UMaine 25-26: Marques My Word: Back to the Big Time

[Sparkee]

Ahh yes, only a matter of time before Whistle shows up with the unsourced, "trust me bro", hyperbolic bullsh*t when the team has their worst weekend of hockey since Barr's first year in Orono. He was on the train of players transferring last year, and let's call a spade a spade, Antonnaci / Lesakowski / Berzins / etc are not moving the needle on this current team.

There's one thing that is ABUNDANTLY clear, and that is the lack of leadership that exists on the current roster. Speaks to the notion that not everyone is a leader and shows how incredible last year's group of upperclassmen truly were. It was obvious on Friday that the team expected to roll a much less talented UNH team, and then expected them to roll over Saturday after scoring an early goal. Sure there's a ton of freshmen, and I'm sure ego's exist. Ego's exist on every team in the country - I'm confident Greg Brown and Pandolfo deal with PLENTY of them.

Issue is all of the freshmen coming into a locker room that really lacks leadership. Sure, that's partially on the recruiting side, but you also expect your upperclassmen to take the reigns. There's plenty of reason to think this team can find a gear and get hot in 2026 - I wouldn't bet money on it - but it's certainly not impossible. If you've been reading the tea leaves, since the first presser of the season, Barr has alluded to the fact that the team has no identity and he doesn't know what they are - a far, FAR cry from their preseason ranking.

It will be very interesting to see what the roster looks like after this year, because I'd expect a ton of turnover. One thing is for certain, unless a Big10 /NCHC or NHL team comes calling, Ben Barr will still be in Orono - and we should be damn thankful he will be.

One issue I can see is that the incoming freshmen are more talented and outplaying the upperclassmen. So in their minds, why would they need to listen to them. I’m sure Freel is trying his best, but at the end of the day he is a guy that goes to the net and lives off setting screens, tips, and whacking home rebounds left in front. So he isn’t a player that can put the team on his shoulders. He isn’t the type that can lug the puck coast to coast and score a timely goal like we saw with Brazeale, Makar, and Breen. Holt is a guy I think capable of stepping up in times of need. Djuresevic is off a bit this year slumping along with Boija. So the upperclassmen aren’t finding a new gear when the team needs it. Partly because of their roles and partly because they are slumping. Combine that with freshmen that think they are better than the upperclassman and you have a bit of a mess.

I’m sure Coach Barr is having a difficult time with this mess right now. At the same time, this is what he gets paid handsomely to do. The stretch from Jan 2nd to Feb 14th looks brutal. So Maine best stack up a few wins before then. And it take focusing on one game at a time, one period at a time, one shift at a time. Go for 60 minutes and stick to the game plan Coach sets forth and listen to the upperclassmen. Check your egos at the door as you just got your asses handed to you by your rival. As such you are not nearly as good as you think you are. So go work and play as a team and string some success together or you will there will be an avalanche of shit that will start in January.

 

[Jacob0804]

These posts by an individual (assumed) hunting for Barrs head clearly have no credibility and no one here is biting.

Having said that, evidence does exist that Barr "yells" at the players. Barr did admit such in his last press conference. Is that sort of behavior and level of it common in D1 - I have no idea - ????

So what about all this yelling. My opinion is to listen to what Barr tells us during pressers and not most of the posts on here or facebook. People here have good posts and thoughts but mostly its just that, how much fact is included, IDK.

But one thing for sure is that Barr has a way of telling us whats going on. Which I appreciate, alot of coaches dont let info on whats going on in the locker room out for public consumption. His last presser revealed alot and what is going to be the teams priority to fix.

Barr carries alot of emotion, has high expectations and drive for excellence which Im sure coupled with the frustration of things not sinking into the players, yeah people can boil over and get the whole team riled up. Id rather have a coach emotionally invested than a sleepy guy just getting by.

Clearly its up to Barr and the coaching staff along with the captains to get the egos, frustration and tempers in check. Sometimes theres a rotten apple or just a collection of personalities that will never mesh. They just have to figure it out or if they dont theres always next year.

Im firmly backing Barr and have no preconceived expectations for this year. Its a process to bring the program from what it was to what everyone wants. Progress is not always a linnear positive slope. Patience is a virtue.

Whoever said it here first that today's generation needs to be coddled and doesn't respond to being yelled at all the time may have nailed it. I think there is a ton of truth to this.

 

[Sparkee]

For those who are wondering, I showed up when it mattered and honestly I care about this team a lot just like all of you. But when you keep hearing things about what goes on behind closed doors, it gets harder and harder to stay quiet. It’s serious stuff.

