Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2017-2018 season, is this Reds last stand?
Do you have any projection on the lines? I would expect to see Holway, Smith, and Robbins all come in if they're healthy. Red is going to have tough calls on the last dman and last forward.
Very difficult to predict. I'll give you a rambling stream of consciousness response, none of which I would testify under oath. I expect more than 18 players to skate this weekend. But even that prediction depends on tonight. Based on the exhibition game I think Vesey-Pearson-Tralmaks is probably a good prediction. Beyond that so much depends on who Red slots up the middle. Based on the exhibition game you would expect Pearson, Shea, Holesinsky, and Lacroix. But there is always Pieper who is a bit of a wild card at this point because he has not played significant game time hockey minutes since 2013-14 (BCHL). Maybe Pieper was banged up last week but I was surprised he didn't play. Last year a couple of the freshmen played off position but I suspect that was mostly due to a lack of depth. If Pieper plays I would expect Red to slide Shea back to wing, even though I think he impacts the game so much more at C, which has a sort of domino effect by likely pushing Fossier back to the left side, etc. As you said, assuming good health Holway, Robbins, and Smith play. I think Doherty and Holesinsky will stay paired together and perhaps Robbins slots in on the right side with them. Given Holesinsky's vision and passing and the speed of Doherty/Robbins that could provide for some interesting offensive potential. Housakos/Pappalardo/Perez/Hayes could see a game this weekend. Of this group I would give the edge to Housakos (Swiss Army Knife) who looked strong on the week last Sunday. Pappalardo, who looked overwhelmed by the speed of the game last year, looked much more comfortable. I was actually surprised at how well Malcolm look during the exhibition game. I wonder if health and development have finally come together for him where he could provide some quality minutes here and there on the checking line.
In my mind the D is less complicated with Hamilton, Michel, Holway (health?), Binner, Tiuraniemi, Muehlbauer, and Keeper all playing this weekend. I suspect Keeper gets in there Saturday and either Tiuraniemi or Muehlbauer sitting. If Holway has a health concern that keeps him from action this weekend (**** Red and his secrecy) that the other 6 play both games.
In net I think we all know how that will go.
Regardless of who Red & Co. go with this weekend they are going to have carry the play and capitalize. UConn is built from the sieve out with one of the top sieves in the country and some underrated dmen (Masonius, Gendron, Pratt, Nyberg, Drake, Karashik). Lehtunov is an elite playmaker and apparently rededicated himself to fitness over the summer. Look for him to be setting up Naas and El-Mir all weekend for good scoring opportunities. Also of note Ben Freeman, who will center the 2nd of 3rd line is from Falmouth.
Maine will need to control the puck offensively and keep the pressure on sieve. Play disciplined defense and not give up any lanes to UConn top lines. Use team depth to wear down UConn and take advantage of any turnover/slop that UConn gives us. Stay out of the box to limit PP opportunities for the aforementioned UConn top scorers.
In case you or anyone else didn't notice I am PUMPED for the game tonight!
Hope they play well this afternoon.