UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

[walrus]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

So to Wally, and to every other season-ticket holder: what do you guys make of this abrupt turnaround? (Aside from the HUGE improvement in net, which is obvious to us all.)
.

Bob Corkum? The team in general is much more physical, more aggressive and move their feet instead of stabbing at the puck. On the Lowell Broadcast I heard a Nemec hit, I mean hear a Maine hit on a radio broadcast, W T F, that hasn't happened since Prestin. Last night Nemec did the same, plastered a guy in the corner. Flynn, a floater for most of his career, was putting the body to folks and has been since this turnaround started. Its the same players but their is a different attitude.?

 

[walrus]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

One other thing, Maine could have had 10 or 12 goals last night with the pressure they had on UMass, the 2nd was unreal at times, looked like a PP for minutes at a time.

I expect a tighter game tonight

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

Bob Corkum? The team in general is much more physical, more aggressive and move their feet instead of stabbing at the puck. On the Lowell Broadcast I heard a Nemec hit, I mean hear a Maine hit on a radio broadcast, W T F, that hasn't happened since Prestin. Last night Nemec did the same, plastered a guy in the corner. Flynn, a floater for most of his career, was putting the body to folks and has been since this turnaround started. Its the same players but their is a different attitude.?

You hit it pretty much right on...physical play and chasing down loose pucks,tighter play in front of their own net,blocked shots...goaltending confidence and a Alfond Arena Attitude(which has been missing)...playing a up-tempo bury the other team...but I also wonder WHY wasn't this in play the first 10-12 games...Pressure on Head Coach that if things didn't change he would be on the outs..? Whatever it is this is the way they should be playing...oh they still have some holes...but if they stay consistant/goaltending and a aggressive style then they'll be a tough bunch to play and beat any night.

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

Finally a fun game at Alfond. Maine was all over UMass, right from the start. Good to see a blowout, I doubt tomorrow will be. Wasn't to happy to see Umass gain some confidence in the 3rd, Timmay took his foot off the pedal which when up 6-0 I guess is ok but don't like their goalie getting any confidence for tomorrow.
Joey's goal was a beauty, too bad he doesn't know enough to say when, when taunted or pushed around. Has to play with a chip on his shoulder but stupid penalties hurt the team.

I gotta ask because I am a broken record
Joey's penalty was stupid, but Flynn's charge followed by ONeill's cross check wasn't stupid? Joey never put the team down 2 men.

None of Joey's penalties led to UMass goal, and I did not see any of Joey's penalties leading to the bears being so tired that they gave one up soon after a PK.

Joey is also the only one who did or said something to get the refs to call a cross check way after they had swallowed their whistles becuase the guy would just not stop gong after joey till he was lieing on the ice.

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

I gotta ask because I am a broken record
Joey's penalty was stupid, but Flynn's charge followed by ONeill's cross check wasn't stupid? Joey never put the team down 2 men.

None of Joey's penalties led to UMass goal, and I did not see any of Joey's penalties leading to the bears being so tired that they gave one up soon after a PK.

Joey is also the only one who did or said something to get the refs to call a cross check way after they had swallowed their whistles becuase the guy would just not stop gong after joey till he was lieing on the ice.

I am a big backer of #39...he brings alot to the game for Maine...but last night that penalty to start the 2nd period was not needed...but at the same time he brings a intense level to the Team,he brings alot of pluses,but once in a while he can hurt his team...it didn't happen last night...all in all I don't want him to change his game,BUT you know and I know there's times for everything....he's a gamer and a improtant cog for Maine...as long as it's mostly on the ice.

 

['93'99??]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

So to Wally, and to every other season-ticket holder: what do you guys make of this abrupt turnaround? (Aside from the HUGE improvement in net, which is obvious to us all.)

Is Maine more aggressive on the forecheck, are they less likely to play passively with the lead, are they being physical when the situation calls for it,etc..? And do you notice a sea-change in the coaching approach, in general?

I'd like to hear some specifics from you guys who see so many games. A few weeks back, I in no way, shape or form, saw this coming. (I'm still scratching my head, but I'm having a much better winter all of a sudden.)

Some first-hand analysis would be interesting to read. Thanks.

There are a variety of reasons for the turnaround but I doubt Tim is doing anything much different. About 65% of it is goaltending and it all resonates from there. I think there has been great improvement from the start of season from players like Mangene, Beattie, Pryor, O'Connor, the freshman in gen. which takes pressure off the big 3 and really makes this team tough to play against. Defensive core are still spotty on occasion but they are playing more physical. Always a fine line between winning and losing in this league but the see-saw has decidedly swung in our favor. I like this team alot: we have perhaps the top player, top line, and top power play in the nation. With the sched. down the stretch, why can't we win hoc east? I hate to get too far ahead, but there are no power house teams nationally, and we could do damage in the NCAA's.

