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

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Chuck Murray said:
I doubt the influx of money into NCAA sports is gonna make a huge dent in D-1 hockey. There are already paying sub-NHL alternatives to many of the players who decide to play D-1 hockey for full/partial scholarships instead of money. Plus, D-1 hockey doesn't generate the revenue that you see (especially) in Football or (lesser) in Hoops. NCAA Football also acts as the primary "minor leagues" for player development in that sport, so you can absolutely see paid college football players being the big winners if this does change (and it does seem inevitable). Plus their pro career outlook is relatively short, so getting paid something while they are healthy - plus the scholarship, assuming that piece stays - certainly helps to cushion those who get injured while on campus, and may be shut out of that entry level NFL deal.

My guess is D-1 hockey kids would probably get a stipend to supplement their scholarships, and most wouldn't get much more than that, thus reducing if not eliminating the need to "get creative" to feather their beds. Most D-1 hockey kids are making decisions based on the coaches or programs they are joining, and the educational options many of them will rely upon once their pro career (if it ever even happens) peters out in the Coast.

There may be an argument that allowing D-1 hockey players to get paid in the NCAA may give D-1 programs an improved edge when it comes to luring Major Junior players south of the border, as they are generally limited to stipends nowadays. But if a kid wants to play lots of hockey and doesn't want to bother with the school piece, he's probably not gonna bother anyway. So as with NIL in D-1 hockey ... I see it as NBD.
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Would you prefer to play at Maine or UNH for free, if a BU or a BC offered even a few grand annually?

I can't see how a system that allows paying guys outright will benefit cash-strapped State schools.
 
Not sure I’ve seen a face off violation result in a bench minor. Was it something Scott was warned about several times?

Having last change helped shut down NB line, I’m sure other coaches will be watching this game video.

Win is a win, I figured it wouldn’t be easy. Ostman played well.

Hopefully Portland game is a little more one sided toward Maine? Should be some payback for last year.
 
Almost predicted a tie out of this game but glad the Bears prevailed. After a weekend of high intensity games you can usually expect a letdown especially with an out of conference mid week game. Its tuff to keep the body revved up if the mind aint. As mentioned Im sure the main Bear er Barr lit into them a bit to give them something to think about on the bus ride home. I expect the Portland crowd will see a much more energized group when they take on Bentley. Lot of games in a short period of time so its a good test both mentally and physically for them. Heres hoping they light it up this weekend not just for the win but to show the Southern Mainuhs what a solid team they own in Orono. 4-2 Maine
 
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For your reading pleasure. Two players with Maine ties featured in New England Hockey Journal articles this week.

2025 recruit Michael Monroe featured in the top "Top 20 Prep School prospects" article.

Brandon Chabrier featured in the "7 College Hockey Players Having Breakout Seasons" article.

https://www.hockeyjournal.com/
 
I'm not so sure I'd go as far as saying Union completely shut down the NB line, they were a 10 bells save by their goalie away from Josh to Bradly and good positioning from their goalie to brush away a wide a** open Nadeau. Both go and a 4-1 victory is very plausible - either way an average showing that resulted in a W. I'm not surprised it was a bit of a letdown game after two massive home, HE games. Regardless, a win is a win. I'd much rather have a "lesson learned" in an ugly road win.
 
I know that everyone keeps telling me not to get excited about PWR rankings until January.....but Maine is still #3 and I think that is pretty dang exciting! As I've said....BC and Q wins will be the gifts that keep on giving. Maine still has 7 games left vs. current #8, #10 & #12. Right now Hockey East would have 6 teams in the NCAA tourney....we'll see how that pans out.
 
Fishman'81 said:
Would you prefer to play at Maine or UNH for free, if a BU or a BC offered even a few grand annually?

I can't see how a system that allows paying guys outright will benefit cash-strapped State schools.
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Depends, Fishy ... if I'm a kid with legit dreams of playing at the highest level (NHL), I'd want to be with the coach/program who is most likely to develop me to hit that long-term financial "home run", so if I think that's BU or BC, then the money is gravy, I'm going there anyway. And if my decision was that UMaine or UNH gave me that best chance, but they weren't gonna pay ... why do I care about BU/BC's $2,500/year if I think a guy like Barr or (giggle) Souza gives me the best chance to make it to a (multi?) million-dollar career??

Now if I can get the BU's and BC's of the world into a bidding war ... yeah, that might be worth listening to, but if I'm only gonna be there for one or two seasons ... again, I got bigger fish to fry than $10,000/$20,000 for a year or two.

If I'm a kid with a realistic mindset, hasn't shown up on any CSB reports in a meaningful impactful way, and think I can hold my own most likely at a minor league level, with a puncher's chance to get a regular AHL gig (and maybe an NHL cup o' coffee call-up) ... then I want to experience the most successful D-1 program I can, play in meaningful games, and focus on a much-longer post-hockey career. I doubt anyone is gonna pay me money to play D-1 hockey, and even if they do, it's unlikely to be game-changing money. I might even only be on partial scholarship, so the net of a 50% at UMaine/UNH vs. 50% at BU/BC plus small change, it's probably still less costly to go to the state school. I probably care more about playing in the Beanpot (BU/BC) or having a realistic shot at NCAA glory (UMaine/BU/BC) as the high point to my playing career. And if UNH can offer me the chance of more ice time than the other three, maybe I go there and hope? $2,500/year is almost an afterthought.

FWIW as I understand it, the NCAA right now is really only looking into this for Football, and if/when it gets past that, I don't think Men's Hockey is gonna be a driver at or near the top of the "next up" lists.

