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

[snwbrdr]

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

Agree that this is kind of like a must win game with what they have ahead next weekend and BC in a couple of weeks. Could be an ugly start if they don't win some of these winnable games.

Hopefully Stacey is back, the week off was timely for him but otherwise kind of brutal. Needed to get back on the horse. Kind of scary how BC dismantled Denver last weekend, that kind of scares me about how good Denver might not be. We need big games from Madore, the D, and for the freshmen to learn fast. Still annoyed by the Pacan situation.

 

[uvmtenfan]

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

Anything ever leak out on what Pacan did to get released? I assume McCarthy and Stalberg were part of the same incident???

Can't tell for sure (maybe rumor) - but heard through the wire that Pacan spent his 3rd night (1st this semester) in the drunk tank. I am unsure of McCarthy and Stalberg but would assume they were apart of the situation, but maybe didn't have records?

 

[jcarter7669]

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

Either way regarding Pacan... time to move on and focus on the season. The extra week of practice this early should have help the Cats and the freshman gel and get in to the groove of things. The freshman will be desperately needed and that week of learning Sneddon's systems should help out.

BC swept DU and they will likely do that to most everyone. DU still has a good team and the Cats played a respectable game against them. Lets not forget that loss was in fact a win and had the Refs not blown Stacey's 3rd of 4 goals in the game it would have been a win and a tie.

UVM never seems to match up well with MC and always has fits with them. I don't like that fact, however I think MC will be a more offensively minded team that in past years and I thing UVM can get this going as well. The D needs to be solid and they will be fine.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

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

Lets not forget that loss was in fact a win

That's brilliant stuff JC. Pure gold.

 

[PuckVoice]

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

From Ted Ryan's Free Press Blog ...

Nilsson-Roos injured: Sophomore forward Tobias Nilsson-Roos has been sidelined by injury, possibly for several games.

“Tobias sustained a tear to a chest muscle, which was re-aggravated during the Denver series. He is currently out of practice, receiving treatment by his athletic trainers, and his status will be evaluated each week,” said UVM’s Athletic Medicine Services Director, Allison Shepherd, in a released email statement.

Nilsson-Roos had recorded one assist in UVM’s first two games. He supplied four goals and seven assists as a freshman.

Stacey back: Wahsontiio Stacey is expected to return to the Catamount lineup Saturday. He suffered a lower leg injury when he blocked a shot in the second Denver game, but has been back at practice.

 

[Section12Gutterson]

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

Tailgating again before game on Saturday. Stop on by in the lower level of the parking lot in front of the Gutt.

 

[Section12Gutterson]

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

Anything ever leak out on what Pacan did to get released? I assume McCarthy and Stalberg were part of the same incident???

I heard a few different things through the rumor mill. Did anyone else notice that most sophomores were not playing the game vs New Brunswick? Coincidence?

 

[Ogilthorpe]

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

I think Albertson gets the start over B Herrington in place of Roos. Thus, 4th line of Leonard centering Albertson and Lenz. Lenoard and Lenz should also see PK time. Otherwise would like to see 1st 2 lines of Stalberg (C), Burrows and Stacey, and Mc Carthy (C), Brickley and Downing, and then White centering Marshall and Descenzo. The D stays same 6, I liked Medvec and Bruneteau together, we'll see if Lawson-Miller and McKenzie-Franzon stay together. Only leaves B herrington, L herrington and Griem on the healthy scratch list. These early games are a good way for some guys to really make a name for themselves and stake a claim on a spot, especially for forwards and especially this season. Albertson most likely gets his chance tonight, don't need him to score but play physical without taking penalties and create some space for his more creative and quicker linemates. I like Leonard and Lenz and I think Leonard's ability to stick with the program getting no game time his first 2 seasons but continued to do whatever they needed is going to be rewarded with his name in the line-up every game and given a chance to be an influence in games. By that I mean his line will get the amount of minutes to be able to supply the team with energy and he'll be a primary penalty killer.

Real good match-up in net tonight, both have been criticized a little in their careers to date but at the end of the day most teams in the country would love to have either Madore or Canata between the pipes. I don't expect this to be a high scoring game, if a tie, 2-2 or less, or a 3-2 game at best.

