The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

[VermontFan]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

Here is an article in the Burlington Free Press this morning about a new arena:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110128/NEWS0213/101280325/1007/NEWS02/UVM-receives-arena-proposals

Nothing really new, but it does reiterate that the cost would be ~$85M and would have to be privately financed. Don't think this is going to happen anytime soon.

I still support Sneddon. Generally, over the last few years, his teams have overachieved. Although it is disappointing to have such a dismal record, I think the building blocks are there for a positive next few years. A good portion of the offense is young (Stalberg, McCarthy, Brickley, and a couple promising guys coming in next year Girgensons and Montagna who are putting up points in the USHL). Of course, we will lose half of the defense next year, and we will need to count on the Freshman D to come in and contribute right off next year.

Wonder if the coaching staff is still recruiting Vinny Saponari for next year. Vermont was on a short list of teams he was considering when he initially chose BC and then was not admitted. He may also just decide to go pro. Not sure if Sneddon would consider someone who was kicked off another team...

Hoping to see a relatively positive end to this year, and hope we don't see another listless effort like last Saturday night against UMass.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

Here is an article in the Burlington Free Press this morning about a new arena:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110128/NEWS0213/101280325/1007/NEWS02/UVM-receives-arena-proposals

Nothing really new, but it does reiterate that the cost would be ~$85M and would have to be privately financed. Don't think this is going to happen anytime soon.

I don't think I would say that....

The fact there were 9 proposals submitted I think indicates that there are people with ideas and plans on how to build the arena. The University wants a new arena, they can't build one so they asked other people how to do so without University funding. 9 people submitted proposals. I would be surprised if none of the proposals are workable. I think more likely the University will select one of the proposals, I believe the article said March?, start the permitting process over the summer and break ground the following spring.

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

I think more likely the University will select one of the proposals, I believe the article said March?, start the permitting process over the summer and break ground the following spring.

I wish it were that simple, but there's still the matter of that 85 million dollars, wouldn't you say?

I'm just happy something is actually happening, even if it's still very preliminary.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

I wish it were that simple, but there's still the matter of that 85 million dollars, wouldn't you say?

I'm just happy something is actually happening, even if it's still very preliminary.

I'm thinking if 9 people submitted proposals for how to build an $85 Million dollar arena they have figured out where the money is going to come from. Afterall, that was what the request was all about....how to build an arena without University funds. I can't imagine someone left out that detail when they submitted their proposal. I'm sure they aren't all viable but I'm sure that at least one of the proposals is viable. Likely there will be some big corporation's name on the outside, but still, the IBM sportscomplex wouldn't be the worst thing I suppose.


"UVM's "Request for Information" invited a conceptual development proposal and a business plan for building and managing an arena"

The RFI was for a plan on how to build it. I have to assume that means financially and not architectually.

 

[midge843]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

I am truly embarrassed to be a vermont hockey fan right now. No excuse to lose this badly. The game isn't even over, and it's 7-1. Absolutely pathetic. I feel like any team playing Vermont right now is just a mechanism to boost their players statistics. Thank god Lowell is below us. Not that it really makes any difference. Sneddon is not doing himself ANY favors for future recruiting right now. This team is a mess and I don't think even the current players want to play here right now. I hope something changes.

 

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

I am truly embarrassed to be a vermont hockey fan right now.

Just right now? What about the rest of the time you've been a UVM fan during which they won nothing?

 

[midge843]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

You're the kid with a butler named Winston, right? A typical response from a person who's never had to work for anything in his life. Didn't you get your degree in basket weaving...err...business? Sorry, I confuse the two since they're basically the same thing. There's a reason why most athletes choose that major. Vermont hockey sucks and I'm pretty sure everyone knows it. The fact that you're rubbing it in just shows your insecurities (youre probably insecure about other things as well ;-) )

 

[midge843]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

On a positive note, great to see Timmy Thomas, Martin St. Louis, and Patrick Sharp in the NHL skills competition and all star game! ( I dont see any BC alum leading the league in goaltending by a HUGE margin). Do you?

 

[northeastern]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

I remember you guys being in 8th place last yr & you still made some noise in the post season. Coll hockey has so much parity.. it can happen. Obviously Sneddon has his work cut out for him (if his heart is still in it). G'luck

 

[midge843]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

I remember you guys being in 8th place last yr & you still made some noise in the post season. Coll hockey has so much parity.. it can happen. Obviously Sneddon has his work cut out for him (if his heart is still in it). G'luck

Thanks man. Appreciate it!

 

[HOCKEYGUY23]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

This a an absolute disgrace. You would think the current leadership would have learned from the leaders of Strong, Lenes, Carlson and V. Stalberg. Instead it appears they jumped on their coat tails and instead its apparent they were happy to be along for the ride. There is no pride. The defensive core is BRUTAL. Big monsters who don't use it. Everyone wants to blame offense and they have struggles, but when will we ever have a clean breakout. When will we clear a body. I know Sneddon won't quit on the team and I know some kids won't quit. But in any sport you can't win with SOME its got to be all.