Even in a worst case scenario ... if my HC can point to his role in several D-1 titles at otherwise nowhere programs, I'd like to think he can hold his own just on his resume, his teaching skills, and his ability to effectively communicate.

UNH has more to worry about on this issue right now that UMaine does ... and I'm worried more that we don't have a guy like Barr in charge than I am of someone "outbidding" us for top talent. 99% of the time, we've already lost that battle. Our current HC has rolled out enough of his excuses for underperformance of his program, and if paying players does become a future issue, then this just gives him one more excuse.
 
Funny how when we win now...there's seems reasons to point at what is not good or right...well just a season or two back and win less then 10 games or no chance at Boston or NCAA's....winning is good...sometimes ugly is not the so called sexy...but that's the game....I am from the old days when there was no overtime play in the regular season or the Circus style rules of 3x3...shoot-outs....that when Maine was flying...if there game ended in a tie it was considered a lost....so soak up the wins...no matter how they look....the program is on course...ENJOY IT..!!!
 
umhockey91 said:
I know that everyone keeps telling me not to get excited about PWR rankings until January.....but Maine is still #3 and I think that is pretty dang exciting! As I've said....BC and Q wins will be the gifts that keep on giving. Maine still has 7 games left vs. current #8, #10 & #12. Right now Hockey East would have 6 teams in the NCAA tourney....we'll see how that pans out.
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Agree!
Prepare for a PWR drop, even if still winning against the lower rated teams as it’s still volatile. They were #1 in Strength of Schedule all season long until this week where they now dropped to #6. The SOS will only go down until they play the better teams again. That hurts the RPI, in turn hurting the PWR. A good record against those ranked teams down the road just like this past month should get them back in the upper tier.
This next month is that time of year where
its okay to root for HE rival teams as they go against other conferences. Their wins can help Maine.
Yes, it’s great to be where they currently sit. Especially come NCAA tourney placement time. Much rather see them placed in New England than out west. But, a lot can change between now and March…
 
Wayuphere said:
Agree!
Prepare for a PWR drop, even if still winning against the lower rated teams as it’s still volatile. They were #1 in Strength of Schedule all season long until this week where they now dropped to #6. The SOS will only go down until they play the better teams again. That hurts the RPI, in turn hurting the PWR. A good record against those ranked teams down the road just like this past month should get them back in the upper tier.
This next month is that time of year where
its okay to root for HE rival teams as they go against other conferences. Their wins can help Maine.
Yes, it’s great to be where they currently sit. Especially come NCAA tourney placement time. Much rather see them placed in New England than out west. But, a lot can change between now and March…
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I think at this point we should cheer against UNH, UMA, and Providence all games. It could come down to one of them or Maine.
 
Drew S. said:
I think at this point we should cheer against UNH, UMA, and Providence all games. It could come down to one of them or Maine.
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Worry about PC. UNH and UMA nothing but distractions at this point . Take care of business and business will take care of us. Nothing indicates these guys won’t continue their dominate play. Too much talent and ingrained work ethic is lethal.
 
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BU will be one of the #1 seeds in the East....and it will come down to Maine, Q, BC and Providence for the other #1 seed in Providence or Springfield.

This would be the current tourney participants:


Sioux Falls, SD Regional

1. North Dakota
8. Providence
12. Western Michigan
16. St. Thomas

Providence Regional

2. BU
7. Denver
11. Minnesota
15. Sacred Heart

Springfield, MA Regional

3. Maine
6. Wisconsin
10. Massachusetts
14. St. Cloud

Maryland Heights, MO Regional

4. Quinnipiac
5. BC
9. Michigan State
13. New Hampshire

This obviously means nothing right now but it does give you can idea of what the tourney may look like give or take a few teams moving in and out or up and down. Amazingly the match-ups worked out pretty good just by using straight seeding according to current PWR. All the regions looks pretty balanced....I suppose you could flip Maine & Co. to the East heavy Maryland Heights Regional and put Q, BC and UNH in Springfield. Anyway...fun to play around and dream for now.
 
Just win, the rest takes care of itself. They play the teams on the schedule, not much you are going to do about that.
 
Hope any of you driving down are doing ok, apparently the traditionally bad area between Bangor and Newport has a few cars off the road, should get better as you go south. Just read I95 south is being diverted off at Newburg exit until road can be treated, black ice. Pittsfield is the end of the shut down
 
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walrus said:
Hope any of you driving down are doing ok, apparently the traditionally bad area between Bangor and Newport has a few cars off the road, should get better as you go south. Just read I95 south is being diverted off at Newburg exit until road can be treated, black ice. Pittsfield is the end of the shut down
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Snow up there? Been a beautiful day down here in Northern Mass.

Hopefully Maine can find a way tonight. I wouldn’t be shocked if this game looks similar to Wednesday but maybe the crowd will fire Maine up.

Terrible night for Maine and all of Hockey East last night. It really is incredible that the conference can lose so many games to ***** teams.
 
Drew S. said:
Snow up there? Been a beautiful day down here in Northern Mass.

Hopefully Maine can find a way tonight. I wouldn’t be shocked if this game looks similar to Wednesday but maybe the crowd will fire Maine up.

Terrible night for Maine and all of Hockey East last night. It really is incredible that the conference can lose so many games to ***** teams.
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Freezing Drizzle, roads are shit all over the area, temps around 32. I think the drizzle has stopped here but temps are still close to 32. Glad I'm hanging out by the woodstove and ESPN+
 
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