Understandable. We do have one more 4:05 vs. RPI and then our other Saturday home games are all 6:05
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UMass Lowell 2026-2027: Is this the new Norm?
- Thread starter Will
- Start date
Just my opinion, if the product's not good, if it's the Patriots Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox, they will not show up eventually and sooner or later it's gonna get us again
Patman
Rodent of Unusual Size
4:05 starts are always bad and I don't know why we do them... saturday 6:05 doesn't make sense either unless you think you're trying to maximize arena food purchases or something.
Sunday 4:05 has had some sense from the perspective that it puts you into a clean evening on a "school night".
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I reviewed some of last night's game. Usual mix lack of talent and missed opportunities... i think they're making the right choices so far in terms of where to be. its just that last bit of execution on the other hand I think we have some players who could develop into some fun as the season goes along. A choice here, a choice there. If we learn to make a few more of the right ones then we could be a threat.
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I'm hoping to go to the Princeton set, i'll have to ask again soon about away tickets for that one. Plan is to go to philly for NYE and see which breweries are open that late.
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gambo, if we went 15-1-0 you'd find something else to complain about. at least change your user name so you don't tacitly denigrate former players.
Sunday 4:05 has had some sense from the perspective that it puts you into a clean evening on a "school night".
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I reviewed some of last night's game. Usual mix lack of talent and missed opportunities... i think they're making the right choices so far in terms of where to be. its just that last bit of execution on the other hand I think we have some players who could develop into some fun as the season goes along. A choice here, a choice there. If we learn to make a few more of the right ones then we could be a threat.
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I'm hoping to go to the Princeton set, i'll have to ask again soon about away tickets for that one. Plan is to go to philly for NYE and see which breweries are open that late.
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gambo, if we went 15-1-0 you'd find something else to complain about. at least change your user name so you don't tacitly denigrate former players.
I was paying attention to the score while tailgating, so it was definitely nice to see a W. The highlights don't show much though as it's a very quick package of replays.
Friday night, yes you could see the speed but again, we got hemmed into our own zone repeatedly by Clarkson. That has to change.
Friday night, yes you could see the speed but again, we got hemmed into our own zone repeatedly by Clarkson. That has to change.
Interesting series on deck for this weekend. I'm sure most (if not all) of us are aware of the Matthew Mayich situation at this point, so I'm not going to bother to rehash. But it looks like ASU just hired Dave Hakstol as their new coach, and the games this weekend should be his first behind their bench. https://x.com/ColginHirschel/status/2109672546966896905?s=20
From what I remember, the thinking behind the 6:05 start was that Saturday is more of a date night/party night, so getting the students out earlier, I.e. 8:30ish vs 10ish for a 7:15 start, might draw more students to the Saturday game and enable them to still go to their Saturday night plans. Jury is out on whether that worked or not. The 6:05 start might be too early for many non-students, families etc. to get there in time, I think.
For me, earlier time the better, plus I got to get home and see the Alabama and Georgia game and I think there's so many young kids there, the mummy and daddy's wanna get the little kiddies to bed
Batman, you're one of the biggest whiners like me, so think on that
As a recent alum, I will definitely say that early puck drops were nice in allowing me to still feel like I had time to do something post-game, if I wanted. But as the weather got colder, this became less of a factor for me, as I often was fine just going back to my dorm for the night if there was snow on the ground and/or below freezing temperatures. The real issue is that the student attendance is notably on the decline anyway. 104 is no longer a designated student section for all home games; it is only added to select games based on demand. I imagine our subpar (to put it lightly) record at Tsongas in recent years is not helping with getting the new generation of students to attend. My class was one of the last in recent years that got to see sustained success at home games. The current seniors have not experienced a winning season, and their first taste as freshmen was the 8-24-4 season in 2023-24. I noted a few people during my upperclass years that would say "any time I go, they lose" or something along those lines when I asked if they were going to that weekend's game(s). Hopefully in the near future they can put together another positive record, or at least for the home games, to help get more student attendance. I imagine that recent alumni are probably the biggest source of new season ticket memberships as well.
hawkeytown
"I mean, that thing is good"
The Saturday 6 p.m. starts are fantastic from a parent’s perspective. I hope we can continue with that schedule. It’s more the last-minute, inconsistent start times, 4 p.m. one game, 1 p.m. another, that create challenges, especially for families with kids involved in other sports and activities.
