U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

[gscott13]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

Kreider....Atkinson....Jimmy Hayes....Gerbe...Whitney...Ferrerio...Gibbons....Schneider and Muse...Voce and Shannon....Gionta....I mean honestly besides the Eaves brothers, who play for US national teams...who has BC ever had that was Canadian?

Maine's problems are NOT because BC is stealing Canadians. I've read some absurd stuff on this board but that one might take the cake.

have to agree... looking through the last 20 years of rosters on hockeydb.com and BC has been primarily Mass, NY and CT kids with a handful of Minnesotans and other random states... they have really struck gold with the NY kids...

the canadians players listed on hockeydb.com are:

Nelson McLeod (currently in his second season)
Matt Price (4 seasons)
Brock Bradford (4 seasons, but only played in 5 games his junior year)
Dan Bertram (4 seasons)
Pat Eaves (3 seasons - ben was listed as Fairbault, MN)
Todd Perry (played 3 games before heading to the OHL)
Kris Kolanos (2 seasons)
Chuck Kobasew (1 season)
Mark McLennan (4 seasons)
Greg Taylor (4 seasons)
Ryan Mittleman (1 season)

some solid players in there... kobasew and kolanos were major factors in BC winning the NC in 2001

 

[Big Papa]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

I agree with knowitall coach does a lot of things for the team, tons.
We will be just fine. Everyone needs to chill. It's great that we have passionate fans so let's support our coach and our team. There is always a rainbow after a rainfall.

Go Black Bears!

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

I agree with knowitall coach does a lot of things for the team, tons.
We will be just fine. Everyone needs to chill. It's great that we have passionate fans so let's support our coach and our team. There is always a rainbow after a rainfall.

Go Black Bears!

so... what are the goals for the team what are the expectations for the fans?
unfortunately, this is not kindergarten soccer, where nobody keeps score and we just want the kids to all have fun and learn to get along socially.

do you think that Tim can just come clean and say that he is running a clean program where the student athletes put citizenship and academia ahead of winning?
because then we basically have Hamilton College's hockey program... or Tufts or Amherst but maybe not Norwich.

If Maine is trying to turn out good citizens and educated young men, just say so, and charge $4 a ticket... don't feed the line about all the frozen fours, storied tradition and "compete for a national championship"
Is Syracuse football touting the accomplishments of Jim Brown?
Does Holy Cross keep talking Bob Cousey?
maybe they are, but I doubt it.

Maine should not be saying that things are just like the good ole days... They're not... and unlike what papa says, Maine hockey will not be just fine.

 

[Nostrajimus]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

UMO's chances for the NCAA tourney will improve drastically when Notre Dame enters HE

 

[MainePuck]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

went to both games this weekend, Maine sucked. Every aspect of their game was terrible on Friday night from goaltender on out. BC's fast forwards pressured Maine's slow defense causing turnover after turnover, some of which ended up in Maine's net. Sullivan was terrible. Maine forwards made passes in skates, ahead of guys, right to BC guys - ugly, ugly game. Whitehead looked clueless on the bench. No reason why he can't get these guys up for a game against the #1 team in the country. Abbott-Flynn-Diamond got completely dominated by Kreider-Hayes-Arnold, not even close. Maine's PP was as bas as I have seen in a while- couldn't even make a tape to tape pass coming out of the zone. Disappointed would be an understatement.

I was shocked to read the Bangor Daily News article about the UNH game. Whitehead and the team saying they deserved to win, played hard, etc, etc. Give me a break- that was a 50/50 game at best. Did Maine play better than Friday night? Yes. Did they play a game they "deserved" to win? I don't think so. UNH's goalie played OK, certainly not out of his mind. These guys need to play with more urgency on the road. The difference between home and away games the last few years is remarkable.

 

[Potato in NH]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

Does Holy Cross keep talking Bob Cousey?

I agree with almost everything KIA said. Maine is in real trouble and I am tired of the history of the program being used to plug the current coach and his approach; which seems to me to be 180 degrees different from what built Maine into a national contender. Either keep the tradition and fire Timmay or abandon all references to the proud past and celebrate qualifying for the HE tournament every few years.

My only disagreement with KIA is Holy Cross continuing to talk about Cousy. I find more Holy Cross alums talk about Gordie Lockbaum.

 

[bkbrkrbr]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

went to both games this weekend, Maine sucked. Every aspect of their game was terrible on Friday night from goaltender on out. BC's fast forwards pressured Maine's slow defense causing turnover after turnover, some of which ended up in Maine's net. Sullivan was terrible. Maine forwards made passes in skates, ahead of guys, right to BC guys - ugly, ugly game. Whitehead looked clueless on the bench. No reason why he can't get these guys up for a game against the #1 team in the country. Abbott-Flynn-Diamond got completely dominated by Kreider-Hayes-Arnold, not even close. Maine's PP was as bas as I have seen in a while- couldn't even make a tape to tape pass coming out of the zone. Disappointed would be an understatement.

