey with only 2 penalty minutes.

Not sure how much of that was the refs, but yes that was nice to see 5 on 5 hockey.
Saw improvement with breaking out from D zone, so they are working on that. Otherwise offensively, there are no goal scorers on this roster, its going to have to be a year of goaltending and D to keep it close.

 

[walrus]

Didn't watch much but the breakout seems to be better. Offense has been anemic for years, no change there.

 

[amkirby10]

I was also going to mention, only taking 2 PIM is a nice change of pace, hopefully that can continue. This is going to take time, and changes in team identity and strategy are already apparent, this team is in the right direction.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Nice to see Maine play with discipline. It's been awhile since Maine played 60 minutes of hockey with only 2 penalty minutes.

The old-timers on the USCHO boards will probably recognize the term "Skating Mother Teresa's", which was (rightfully) used to describe a "soft" rival program to the south, which rarely (if ever) seemed to rival Walshy's teams in the intensity and grit categories (and usually lost).

So now there's a 1-0 home loss to Sacred frickin' Heart, with only 2 PIM's. Listen, I get the discipline thing, it's important, and I'm positive that Coach Barr will put the rest of the pieces to the puzzle together over the next 2-3 seasons ... but my lord, you guys do now own the SMT tag. Congrats.

 

[BoSox3066]

So you’re saying if they spent some time in the box last night somehow that would’ve led to two goals? I dont get it

 

[acs64]

Chuck you remind me a little of a girl I know…. If she’s not bitchin or whining about sonething she’s totally unhappy. I get you’re trying to ruffle a few feathers (or bear fur as it were) but damn man those days are bygone…. Give it up, UHN will forever be the true SMT’s

 

[tylerzx2002]

The Hebert-Suthers-JSS line was easily the best Maine put on the ice last night. Had a few times where they flat out dominated in the offensive zone, sucks they couldn't put one in the net. Breazeale is not a top-pairing guy on deeper teams but he makes some good passes to start the breakout, he will be pretty fun to watch all year I think.

I was really impressed with Theissen, especially in the third period when Maine was cheating a bit trying to get more offensive chances. He made some big saves all night and deserved a better fate than having to take that loss.

The powerplay is still an issue and I don't see that changing until Barr brings in more talent. Watching this team trying to get sustained possession in the offensive zone on the man advantage is going to be painful all season. Even 5x5 Maine spent a lot of time overpassing the puck instead of generating shot volume which is better suited for a team that will need to clean up some ugly rebounds to score.

 

[djs298]

I don’t get the logic behind continually dressing the same lethargic defence as last year. We need some sort of puck moving capabilities. Is Dunn hurt? He’s shows a lot more promise than any of our older guys. I thought a new coach would encourage more of an offensive system. Not 1-0 losses to sacred heart.

 

[oilen]

I don’t get the logic behind continually dressing the same lethargic defence as last year. We need some sort of puck moving capabilities. Is Dunn hurt? He’s shows a lot more promise than any of our older guys. I thought a new coach would encourage more of an offensive system. Not 1-0 losses to sacred heart.

Dunn? Are you kidding me, he offers nothing. The D had little trouble moving the puck. The top pair on Sirota and Breazeale are fantastic. Spicer had several great offensive chances, he is no longer babysitting JD and his selfish and unpredictable play like he did for the last two seasons. If Simon can keep out of the box I like the blue line a lot.

 

[djs298]

Did we watch different games? We gave up five breakaways and had Thiessen stand on his head. As a group they offer next to no offence and it’s one of the major reasons our PP is consistently horrible.

Dunn? Are you kidding me, he offers nothing. The D had little trouble moving the puck. The top pair on Sirota and Breazeale are fantastic. Spicer had several great offensive chances, he is no longer babysitting JD and his selfish and unpredictable play like he did for the last two seasons. If Simon can keep out of the box I like the blue line a lot.

 

[tylerzx2002]

Did we watch different games? We gave up five breakaways and had Thiessen stand on his head. As a group they offer next to no offence and it’s one of the major reasons our PP is consistently horrible.

Maine spent most of the third period with the defense taking more chances to get a goal so naturally you're going to get beat more going the other way. Thiessen came up big a lot to keep the game close. Still not really sure if Dunn would have made a noticeable difference there but the defense wasn't the problem last night.

Certainly looked like the forwards had trouble breaking through into the O-zone for most of the game. Outside of the third line, none of the other three really could sustain any offensive pressure. Sacred Heart had no trouble retrieving those pucks and getting them back out of the zone.

 

[Drew S.]

It’s hard to believe a game at hone against Sacred Heart would be must win but here we are. I just want to see some desperation and the guys fight like hell tonight.