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UMaine Hockey 23 - 24: The Barr Crawl to Glory!!!

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9twenty said:
The regular season should count for something imo...they[Hockey East] have caved to what has happen to all conferences...but it should be 1-8 make playoffs...and best of three....makes for playing to finish 1-4...a true value to regular season games...this won't happen...just like the gimmicks...3x3 and shoot-outs....
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Not sure I’ve ever agreed with something more strongly posted on USCHO. The gimmicks need to go.
 
Drew S. said:
Not sure I’ve ever agreed with something more strongly posted on USCHO. The gimmicks need to go.
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I'm gonna agree with Drew on this one. I would be in favor of a return to 1-8, 3 game quarterfinals, 4x4 OT, and ties with a 2-1-0 point system to all return.
 
walrus said:
White out the Whitt wasn't good enough for a reset?
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As you know, historically UNH hasn't fared poorly on its own home ice against UMaine, and this was hardly UNH's first "White Out" success. Any meaningful reset has to come in the postseason. UNH beating UMaine in the 2002 HEA Finals could and would have arguably been a reset, but it lasted only a couple of weeks, 'til UMaine (and much-maligned Timmay) brought the hammer down on UNH 7-2 in the NCAA Semis in St. Paul.

The original "White Out" in '99 was of course followed by a bigger reverse result in Anaheim a month or so later.

Souza should (I say will) get a chance to reset the rivalry - now framed by him and Ben Barr - by winning a meaningful game in Orono. I'm not saying he's gonna do it. You guys have read all season long what I think of him, and what I think of your guy. I'd switch head coaches with you guys in a heartbeat. I meant it before, and I still mean it now. But Saturday, MS7 can do something Umile never did, not against Walshy nor Whitehead. And Souza should have a significant motivational edge, because that game means more to him than to Barr.

I'm NOT saying UMaine/Barr doesn't badly want to punch their ticket to Boston. I'm NOT saying that you UMaine-iacs won't have Alfond jumping like at no other time in recent memory. They do, and you guys will. BUT ...

The UMaine players don't have to worry this will be their last-ever game in a UMaine jersey. Some UNH players will.

The UMaine coach got extended, and knows he's gonna be back next season. This may be Souza's last UNH game.

Put it this way ... it's a given that anyone in a job like this is gonna be super-competitive, and their sleeping and eating habits may not be so great for the next few weeks as long as their guys are still playing, with a chance to win something. But only one of the two has a resume/CV on his desktop, and a family that's not assured of living in the same house, or going to the same school, depending on how Orono turns out.

In the past, UMaine almost always found an edge over UNH in the postseason with its physical play, as Umile never really pushed that part of the game nearly as hard as he should have - at least to experience regular postseason success. The only time he did, it was when he had a two year captain (Pat Foley) who majored in the physical game, and that was not a coincidence. The only thing that gives me a glint of hope for Saturday night's clash is that it seems this UNH team may have a physical edge over this UMaine team. I'll admit it could well be tempered by a bat-crap crazy home atmosphere at Alfond. But I do think UNH has a puncher's chance, and they probably also have a better goalie, who happens to be in top form at the right time of the season.

A desperate coach, with an amped up team ready to play another physical game against its rival, could pull it off.

Or they could do the UNH-iest thing of all, and gack it up on Wednesday night. Should be an interesting week!
 
Chuck Murray said:
As you know, historically UNH hasn't fared poorly on its own home ice against UMaine, and this was hardly UNH's first "White Out" success. Any meaningful reset has to come in the postseason. UNH beating UMaine in the 2002 HEA Finals could and would have arguably been a reset, but it lasted only a couple of weeks, 'til UMaine (and much-maligned Timmay) brought the hammer down on UNH 7-2 in the NCAA Semis in St. Paul.

The original "White Out" in '99 was of course followed by a bigger reverse result in Anaheim a month or so later.

Souza should (I say will) get a chance to reset the rivalry - now framed by him and Ben Barr - by winning a meaningful game in Orono. I'm not saying he's gonna do it. You guys have read all season long what I think of him, and what I think of your guy. I'd switch head coaches with you guys in a heartbeat. I meant it before, and I still mean it now. But Saturday, MS7 can do something Umile never did, not against Walshy nor Whitehead. And Souza should have a significant motivational edge, because that game means more to him than to Barr.

I'm NOT saying UMaine/Barr doesn't badly want to punch their ticket to Boston. I'm NOT saying that you UMaine-iacs won't have Alfond jumping like at no other time in recent memory. They do, and you guys will. BUT ...

The UMaine players don't have to worry this will be their last-ever game in a UMaine jersey. Some UNH players will.

The UMaine coach got extended, and knows he's gonna be back next season. This may be Souza's last UNH game.

Put it this way ... it's a given that anyone in a job like this is gonna be super-competitive, and their sleeping and eating habits may not be so great for the next few weeks as long as their guys are still playing, with a chance to win something. But only one of the two has a resume/CV on his desktop, and a family that's not assured of living in the same house, or going to the same school, depending on how Orono turns out.

In the past, UMaine almost always found an edge over UNH in the postseason with its physical play, as Umile never really pushed that part of the game nearly as hard as he should have - at least to experience regular postseason success. The only time he did, it was when he had a two year captain (Pat Foley) who majored in the physical game, and that was not a coincidence. The only thing that gives me a glint of hope for Saturday night's clash is that it seems this UNH team may have a physical edge over this UMaine team. I'll admit it could well be tempered by a bat-crap crazy home atmosphere at Alfond. But I do think UNH has a puncher's chance, and they probably also have a better goalie, who happens to be in top form at the right time of the season.

A desperate coach, with an amped up team ready to play another physical game against its rival, could pull it off.