I was shocked to read the Bangor Daily News article about the UNH game. Whitehead and the team saying they deserved to win, played hard, etc, etc. Give me a break- that was a 50/50 game at best. Did Maine play better than Friday night? Yes. Did they play a game they "deserved" to win? I don't think so. UNH's goalie played OK, certainly not out of his mind. These guys need to play with more urgency on the road. The difference between home and away games the last few years is remarkable.

I saw both games too...they loose miserably Friday night 5-1 and looked awful. The ONE change they make is to take out a d that ended Friday +1. ONE guy! Maybe a few more changes might have pulled out a win Sat.

 

[Slapshot08]

...For what? Passing through his own crease on the breakout..?

No offense intended, but he's just plain scary half the time, IMO. He has shown lousy judgment time and time again.

I disagree. Scary to me is turnovers and he just doesn't turn it over near as much as Nemec or O'Neill. Nemec puts it on the other team's stick at least a couple of times a game, not to mention pinching down in the offensive zone when the play's already gone the other way. And we've already discussed O'Neill's turnovers. Pryor scares me more than Hegs. He's getting better but has times when he can't find the D zone.

 

[rufus]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

Perhaps Danny does not want to spend the long and lonely hours scouring the backwaters of Canada for a diamond in the rough like Grant used to do?

 

[carltonbarrett]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

Kreider....Atkinson....Jimmy Hayes....Gerbe...Whitney...Ferrerio...Gibbons....Schneider and Muse...Voce and Shannon....Gionta....I mean honestly besides the Eaves brothers, who play for US national teams...who has BC ever had that was Canadian?

Maine's problems are NOT because BC is stealing Canadians. I've read some absurd stuff on this board but that one might take the cake.

Think what you want, but over the past decade, BC has recruited several high end Canadians. Some excelled, such as Kolanos, Kobasew and Bradford, all of whom had 25 + goal seasons, others ended up being solid contributors such as Bertram and Price, while others did nothing (Perry). BU also started recruiting more Canadians during the past decade, whereas in the 80's and 90's they were winning with more local grown talent like TKachuk, Amonte, Drury, Grier, etc. Both teams also have some very, very good Canadians lined up for next year, such as Matheson, Richardson, Polsello, etc. Not saying all these guys would have been locks for Maine 20 years ago, but chances are a couple or more would have likely ended up at Orono if BC and BU didn't start really going after Canadians. That's just 2 schools, so when you factor in all the other schools that have started recruiting up in Canada recently, you can see where Maine has a LOT more competition. Throw in the fact that they have been going downhill for years and have a useless coach, and you can see why they don't go after top Canadian talent any more - because those kids have zero interest in playing at Orono.

 

[BoSox3066]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

Yeah BU's had tons of Canadians like Colin Wilson....and Chris Higgins...and Peter McArthur...and Jason Lawrence...and Matt Gilroy...and Nick Bonino....and Colby Cohen....and Kevin Shattenkirk....and John Curry.....except those guys are all AMERICAN. And 95% of them are from New England or New York. Literally nothing has changed for BU and BC they're full of kids from MA and CT and they're still winning with those kids.

I'll give you Brandon Yip. Otherwise, Jack has done nothing but mine the US-national development program. If you're looking for Canadians start with North Dakota. Jon Toews would've looked good in Blue.

 

[Fishman'81]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

I disagree. Scary to me is turnovers and he just doesn't turn it over near as much as Nemec or O'Neill. Nemec puts it on the other team's stick at least a couple of times a game, not to mention pinching down in the offensive zone when the play's already gone the other way. And we've already discussed O'Neill's turnovers. Pryor scares me more than Hegs. He's getting better but has times when he can't find the D zone.

You're probably right about Hegs being better than some of his brethren.

I only see about 10 games a year, and all of them on the road somewhere, so my sample size is small. Over the past year or two, though, I have to say that I hated to see anyone with a "4" on his sweater attempt to start the breakout. (And, if we're spending our time debating which Maine D-men are the most incompetent, rather than who's playing well, we have a bad situation here.)

My planned UMass trip on the 18th is looking more and more like a waste of time and money.

 

[BearNecessity]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

Then issue isn't about who has talent; Clearly some have more talent than others. The issue isn't about who has heart, for the same thing is true. The issue is you have a coach who is grasping at straws, trying to find a panacea for all the ills he has created, and at the same time destroying the confidence in his players. Many of the kids have been at the national evel, Jr All Stars, won national championships, etc, and all are capable. Many have been leaders as they moved through various teams. Tim tries to make every decision seem like it's "in the best interest of the team". Yet, clearly to this observer, his idea of team is different from most

Most of the upperclassman have tuned him out, and only listen to be able to get ice time, that they need to get a pro contract at some point. The underclassman are still in a bit of awe, as he is the great and almighty Head Coach, but in reality, the laugh at him and his silly antics...Cupcakes anyone.....