We all love this team and want them to succeed but sometimes you have to ask at what cost.

Nobody ever really questioned why Jason Fortier and Erik Soltys left. At some point, you start wondering if the issues go deeper than the roster. Just watching what happens behind the bench during a game says a lot.

We’re some of the best fans in the NCAA but we can’t ignore the human side of things. Wins matter but so do the people out there playing.

This is delicate for me to say but if anyone else has seen or felt the same things, please speak up Something needs to change for the well-being of our Black Bears. Believe me Ben Barr is the problem…!

And for those who strongly defend him, there’s no need to insult me…you’re only seeing one part of the picture. I say this with respect for all of you.

You are an asshat not a Blackbear fan and nobody can identify with someone taking potshots after Maine gets swept on home ice with your ignorant post after post of useless stupidity. I wouldn’t join you in anything you urge us to do. Now you go on and play in traffic.

 

[Blackbear96]

One issue I can see is that the incoming freshmen are more talented and outplaying the upperclassmen. So in their minds, why would they need to listen to them. I’m sure Freel is trying his best, but at the end of the day he is a guy that goes to the net and lives off setting screens, tips, and whacking home rebounds left in front. So he isn’t a player that can put the team on his shoulders. He isn’t the type that can lug the puck coast to coast and score a timely goal like we saw with Brazeale, Makar, and Breen. Holt is a guy I think capable of stepping up in times of need. Djuresevic is off a bit this year slumping along with Boija. So the upperclassmen aren’t finding a new gear when the team needs it. Partly because of their roles and partly because they are slumping. Combine that with freshmen that think they are better than the upperclassman and you have a bit of a mess.

I’m sure Coach Barr is having a difficult time with this mess right now. At the same time, this is what he gets paid handsomely to do. The stretch from Jan 2nd to Feb 14th looks brutal. So Maine best stack up a few wins before then. And it take focusing on one game at a time, one period at a time, one shift at a time. Go for 60 minutes and stick to the game plan Coach sets forth and listen to the upperclassmen. Check your egos at the door as you just got your asses handed to you by your rival. As such you are not nearly as good as you think you are. So go work and play as a team and string some success together or you will there will be an avalanche of shit that will start in January.

I think you're pretty damn well spot on with that take, in its entirety.

 

[Blackbear96]

Not to continue to give life to the troll, but I've felt Mr. Whistle was always connected in some way(s) to a player that left via the Portal in a prior season. Having coached with, and played for, coaches that are very similar to Barr - that coaching style is NOT for everyone. Those that flourish, would never speak against their coach in any way, shape, or form while others will leave immediately.

You not meshing with a given coach does not indicate that there's a wholesale problem. Best of luck cheering for Sacred Heart, Lake State, Bentley, Niagara, or whatever other program your now-departed source is now playing for.

 

[Orono1993]

One issue I can see is that the incoming freshmen are more talented and outplaying the upperclassmen. So in their minds, why would they need to listen to them. I’m sure Freel is trying his best, but at the end of the day he is a guy that goes to the net and lives off setting screens, tips, and whacking home rebounds left in front. So he isn’t a player that can put the team on his shoulders. He isn’t the type that can lug the puck coast to coast and score a timely goal like we saw with Brazeale, Makar, and Breen. Holt is a guy I think capable of stepping up in times of need. Djuresevic is off a bit this year slumping along with Boija. So the upperclassmen aren’t finding a new gear when the team needs it. Partly because of their roles and partly because they are slumping. Combine that with freshmen that think they are better than the upperclassman and you have a bit of a mess.

I’m sure Coach Barr is having a difficult time with this mess right now. At the same time, this is what he gets paid handsomely to do. The stretch from Jan 2nd to Feb 14th looks brutal. So Maine best stack up a few wins before then. And it take focusing on one game at a time, one period at a time, one shift at a time. Go for 60 minutes and stick to the game plan Coach sets forth and listen to the upperclassmen. Check your egos at the door as you just got your asses handed to you by your rival. As such you are not nearly as good as you think you are. So go work and play as a team and string some success together or you will there will be an avalanche of shit that will start in January.

