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

[BlackI]

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

All facts, no question. The problem with your argument is, once you see some improvement you want it to continue. So what was thought preseason or after a few games is out the window now. Maine came out flat, simple as that. They played better as game went on, no doubt. Hard to be mad at Swayman, but this wasn't his best game, nor was last night. Tired? I have no clue, he couldn't keep a puck in his glove in the 1st. Lacroix may be a bigger factor than I think. Coach's decision? Or injury, I thought he looked off last night?

In the end does it really matter? Not really, it's all entertainment. Posting on here is a way to talk some hockey with some Maine fans. And guess what like most things in life it won't be all sunshine and roses

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Well. Said. You sound like a good guy. Sometime I'll have to share a beer with you.

 

[BoSox3066]

Its always good to lose to the last place team in your league at home. Maine played as well as they could, tremendous effort put forth by all the players. Swayman was terrific as was the defense. What more can you ask. Perfectly played by Maine

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“Great” hockey team. Terrific. Believe me.

 

[BlackI]

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

All facts, no question. The problem with your argument is, once you see some improvement you want it to continue. So what was thought preseason or after a few games is out the window now. Maine came out flat, simple as that. They played better as game went on, no doubt. Hard to be mad at Swayman, but this wasn't his best game, nor was last night. Tired? I have no clue, he couldn't keep a puck in his glove in the 1st. Lacroix may be a bigger factor than I think. Coach's decision? Or injury, I thought he looked off last night?

In the end does it really matter? Not really, it's all entertainment. Posting on here is a way to talk some hockey with some Maine fans. And guess what like most things in life it won't be all sunshine and roses

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

You strike me as the kinda guy that's about 6'8" and can hold up the building against the post in section u.

Not sure if I got that right.

Force strong me in. -Yoda



Man, gearing up for pats tomorrow.

 

[Drew S.]

I haven’t seen Merrimack play this year but I anticipate these will be tough games. They’ll play hard and I wouldn’t be surprised if they get us 2-1 one of the nights.

Wrong score but I could see the one coming. Merrimack is a bad matchup for Maine and to be honest I didn’t think they look that bad. They play Lowell twice so we need to hope they can do us a favor in a couple weeks.

By my count Maine is 1-2-3 in the retro uniforms and most of those games are against bad teams.

 

[BlackI]

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

Was at a local game tonight so I missed the Maine stream, but what you say about the D has been a theme for a long while. Maine has a good group of forwards, but the blueliners make so many easily-avoidable mistakes.

Is there anything more simple than coaching defensive positioning? And why can't Red get that done?

I believe there is a fundamental lack their. I highlighted when Blair left Maine's defensive coaching went down hill big time. A normal coach could see the refs swallowed whistler in the third. And MC hauled Maine forwards down in front of net. But our d wasn't instructed to do that. Also, we have no at home defense in the line up.

 

[ticapnews]

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

Its always good to lose to the last place team in your league at home. Maine played as well as they could, tremendous effort put forth by all the players. Swayman was terrific as was the defense. What more can you ask. Perfectly played by Maine

Have to correct one thing. Merrimack isn't in last place. They're now in 10th. Maine is a perfect 3-0 vs the last place team in Hockey East.

3-3-2 vs 7, 8, 9 and 10...

 

[BlackI]

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

Frustrating. Worse than tying twice with UNH.

I get it. But they are playing hard and were within a whisker of winning tonight.

 

[BlackI]

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

Now they get a stretch to focus on one game at a time. And much needed rest. And then we can see what there is.

But at start of season if we said how about a 5th or 6th place finish in hockey east... we would all take it.

I get they played well and we want more. But these are young pups. That kid Binner was leading our team in plus minus despite being the youngest. Keeper is a great promising defenseman, reminds a lot of Metcalf with his style. VMT looks great too. But how can we expect so much from such young in the tooth?

 

[amkirby10]

Now they get a stretch to focus on one game at a time. And much needed rest. And then we can see what there is.

But at start of season if we said how about a 5th or 6th place finish in hockey east... we would all take it.

I get they played well and we want more. But these are young pups. That kid Binner was leading our team in plus minus despite being the youngest. Keeper is a great promising defenseman, reminds a lot of Metcalf with his style. VMT looks great too. But how can we expect so much from such young in the tooth?

