USCHO Fan Forum
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.
UMass Lowell 2015-2016 Season Thread
- Thread starter UMLFan
- Start date
- Status
UML Puck Hawk
New member
UML Puck Hawk
New member
Re: UMass Lowell 2015-2016 Season Thread
Also we lead the conference in home attendance at this point in the season (with BC and BU still to come as large draw home games)
Also we lead the conference in home attendance at this point in the season (with BC and BU still to come as large draw home games)
Re: UMass Lowell 2015-2016 Season Thread
It's still too early to call, but the weather maybe an issue for the home game with PC Saturday night.
WrathOfAramark
Servin the best Lowell has to offer
Re: UMass Lowell 2015-2016 Season Thread
The Amherst fans are agitating for a new coach and releasing their annual "Why is Lowell better than us, we're the flagship, gosh darnit!" laments on the Fear The Triangle blog. View From Section U ▲ Time For A Coaching Change
The Amherst fans are agitating for a new coach and releasing their annual "Why is Lowell better than us, we're the flagship, gosh darnit!" laments on the Fear The Triangle blog. View From Section U ▲ Time For A Coaching Change
bottomdweller
Where my dogsies at?
Re: UMass Lowell 2015-2016 Season Thread
Their coaching search, if you remember it, was a disaster. Micheletto was their fifth or sixth option. They went after Lowell alum Mark Clarkson. They went after the head coach at Q (I believe it was the HC). All of them rejected it, which had surprised me at the time thinking that Amherst could actually build something if they got the right guy. But too many people said no, which implied to me that there was something they were seeing in the athletic department that wasn't hitting right.
Another issue, they were so focused at that point on their joke of a football program.
So all of this happens, they finally get a new AD, and apparently he's continuing to not focus on the problems with their hockey program. So ... like I said, both.
To many of them, some who I know personally, it's both.
Their coaching search, if you remember it, was a disaster. Micheletto was their fifth or sixth option. They went after Lowell alum Mark Clarkson. They went after the head coach at Q (I believe it was the HC). All of them rejected it, which had surprised me at the time thinking that Amherst could actually build something if they got the right guy. But too many people said no, which implied to me that there was something they were seeing in the athletic department that wasn't hitting right.
Another issue, they were so focused at that point on their joke of a football program.
So all of this happens, they finally get a new AD, and apparently he's continuing to not focus on the problems with their hockey program. So ... like I said, both.
RHawkobserver
New member
Re: UMass Lowell 2015-2016 Season Thread
Wanted to see how the team responded after Xmas break before making this post. Although they won quite handily this past weekend, arguable UMass, with their injuries etc, was probably the weakest team that they have played all year and unfortunately a lot of the inconsistent and sloppy style of play that we have witnessed from Lowell was still very prevalent in their game. This team is plagued by 3 main factors in their game, turnovers (primarily in the neutral zone) , a lack of puck support and a lack of physicality and presence in their game. These 3 areas have lead to a lack of scoring and inconsistent play and will be put to the test in the next month as they play the big 3 in PC, BU and BC.
I find it interesting that the defence and goaltending have been largely criticized in the games where this team has lost or not played well. In reality the overall defensive structure of this years team is much better and has been less prone to missed assignments in their own end. Obviously the goaltending has been much better this year with less rebounds and second chance opportunities. When you are second in the nation for goals against your overall team defence is not the issue. The overload system that Lowell plays where 2 defence and F1 are in the corner and on the puck exposes the soft or quiet areas of the ice and relies on the other 2 forwards to collapse in net front coverage. For the most part this has gone well and this years' team has avoided being puck focussed and not picking up their checks. The difficulties have occurred when there has been turnovers or a lack of physical play by both defence and forwards that has resulted in puck battles being lost and allowing the other team to get to the net for second and third chances. We have seen this struggle against some of the bigger teams such as Brown that play a heavy game and have a strong forecheck. Last year's PC team completely dominated Lowell from a physical standpoint in all 3 zones and watching PC this year, they forecheck hard, finish checks and go strong the net. PC probably plays the heaviest game in HE and most resembles a pro team from this aspect. Lowell defence will have to retrieve pucks much quicker and do a better job of reading the pressure and supporting one another in order to make quick outlet passes in order to beat the forecheck. The forwards will have to be stronger on the wall, can't turn the pucks over at the defensive blue line and will have to make short tape to tape passes in the neutral if Lowell is to be successful against a strong PC team.
