Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1
Been a couple weeks since I've chimed in, not due to lack of interest or frustration about the losing.
Totally support the benching of Stacey. He's dogged it every night this season, sorry, even when he was the only one scoring for a stretch early on he was loafing. Don't see practice but can assume it was more of the same. This young team needs examples of older guys putting in the effort day in and day out, shift after shift (see Brett Leonard). Bc's first goal the previous Sunday was an undressing of Wahs on a face-off that should never happen. I like Wahs Stacey and want to see him back in the line-up, but I completely support the decision to keep him out until he proves playing time is owned not inherited. When he was a soph he played a lot like the captain that year, Dean Strong, blocking shots at all costs on the PK and doing all the little things that a team needs. I had hoped he would have continued on that path and become the next Strong, a leader. I hope he isn't pouting or thinking he's been snubbed right now but looking at it like, yeah, I've let the team, the staff, and myself down by not giving all I've got. It didn't come as a surprise when his name was not in the line-up Sunday.
At the other end of the spectrum is Brett Leonard. This kid should have a C on his jersey. Everything you want in an upperclassman. Coach must love having this guy on the team, can constantly use him as an example of heart, determination, hard work, and never say die attitude. He has been great every single game this season, Sunday the Burrows, Nilson-Roos, Leonard line was clearly the best line. Too bad Leonard is a senior, team needs to look for the next Brett Leonard...maybe a Nilson-Roos.
Had really hoped the defense as a core would be dominating this season in all three zones. I think they kind of peaked 2 years ago and really haven't taken a next step since. They are all good players but just had hoped to see them evolve after solid starts as underclassman. 2 years ago I would have told you Miller, Medvec, Lawson, and MacKenzie all had great shots of playing in the NHL, not so sure any one of them will at this point. I know, they will all get a chance to enhance their skills in a different climate and level but at uvm they've hit a ceiling..maybe that's coaching, I honestly don'y know and i guess time will tell.
Although this post seems somewhat negative and pesimistic, I do continue to believe in the team and their ability to make this a positive season. 3 years ago, the team hit a dismal point in the season in early January at BC where it didn't seem they would ever complete another pass speak nothing of winning a game, and that was the year they went on to play BC in the final so there is a lot of hockey to be played and a lot of opportunities to shape amd mold this team into a winner. the goal should be to get into the playoffs, just get into the playoffs.
