Cause you know better...the team will surpise...I have said it over and over...and for now it's just talk...but watch and see this team will be a thorn in every team they play...night in and night out.
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UMaine Hockey 23 - 24: The Barr Crawl to Glory!!!
- Thread starter Tango
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Cause you know better...the team will surpise...I have said it over and over...and for now it's just talk...but watch and see this team will be a thorn in every team they play...night in and night out.
Even if Maine doesn’t finish as high as we would like I think most of the games will be very competitive and fun to watch.
I dont think its likely we finish 9th, but its certainly not impossible. The margin for error in Hockey East aside from the very top and very bottom is going to be razor thin, so pulling out wins in close games and taking games from tough opponents like UML, NU, and PC are going to be critical. I'm going to also be very closely monitoring their performance early in the season, they have had ugly records heading into Thanksgiving and Christmas both of the last two years before catching fire in the start of the new semester in January and February. A good start is going to be crucial. I would love to see them win a game in Hamden, but I'm not going to count on it.
EDIT: I originally said here that they have a winnable schedule early on, but taking another look its actually the exact opposite. QU, MC, BC, BU, in that order, four consecutive series leading into Thanksgiving. And three of them are on the road, to boot. That's brutal, but I still expect more than 1 or 2 wins out of that stretch. If they're going to be a tournament team like I said they would they need to be at or at least very close to .500 in that stretch.
EDIT: I originally said here that they have a winnable schedule early on, but taking another look its actually the exact opposite. QU, MC, BC, BU, in that order, four consecutive series leading into Thanksgiving. And three of them are on the road, to boot. That's brutal, but I still expect more than 1 or 2 wins out of that stretch. If they're going to be a tournament team like I said they would they need to be at or at least very close to .500 in that stretch.
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A good start would be .500 through those early tough series. Ostman needs to be solid right away for them to do it.
It’s a tough welcome to college hockey for the new kids, but it’s the best way to learn/adjust earlier then normal.
If they pull off the split through the rough stretch, confident enough to say 4th in HE.
If a poor start, expect a strong finish
to 6th.
It’s a tough welcome to college hockey for the new kids, but it’s the best way to learn/adjust earlier then normal.
If they pull off the split through the rough stretch, confident enough to say 4th in HE.
If a poor start, expect a strong finish
to 6th.
5-3-0...why not.
tylerzx2002
Well-known member
Being picked 9th by the coaches and media is a bummer but looking at how close the votes were its understandable.
Interesting observation regarding Berzins. Last week Barr was quoted as saying he'll be in Orono next year however the Madison Capitals have removed his Maine affiliation on their line charts and Heisenberg has him scratched from the 2024 Maine recruiting list.
Also an interesting note regarding the Capitals Maine recruits Andrew Kuzma and Peter Cisar have been playing on their top line together for the preseason.
Interesting observation regarding Berzins. Last week Barr was quoted as saying he'll be in Orono next year however the Madison Capitals have removed his Maine affiliation on their line charts and Heisenberg has him scratched from the 2024 Maine recruiting list.
Also an interesting note regarding the Capitals Maine recruits Andrew Kuzma and Peter Cisar have been playing on their top line together for the preseason.
I am hoping that Berzins comes back along with fellow incoming recruit Ryder Shea...to go with Albin Boija the replacement for this year with Berzins going to the USHL...but like this year, could be Barr has other plans.
I saw Heisenberg crossed him out but when I looked on the USHL website it still showed him committed to Maine. Looking at that again I believe it’s last year’s info. I’m very curious if Maine wanted him to leave or he wanted to leave. My choice would have been him stay and hope Ostman didn’t get hurt while he was suspended.
It’s hard for me to see many positives in both the coaches and media picking Maine ninth. Hopefully they surprise us.
BlackBearFan19
Active member
The polls are meaningless but I was even more shocked by the coaches picking us 9th. Not a lot separating the teams so maybe that’s just the way it shook it out.
Maybe I’m crazy but I’d think that returning the leading goal scorer in the conference last year, the top returning goalie, 12 out of our top 15 scorers, and adding a first round talent would have garnered some more respect. How a team does that and is picked lower than the year prior, I do not understand.
I can see somewhat on how the media/coaches came to the conclusion that Maine is closer to a 9th place team then a 6th/7th place team...most likely they question can Ostman be solid/steady in net..can Breen notch 20 plus goals again..can Maine's young D withstand another season where they play hard and heavy...do the Nadeaus actually come in and make this bunch better in added depth and increase the offence...alot of question marks...but I harp back that it comes down to behind the Bench, Barr and crew getting this TEAM ready to play and to push the right buttons when needed....I feel good about this team and really confident that there will be good times @Alfond and on the road this season.
Nice....thinking we are going to see a special season our of Breen.. ...kid has moxie and you bet he bleeds blue! .....heart & soul.
We already have.
umhockey91
Well-known member
Even MORE special.
Yes, last season he was fun to watch...but now there's more threats on the team that other teams won't be able to focus just on Breen or vice/versa...more talent and depth just adds to a more dangerous Breen...and team.
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