As for the team, I completely understand the frustration from so many. I really do. As an alum, I continue to contribute a decent amount to the school and hockey program, though I’m certainly not suggesting that gives me any special standing other than being a fan just like you.
That said, I think some of what we’re seeing on the ice is tied to the style of play. From conversations I’ve had with players and their parents, there seems to be some frustration among a small number of former players with the system, and I believe that has contributed to transfers over the past seasons.
Lowell recruits talented players who are absolutely capable of competing and scoring. My understanding is that the system is very defense-oriented, similar to what you might see in the NHL, focusing on limiting space, clogging lanes, and capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes rather than creating offense through skill, puck possession and sustained pressure. I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on the X’s and O’s, but I do think the style of play is an important part of the conversation, and not necessarily the recruits themselves.
As for the team, I completely understand the frustration from so many. I really do. As an alum, I continue to contribute a decent amount to the school and hockey program, though I’m certainly not suggesting that gives me any special standing other than being a fan just like you.
That said, I think some of what we’re seeing on the ice is tied to the style of play. From conversations I’ve had with players and their parents, there seems to be some frustration among a small number of former players with the system, and I believe that has contributed to transfers over the past seasons.
Lowell recruits talented players who are absolutely capable of competing and scoring. My understanding is that the system is very defense-oriented, similar to what you might see in the NHL, focusing on limiting space, clogging lanes, and capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes rather than creating offense through skill, puck possession and sustained pressure. I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on the X’s and O’s, but I do think the style of play is an important part of the conversation, and not necessarily the recruits themselves.
Adam Wodon (@CHN_AdamWodon) on X
ASU players were told today that their new coach would meet the team in Lowell on Thursday. ASU flies to Boston tomorrow. Dave Hakstol and the Avs play tonight in Dallas and tomorrow in Denver.
Looks like NESN has overruled the 7:14 puck drops for the Tsongas games they are broadcasting, moving it to 7 pm https://x.com/hockey_east/status/2110385148516761811?s=46&t=J1Igwd8fLazDqj7_GxIVcA
UMass Lowell Athletics Announces Jersey Patch Partnership with Workers Credit Union - UMass Lowell Athletics
LOWELL, Mass. - UMass Lowell Athletics announced a historic partnership with Workers Credit Union as the first ever jersey patch sponsor for the River Hawks ...goriverhawks.com
So puck drop will be around 7:08 or 7:07, still not 7 anyway.
umlhockey22490
Member
I couldn't agree more on the play style...look at someone like Lee Parks and Luke Shipley last year.... Lee had a great freshman year, until his injury... but seemed kind of hamstrung last year due to the style of play. Luke Shipley in the first 2 games against Merrimack, was our best offensive player (even as a Dman), made players miss with his puck handling, and had a wicked shot. But after those games.... kind of got neutered, because that doesn't fit the play style. As a coach.... you should be making your pairings with players that compliment each other/ or hide others weaknesses. I feel Norm plays too much into the "structure" and doesn't allow the players to just go out there and do what they are good at. IDK how many times on an rush or momentum shift in the offensive zone, where you can hear me yell, "just shoot the puck!". The structure says play off mistakes and the get the best shot possible but that again just restricts the player on what they can do.
hawkeytown
"I mean, that thing is good"
This 100%. From what I’ve heard from people I’ve spoken with over the past few seasons, this has been a recurring concern for a while...even dating back to conversations with Matt Brown’s dad.
The perception I understand is that the system prioritizes defense first: play out of the defensive zone, capitalize on opponents’ mistakes, have teams play from the outside/ clog the middle and limit risk. There’s certainly value in that approach, but the question is whether it also limits the team’s ability to generate offense proactively and fully utilize its talent.
One parent made an interesting observation 2 years ago (paraphrasing): "Watch how aggressively we attack when we’re playing from behind and need to generate offense. The pace, pressure, and willingness to create chances look completely different." That contrast is telling. It suggests the players are capable of playing a more aggressive, creative style, but that approach doesn’t consistently show up when the game is tied or we’re playing with a lead.