This program was great because of a single mided approach to winning; the players were sure they could win, and that the coach was fired up, not some milksop, who is better suited to coaching at the D3 level.....

 

[Slapshot08]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

You're probably right about Hegs being better than some of his brethren.

I only see about 10 games a year, and all of them on the road somewhere, so my sample size is small. Over the past year or two, though, I have to say that I hated to see anyone with a "4" on his sweater attempt to start the breakout. (And, if we're spending our time debating which Maine D-men are the most incompetent, rather than who's playing well, we have a bad situation here.)

My planned UMass trip on the 18th is looking more and more like a waste of time and money.

Agree with you on the breakouts by the "4's" last couple of years...LOL! We definitely miss Dimmen and Van Dyk in that dept. We actually have some very good breakout men this year in 27 and 57. And 44 seems to have gotten a lot better on the breakouts this year...quicker and no real turnovers that stand out to me.

I'm waiting to see how they do against UML this weekend before deciding to go to UMASS. They need a sweep to prove to me they won't be in the cellar this year.

 

[carltonbarrett]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

Yeah BU's had tons of Canadians like Colin Wilson....and Chris Higgins...and Peter McArthur...and Jason Lawrence...and Matt Gilroy...and Nick Bonino....and Colby Cohen....and Kevin Shattenkirk....and John Curry.....except those guys are all AMERICAN. And 95% of them are from New England or New York. Literally nothing has changed for BU and BC they're full of kids from MA and CT and they're still winning with those kids.

I'll give you Brandon Yip. Otherwise, Jack has done nothing but mine the US-national development program. If you're looking for Canadians start with North Dakota. Jon Toews would've looked good in Blue.

I don't have the time to go back and look through BU's rosters since 2000, but there were many, many more Canadians on those teams. Guys like Van Der Gulik, Magowan, Bussoli, Sean Fields, Travino and even this years squad has 8 Canadian born players. And how can you say nothing has changed at BC? They had something like one Canadian in their history before 2000, and since then have either had or have lined up about 15, including Kobasew and Kolanos who were the two post season MVP's of the 2001 National Championship team as well as Bradford, Bertram and Matt Price who were all important cogs in the 08 and 10 National Championship teams. Next year, BU has Polsello lined up, who may be the best forward recruit and BC has Matheson lined up (as well as several other high end Canadians), who may be the best D-man recruit of 2012. 20 years ago, some of these guys would undoubtedly have ended up at Maine. Now they don't even consider Maine.

 

[BearNecessity]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

Does anyone on this thread, whether they be parent, fan, alum, or player, actually feel UM AD has the stones to buy Timmy out....?

 

[fiqure8]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

Agree with you on the breakouts by the "4's" last couple of years...LOL! We definitely miss Dimmen and Van Dyk in that dept. We actually have some very good breakout men this year in 27 and 57. And 44 seems to have gotten a lot better on the breakouts this year...quicker and no real turnovers that stand out to me.

I'm waiting to see how they do against UML this weekend before deciding to go to UMASS. They need a sweep to prove to me they won't be in the cellar this year.

The big issues the way I see it are:
1) terrible #1 power play (with insult to injury 4 short handed goals), 2nd power play unit non existant. (recommendation) Put all the defensemen on the second power play unit and jam the net.............to get some ugly goals
2) no secondary scoring from the other 3 lines, ................the defense you rag on account for more goals than the other 3 lines
3) goaltending- weak goals at crucial time in games
4) How does this team stack up in penalty killing ?? Is this the only bright light ?
5) Team confidence.............leadership may be questionable
6) No creativity with the puck..............too predictable with the puck, maine easy to defend against after the first line
7) no game breaker like Gustav on the roster

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

Does anyone on this thread, whether they be parent, fan, alum, or player, actually feel UM AD has the stones to buy Timmy out....?

The Question should be: Can he be bought out..? Or is the only way out of his Contract is that A.D. Abbott has to FIRE him....does he have a Buy Out Clause or did his Buddy Blake James make it hard for Maine to Buy him out..?

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

Perhaps Danny does not want to spend the long and lonely hours scouring the backwaters of Canada for a diamond in the rough like Grant used to do?

You'll never find a gem like Grant...NEVER...he was one of a kind...he was a dedicated worker and took alot of pride in what he did best...he was a real Hockey guy...He had TEAM written all over his work.

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: U Maine 2011-2012 Season (thread created when Maine was at .500) Thread

UMO's chances for the NCAA tourney will improve drastically when Notre Dame enters HE

It just might...thats "IF" Jeff Jackson leaves his Post at Notre Dame and takes over @ UMaine...don't think it won't/couldn't happen...well you NEVER know....!