The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

[gfmorris]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

BTW, gfmorris, where's my Sun Drop?!

I left it at home!

ND lines tonight:

Kissel-Ryan-Minella
Thang-Deeth-Palmieri
Ridderwall-Sheahan-Maday
Guentzel-Gaul-Nugent

Cole-Lorenz
Blatchford-Calabrese
Condon-Lawson

No indication who is starting in net or up ice. Will get starters in another 15 minutes or so I expect.

GFM <-- in the press box tonight, but still wearing that Talbot third jersey

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

I left it at home!

You owe me one when you guys are in the league!

The concern I have still after tonight is the communication on the ice. It seems as if their wires are crossed, which led to some sloppy play all weekend.

Much better outcome tonight, however. Tommy O'Brien. Didn't expect that one. The team played better D in front of him and he made some nice saves to get his 2nd win of his career.

Nice to see Kevin Nugent and Sam Calabrese on the bench tonight. I say that because they didn't get to skate a regular shift because there was virtually no 5 X 5 hockey tonight. I hate the first month of the season for that reason. I saw more 4 X 3 hockey tonight than I see at the Ice Box on a Wednesday afternoon...

Kyle Palmieri continues to impress. Patrick Gaul also continues to impress. Dan Kissel had some nice moves. Christiaan Minella apparently continues to impress...the refs. Kyle Lawson pounced nicely on a rebound from Ian Cole's rocket to get the gamewinner.

And last, but certainly far from least, was Brett Blatchford getting on the scoresheet...with a G instead of an A!

Nice job, boys.

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

The concern I have still after tonight is the communication on the ice. It seems as if their wires are crossed, which led to some sloppy play all weekend.

Yeah, it looked to me like the wires were crossed enough that I'm surprised guys weren't running into each other more. I'll chalk it up to little "official" practice, running a few freshmen (or sophs who basically got no minutes last season) out there for major minutes, new refs working into the system, and the general creakiness the first weekend of games bring. As well credit to UAH for doing what teams playing Notre Dame need to do to get them out of their game.

As noted by both me in an earlier post and the coach postgame yesterday, too much individualistic play, and it continued tonight, but there was a little improvement. Palmieri seems to be as skilled a freshman as I have seen come to Notre Dame. When he fully integrates himself into the framework of his teammates, he could be something extraordinary. But he needs to quickly learn the game each of his teammates has. He has the look of a kid who can both be great, AND make the other guys better as well.

Did anyone have a good look at Blatch's major? I thought the same call last night was a bit much but I got basically no look at this one. Lawson argued against it and seemed pretty unimpressed with the explanation he got. And afterwards it looked like the ref was basically unwilling to come over and personally offer an explanation to Jackson, who appeared to want more of one than he got.

 

[gfmorris]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

Did anyone have a good look at Blatch's major? I thought the same call last night was a bit much but I got basically no look at this one. Lawson argued against it and seemed pretty unimpressed with the explanation he got. And afterwards it looked like the ref was basically unwilling to come over and personally offer an explanation to Jackson, who appeared to want more of one than he got.

I was as surprised at tonight's major as I was at last night's. I was far more disappointed by the fact that y'all ended up ON THE POWER PLAY WHILE KILLING A MAJOR PENALTY.

Ahem.

Thanks for the hospitality, everyone. Oh, and the two points.

GFM

 

[crazy_guy_in_section_1]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

And last, but certainly far from least, was Brett Blatchford getting on the scoresheet...with a G instead of an A!
.

so what is everyone's thoughts on his major....?

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

I was as surprised at tonight's major as I was at last night's. I was far more disappointed by the fact that y'all ended up ON THE POWER PLAY WHILE KILLING A MAJOR PENALTY.

Ahem.

Thanks for the hospitality, everyone. Oh, and the two points.

GFM

There was a little bit of everything on that major wasn't there. And aren't you glad the only snow you saw all weekend was along the boards of the lovely ice surface at the Joyce??? An earlier forecast called for some possibility of snow on Sunday. Safe travels back home for you. We should return the favor and make a trip to play you in Huntsville. Especially if it could be arranged for the middle of January!!!

 

[Third Family Member]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

There was a little bit of everything on that major wasn't there. And aren't you glad the only snow you saw all weekend was along the boards of the lovely ice surface at the Joyce??? An earlier forecast called for some possibility of snow on Sunday. Safe travels back home for you. We should return the favor and make a trip to play you in Huntsville. Especially if it could be arranged for the middle of January!!!

You might want to rethink this idea, unless you plan on flying. At least N. Indiana knows how to deal with snow. Get south of Indy and the drive gets considerably more dicey with considerably less white stuff on the ground! And Kentucky and Tennessee are positively knuckle whitening.

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

I hope everyone got a chance to see coach Jackson's comments following the game. One of the quotes that didn't make it into anyone's game story that I saw was a classic. "Guys don't get 10-minute misconducts here. I can abuse the officials. They can't." Minella will sit a game apparently for his indiscretion. I think following both games he was a little freer in his comments than in past years. While their personalities couldn't be more different, occasionally, Coach Jackson reminds me of Lou Holtz with some of his more colorful comments.

