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

[BlackBearFan19]

I’m concerned about the effort level of this team, the last 8 minutes they finally seemed to wake up but that is completely unacceptable. It’s cliche to say but these guys don’t get to walk in and win just cause it says Maine on their sweaters.

I expected a more seamless transition from the major junior guys than I’ve seen so far with the exception of Lapinski, poirier and at times langlois. They had huge shoes to fill replacing guys like Breen, breazeale, renwick and makar but the amount of talent Maine brought in should look better than it has. Also this team needs so much more production from Russell, Fowler, scholle and drujasevic. They just don’t look the same as they did last season. I really hate calling out guys but I think those guys expect more out of themselves as well.

It’s early so I’m trying not to overreact but what I perceive as a lack of effort and pride from this team is irritating and something we haven’t seen since Barr’s first season.

 

[NorthMike]

The pregame drone light show was cool.

 

[MBB4Life]

I’m concerned about the effort level of this team, the last 8 minutes they finally seemed to wake up but that is completely unacceptable. It’s cliche to say but these guys don’t get to walk in and win just cause it says Maine on their sweaters.

I expected a more seamless transition from the major junior guys than I’ve seen so far with the exception of Lapinski, poirier and at times langlois. They had huge shoes to fill replacing guys like Breen, breazeale, renwick and makar but the amount of talent Maine brought in should look better than it has. Also this team needs so much more production from Russell, Fowler, scholle and drujasevic. They just don’t look the same as they did last season. I really hate calling out guys but I think those guys expect more out of themselves as well.

It’s early so I’m trying not to overreact but what I perceive as a lack of effort and pride from this team is irritating and something we haven’t seen since Barr’s first season.

100% agree. It looks like a team that is going through the motions. They haven't consistently found the extra gear necessary to win games.

 

[grooverider]

Albin needs to sit tomorrow. Need James and Nobes back for some size.

 

[Fishman'81]

Not sure if you are a troll or a Maine fan but I was just thinking the same thing. I just want some of the same recruits that Providence, Northeastern and UMass bring in....if Barr can't do that with the new assets and financial support he has.....then we have a problem.

This team possesses plenty of talent. Plenty. It just needs to gel, and catch a break from time to time.

 

[RossiRules]

Not sure if you are a troll or a Maine fan but I was just thinking the same thing. I just want some of the same recruits that Providence, Northeastern and UMass bring in....if Barr can't do that with the new assets and financial support he has.....then we have a problem.

Northeastern doesn't have much in terms of recruiting, BU and BC always do and UMass and Providence certainly have since those national championships. Maine is in the same boat as NU. NIL and the portal are killing us. NU.now has 3 years of essentially all road games starting in Jan. Not that home advantage ever meant anything at Matthews. That said it seems Maine has some $ to put toward the program. I think this is just a slow start from a good team BU and BC look fairly beatable so who.knows. I think you guys will be ok. National Champions not even close but a tourney team is likely

 

[NorthMike]

I've liked from day 1 that Barr offers fairly frank assessments of the team during interviews.
Last nights presser he said it all in one sentence, along with the body language and tone - "that this team has cultural issues right now in the locker room".
Speaks alot to what I saw.

 

[sshablak]

Colgate fan here, earlier some of you posted about trying to get game streamed. Check out the V SEE box, it's available on Amazon. You can get EVERY game that's out there, NFL, NHL, MLB, all you need is wifi. A one time cost is all. Movies, local channels, there's NOTHING you can't get.

 

[paulie78]

I agree that the cultural issue is there. What I saw (Blue Eyes) was a group of hockey players that were a bit overwhelmed by the grand opening and expectations. Homecoming-Alumni-Fund Raising a lot on their plate. I got this impression early in the third period when the entire team looked gassed.
This was only a one goal game but when the wheels come off the bus players revert to doing what got them D1 scholarships and individual effort doesn't
often overcome a team playing lights out defense.

 

[walrus]

Lots of "concerned" fans on here, Suzie would be proud New facilities don't make a team, players and coaches do that. It takes time for that to happen, 13 new guys. One thing I've bitched about for years, team is too small .Not sure whats up with Boija but he will be losing future money if he continues to play like this. He was one thing I wasn't worried about, guess I was wrong there.

 

[acs64]

Yeah, I can agree on the lack of size as a concern. I am betting having all those MJ recruits invading the locker room might be a little tough to get used to. Cultural differences are certainly possible....wonder if that is what Bennie is directly referring to.