 

[cat1234]

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

Nice to see Albertson get his first goal. I thought that line played well all night and the goal seem to pick the cats up. They played well enough to win but got screwed again by the referees seem to be different stories as to what they were reviewing. Big game Saturday with Maine coming to town. Single game weekends suck but better than no games.

 

[BeloBrasil]

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

There is an old saying: "The more things change the more they stay the same." Is there a saying more apropos to the University of Vermont? I submit there is not. Though the season is still in its "pupa" stage we have already begun to see the hallmarks of what has made Vermont an historically mediocre team.

First we have the exhibition loss to New Brunswick. Granted exhibition games count for nothing, but historically almost all American college/university teams have their way with their counterparts north of the border. The conventional thinking on this, of course, is that any Canadian player of significant talent is either playing junior league hockey, American collegiate hockey, or they are already playing in the National Hockey League and/or its minor league affiliates. No talented Canadian player of college/university age is going to waste his time playing for Concordia, Trois-Riviere, or New Brunswick. ...and yet the Kitty-Cats could not muster a win over the Varsity Red bottom feeders from Fredericton!

Thereafter we have Vermont taking on Merrimack, and once again all the Catamounts can do is muster a tie. I certainly hope for Vermont's sake that Merrimack has finally reached its breakout year and is ready to take its place along side the Hockey East elites. I mean Merrimack did install a new rink and replaced half of the bleachers with actual seats (though I do hope they plan to remove the remaining bleachers), but Merrimack will more likely than not finish either in the middle or the bottom of the standings leaving Vermont to look back not-so-proudly on its late October tie with the lowly Warriors. A team no less they could not beat during the 2009-2010 season as well.

Please, Vermont, in the name of all that is good, leave Hockey East and take your ECAC stench with you. You belong back playing with the likes of Clarkson, Colgate, Brown, and the rest of the ultra-boring ECAC teams (Cornell included).

 

[Puck Swami]

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

1) UNB is one of the top teams in Canada and would likely be a top 15 NCAA team if they played on this side of the border. They consistently bring in very experienced major junior players who have finished their junior eligibility. UNB swept their USA road swing against UVM, UMass and RPI this year and have a very good record against NCAA teams in recent years. In other word, while other Canadian schools are not NCAA calibre, UNB is and is certainly no bottom feeder.

2) Merrimack is vastly improved this year. They will give a lot of teams trouble. Da Costa is a legit All-American candidate and potential Hobey nominee.

 

[HOCKEYGUY23]

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

Can't tell for sure (maybe rumor) - but heard through the wire that Pacan spent his 3rd night (1st this semester) in the drunk tank. I am unsure of McCarthy and Stalberg but would assume they were apart of the situation, but maybe didn't have records?

Don't assume at all. Their situation was unrelated to Pacan. Do you really think if they were apart of it, they would be treated differently.

 

[gusforhobey89]

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

Trap game for Maine this weekend. Coming off the sweep of No. 2 N. Dakota at home, Maine teams of the past couple seasons would take a 1 game series at "mediocre" Vermont for granted. This Maine team seems to give off a different vibe, but it is comprised of almost all the same players from the past 2 years. Our offense is as good as ever, the number one power play from last year hasn't missed a beat. Defense is suspect, and the goaltending has been good enough to keep us in games. This should be a good gauge as to just where the Catamounts are at, as most people know what this Maine team is capable of.

 

[BeloBrasil]

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

1) UNB is one of the top teams in Canada and would likely be a top 15 NCAA team if they played on this side of the border. They consistently bring in very experienced major junior players who have finished their junior eligibility. UNB swept their USA road swing against UVM, UMass and RPI this year and have a very good record against NCAA teams in recent years. In other word, while other Canadian schools are not NCAA calibre, UNB is and is certainly no bottom feeder.

2) Merrimack is vastly improved this year. They will give a lot of teams trouble. Da Costa is a legit All-American candidate and potential Hobey nominee.

I am nothing if not reasonable. I will concede that the Varsity Red of the University of New Brunswick is in fact a formidible program as witnessed by their numerous Canadian university championships. Perhaps my characterization of this particular school as a "bottom feeder" was harsh and unfair.

...and I hope you are right about Merrimack and Da Costa. Hard to fathom, though, of a Frenchman of Portuguese descent leading Merrimack to the "Promised Land"!