 

[WeAreNDHockey]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

I hope everyone got a chance to see coach Jackson's comments following the game. One of the quotes that didn't make it into anyone's game story that I saw was a classic. "Guys don't get 10-minute misconducts here. I can abuse the officials. They can't." Minella will sit a game apparently for his indiscretion. I think following both games he was a little freer in his comments than in past years. While their personalities couldn't be more different, occasionally, Coach Jackson reminds me of Lou Holtz with some of his more colorful comments.

It's up on the UND.com website. My all time favorite Holtz quote is "My players aren't allowed to cuss. The good Lord allows just so much profanity on a team and I use up our entire quota."

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

I also liked Kyle Lawson's statement, "...if that's the 58th best team this is gonna be a hell of a season!"

so what is everyone's thoughts on his major....?

I think everyone would agree both majors were highly questionable. If the ref calls checking from behind against the boards it has to be a major (as opposed to CFB in open ice, which is a minor), but the ref could've just as easily called those boarding for 2 minute minors.

I actually didn't think the reffing was too bad. I saw players from both teams get away with a few and I saw both teams take bad calls. The thing I hate about the first month is the constant parade to the box. Sustained 5 X 5 will be a welcome treat.

On a different note, Craig P., did you finish last spring? I can't remember what your timeline was and I didn't see you this weekend...

 

[MikeAnderson]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

I think everyone would agree both majors were highly questionable.

To paraphrase a great southern hockey voice, Pete Weber, "that was the Mary Kay Call of the Night."

 

[NDHockey9]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

PREPPING FOR PROVIDENCE COLLEGE (1-0-0)
* Hockey East coaches predicted for the Friars to finish 9th out of 10 teams.
* First appearance at the Joyce Center.

Last year: 7-22-5 (finished last year 0-8-2)
Hockey East last year: T-9th with a record of 4-18-5.
* Gave up Hockey East worst 3.91 goals per game last year.

Head Coach Tim Army...a 1985 graduate of Providence College.
5th year as the HC of the Friars with a record of 48-78-16
-- Ast coach with the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks and HC of the Portland Pirates from 2002-05.
--A player at Providence Army scored 71 goals and tallied 179 points in 151 games. Hoby Baker finalist in 1985.
-- 1981 draft pick of the Colorado Rockies..the NHL team that later became the New Jersey Devils.

Leading Returnees (2008-09 Scoring)
Matt Bergland F Soph 10-17-27
John Cavanagh F Sr 34 10-9-19
Ian O'Connor F Soph 6-10-16
Matt Germain F Jr 4-10-14
Kyle MacKinnon F Jr 6-7-13
Mark Fayne D Sr 4-5-9

Goalie: Alex Beaudry So. 18g 3.50 .888

Won opening game at home over Holy Cross 2-1 on Friday night.
Goals: Kyle MacKinnon and Daniel New
Goalie Alex Beaudry saved 33 of 34 shots.

 

[Craig P.]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

On a different note, Craig P., did you finish last spring? I can't remember what your timeline was and I didn't see you this weekend...

No, I didn't. The new timeline is January.

I missed this weekend because I was in Houston for a job interview. I'm planning to attend both PC games.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

No, I didn't. The new timeline is January.

I missed this weekend because I was in Houston for a job interview. I'm planning to attend both PC games.

Hope Houston went well. Glad to have you back here for a few more months of hockey. We'll just have to make sure to celebrate at Fiddler's Hearth when you do finish. I'll spring for a Guinness.

 

[grantfan]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

You don't like the constant parade to the penalty box during the first month of the season, JJFP, I presume because of the refs, but you just haul off on "the captain" and blame him for the opening night loss to Huntsville. Wow!

That comment was the absolute harshest comment I have ever seen on this site singling out a young man. No margin for error (JJTC - JJThe Coach - didn't think the second call was proper at all), just pull the kid out of the line and stick the dagger in his back. With "fans" and "support" like yours, JJFP, the boys never need to play road games.

Whatever it is that "the captain" has done to not only not be one of your favs but to be your whipping boy for this, his senior year, it must have been something.

I suggest "the captain" be stripped of his 'C' after doing something so egregious and unseen in all of your years of watching hockey. Do you second, JJFP?

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

Wow, grantfan, maybe you should learn to read a little more effectively. JJfP said, first of all, you could ALMOST place the blame on the captain, and further, that 19 guys lost this game. And I have to concur. It was incredibly dumb to take the first penalty, and while I agree that the second penalty was a bad call, in a tie game with less than a minute left, a captain needs to make sure he isn't even in position to have that penalty called.

Lastly, I almost have to place this loss squarely on the shoulders of the captain. Taking a penalty with 2:44 to go in a tie game (when you are driving toward the net with the puck) is dumb. Coming out of the box after your teammates killed off that penalty to take another one with 26 seconds left is even dumber.

But, alas, this is a team sport. 19 guys lost that game.