It’s clear to me personally at least that Keeper is probably already our best defenseman. Holway has more offensive upside, but Keeper is the better overall player. The D in general is by far the weakest part of the team, I’m personally watching Butala as a potential impact incoming freshman to help on the blue line.

 

[Fishman'81]

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

Now they get a stretch to focus on one game at a time. And much needed rest. And then we can see what there is.

But at start of season if we said how about a 5th or 6th place finish in hockey east... we would all take it.

I get they played well and we want more. But these are young pups. That kid Binner was leading our team in plus minus despite being the youngest. Keeper is a great promising defenseman, reminds a lot of Metcalf with his style. VMT looks great too. But how can we expect so much from such young in the tooth?

This is what we should expect on D: keep the play in front of you, and be a buffer for your goalie 99% of the time. It's really that simple.

This has been an issue ever since Red took over. Maine has enough scorers, and the goaltending to win in that fashion. The D needn't pinch much or rotate very often. Let the forwards do what they do, and quit taking dumb chances!

 

[BlackI]

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

It’s clear to me personally at least that Keeper is probably already our best defenseman. Holway has more offensive upside, but Keeper is the better overall player. The D in general is by far the weakest part of the team, I’m personally watching Butala as a potential impact incoming freshman to help on the blue line.

You are smart.

 

[BlackI]

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

This is what we should expect on D: keep the play in front of you, and be a buffer for your goalie 99% of the time. It's really that simple.

This has been an issue ever since Red took over. Maine has enough scorers, and the goaltending to win in that fashion. The D needn't pinch much or rotate very often. Let the forwards do what they do, and quit taking dumb chances!

Yes. Need more at home coaching. I am not sure we have that covered. Coaching wise.

 

[BlackI]

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

i said this before (early season when things werent going well).. i dont know how much farther... but you guys will be at the Garden & anything happens then.

I hope so. We'd love a match up with NU for a big game or all the marbles. Go win beanpot please.

 

[BlackI]

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

We are on to providence.

Unfortunately we don't have the Achilles heal... Jon's alternater.

So this will be very very tough.

 

[BlackI]

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

Focus on kicking providence. One game. Go. We are expected to lose. But let's give it all and give them all they can handle.

 

[BlackI]

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

Also let's go pats!

 

[BlackI]

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

All facts, no question. The problem with your argument is, once you see some improvement you want it to continue. So what was thought preseason or after a few games is out the window now. Maine came out flat, simple as that. They played better as game went on, no doubt. Hard to be mad at Swayman, but this wasn't his best game, nor was last night. Tired? I have no clue, he couldn't keep a puck in his glove in the 1st. Lacroix may be a bigger factor than I think. Coach's decision? Or injury, I thought he looked off last night?

In the end does it really matter? Not really, it's all entertainment. Posting on here is a way to talk some hockey with some Maine fans. And guess what like most things in life it won't be all sunshine and roses

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I doubt Cedric sat because coach didn't like his play. He's our defensive line centerman shut down centerman. Re: BU game.

I doubt he or hammy sits unless they are injured or sick.

Let's see what happens with the teeth coming up. It is on them and how much they want it. My guess is they'll mix it up good and make us happy. Would love to see Maine back in Boston for hockey east finals.

 

[BlackI]

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

Go pats!

 

[walrus]

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

On to PC, get a win or a tie there and all will be forgotten. At this point the only thing that matters is getting in the HE tourney and try to get to Boston. Doing that would be a huge success.

 

[NorthMike]

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

One thing I'm seeing is the defensive zone breakout has improved, looks like coaching changed their play and it is working better. When the puck is played up the boards the man on the boards (winger) has better team support, someone to get the puck to! Still making some bone headed moves in trying to clear the zone. Offensive D positioning is a little challenged at times to keep pucks in. Holway looks slow as of late getting back, maybe its showing he's not real fast, still a good puck handler, not bad on the boards, offensively a good passer and puts the puck in good places. What about team D back checking, seems weak for big guys? Becker played defensively OK last night.

Merrimack impressed me with a couple things - they came off the bench skating hard and ready, they support the puck well so there was always one or two or three in the vicinity to pass to, forwards were good at getting open to pass to, chased the puck hard with more than one player without getting too out of position. Execution of basic things.