UMass Lowell 2022-2023: Valley Steamroller Edition

[UMLFan]

He was able to see his last game against Dartmouth (Again, thankfully they didn't lose that game).

Thanks for sharing this. And I had a great time chatting with him at Dartmouth, it had been a while since I had seen him.

 

[boblav1]

UML hockey notebook: Freshman Owen Fowler starting to make his points (lowellsun.com)

 

[UMLFan]

It's frustrating to think that unless a miracle happens, this season is already over for Lowell. The lack of recruiting scorers continues to haunt this program.

 

[Middle Street]

Totally agree on the recruiting. I think coaching deserves some blame too. The offense has been an issue for years now. Players come in as Freshman and sometimes surprise us, then later regress. Matt Crasa had 21 pts last season. He has only 6 now. Reid Stefanson is another that comes to mind. He has 20 pts as a Freshman, then never developed to score more than 15.

The transfer forwards are both disappointments, 25+ points last season and both project to score 12 or less on this team.

Is it really all talent or is there a system issue too?

 

[ScottK]

Reid Stefanson is another that comes to mind. He has 20 pts as a Freshman, then never developed to score more than 15.

In Stefanson's defense, he broke his leg during the offseason after his freshman year and missed the entire first half of his sophomore year. He also had 20 points as a senior.

 

[Middle Street]

In Stefanson's defense, he broke his leg during the offseason after his freshman year and missed the entire first half of his sophomore year. He also had 20 points as a senior.

Yup, my mistake there. He did score 20. Anyways they could use a player or two that end up with 100 point careers.

 

[ScottK]

Yup, my mistake there. He did score 20. Anyways they could use a player or two that end up with 100 point careers.

Carl Berglund is at 82 points with 12 games left in the regular season, so he's got a shot at it. He'll need to pick up his pace a little though, and/or hope for a deeper postseason run.

 

[boblav1]

Carl Berglund is at 82 points with 12 games left in the regular season, so he's got a shot at it. He'll need to pick up his pace a little though, and/or hope for a deeper postseason run.

He would probably have a few more points if he hadn't missed some games due to injury in his sophomore year.

I made the trip up to Maine last weekend. Typical nail biter on Friday with plenty of anxious moments, including a 5 on 3 penalty kill for 2 minutes. Saturday night they got out played and out worked for much of the night. It was amazing they were only down by a goal in third. They even had a chance to steal it but some bad penalties and the lack of a powerplay killed them. The power play is currently ranked 53rd in the country. Thankfully the PK is one of the best at 4th.

Not sure what to expect from the team this weekend. A couple of tough games, UNH is coming in on a 3-game winning streak.

Yes, they really need to recruit some goal scorers. You can teach defense, but you can't teach goal scoring.

 

[UMLFan]

I know the record this year isn't helping, but there seems to be so little excitement with this program right now.

 

[Middle Street]

That loss to UAA the first night of the series really turned me off to this season. There isn't a ton to get excited about. Can't wait to watch them lose to Stonehill next season.

 

[Patman]

I mean we're kind of in an entertainment lull until there's a team we can get excited about (say consistent top 6-10 in the nation). We don't have/don't recruit the firepower/talent to do that. Yes, that's on the coach.

----

That being said, I haven't seen a "rub it in" goal in awhile. Yes, I'm sure its happened sooner than my memory but I go back to the Kotyluk goal 21 years ago against BC to make it 8-4. Just score goals is where I am at this point. Yeah, easier said than done but there needs to be a bit of greed or bloodlust on a team especially in this era the way they train the younger generation (and that's been more of the last 15 years behavior so that's not new). Find alley for dangerous shot, take it.

Only popped in here and there because like others the UAA series took the air out of the tires on this season.

----

edit: I feel like there's a malaise in general involving the school. The basketball team is having a solid year and they had more attendance when they were number 2 in Div 2 than they do this year when I checked things last.

edit #2: of course my opinion is going to be trash because i've spent all of 4 hours in lowell over the last year all during christmas between the bookstore/university crossing and navigation brewing.

 

[Patman]

To the recruits out there. This coach has put players in the NHL. We get irrationally crazy when we score goals. We will have a better attendance than almost all of the league if you score those goals. The other coaches aren't made of magical hockey butter that only works with better talented staff. So, if you're one of those point per game 3rd round or higher NHL type pick we will like you very much. You will have to play hard and work hard within the system given. We will expect your best and you will be better for it because we know you can provide it and are capable of it.

(I gave it my try at least.)

 

[Patman]

is meehan's penalty a misconduct or a disqualification? He deserves the disqualification.

 

[boblav1]

is meehan's penalty a misconduct or a disqualification? He deserves the disqualification.

According to the box score it's a misconduct.
UMass Lowell at New Hampshire Box Score - January 21, 2023 - Hockey East Association (hockeyeastonline.com)

 

[Patman]

According to the box score it's a misconduct.
UMass Lowell at New Hampshire Box Score - January 21, 2023 - Hockey East Association (hockeyeastonline.com)

cross check to the back of the head. Getting off lucky there, IMO. Just did a quick review of the game.

 

[boblav1]

cross check to the back of the head. Getting off lucky there, IMO. Just did a quick review of the game.

I didn't see the play. I wonder if the league will look at it. The team has taken some bad penalties lately. Nice come from behind win tonight. Hopefully Meehan is available for the UMA game on Friday.

 

[Patman]

I didn't see the play. I wonder if the league will look at it. The team has taken some bad penalties lately. Nice come from behind win tonight. Hopefully Meehan is available for the UMA game on Friday.

it was clear Meehan was pissed with his target. I won't get into justification. I'm willing to believe it was deserved

 

[UMLFan]

Good weekend for Lowell overall. Would have been better with 6 points, but I'll take the 5 (especially against the last place team).

Also this afternoon, the basketball team won their 17th game of the year (a new DI record) crushing preseason #2 Bryant, and now leads the AE standings at 5-2. They've already beaten preseason #1 UVM (both at home). Lowell was up 26 at the half in this one. Women's basketball won their first AE game of the year today as well.

 

[Middle Street]

That was a great crowd Friday and a nice tribute to Tony Patronick. The crowd gave him a well deserved standing ovation. I did not know him
personally but always enjoyed when he posted commentary here, especially when he would get into flame wars with Jcarter and the UVM fanbase. May he rest in peace!

 

[UMLFan]

That was a great crowd Friday and a nice tribute to Tony Patronick. The crowd gave him a well deserved standing ovation. I did not know him
personally but always enjoyed when he posted commentary here, especially when he would get into flame wars with Jcarter and the UVM fanbase. May he rest in peace!

I mentioned that to his wife as well, that the tribute was very well done. It made my night to see the standing ovation for him.