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

I am a big backer of #39...he brings alot to the game for Maine...but last night that penalty to start the 2nd period was not needed...but at the same time he brings a intense level to the Team,he brings alot of pluses,but once in a while he can hurt his team...it didn't happen last night...all in all I don't want him to change his game,BUT you know and I know there's times for everything....he's a gamer and a improtant cog for Maine...as long as it's mostly on the ice.

ok... but now compare his penalty with Flynn's penalty last night and in almost every game for the past month or 6 weeks.
Diamond is singled out and Brian is given a pass, even though and ONeill are taking many, many more "stupid penalties" in the last 6 weeks.

also.. ONeill and Flynn have NEVER once gotten an opponent to just throw them to the ice and DRAW stupid penalties.

 

[acs64]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

Burying an opponent in the first was always trademark Maine hawkey. Too bad it took Timmay a decade to figure this out. Or maybe Corkie really does have the reins now. I mean chit you got the loudest and best crowd in the nation in the best atmopshere nationally, why wouldnt you take advantage of that energy level. Simple stuff really.

 

[Runsub5]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

Obviously, much of the success has to do with the maturation and consistency in the goal tending position. Another factor that is hard to quantify, is team confidence and trust in one another. Tim bringing in the freshman class in August (for the first time), unified the team and helped with the transition to college life and hockey. This team believes in one another and players are developing weekly. Without Nyquist, this team seems to know that they have to share the puck and play as a unit to be successful. It's difficult to identify just one or two factors leading to a teams success. I wouldn't give Tim any credit, give it all to Corkum. Tim had all the blame when the team was losing, why give him any credit when the team is winning. By the way, I don't know why the goal by Flynn off Abbott's skate was not a goal. Abbott's skate was moving backward away from the goal when the puck went in the net.

 

['93'99??]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

Obviously, much of the success has to do with the maturation and consistency in the goal tending position. Another factor that is hard to quantify, is team confidence and trust in one another. Tim bringing in the freshman class in August (for the first time), unified the team and helped with the transition to college life and hockey. This team believes in one another and players are developing weekly. Without Nyquist, this team seems to know that they have to share the puck and play as a unit to be successful. It's difficult to identify just one or two factors leading to a teams success. I wouldn't give Tim any credit, give it all to Corkum. Tim had all the blame when the team was losing, why give him any credit when the team is winning. By the way, I don't know why the goal by Flynn off Abbott's skate was not a goal. Abbott's skate was moving backward away from the goal when the puck went in the net.

They ruled a crease violation on Abbott, not the kicking motion? Good point on the abscence of Nyquist. They did depend on him way too much the last couple of years and no one player ever can make a hockey team great. I always use this comparison: the Lady Black Bears b-ball team never won an NCAA tournament game until the year after Cindy Blodgett left.

 

[Potato in NH]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

I agree with the comments about improved goaltending being a huge factor in the turnaround. I only get to see the games if they are on NESN or there are game highlights on hockeyeastonline.com. While I have seen far less of the team than many on this board, it seems in the clips and parts of games I do get to see, the forwards are far more confident in driving to the net with the puck. There seems to be less panic when they get near the net which has generated more scoring opportunities. I think Maine has the most or 2nd most goals in Hockey East (if I remember correctly what I saw earlier today). The online highlights today were fun to watch, I only wish I had seen the entire game. I also liked seeing Rutt give a UMass forward a shot in the back after one of their goals. Admittedly, I do not see many games, but it had been a while since I saw something like that. I liked it.

 

[amherstblackbear]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

I gotta ask because I am a broken record
Joey's penalty was stupid, but Flynn's charge followed by ONeill's cross check wasn't stupid? Joey never put the team down 2 men.

None of Joey's penalties led to UMass goal, and I did not see any of Joey's penalties leading to the bears being so tired that they gave one up soon after a PK.

Joey is also the only one who did or said something to get the refs to call a cross check way after they had swallowed their whistles becuase the guy would just not stop gong after joey till he was lieing on the ice.

Maybe it's just reputation? I'm not saying it's fair or unfair, but Diamond does have a target on his back. And it's only going to get worse if/when the NCAAs start, and you get zebras from another conference and all they know about Maine is that "you've got to watch that Diamond kid."

Assuming they get in, Maine's power play is dangerous enough for them to make it to Tampa. Really. But their PK is weak enough for them to go one and done. Maybe the team is still better off having Diamond just be himself - but it's not crazy to at least be concerned...

 

[Priceless]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

By the way, I don't know why the goal by Flynn off Abbott's skate was not a goal. Abbott's skate was moving backward away from the goal when the puck went in the net.