Or they could do the UNH-iest thing of all, and gack it up on Wednesday night. Should be an interesting week!
Click to expand...

There will be plenty of chances for Souza to flip the script on the rivalry on the future. We are all hoping he gets a looooooong extension after a nice 20 win season.

I expect they will beat UML on Wed but really hoping Bazin’s team plays physical enough to makes that short turnaround too much to over overcome and Maine takes it to them when they get to Orono.
 
I actually thought UNH was the more physical team when they came to Orono earlier this year Chuck Murray Maine just withstood it then sliced them up in transition when they tried to keep it up

I don't think they will be a pushover either but I'm hoping the extra rest combined with crazy crowd if this matchup happens will be enough to withstand the early physicality.

With that said my picks for the opening round are:

UNH 4 Lowell 2
UConn 5 Vermont 3 this one I'm unsure of UConn either looks great or like horse crap
NU 3 Merrimack 2 OT

What about everyone else?
 
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Chuck Murray said:
As you know, historically UNH hasn't fared poorly on its own home ice against UMaine, and this was hardly UNH's first "White Out" success. Any meaningful reset has to come in the postseason. UNH beating UMaine in the 2002 HEA Finals could and would have arguably been a reset, but it lasted only a couple of weeks, 'til UMaine (and much-maligned Timmay) brought the hammer down on UNH 7-2 in the NCAA Semis in St. Paul.

The original "White Out" in '99 was of course followed by a bigger reverse result in Anaheim a month or so later.

Souza should (I say will) get a chance to reset the rivalry - now framed by him and Ben Barr - by winning a meaningful game in Orono. I'm not saying he's gonna do it. You guys have read all season long what I think of him, and what I think of your guy. I'd switch head coaches with you guys in a heartbeat. I meant it before, and I still mean it now. But Saturday, MS7 can do something Umile never did, not against Walshy nor Whitehead. And Souza should have a significant motivational edge, because that game means more to him than to Barr.

I'm NOT saying UMaine/Barr doesn't badly want to punch their ticket to Boston. I'm NOT saying that you UMaine-iacs won't have Alfond jumping like at no other time in recent memory. They do, and you guys will. BUT ...

The UMaine players don't have to worry this will be their last-ever game in a UMaine jersey. Some UNH players will.

The UMaine coach got extended, and knows he's gonna be back next season. This may be Souza's last UNH game.

Put it this way ... it's a given that anyone in a job like this is gonna be super-competitive, and their sleeping and eating habits may not be so great for the next few weeks as long as their guys are still playing, with a chance to win something. But only one of the two has a resume/CV on his desktop, and a family that's not assured of living in the same house, or going to the same school, depending on how Orono turns out.

In the past, UMaine almost always found an edge over UNH in the postseason with its physical play, as Umile never really pushed that part of the game nearly as hard as he should have - at least to experience regular postseason success. The only time he did, it was when he had a two year captain (Pat Foley) who majored in the physical game, and that was not a coincidence. The only thing that gives me a glint of hope for Saturday night's clash is that it seems this UNH team may have a physical edge over this UMaine team. I'll admit it could well be tempered by a bat-crap crazy home atmosphere at Alfond. But I do think UNH has a puncher's chance, and they probably also have a better goalie, who happens to be in top form at the right time of the season.

A desperate coach, with an amped up team ready to play another physical game against its rival, could pull it off.

Or they could do the UNH-iest thing of all, and gack it up on Wednesday night. Should be an interesting week!
Click to expand...

No matter what this isn't MS7's last game as coach at UHN. If he wins at Alfond he is the greatest thing since sliced bread, if he loses, he was supposed to as they were lower seed. Its a win win for your favorite coach. I'd say UHN is a bad matchup for Maine, watch Maines Califiore bounce off UHNs number 23(friday night game at the Whitt) like a mosquito landed on him, thats what I see as UHN is much stronger than Maine on their skates. Maine will have to keep the crowd in the game and out skate UNH to win.
 
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Meh, you will see a much more physically effective Maine team on Saturday. Houle will be in the lineup and Renwick too. I think it might come down to who can use their physicality most effectively and not cross the line and end up with majors. Refs will be calling it close to keep it under control.

This all assumes that UNH makes it to Saturday :-)
 
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walrus said:
No matter what this isn't MS7's last game as coach at UHN.
Click to expand...

From your lips to God's ear, Wally. The Men's Hoops coach down here was thinking the same thing this time last year when he couldn't make it to his conference's semis, and was without a contract for this season. And he even had multiple winning seasons during his (mediocre) tenure.

"Word on campus" that MS7 was gonna get an early renewal after the "White Out" weekend has turned out to be nothing more than MS7 doing his Reg Dunlop con artistry BS. Highly-placed WIS sources confirm Souza is out, unless he returns from Orono with Ben Barr's scalp. Print it.
 
amkirby10 said:
I'm gonna agree with Drew on this one. I would be in favor of a return to 1-8, 3 game quarterfinals, 4x4 OT, and ties with a 2-1-0 point system to all return.
Click to expand...

Not to be too contrarian, I never understood the 3 game series. The semifinals and the finals in Hockey East are single elimination. The entire NCAA tournament is single elimination. Why have a single round in the postseason be different. However, I am in favor of a 1-8 format. Missing the playoffs should be a consequence for bad play.
 
UnMcGovernable said:
Not to be too contrarian, I never understood the 3 game series. The semifinals and the finals in Hockey East are single elimination. The entire NCAA tournament is single elimination. Why have a single round in the postseason be different. However, I am in favor of a 1-8 format. Missing the playoffs should be a consequence for bad play.
Click to expand...

Best of 3 = more $$ for the schools, no ?
 
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