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UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

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Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

But I like the energy Housakos line had. They were pesky for a few shifts in the middle of the period.

The boys better be buying Swaymans dinner, drinks, etc... after how much rubber he's taking tonight.

This team is opportunistic and can do a lot without much sustained pressure. They all go to the net well.

The Umass coach was giving compliments to Maine for that pregame.
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

This is the kind of game I hate. When you have a two goal lead on the road against a team that has carried play and is hungry. I hope they don't trap it out and invite even more time in Maine end and more rubber for Swayman.

I think taking a hard forecheck to Umass is the only way to preserve the lead. They really are a great skating team. Maybe lack of finishing skill and average or below average goaltending. Other than that you have to like how well they transition and generate scoring chances.
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

Umass is good at keeping puck in zone

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Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

Good time out. Get they guys you want out there. Put Pearson on face off, Lecroix too back him up.
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

Taking forever to get last minute played

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Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

Sweep, nice

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Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

Wahoo! Maine actually swept a team like the old days.

Great game by Swayman again. Westerlund with Housakos looked good tonight. Maine played better defense that period, though they mostly sat back to trap neutral zone and they did we with it for the most part.
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

Umass is scrappy, they are quick and relentless. Get some offense going and thats going to be a good team. Their announcers on the other hand are a couple of chuckle heads.

Swayman is the big difference. Not sure why 4th line made it out there in 3rd. Didn't see penalty but giving UMass a PP wasn't good.
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

walrus said:
Umass is scrappy, they are quick and relentless. Get some offense going and thats going to be a good team. Their announcers on the other hand are a couple of chuckle heads.

Swayman is the big difference. Not sure why 4th line made it out there in 3rd. Didn't see penalty but giving UMass a PP wasn't good.
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Yeah, sounded like his microphone was buried in his bra.

The other guy was clear. Not sure why someone couldn't tell them so they could fix it.
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

walrus said:
Vesey is like that every game :)
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Not every game, maybe only 2 of 3... He does waste his potential at the next level doing that, though. He looks gifted when he wants to play.

Anyhoo, I didn't predict a sweep, but this team has been so good on the road, so why not? Swayman is the kind of goalie that can carry a team on his back. Best one in a Maine uni for years. Leads me to believe that Maine has a chance of making a run in a very mediocre HE this season.
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

So looks like Maine is in sixth still, but 1 point behind BU and Lowell that are tied for fourth. And Maine has a game in hand.

Maine plays Merrimack two games next week at Alfond.

Lowell doesn't play a hockey east game next week.

BU plays Umass just one game.

With any luck Maine ****ed Umass off to the point they upset BU, and Maine takes care of Merrimack at home. :D
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

Drew S. said:
How does the overall record over the last three years show the direction? Its nonsense and you know it. Maine went from eight wins in 15-16 to 12 last year and should get at least 16 this year. That is progress. Next year I don't see any reason they won't get to 20(assuming there aren't mass defections in the offseason).
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Maybe Maine doesn't wait until next year to get 20? :D
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

Let's not get all carried-away right now. Maine has played a weak SOS, and hasn't exactly set the world on fire in the process.

There's a whole lot more work to be done before they get anywhere near an AL bid.

(Not being negative, just being realistic.)
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

Am I ready to put Maine in the tournament with an at-large bid? No, but I do believe that anytime you can go on the road in Hockey East and come home with four points it's a good weekend.

Overall, Maine is in a much better place than anyone imagined they would be at this point in the season. Swayman is the best thing to happen to the program in quite some time, and Maine has a legitimate shot at a first-round bye in the Hockey East tournament. They trail UML and BU by one point with one game in hand on each. They need to take care of business at home next weekend against Merrimack and then steal one or two tough ones on the road against Providence and BC to end the year.