From an offensive perspective this team has to get a lot better in the neutral zone and can't turn the puck over as much as they do. This year we see a totally different approach with the departure of Coach Lammers. For whatever reason a decision has been made where the wingers are posted up, standing still in the neutral zone. When they receive a pass they are standing still for the most part, have limited passing options and have only 1 forward in motion. This results in either a pass back to the one forward who then has no puck support or having to chip it in with no forwards in motion to establish a forecheck. How many times have we seen a forward trying to toe drag or stick handle in an outnumbered situation, as opposed to a well placed area chip for puck retrieval, only to turn the puck over where the opposing team heads the other way. A lack of forecheck and a lack of physicality in the offensive zone has really been noticeable this year and has made Lowell an easy team to play and defend against. Basically Lowell creates its only offensive chances off the rush, does not sustain much pressure on the cycle and is a one and out team.We have seen this in the number of one goal games, the number of low shot count games and the inability to penetrate the net front coverage for second and third chances. Lowell has struggled to score against teams that are big and that collapse on net front coverage. The lack of forecheck and lack of physicality has also been exposed by Notre Dame and several teams this year and Michigan, BU, and BC last year where a simple d to d pass behind the net beats the first and only forechecker allowing teams to exit the zone quite easily against Lowell.
The other big difference in the offensive zone this year is the lack of puck protection, puck support and the lack of activating the defence in either joining the rush or utilizing them in a second wave attack. If you look at the defence numbers this year, other than on the power play, the overall points and number of shots 5 on 5 is way down. Seldom do we see the defence joining the rush or getting involved in any sustained pressure off the cycle or shots from the point. For the most part the defence are playing outside the dots and when they get the puck they have only 1 option up the wall. Rarely do we see them support one another and go d to d for a weak side pass that opens up lanes in the neutral zone. Also in the offensive zone, Lowell does not change the point of attack well and struggles with quick puck movement and puck support. They have tendency to hold onto the puck too long and skate it in the offensive zone as opposed to passing it quickly and then skating to open ice. Watch the Chicago Blackhawks if you want to see how the puck should move in the offensive zone.This results in easily being outnumbered and turnovers and allowing teams to close passing and shooting lanes. These tendencies also spill over to the power play and one wonders how long we will continue to see slow puck movement, blocked shots and players with low point production and no goals playing on the powerplay.
To their credit, this team is usually hard working and has shown a never-die attitude that has allowed them to come back and win some games this year that they didn't deserve to win. We often hear about the Lowell game and Lowell identity. However, a lot of nights this team has not played for 65 minutes, played a "soft game" that makes them easy to play against and attempt plays like they are a highly skilled team. This team has a lot of talented players that play good defensive structure but they are not a highly skilled team. There is a reason they have only 1 drafted player, have been involved in so many 1 goal games and have only 1 player with 10 goals. They don't have the skill players that can make these type of plays, score goals and make plays in tight spaces and that can beat people one on one. As a result, they need to stop playing like they do. They need to eliminate the soft and high risk plays from their game, stop the turnovers and establish some physicality back in their game if they want to be successful and have any chance of competing with the top 4 in HE. If they do not , this team will struggle to make the top 4 and earn a first round bye and will not make the NCAA tourney. This past weekend we saw a movement to insert some players that play a heavier game. The key will be to see whether these power forwards can play at the pace of the high-end teams.
As a Lowell fan, the 2 things of concern heading down the stretch are the fact that this team seems to repeatedly make the same mistakes week after week and overall, much like last year, we have have not seen a marked and steady improvement in their overall game as we enter the last month of the season. We will see where this team is at this weekend and certainly the 6 games against PC, BU and BC will decide their fate. In my opinion, Notre Dame will challenge and could be the team to beat. Their puck movement and depth is by far the best I have seen in HE. It seems their offensive skilled players have bought into some structure and if they continue to committ to some team defence, their talent and offensive skill should carry them a long way.
Those are my observations. It will be interesting to see how they play out and how Lowell's game progresses over the next month of the season heading into the playoffs.
Wanted to see how the team responded after Xmas break before making this post. Although they won quite handily this past weekend, arguable UMass, with their injuries etc, was probably the weakest team that they have played all year and unfortunately a lot of the inconsistent and sloppy style of play that we have witnessed from Lowell was still very prevalent in their game. This team is plagued by 3 main factors in their game, turnovers (primarily in the neutral zone) , a lack of puck support and a lack of physicality and presence in their game. These 3 areas have lead to a lack of scoring and inconsistent play and will be put to the test in the next month as they play the big 3 in PC, BU and BC.