 

[Sparkee]

Barr Postgame: https://youtu.be/QqzDJiLxkfg?feature=shared

He was not happy. Likely see some guys benched is my guess. Maybe Marques for the turnover. Maybe Russell for his poor sportsmanship at the final buzzer.

Should be interesting. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Rousseau. Not that it was the main problem. But maybe it shakes the team up so they aren’t relying on Boija as the bail out option.

 

[Mac910]

Barr Postgame: https://youtu.be/QqzDJiLxkfg?feature=shared

He was not happy. Likely see some guys benched is my guess. Maybe Marques for the turnover. Maybe Russell for his poor sportsmanship at the final buzzer.

Should be interesting. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Rousseau. Not that it was the main problem. But maybe it shakes the team up so they aren’t relying on Boija as the bail out option.

I think at least one of 11 / 43 is likely to sit... the trouble is that we're already down JN from a top 6 perspective, so taking two of our higher skilled players out when you realistically need them to produce in order to win is a tough prospect. We have plenty of guys waiting in the wings on both ends (Arnott, Calafiore, James, Usereau), but they likely don't bring the offensive skillset of the players we'd be benching. That said, skill has clearly not been this team's issue in my view.

Forgot to add that 11 getting in a scrum post game was pretty ugly... hard not to be sat after that

 

[BlackBearFan19]

I think at least one of 11 / 43 is likely to sit... the trouble is that we're already down JN from a top 6 perspective, so taking two of our higher skilled players out when you realistically need them to produce in order to win is a tough prospect. We have plenty of guys waiting in the wings on both ends (Arnott, Calafiore, James, Usereau), but they likely don't bring the offensive skillset of the players we'd be benching. That said, skill has clearly not been this team's issue in my view.

Forgot to add that 11 getting in a scrum post game was pretty ugly... hard not to be sat after that

I’d rather see less talent on the ice but guys willing to 100% than that half a**ed BS effort we watched yesterday. Peluso, James and Calafiore will leave it all on the ice which is what this team needs more of.

 

[grooverider]

I agree that the cultural issue is there. What I saw (Blue Eyes) was a group of hockey players that were a bit overwhelmed by the grand opening and expectations. Homecoming-Alumni-Fund Raising a lot on their plate. I got this impression early in the third period when the entire team looked gassed.
This was only a one goal game but when the wheels come off the bus players revert to doing what got them D1 scholarships and individual effort doesn't
often overcome a team playing lights out defense.

There's players not putting in the extra workouts and relying on skill. My source is rock solid on this

 

[tylerzx2002]

There's players not putting in the extra workouts and relying on skill. My source is rock solid on this

Kind of evident on the ice right now. Lot of bad habits, especially in the defensive zone. You might give a pass to some of the new guys but when we're see it from returning players who should know better that's when it becomes glaringly obvious and inexcusable.

Can't help but think tonight's lineup is going to be a wake up for whichever regulars are scratched. If some of the guys Barr referred to in the presser don't end up as scratches, I'm hoping he makes them earn their minutes.

 

[NorthMike]

I think at least one of 11 / 43 is likely to sit... the trouble is that we're already down JN from a top 6 perspective, so taking two of our higher skilled players out when you realistically need them to produce in order to win is a tough prospect. We have plenty of guys waiting in the wings on both ends (Arnott, Calafiore, James, Usereau), but they likely don't bring the offensive skillset of the players we'd be benching. That said, skill has clearly not been this team's issue in my view.

Forgot to add that 11 getting in a scrum post game was pretty ugly... hard not to be sat after that

You might add 41 to the list for not doing the customary skate around after the game. (Unless theres a legit reason). This is a culture issue.

 

[Fishman'81]

Nice win by football today to claw back to .500. That Marshall kid has rushed for 287 yards in his two starts since taking over the feature back spot, coming from 3rd string due to injuries in front of him. He's a blast to watch, a poor man's James Cook.*

(*Football news provided for the enjoyment of certain cranky old bastids on this thread.)

 

[grooverider]

I expect a significant improvement tonight in play

 

[amkirby10]

Tonight's lines:

Poirier-Scott-Russell
Freel-Lipinski-Calafiore
Fowler-Scholle-Peluso
Gerrior-Komarov-Pichette

Holt-Peterson
Langlois-Djurasevic
Coughlin-Chabrier
Usereau

Boija(?)

Marques and Motew out. Dimitri says that is might be unclear who's starting in goal.