Hey, I really genuinely want people's take on this. Is there a school of thought that filling personality gaps and bringing in a more targeted or diverse and/or larger coaching staff can help the leadership issue. A Breen or Breazeale type leader. A young former player. Or a real culture/motivator type, or mentor type. And/or investing more in motivation theory and sports psychology resources? Is there any belief that if the resources (idk $300k/annum for more coaching/culture resources) existed, this could reliably/stably combat on-ice leadership or player personnel issues?? Or is me thinking that a coaching/culture solution can combat lack of organic on-ice leadership totally off-base

 

[Blackbear96]

Hey, I really genuinely want people's take on this. Is there a school of thought that filling personality gaps and bringing in a more targeted or diverse and/or larger coaching staff can help the leadership issue. A Breen or Breazeale type leader. A young former player. Or a real culture/motivator type, or mentor type. And/or investing more in motivation theory and sports psychology resources? Is there any belief that if the resources (idk $300k/annum for more coaching/culture resources) existed, this could reliably/stably combat on-ice leadership or player personnel issues?? Or is me thinking that a coaching/culture solution can combat lack of organic on-ice leadership totally off-base

I wouldn't confidently say that it won't work, but there's also no way of knowing that it would. I'd venture it would begin with inviting a past player to come in and speak, or something along those lines before spending anything monetarily.

In some cases, there's no substitute for experience and I think part of the folk lore that will always surround guys like Breen & Brezeale is the fact that they existed in a 4 year period where the program was at its lowest and subsequently rose out of the basement to win a championship. A group that appreciated everything that is Maine hockey because they saw the support in the bad and the overflow in the good. The standard / the culture was already established when they brought in their transfers - and they were largely grad aged kids.

I'm sure the captains on the current roster are excellent guys, as Barr's high standards wouldn't place them there if they weren't; however the ability to lead is a unique ability. I'm also not sure if that's always found in the most talented players. We'll see what they come up with.

 

[Blackbear96]

Not to continue to jump around, but I wonder if there's a divide in the locker room over the Boija / Rousseau rotation. If you read Larry's article leading up to the UNH series, it was pretty clear most of the returning guys acknowledged Rousseau played well at BC but stood very firm in saying Boija was their guy. I'd also say Boija has looked exceptionally on edge all year after giving up goals, something I don't recall at all in prior years.

I'm sure all tying in to Barr's comments about the locker room culture, or lack thereof at the moment.

 

[BlackBearHockeyFan]

Hopefully take care of Lowell Wednesday night

 

[Orono1993]

Also is anyone still planning to go to Denver for the post-New Years series (given the turn things are taking)? I went to DU and have lived in Denver for 12 yrs if anyone needs/wants any recommendations, etc.

I will be there w my fam from Orono (Sister- UMaine '17 (before coming home, first followed her bf to Union (HATED school in Schenectady) who played on the 2013-14 NCAA champ team), Mom- DU '76, Dad- Cornell '72 (roommates w Ken Dryden in '68-'69)- but of course all Maine fans first and foremost)

For those who haven't been- Magness Arena is a fine rink - largely unimpressive; acoustics aren't great, sightlines are ok. Similar to Conte Forum (but smaller capacity, less loud, and way less students). It's gotten louder recently, as the neighborhood (and especially young families w young kids) are getting a lot more engaged- which is really cool to see, especially as the Denver metro has really stepped up, re: youth development opportunities/talent for hockey (Troy Terry/Aidan Thompson), lacrosse (6 Final Fours w mostly homegrown talent), football (Christian McCaffrey). Student engagement is meh - I personally maybe went to 3 games during my time there. I did go to school w about two dozen Maine kids though who, if still in town would definitely show up w their Black Bear jerseys. There's of course still a strong Maine ---> DU student pipeline, so I expect a handful of Black Bear jerseys marbled through the student section

 

[amkirby10]

Not to continue to jump around, but I wonder if there's a divide in the locker room over the Boija / Rousseau rotation. If you read Larry's article leading up to the UNH series, it was pretty clear most of the returning guys acknowledged Rousseau played well at BC but stood very firm in saying Boija was their guy. I'd also say Boija has looked exceptionally on edge all year after giving up goals, something I don't recall at all in prior years.

I'm sure all tying in to Barr's comments about the locker room culture, or lack thereof at the moment.

I hadn't thought about the goalie situation being a possible source of strife, but it would make sense. I also definitely concur about Boija looking very on-edge, which is pretty jarring because his entire first two years he was pretty collected almost all the time. I had discounted the likelihood of a physical injury previously, but his lateral movement is pretty weak so maybe it is the case. But he definitely has something going on in his head as well. I hope he can figure it out soon, I like Boija a lot.