I find it interesting that the defence and goaltending have been largely criticized in the games where this team has lost or not played well. In reality the overall defensive structure of this years team is much better and has been less prone to missed assignments in their own end. Obviously the goaltending has been much better this year with less rebounds and second chance opportunities. When you are second in the nation for goals against your overall team defence is not the issue. The overload system that Lowell plays where 2 defence and F1 are in the corner and on the puck exposes the soft or quiet areas of the ice and relies on the other 2 forwards to collapse in net front coverage. For the most part this has gone well and this years' team has avoided being puck focussed and not picking up their checks. The difficulties have occurred when there has been turnovers or a lack of physical play by both defence and forwards that has resulted in puck battles being lost and allowing the other team to get to the net for second and third chances. We have seen this struggle against some of the bigger teams such as Brown that play a heavy game and have a strong forecheck. Last year's PC team completely dominated Lowell from a physical standpoint in all 3 zones and watching PC this year, they forecheck hard, finish checks and go strong the net. PC probably plays the heaviest game in HE and most resembles a pro team from this aspect. Lowell defence will have to retrieve pucks much quicker and do a better job of reading the pressure and supporting one another in order to make quick outlet passes in order to beat the forecheck. The forwards will have to be stronger on the wall, can't turn the pucks over at the defensive blue line and will have to make short tape to tape passes in the neutral if Lowell is to be successful against a strong PC team.
From an offensive perspective this team has to get a lot better in the neutral zone and can't turn the puck over as much as they do. This year we see a totally different approach with the departure of Coach Lammers. For whatever reason a decision has been made where the wingers are posted up, standing still in the neutral zone. When they receive a pass they are standing still for the most part, have limited passing options and have only 1 forward in motion. This results in either a pass back to the one forward who then has no puck support or having to chip it in with no forwards in motion to establish a forecheck. How many times have we seen a forward trying to toe drag or stick handle in an outnumbered situation, as opposed to a well placed area chip for puck retrieval, only to turn the puck over where the opposing team heads the other way. A lack of forecheck and a lack of physicality in the offensive zone has really been noticeable this year and has made Lowell an easy team to play and defend against. Basically Lowell creates its only offensive chances off the rush, does not sustain much pressure on the cycle and is a one and out team.We have seen this in the number of one goal games, the number of low shot count games and the inability to penetrate the net front coverage for second and third chances. Lowell has struggled to score against teams that are big and that collapse on net front coverage. The lack of forecheck and lack of physicality has also been exposed by Notre Dame and several teams this year and Michigan, BU, and BC last year where a simple d to d pass behind the net beats the first and only forechecker allowing teams to exit the zone quite easily against Lowell.
The other big difference in the offensive zone this year is the lack of puck protection, puck support and the lack of activating the defence in either joining the rush or utilizing them in a second wave attack. If you look at the defence numbers this year, other than on the power play, the overall points and number of shots 5 on 5 is way down. Seldom do we see the defence joining the rush or getting involved in any sustained pressure off the cycle or shots from the point. For the most part the defence are playing outside the dots and when they get the puck they have only 1 option up the wall. Rarely do we see them support one another and go d to d for a weak side pass that opens up lanes in the neutral zone. Also in the offensive zone, Lowell does not change the point of attack well and struggles with quick puck movement and puck support. They have tendency to hold onto the puck too long and skate it in the offensive zone as opposed to passing it quickly and then skating to open ice. Watch the Chicago Blackhawks if you want to see how the puck should move in the offensive zone.This results in easily being outnumbered and turnovers and allowing teams to close passing and shooting lanes. These tendencies also spill over to the power play and one wonders how long we will continue to see slow puck movement, blocked shots and players with low point production and no goals playing on the powerplay.
To their credit, this team is usually hard working and has shown a never-die attitude that has allowed them to come back and win some games this year that they didn't deserve to win. We often hear about the Lowell game and Lowell identity. However, a lot of nights this team has not played for 65 minutes, played a "soft game" that makes them easy to play against and attempt plays like they are a highly skilled team. This team has a lot of talented players that play good defensive structure but they are not a highly skilled team. There is a reason they have only 1 drafted player, have been involved in so many 1 goal games and have only 1 player with 10 goals. They don't have the skill players that can make these type of plays, score goals and make plays in tight spaces and that can beat people one on one. As a result, they need to stop playing like they do. They need to eliminate the soft and high risk plays from their game, stop the turnovers and establish some physicality back in their game if they want to be successful and have any chance of competing with the top 4 in HE. If they do not , this team will struggle to make the top 4 and earn a first round bye and will not make the NCAA tourney. This past weekend we saw a movement to insert some players that play a heavier game. The key will be to see whether these power forwards can play at the pace of the high-end teams.