They said it was disallowed because Abbott was in the crease. They must have had a different view, because I rolled the DVR back and watched that and never saw Abbott in the crease. The confusion may have been because the GK came out to cut down the angle on Diamond and was out of his crease. Abbott bumped him (total incidental contact as Abbott was tangled with a UMA defender) but was never in the crease. That was a poor call.

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

ok... but now compare his penalty with Flynn's penalty last night and in almost every game for the past month or 6 weeks.
Diamond is singled out and Brian is given a pass, even though and ONeill are taking many, many more "stupid penalties" in the last 6 weeks.

also.. ONeill and Flynn have NEVER once gotten an opponent to just throw them to the ice and DRAW stupid penalties.

More or less Diamond brings more upon himself in a good/bad way...either way I have no ax to grind on Flynn or O'Neill,just wish O'Neill would play a more tougher and less mistake prone passing at times...he's seemed to have regressed some...either way Diamond will be Diamond...and the debate will contiue one way or another.

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

Maybe it's just reputation? I'm not saying it's fair or unfair, but Diamond does have a target on his back. And it's only going to get worse if/when the NCAAs start, and you get zebras from another conference and all they know about Maine is that "you've got to watch that Diamond kid."

Assuming they get in, Maine's power play is dangerous enough for them to make it to Tampa. Really. But their PK is weak enough for them to go one and done. Maybe the team is still better off having Diamond just be himself - but it's not crazy to at least be concerned...

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU

i just kinda hate reading all the time that Diamond is a liability and he takes too many stupid penalties. I do not think that anyone on the team just takes stupid penalties, none of them. BUT... the penalties that Diamond takes cause him to really get under the skin of the opposition and some guys will just go after him, like what happened in the third last night, and like what happened against UND at the alfond last season, over and over. AND the very same types of penalties that Flynn and ONeill take (over and over) are ignored by the fans and by Timmy Benchadiamond. Of course if Diamond can come out and get a goal and an assist on consecutive shifts after being benched, I say bench him at least once a period.... heh heh heh.

and for anyone who cares and for anyone who follows the alumni... Rob Bellamy is currently playing in the ECHL with his brother, Corey

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

Obviously, much of the success has to do with the maturation and consistency in the goal tending position. Another factor that is hard to quantify, is team confidence and trust in one another. Tim bringing in the freshman class in August (for the first time), unified the team and helped with the transition to college life and hockey. This team believes in one another and players are developing weekly. Without Nyquist, this team seems to know that they have to share the puck and play as a unit to be successful. It's difficult to identify just one or two factors leading to a teams success. I wouldn't give Tim any credit, give it all to Corkum. Tim had all the blame when the team was losing, why give him any credit when the team is winning. By the way, I don't know why the goal by Flynn off Abbott's skate was not a goal. Abbott's skate was moving backward away from the goal when the puck went in the net.

I have a strong feeling that Tim is finally using the people around him and allowing them to use their talents and strengths... something that he did not do much of in the past.
I really think that he knew that some sort of change was needed.
Kudos to tim for allowing the others to do things and to use their own strengths.

(of course this is all in a year when every game that is played in hockey east might as well be decided by a coin toss. even UVM has beaten lowell... not only have they beaten lowell, they have also beaten Ferris State and Minnesota... THAT is coin toss territory!)... so maybe coaching has less to do with it than we think... right now 5 teams might as well be number 1.

 

[Sweeper]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

Was nice to see the boys come out and take control of a period, rather than getting down and trying to claw their way back. Was a lot of solid hits thrown in the first as well, I'm a big believer in throwing a hit your first shift to help you get into the game. Love seeing all the snipes, althou we shouldn't of let them get into the came in the third, they will try to carry over the momentum tonight. Abbotts goal called back I thought was crap, thats his 4 goal disallowed this year. Did Sully get hurt, or were they just giving Martin some ice??

 

[Pucknut]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

Sully wasn't hurt, I think they decided to give Marty some badly needed game time.

 

[Runsub5]

Re: UMaine - 2011-2012 Season Thread (cont) - Beating Back the Internuts ?

i just kinda hate reading all the time that Diamond is a liability and he takes too many stupid penalties..........

I love Joey Diamonds play around the net. He is responsible for so many of Maine's goals. He is often treated unfairly, however, the cross check he gave the official as he was going to the penalty box was a stupid penalty.

 

[Sweeper]

i just kinda hate reading all the time that Diamond is a liability and he takes too many stupid penalties.

Joey did take many stupid penalties that made a big differences at the start of the season, but he's been awesome
Last month or 2 and it has show by the teams performance. The teams ok wasnt good enough at the start to deal with his penalties, that had approved as well