 

[GreenCat]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

What does Sneddon have against Vazzano? After goal five and six I was yelling at the TV to make a goalie change!!!! Not so much that Madore was awful, although not very good tonight, but just making a change at that point can change the momentum and Madore was clearly done at that point. Then goal seven from the blue line 10 seconds later!!!

What happened to Medvec and Miller in the off season. I have never seen players get slower and lose their ability to handle the puck as they get older. The whole defense outside of McKenzie and Brunatueau (spelling?) suck with Lawson and Franzon on the fence!!! On offense how many times did Vermont shoot the puck into the shin pads of Merrimack leading to an odd man rush for Merrimack??? Let's not even go to the power play or penalty kill......Northeastern I appreciate the optimism but this team is in complete disarray..I am not sure if it is a young team or too high expectations but something is clearly wrong here. Time for this season to end.........

On positive note the freshman that Sneddon plays definitely look to have potential.

PS: Anyone know what happened to Snwbder? Is he simply a fare weather fan or is he lost in all the pow??? .

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

Well I take heart in at least we all agree. The D was atrocious and has been. I had the thought last season they simply over achieved in 2008-2009, that is clear now. Miller wasn't on the ice, anybody catch why that was? Medvec totally blew it on the second goal doing his best impression of a statue. No one moves, challenges the shooters. The MC PP looks awesome, until you realize that UVM is letting them pass and move around at will without getting any closer then 10 feet. Lawson is either good or terrible. Franzon has looked shaky all season. I agree totally with the assessment that Mackenzie and Bruneteau are the only two on the ice worth being there. Losing the D to graduation maybe a plus. Play Griem for gawd's sake. He can't be any worse and the kids needs some ice time.

Goal 7? I am pretty sure I have never seen Madore give up a softer goal. The D is definitely the problem with this team. They are horrendous and the offensive is a question mark until their D gives them a chance to actually play offense.

FYI, Snwbrdr is def not a fair weather fan. I'm sure he is spending his time on the slopes pretending nights like last night never happened.

 

[HOCKEYGUY23]

Well I take heart in at least we all agree. The D was atrocious and has been. I had the thought last season they simply over achieved in 2008-2009, that is clear now. Miller wasn't on the ice, anybody catch why that was? Medvec totally blew it on the second goal doing his best impression of a statue. No one moves, challenges the shooters. The MC PP looks awesome, until you realize that UVM is letting them pass and move around at will without getting any closer then 10 feet. Lawson is either good or terrible. Franzon has looked shaky all season. I agree totally with the assessment that Mackenzie and Bruneteau are the only two on the ice worth being there. Losing the D to graduation maybe a plus. Play Griem for gawd's sake. He can't be any worse and the kids needs some ice time.

Goal 7? I am pretty sure I have never seen Madore give up a softer goal. The D is definitely the problem with this team. They are horrendous and the offensive is a question mark until their D gives them a chance to actually play offense.

FYI, Snwbrdr is def not a fair weather fan. I'm sure he is spending his time on the slopes pretending nights like last night never happened.

Miller had his hand wrapped. He didn't play after the first period Friday. Not sure what the issue is. I am giving the offense a break on the season until I can see a defensive corps that doesn't slam the Puck up the same wall where the opposition is. Watching MMack go d to d and then hit a forward with speed crossing the ice is fun to see. Us we slam it up forwards grind to get possession on the wall with their feet churning not skating because they have to grind every **** possession on the wall the get possession. Its so aggravating to watch. Can anyone please tell me when our defense also cleared the front of the net? Their monsters for crissakes and these smurfs stand in front and get wack after wack at the Puck. I don't think I can stomach another game. I will stomach it but I honestly might lose my dinner during.

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

I think this year's decline is a combination of about four factors. First, with their success over the last two seasons, I think both the players and coaches got complacent to a degree, and the mind-set was we can basically just keep doing what we're doing--i.e., it's gotten us into the NCAA tourney two straight years so it must be working. Thus, there was little incentive to ratchet up the hard work and intensity even further. I imagine the atmosphere going into the 2011-2012 season will be vastly different than it was going into this season. Second is leadership. In short, this team doesn't have any--at least anyone strong enough or vocal enough to hold the rest accountable. It's not rocket science to know the youngsters look to the upperclassmen for leadership. When the upperclassmen are setting a poor example, a la Wahs Stacey, it's a recipe for disaster. Third, all the turmoil created by players leaving over the last two seasons. I don't know who's at fault--Sneddon, the players, or some combination of the two, but it can't be good for the team and its morale. Fourth, maybe our players just aren't that good. We've lost some darn good players and the remaining guys aren't able to fill the void. The good new is that some of the freshmen, especially Bruneteau, look good and we appear to have some nice recruits in the pipeline. Finally, I agree with GreenCat, give Alex Vazzano some time between the pipes! How can it hurt?

