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

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NewEnglandGuy said:
Lesakowski, as the previous Maine penalty by Breen just gets killed and he is skating off seconds prior to the puck cruising by the box, is chasing and takes the final penalty to attempt to break up the 1-0.
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It also looked like no one told him what the numbers were. Seemed like he had an angle on the guy early but he was hedging against another attacker who wasn't there. Poor communication.
 
NorthMike said:
Barr was really POd in the post game interview with Larry. He either just finished ripping into the guys or was trying to hold his composure and decide how to proceed.
I suspect there will be longer than normal team meetings this week.
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The last 8-9 games there play has been sliding...add good parts of games and they are where were at now...the record is not the problem...but how they have gotten there...comebacks,streaky goaltending...luck added in...others teams know the recipe to stop or make Maine's game tougher...clog the center ice and fore-check Maine deep so they can't get into any type of fast pace hockey....taking the body over and over....making Maine play a dump and chase game. They were hot in the faceoff dot then they cooled off..and to a degree have regained that back...but many missed coverages,poor passing has bitten Maine. A good team that has to be almost perfect or they at times look too ordinary to be where there ranked...lots to improve on as the season is in the tough stage of their schedule...finishing in the top 4...start winning games in a row....it comes down to have they hit the wake up button..? Goaltending needs to get consistent game in and game out...team defense needs to step it up...some players need to change there game to benefit the team...you can bet Barr and staff will drill these players this week...they are a good team but a team that can't stop competing for any parts of the game...easily said...but I have faith in the players and Coaching they can get over this bump in the road...
 
Maine Event said:
Fyi ~ Not sure that having to wait an extra year is the reason - Following is a quote from Lincoln Stars Head Coach Rocky Russo from an article on the USHL LIncoln Stars website:

"We are very excited to announce Blake's commitment to Wisconsin," Russo said. "Blake's game has continued to develop in his time with us, and will grow over the next season-and-a-half before he moves on to the NCAA level. Coach Hastings and his staff have a fantastic track record of developing players for the NHL, and we hope that Blake can be a part of that prestigious group when he completes his career as a Badger.""

https://lincolnstars.com/news/2024/2/6/mens-ice-hockey-montgomery-makes-college-commitment.aspx
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On the Wisconsin thread they mentioned his father was a fullback for the Wisconsin football team. So likely that made the difference.
 
I think one of the more frustrating aspects of this past weekend was Maine's reluctance to just get the puck out of the zone. Numerous times they would corral a loose puck in the D zone, and either try a drop pass or retreat behind the net instead of just chipping it out of the zone. Yes, it would be great to get some possession and a breakout, but the odds of that are low if you already have to retreat.
 
AMC said:
I think one of the more frustrating aspects of this past weekend was Maine's reluctance to just get the puck out of the zone. Numerous times they would corral a loose puck in the D zone, and either try a drop pass or retreat behind the net instead of just chipping it out of the zone. Yes, it would be great to get some possession and a breakout, but the odds of that are low if you already have to retreat.
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This is pretty spot on. I would add, they struggled to get the puck off the wall. One D would rim it up to the wing, who would rim it back to the other D. There isn't even the threat of a stretch pass when you can't dig the puck out.

Ironically, I did think the forecheck did a good job of doing the same thing to the PC breakout.
 
Just saw that the WOMENS hockey program will be charging next season...game day ticket,1/2 season ticket,full season tickets...regular seating and club seating...along with groups.
 
BlackBearFan19 said:
CHN put the first pairwise probability matrix out yesterday. Maine has a 99.9% chance of making the tourney based on their models. I know there has been some frustration the past couple weeks but let’s all appreciate just how far the team and program have come.
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I checked this out after reading your post and it looks like Maine has an 83% chance of getting an at large bid, which feels right to me. Hard to see Maine beating both BU and BC in hockey east tournament but anything is possible and Maine obviously could get help from other teams.
 
I originally was going to say that I think the next two weekends are going to tell us a lot, but after thinking about it I think the rest of the regular season is filled with compelling storylines. Winning in Durham is never easy no matter how NH looks at the time, and they will probably be playing desperate to try and salvage the season against their biggest rival. I was borderline cocky heading into Durham last year and was thoroughly humbled, I won't make the same mistake this year.

Then the following weekend, they get another crack at NU, this time with the Alfond faithful to back them up. Seeing how they respond to the debacle in Boston I think will be informative, do they let NU get in their heads and be thrown off their game again, or do they play to win and show that was an aberration? Time will tell.

After that, it's up to Burlington to take on the Catamounts, who as we all remember surprisingly and unceremoniously dumped the Black Bears at Alfond in the playoffs last season. The Cats have also improved, and they are no pushover. I think Maine got caught looking past UVM last season, we will see if they've learned their lesson.

And finally, Massachusetts comes back to Alfond, where they really blunted Maine's momentum to close out the regular slate last year, and set the tone for the stinker that was to come against VT.

If the team really has grown as much as we all think/hope, I think we will see it over this final slate and not have old patterns repeat themselves.
 
amkirby10 said:
I originally was going to say that I think the next two weekends are going to tell us a lot, but after thinking about it I think the rest of the regular season is filled with compelling storylines. Winning in Durham is never easy no matter how NH looks at the time, and they will probably be playing desperate to try and salvage the season against their biggest rival. I was borderline cocky heading into Durham last year and was thoroughly humbled, I won't make the same mistake this year.