Either way, the team is in a much better place than the cellar of Hockey East. Progress is key and I think Maine is making that this year. The future seems bright with the freshmen and sophomore classes if they stay together.
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

Fishman'81 said:
Let's not get all carried-away right now. Maine has played a weak SOS, and hasn't exactly set the world on fire in the process.

There's a whole lot more work to be done before they get anywhere near an AL bid.

(Not being negative, just being realistic.)
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I am being realistic. Let's say Maine beats teams below them and loses to teams above them. They finish with 3 more wins. That puts them at 17 wins. And more than likely in 6th place in hockey east. They then host whomever gets last for the play in round best of three. Let's say they Winn again they are at 19 wins. Then they travel to a team like Providence. It would be unlikely to win the series, so if Maine is swept no 20 wins. If they pick up a win but lose series they are at 20. I believe this is a realistic scenario where it is likely Maine gets 19 without doing anything above and beyond where they sit now. Less wins would be disappointing and more would be great.

Getting to 20 wins this season isn't an unreasonable expectation. It is where the pass/fail line should be set.

Maine is 21st in pairwise. Maine is 35 out of 60 strength of schedule. Slightly below average, but not far off from average strength of schedule.
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

So Maine freshman class can boast the following:

Top goalie save percentage - Swayman
Top scoring freshman - Tralmaks
Fourth best scoring freshman defenseman - Keeper
Second and third best freshmen plus/minus rating - Binner and Keeper

The sophomore class can boast the following:

Top scoring sophomore forwards(tied) - Pearson, Fossier
Second, third, and fourth best scoring sophmore forwards points per game - Pearson, Fossier, Doherty
Fifth best scoring sophmore defensemen - Holway
Third best sophmore defensemen plus/minus rating - Holway

So it is starting to look like we can't complain about not getting any recruits or talent anymore. Combine that with all of the players next year coming from USHL and it is very encouraging!
 
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BlackI said:
I am being realistic. Let's say Maine beats teams below them and loses to teams above them. They finish with 3 more wins. That puts them at 17 wins. And more than likely in 6th place in hockey east. They then host whomever gets last for the play in round best of three. Let's say they Winn again they are at 19 wins. Then they travel to a team like Providence. It would be unlikely to win the series, so if Maine is swept no 20 wins. If they pick up a win but lose series they are at 20. I believe this is a realistic scenario where it is likely Maine gets 19 without doing anything above and beyond where they sit now. Less wins would be disappointing and more would be great.

Getting to 20 wins this season isn't an unreasonable expectation. It is where the pass/fail line should be set.

Maine is 21st in pairwise. Maine is 35 out of 60 strength of schedule. Slightly below average, but not far off from average strength of schedule.
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This. Maine has a top half strength of schedule, though to be fair some of that could be buoyed by games like Duluth and Miami, 3/4 games they lost. But I think they end exceeded expectations, so be grateful.
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

Progress has been made, no doubt. Swayman is the reason, mistakes can be made and he covers them up. I thought Maine played better last night but you have to wonder about time of possession. I don't believe there is such a stat in hockey but UMass was able to keep the puck in their zone for long periods of time. Project that to a team like Providence and you won't win, period.
Anyway, they are way more fun to watch, certainly exceeding my expectations so far. Hopefully they can keep it up and gets some wins next weekend. Got a ticket for Saturdays game, Friday is on TV. Merrimack lost to Vermont, what the heck.

UNH losing 2 to UConn is unreal. Amazing how they are following us down the road(to hell) after all those great years. HE is better when Maine and UNH are going at it tooth and nail instead of being irrelevant.
 
Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018, reds last stand part 2

When Makar comes back and "IF" UMass could get some consistent goaltending they could be a tough draw in the first round, most likely not winning it but pushing the top seed...they have a solid outlook for next season if they do. Will though Makar stay for another season {Colorado 1st rd pick - 4th overall}...if not they still have a solid started foundation and there only need to address there goaltending, along with adding recruits...Carvel could very well be a good hire by UMass.
 
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