I'm also willing to give JJfP the benefit of the doubt since the post came so shortly after what is one of the more confounding losses of the Jackson era, especially considering how most of these guys had ended the previous season. I almost blasted the team as well, but decided to post in a different direction. Believe me I have directed a few salvos at the team following a sleptwalked to loss.

Outside of me and perhaps one or two others, JJfP has been a fan and supporter of this program for as long as anyone around. Before you shoot your mouth off, perhaps you should ask the players what they think of some of the longest tenured supporters around here. I don't need to. I already have.

 

[gfmorris]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

I hope everyone got a chance to see coach Jackson's comments following the game. One of the quotes that didn't make it into anyone's game story that I saw was a classic. "Guys don't get 10-minute misconducts here. I can abuse the officials. They can't." Minella will sit a game apparently for his indiscretion. I think following both games he was a little freer in his comments than in past years. While their personalities couldn't be more different, occasionally, Coach Jackson reminds me of Lou Holtz with some of his more colorful comments.

When Coach said that, I had to bite my lip, hard. It was a great line, but I was trying to be professional.

[You know, other than the fact that I was wearing a UAH third while doing post-game interviews, which got me a weird look from Kyle Palmieri that I undoubtedly deserved.]

GFM

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

When Coach said that, I had to bite my lip, hard. It was a great line, but I was trying to be professional.

You and me both.

[You know, other than the fact that I was wearing a UAH third while doing post-game interviews, which got me a weird look from Kyle Palmieri that I undoubtedly deserved.]

GFM

I'm willing to bet after being born on Long Island and raised up in New Jersey, anyone west of about Philadelphia gets a weird look.

 

[Third Family Member]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

You don't like the constant parade to the penalty box during the first month of the season, JJFP, I presume because of the refs, but you just haul off on "the captain" and blame him for the opening night loss to Huntsville. Wow!

That comment was the absolute harshest comment I have ever seen on this site singling out a young man. No margin for error (JJTC - JJThe Coach - didn't think the second call was proper at all), just pull the kid out of the line and stick the dagger in his back. With "fans" and "support" like yours, JJFP, the boys never need to play road games.

Whatever it is that "the captain" has done to not only not be one of your favs but to be your whipping boy for this, his senior year, it must have been something.

I suggest "the captain" be stripped of his 'C' after doing something so egregious and unseen in all of your years of watching hockey. Do you second, JJFP?

Considering that Ryan does all of the scholar/student tours of campus for JJfPs students when she brings them on to campus, he no doubt can live with her comments, and almost assuredly expected them from her.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

Actually, Erik Condra did the last talk. Ryan Thang is picking up where Condra left off.

Anyhoo...

More hockey is just around the corner. I have to miss the first period of Thursday's game to present my program to the school board. Bleh. I've been trying to decide if I want to wear my ND jersey while I present to the board, or come to the game dressed in nice work clothes. It's either that or I change in a bathroom somewhere...

This early in the season, there isn't much to go on statistically. And using last year's stats means next to nothing in October.

Providence has played 2 games thus far, but only one of them counts as their first game was an exhibition game against a Canadian college. If it did count, their record would be the same as ND's thus far.

Sophomore defensemen Daniel New (2 points) and David Brown (1 point) are among their "top" scorers (really how can you say that after one game?). As NDHockey9 pointed out, soph Matt Bergland is their returning leading scorer, but registered no points last weekend in the game that counts. Other Friars to watch include Chris Eppich and Jordan Kremyr.

If you include their exhibition game, PC takes about 5.5 penalties/game. They are 0% on the PP, but 100% on the PK. Their top PPG scorer graduated, so Bergland now has that distinction, scoring 3 PPG's last season. Last season, their PP worked 12.9% of the time, but their PK struggled at 72.4%. But again, that was last year.

If you include their exhibition game, PC is averaging 2.5 GF/game and 3.5 GA/game. Both averages are improvements on last year's numbers.

Alex Beaudry so far has killer numbers in the one game that counts. He is 1-0 with a GA of 1.0 and a save % of .971. Justin Gates played in a third of PC's games last year, but had worse numbers than Beaudry's. I expect Beaudry to start both nights.

ND's guns include Kyle Palmieri, Thang, Kyle Lawson, Kevin Deeth and Billy Maday each with 2 points. ND has another 5 guys with 1 point each. Remember that ND is without the services of Christiaan Minella to start off.

ND is averaging a scary 8.5 penalties/game thanks to some costly penalties last weekend. I expect Coach Jackson's discipline to kick in and that number to begin to ebb. ND's PP sits at 21.4%, while their PK shut down UAH 92.3% of the time. 4 different guys have gotten on the special teams scoresheet.

ND is also averaging 2.5 GF/game, but gives up 2 GA/game.

Brad Phillips and Mike Johnson should split the weekend in net. Phillips' GA is, oddly when you count time out of net, 3.03. His save % is a respectable .903. Hopefully the D in front of them will work to clear those rebounds out.

In the spirit of lessening the trek to the penalty box, remember this boys:

Discipline is never an end in itself, only a means to an end.