Then the following weekend, they get another crack at NU, this time with the Alfond faithful to back them up. Seeing how they respond to the debacle in Boston I think will be informative, do they let NU get in their heads and be thrown off their game again, or do they play to win and show that was an aberration? Time will tell.

After that, it's up to Burlington to take on the Catamounts, who as we all remember surprisingly and unceremoniously dumped the Black Bears at Alfond in the playoffs last season. The Cats have also improved, and they are no pushover. I think Maine got caught looking past UVM last season, we will see if they've learned their lesson.

And finally, Massachusetts comes back to Alfond, where they really blunted Maine's momentum to close out the regular slate last year, and set the tone for the stinker that was to come against VT.

If the team really has grown as much as we all think/hope, I think we will see it over this final slate and not have old patterns repeat themselves.
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I'm cautiously optimistic going to the games this weekend. If they can win one it would be a successful weekend, a sweep would be huge but I'm not holding my breath UNH will be ready to play and have a packed house supporting them.
 
amkirby10 said:
I originally was going to say that I think the next two weekends are going to tell us a lot, but after thinking about it I think the rest of the regular season is filled with compelling storylines. Winning in Durham is never easy no matter how NH looks at the time, and they will probably be playing desperate to try and salvage the season against their biggest rival. I was borderline cocky heading into Durham last year and was thoroughly humbled, I won't make the same mistake this year.

Then the following weekend, they get another crack at NU, this time with the Alfond faithful to back them up. Seeing how they respond to the debacle in Boston I think will be informative, do they let NU get in their heads and be thrown off their game again, or do they play to win and show that was an aberration? Time will tell.

After that, it's up to Burlington to take on the Catamounts, who as we all remember surprisingly and unceremoniously dumped the Black Bears at Alfond in the playoffs last season. The Cats have also improved, and they are no pushover. I think Maine got caught looking past UVM last season, we will see if they've learned their lesson.

And finally, Massachusetts comes back to Alfond, where they really blunted Maine's momentum to close out the regular slate last year, and set the tone for the stinker that was to come against VT.

If the team really has grown as much as we all think/hope, I think we will see it over this final slate and not have old patterns repeat themselves.
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That NU series scared the bajeezus out of me. That team just doesn't die. I kept wondering how they were staying in the game last night while getting outshot 2-1 and suddenly they won the thing.
 
amkirby10 said:
I originally was going to say that I think the next two weekends are going to tell us a lot, but after thinking about it I think the rest of the regular season is filled with compelling storylines. Winning in Durham is never easy no matter how NH looks at the time, and they will probably be playing desperate to try and salvage the season against their biggest rival. I was borderline cocky heading into Durham last year and was thoroughly humbled, I won't make the same mistake this year.

Then the following weekend, they get another crack at NU, this time with the Alfond faithful to back them up. Seeing how they respond to the debacle in Boston I think will be informative, do they let NU get in their heads and be thrown off their game again, or do they play to win and show that was an aberration? Time will tell.

After that, it's up to Burlington to take on the Catamounts, who as we all remember surprisingly and unceremoniously dumped the Black Bears at Alfond in the playoffs last season. The Cats have also improved, and they are no pushover. I think Maine got caught looking past UVM last season, we will see if they've learned their lesson.

And finally, Massachusetts comes back to Alfond, where they really blunted Maine's momentum to close out the regular slate last year, and set the tone for the stinker that was to come against VT.

If the team really has grown as much as we all think/hope, I think we will see it over this final slate and not have old patterns repeat themselves.
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Good analysis. I think the last statement particularly is spot on.
 
9twenty said:
Just saw that the WOMENS hockey program will be charging next season...game day ticket,1/2 season ticket,full season tickets...regular seating and club seating...along with groups.
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Interesting. By charging admission the University must feel that the program will receive more credibility. I enjoy the women's game, as I think it is more pure without the checking. Unless they start winning I doubt that ticket sales will generate much revenue. I go to a couple of games a year and there are very few people in attendance. I hope they can build a competitive program, but so far it has been a struggle.
 
Runsub5 said:
Interesting. By charging admission the University must feel that the program will receive more credibility. I enjoy the women's game, as I think it is more pure without the checking. Unless they start winning I doubt that ticket sales will generate much revenue. I go to a couple of games a year and there are very few people in attendance. I hope they can build a competitive program, but so far it has been a struggle.
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I just hope they factor in that at these games,which were free to all...that family's could bring younger kids to the games...hopefully they think it out and not charge the younger kids...if they do then they will lose what little attendence they had going to the games...
 
BlackBearFan19 said:
CHN put the first pairwise probability matrix out yesterday. Maine has a 99.9% chance of making the tourney based on their models. I know there has been some frustration the past couple weeks but let’s all appreciate just how far the team and program have come.
Click to expand...

For sure. Im ok even if they miss the ncaa and the garden, just pleased with a step improvement from last year. Its what I expected and looking for over the next year or two. At which point we will be seeing a more consistently good team, hopefully anyways. This weekend is big, also look to the VT games as an indicator.
Not too optimistic about the Northeastern series and the Umass series could go either way.
 
NorthMike said:
For sure. Im ok even if they miss the ncaa and the garden, just pleased with a step improvement from last year. Its what I expected and looking for over the next year or two. At which point we will be seeing a more consistently good team, hopefully anyways. This weekend is big, also look to the VT games as an indicator.
Not too optimistic about the Northeastern series and the Umass series could go either way.
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If they miss the NCAAs now it will be a huge hit to confidence for next year. To me that would be a big step backwards. I don't expect them to win anything this year as far as titles go but they need to play at a regional. I think they will
 
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