As a Lowell fan, the 2 things of concern heading down the stretch are the fact that this team seems to repeatedly make the same mistakes week after week and overall, much like last year, we have have not seen a marked and steady improvement in their overall game as we enter the last month of the season. We will see where this team is at this weekend and certainly the 6 games against PC, BU and BC will decide their fate. In my opinion, Notre Dame will challenge and could be the team to beat. Their puck movement and depth is by far the best I have seen in HE. It seems their offensive skilled players have bought into some structure and if they continue to committ to some team defence, their talent and offensive skill should carry them a long way.
Those are my observations. It will be interesting to see how they play out and how Lowell's game progresses over the next month of the season heading into the playoffs.
Re: UMass Lowell 2015-2016 Season Thread
Secondly ... last season, we had two of the worst games of the year against the Friars. Screw the Alliance ... I want revenge!
First, thanks for a) joining this board as a fellow Lowell fan and b) this post that makes me think. Don't have too much time today to get into your post, but well done.
Secondly ... last season, we had two of the worst games of the year against the Friars. Screw the Alliance ... I want revenge!
Re: UMass Lowell 2015-2016 Season Thread
thissecondly ... Last season, we had two of the worst games of the year against the friars. Screw the alliance ... I want revenge!
Middle Street
Well-known member
Re: UMass Lowell 2015-2016 Season Thread
Thanks RHawkobserver for the well thought out and written analysis. Hope to hear more from you in the future.
Thanks RHawkobserver for the well thought out and written analysis. Hope to hear more from you in the future.
riverchief1
Well-known member
Re: UMass Lowell 2015-2016 Season Thread
Most definitely wow.
Meanwhile RPI ties Q and bumps UML from 13 to 12 in PWR. A late Q goal tied it, a win by RPI would've been nice. Same with the Maine tie against Q the other night. But every bit helps and PC this weekend is huge both for points/games in hand in HE and PWR. Can't rely upon others though, need to take care of business and I'd be pleased with a win and tie this weekend.
Most definitely wow.
Meanwhile RPI ties Q and bumps UML from 13 to 12 in PWR. A late Q goal tied it, a win by RPI would've been nice. Same with the Maine tie against Q the other night. But every bit helps and PC this weekend is huge both for points/games in hand in HE and PWR. Can't rely upon others though, need to take care of business and I'd be pleased with a win and tie this weekend.
Middle Street
Well-known member
Re: UMass Lowell 2015-2016 Season Thread
According to the CHN page that will let you toggle PWR results, Lowell's ranking wouldn't have improved more had Q lost. They would still be 12th with the same RPI.
According to the CHN page that will let you toggle PWR results, Lowell's ranking wouldn't have improved more had Q lost. They would still be 12th with the same RPI.
Nick Papagiorgio
Holding court
Re: UMass Lowell 2015-2016 Season Thread
Was looking at HE standings the other day... with the Riverhawks having played the most games (14) I gave teams the most possible points thru 14 games and re-sorted them. I also considered the top 5 to be a fairly clear cut line (let's be honest Yukon is in 6th place and 4 points out of last place so...) and looked at the number of games left vs the top 5 teams in the league.
Here is how it shakes out:
Team, most points thru 14 games, games left against the top 5
ND: 24, 5
BC: 23, 3 (easiest schedule, holds tiebreaker on PC and BU)
PC: 23,4
UML: 21, 6 (toughest schedule)
BU: 17, 4
Looks like BC and ND have an edge currently on the rest of the field. Riverhawks have toughest schedule remaining so a lot of movement up or down is possible for them. BU is kind of in left field but not a terribly tough schedule the rest of the way. PC is certainly in the mix.
Some quality teams at the top of this league that is for sure.
Was looking at HE standings the other day... with the Riverhawks having played the most games (14) I gave teams the most possible points thru 14 games and re-sorted them. I also considered the top 5 to be a fairly clear cut line (let's be honest Yukon is in 6th place and 4 points out of last place so...) and looked at the number of games left vs the top 5 teams in the league.
Here is how it shakes out:
Team, most points thru 14 games, games left against the top 5
ND: 24, 5
BC: 23, 3 (easiest schedule, holds tiebreaker on PC and BU)
PC: 23,4
UML: 21, 6 (toughest schedule)
BU: 17, 4
Looks like BC and ND have an edge currently on the rest of the field. Riverhawks have toughest schedule remaining so a lot of movement up or down is possible for them. BU is kind of in left field but not a terribly tough schedule the rest of the way. PC is certainly in the mix.
Some quality teams at the top of this league that is for sure.
- Status