 

[Cat lover]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

You can look at any season good or bad and pick a few games or times that make or break a season, here is how I see how things went wrong.

1. Pacan - probably the biggest blow to a team that most knew was going to have trouble meeting the goals produced in the last few years,
and to have a key player gone even before the season starts with no chance to fill the spot like when Stalburg left early and all this following
the Milo crap. We knew the margin for error was smaller after him leaving and that made #2 hurt so much more.

2. The 8 games it took to get a win. Playing games versus what is now teams ranked #2(twice),#3(twice),#12 & #14 they start by playing
6 of the 7 games that end either in a tie or a by 1 goal(or EN to make 2) before finally winning #1.

3. Road trip from hell. As if the schedule to start wasnt hard enough the Cats then play a 3 game road trip at the current #1,#2 and #7 teams
scoring only once.

4. The dominating of BU everywhere but the scoreboard. Has the be the biggest single game killer of them all as the Cats start to feel like no matter what they
do they cant win even when they play their best.

5. Stacey gives up......I know I dont everything that was going on but its so hard how this quitting(call it what you will) doesnt kill the Cats even if
he was a problem. When your leading scorer packs it in a few months from the end of his career you wonder.......now whatcan go wrong?

Watching this weekends games (yes I watched both sad to say)I see a team that has lost its belief it can turn things around. I see players getting out
hustled all over the ice, making bad choices on hard and easy plays.

I will still go to every home game and cheer on whoever plays as I dont need the team to win to enjoy watching UVM hockey and like last year still have hope
for a upset in the playoffs but I hope that Sneddon or the players can find something to get them back to playing win or lose to the best of their ability.

 

[dmjossel]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

What does Sneddon have against Vazzano? After goal five and six I was yelling at the TV to make a goalie change!!!! Not so much that Madore was awful, although not very good tonight, but just making a change at that point can change the momentum and Madore was clearly done at that point. Then goal seven from the blue line 10 seconds later!!!

Actually I think if you check the replay you'll see it's from just above the top of the faceoff circle to Madore's right, and not actually as far away as the blueline.

http://warriorrinkrat.com/2011/01/30/reax-merrimack-7-vermont-1/

You could argue that it was not exactly a bullet of a shot, and that Madore was completely unobstructed, but it was also garbage time at that point: almost halfway through the third, down by five goals already. I also wondered why Sneddon did not pull Madore earlier, if for no other reason than to prevent things from getting worse for him.

What happened to Medvec and Miller in the off season. I have never seen players get slower and lose their ability to handle the puck as they get older. The whole defense outside of McKenzie and Brunatueau (spelling?) suck with Lawson and Franzon on the fence!!! On offense how many times did Vermont shoot the puck into the shin pads of Merrimack leading to an odd man rush for Merrimack???

Not sure it was that much more often than against other teams this year. Merrimack makes it a priority to block shots, and has outshot its opponent in most games this season. I think the difference here is that those odd-man rushes back the other way ended up in the net.

 

[dmjossel]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

No one moves, challenges the shooters. The MC PP looks awesome, until you realize that UVM is letting them pass and move around at will without getting any closer then 10 feet.

Yes, of course it was entirely due to UVM. It's not as if Merrimack's power play is pretty good-- third in the league after BC and UNH. I'd say it's not as much of a strength as the penalty kill, but it's still good enough that converting on the man advantage isn't always entirely due to the other team's penalty killing strength, or lack thereof.

Goal 7? I am pretty sure I have never seen Madore give up a softer goal.

You should feel pretty good, then, because I've seen a lot worse-- although not from Madore and not lately. Madore's a good goaltender and he had an off night. The game was over by the time he let in that last one.

Merrimack fans know what it is like to be on the other side of a game like this. It might feel like that last goal is the salt in the wound, but in reality, 6-1 or 5-1 doesn't really feel much better.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

Yes, of course it was entirely due to UVM. It's not as if Merrimack's power play is pretty good-- third in the league after BC and UNH. I'd say it's not as much of a strength as the penalty kill, but it's still good enough that converting on the man advantage isn't always entirely due to the other team's penalty killing strength, or lack thereof.

That's quite the straw man you built up there.

MC has a decent power play and no one I have seen said anything to the contrary, only that it looked down right awesome due in part to the lack of anything resemembling a PK from UVM. It isn't hard to notice that UVM played terrible defense. Nearly every goal in the game was a result of a missed man, lax defense. Note : I'm not saying MC can't score. I'm saying that UVM didn't make it very tough on them. MC is a good team and are where they deserve to be. No need to get all defensive over things.

 

[Martin St. Louis Fan]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

WOW a Merrimack poster! They do exist!