 

[Jacob0804]

Hey, I really genuinely want people's take on this. Is there a school of thought that filling personality gaps and bringing in a more targeted or diverse and/or larger coaching staff can help the leadership issue. A Breen or Breazeale type leader. A young former player. Or a real culture/motivator type, or mentor type. And/or investing more in motivation theory and sports psychology resources? Is there any belief that if the resources (idk $300k/annum for more coaching/culture resources) existed, this could reliably/stably combat on-ice leadership or player personnel issues?? Or is me thinking that a coaching/culture solution can combat lack of organic on-ice leadership totally off-base

This may work. At this point, not sure there is someone the younger guys "connect" with. I think this fits in with the old school yelling mentality vs. coddling as well.

 

[McGoverners]

Hey, I really genuinely want people's take on this. Is there a school of thought that filling personality gaps and bringing in a more targeted or diverse and/or larger coaching staff can help the leadership issue. A Breen or Breazeale type leader. A young former player. Or a real culture/motivator type, or mentor type. And/or investing more in motivation theory and sports psychology resources? Is there any belief that if the resources (idk $300k/annum for more coaching/culture resources) existed, this could reliably/stably combat on-ice leadership or player personnel issues?? Or is me thinking that a coaching/culture solution can combat lack of organic on-ice leadership totally off-base

I like where your head is at, but there is no substitute for on-ice leadership. I don't want to harp too hard on Djury, but to have a letter while pretty consistently making mental mistakes makes it pretty hard to take your voice seriously. Why should the underclassmen look to someone getting health bombed for the biggest game of the season? The upperclassmen need to step up and set an example.

 

[Orono1993]

This may work. At this point, not sure there is someone the younger guys "connect" with. I think this fits in with the old school yelling mentality vs. coddling as well.

I mean historically and empirically, yelling definitely can work. But it seems like there needs to be a good cop/bad cop or something else to complement it? I'm so stuck (honestly way too stuck) on the Bennett thing, because it seemed obvious what the problem was and it seemed like doubling down on something that wasn't working. I am extremely curious as to what the coaching staff is cooking up right now

 

[Orono1993]

The on-ice decision making by players who have shown themselves to have good hockey sense just baffles me- as if they're a guinea pig group always going through changes, and getting discouraged and/or punished when it doesn't work out. And how does someone like Boija just regress so hard re: positioning/fundamentals

 

[Orono1993]

Another serious question- there's so much back and forth speculation, but is there any consensus re: who we speculate the culture/attitude issues are coming from? This weekend seems like the first time Barr has directly said people are yelling at and ragging each other

 

[tylerzx2002]

The on-ice decision making by players who have shown themselves to have good hockey sense just baffles me- as if they're a guinea pig group always going through changes, and getting discouraged and/or punished when it doesn't work out. And how does someone like Boija just regress so hard re: positioning/fundamentals

My guess is that he either entered the season not entirely at full health and has been compensating for something which is hurting his positioning and lateral movement. Or he got some things to work on from the Bruins at development camp in anticipation of him signing next season that haven't translated well on-ice this season.

If it's injury related I would understand. He basically doubled his workload last season (from 18 to 36 GP) and played the third most minutes of any goaltender in a single season (behind 94/95 Allison & 04/05 Howard), that's a lot of hockey. I've heard some people say he's been favoring his right side a bit, but I haven't noticed anything while watching him.

I could maybe understand if it was just some bad luck of him getting beat on the PK hurting his numbers but it's mostly been even strength where his SV% has really cratered (.931 > .940 > .907). I'd really love to see a side-by-side film breakdown comparing him this season to last.

 

[Sparkee]

Another serious question- there's so much back and forth speculation, but is there any consensus re: who we speculate the culture/attitude issues are coming from? This weekend seems like the first time Barr has directly said people are yelling at and ragging each other

The only one I’ve seen hollering at his own teammates is Boija. I think he’s blaming others for letting goals in. Some are defensive breakdowns. But a lot are softies on him. He needs to just stop blaming his dmen and officials and keep composure and compact so as to avoid the loose flopping and out of position stuff. Work on his skating, getting up and down fundamentals.

 

[walrus]

Another serious question- there's so much back and forth speculation, but is there any consensus re: who we speculate the culture/attitude issues are coming from? This weekend seems like the first time Barr has directly said people are yelling at and ragging each other

Expectations and frustration would be my guess.

 

[acs64]

This thread is giving me a migraine. Chill out guys, its not the end of the world. Lets see how it plays out. A long way to go, a lot of coaching to be done. I'm still bullish on these guys.