 

[VermontFan]

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

Trap game for Maine this weekend. Coming off the sweep of No. 2 N. Dakota at home, Maine teams of the past couple seasons would take a 1 game series at "mediocre" Vermont for granted. This Maine team seems to give off a different vibe, but it is comprised of almost all the same players from the past 2 years. Our offense is as good as ever, the number one power play from last year hasn't missed a beat. Defense is suspect, and the goaltending has been good enough to keep us in games. This should be a good gauge as to just where the Catamounts are at, as most people know what this Maine team is capable of.

"Mediocre"? A team that is ranked in the top 25 or so in the country, who has beaten teams like BC (twice), BU (twice), Denver, UMD, Yale in the past year? I really liked seeing you guys beat UND this weekend...you guys took care of business, a strong Maine team is good for the conference overall.

You would obviously be favored this weekend, but I don't think many people would be surprised to see a UVM win.

You guys aren't too far removed from your 13-22-4 season in 2008-2009....

 

[Patronick]

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

"Mediocre"? A team that is ranked in the top 25 or so in the country, who has beaten teams like BC (twice), BU (twice), Denver, UMD, Yale in the past year? I really liked seeing you guys beat UND this weekend...you guys took care of business, a strong Maine team is good for the conference overall.

You would obviously be favored this weekend, but I don't think many people would be surprised to see a UVM win.

You guys aren't too far removed from your 13-22-4 season in 2008-2009....

Did you seriously just point to wins from last season to justify this year's team and their ability to win games? Did that just happen? I really hope the Vermont thread is this entertaining ALL season, I could use the laughter.

p.s. Maine rolls

 

[VermontFan]

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

Did you seriously just point to wins from last season to justify this year's team and their ability to win games? Did that just happen? I really hope the Vermont thread is this entertaining ALL season, I could use the laughter.

p.s. Maine rolls

Not at all. I reference those wins only to refute the "mediocre" comment. I clearly state in my post that Maine would be favored.

 

[gusforhobey89]

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

"Mediocre"? A team that is ranked in the top 25 or so in the country, who has beaten teams like BC (twice), BU (twice), Denver, UMD, Yale in the past year? I really liked seeing you guys beat UND this weekend...you guys took care of business, a strong Maine team is good for the conference overall.

You would obviously be favored this weekend, but I don't think many people would be surprised to see a UVM win.

You guys aren't too far removed from your 13-22-4 season in 2008-2009....

Absolutely correct. I didn't intend to call you out, just saying that from what I've heard, UVM is not expected to be on the same level as the BC's and BU's of HE. Not that I'm an expert or anything, I've yet to see them play, just making assumptions from what I've read here and whatnot...but we all know what they same about assuming.

I guess what I'm trying to say is this:
A. Can Vermont hang with what seems to be the consensus number 2 team in the conference, as they did last year against other quality teams?
or,
B. Will Maine be able to go into a hostile environment, without letting recent successes get to their head, and keep this early season momentum going?

We'll find out Saturday night...

 

[VermontFan]

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

Absolutely correct. I didn't intend to call you out, just saying that from what I've heard, UVM is not expected to be on the same level as the BC's and BU's of HE. Not that I'm an expert or anything, I've yet to see them play, just making assumptions from what I've read here and whatnot...but we all know what they same about assuming.

I guess what I'm trying to say is this:
A. Can Vermont hang with what seems to be the consensus number 2 team in the conference, as they did last year against other quality teams?
or,
B. Will Maine be able to go into a hostile environment, without letting recent successes get to their head, and keep this early season momentum going?

We'll find out Saturday night...

I think with Maine's firepower, UVM will have to score at least 3 or 4 to have a chance to win. I watched a good portion of the Maine's game on Friday and the offense was impressive. UVM's has to take advantage of their stength in goaltending and the veteran D needs to use their size to slow down Nyquist, House, Abbott, etc.

We have seen many instances where a team underperforms after a great result the week before (see Texas football losing to lowly Iowa State after they upset Nebraska). The Maine coaching staff will need to find a way to make sure the team is ready to go.

 

[snwbrdr]

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

We'll see how this team plays out over the course of the season. Losing Pacan was a HUGE blow but I like the frosh and I think they become a force by January.

Not to look too far ahead but we have some seriously good recruits coming soon, including a high first round forward and some very good D. I don't think the Cats will be mired in mediocrity for long after this season and I doubt if they have a down season like UMaine did two years past.