To me, the issue isn’t a lack of talent. It’s how that talent is being deployed. Are we creating offense through puck possession, speed, movement, and players making plays...or are we relying too heavily on defensive structure and waiting for the other team to make a mistake?
A defense-first identity can absolutely work, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of offensive creativity. The challenge is finding a better balance: maintaining defensive responsibility while giving skilled players the freedom and structure to attack, take calculated risks, and create opportunities. The concern isn’t that we play responsible hockey; it’s that we may be sacrificing too much offensively in the process.
cinnamoroll
baby sharks enthusiast
an ASU update: Hakstol hiring is not only official but not interim as Powers has stepped down. he’s also brought Matt Greene as assistant coach and one of the previous assistants- Jimmy Mullin- remains w the team.
based on prior weekends the team is talented but lacks structure. lots of question marks on what he will be able to do in a short time but the players are motivated and at least some are channeling their grief into their play
some of the more dangerous guys:
Jack Beck- he’s the most prominent example of “channeling grief” as he is the closest to Mayich, played in OHL w him and regularly visits him in the hospital. very emotional after scoring the OT winner saturday. Jonas Woo- very talented offensively minded freshman D from Med Hat. Nathan Behm- young but extremely talented freshman, scores nasty goals. Other goal scoring threats- Daniel Shlaine, Kyle Smolen, Olivier Houde.
Slovakian G Samuel Urban has been the guy in net and he started the season with a shutout. their pk hasn’t been scored on yet and they’re 25% on pp so far. Lindenwood series are tough to take anything from bc the Lions can score on anyone and cannot stop a beach ball
Anthony Dowd will see his former team, but there has been a lot of turnover- 17 new guys this season. Tobias Pitka and Cole Moore will have seen Michigan Tech transfer D Rylan Brown plenty. Pitka has played with Urban and D Richard Baran in some international games as theyre close in age, he wasn't always the starter though. Nemec is a few years older than both so his international junior career missed theirs. Josh Mori and F Lukas Sawchyn played together on Edmonton, Mori also played with F Jack O'Brien in Portland. O'Brien and Thomas Stewart played in Iowa (ECHL) last season. backup G Sam Hillebrandt played with Wakely in Barrie. Volotovskii played with Woo on Medicine Hat
lost in a lot of the discourse on the situation is the emotional toll this takes on the players. there's a reason the thing that got the administration to do a single thing right was the letter from 7 anonymous players requesting the action. theyre finally in a position to relax a tiny bit from all that tension hanging over this. everyone reacts differently to stress and grief, especially at this age, so i have no idea what to expect from this. Hakstol has the experience to wrangle the situation but im not sure he has the time to make enough of a difference for this weekend. lots of wait and see going on. people might be tuning in more just to see what the situation is. if UML can take advantage of the turmoil and inexperience they could end up on top, but if Hakstol works some quick magic it could be tough sledding.
based on prior weekends the team is talented but lacks structure. lots of question marks on what he will be able to do in a short time but the players are motivated and at least some are channeling their grief into their play
some of the more dangerous guys:
Jack Beck- he’s the most prominent example of “channeling grief” as he is the closest to Mayich, played in OHL w him and regularly visits him in the hospital. very emotional after scoring the OT winner saturday. Jonas Woo- very talented offensively minded freshman D from Med Hat. Nathan Behm- young but extremely talented freshman, scores nasty goals. Other goal scoring threats- Daniel Shlaine, Kyle Smolen, Olivier Houde.
Slovakian G Samuel Urban has been the guy in net and he started the season with a shutout. their pk hasn’t been scored on yet and they’re 25% on pp so far. Lindenwood series are tough to take anything from bc the Lions can score on anyone and cannot stop a beach ball
Anthony Dowd will see his former team, but there has been a lot of turnover- 17 new guys this season. Tobias Pitka and Cole Moore will have seen Michigan Tech transfer D Rylan Brown plenty. Pitka has played with Urban and D Richard Baran in some international games as theyre close in age, he wasn't always the starter though. Nemec is a few years older than both so his international junior career missed theirs. Josh Mori and F Lukas Sawchyn played together on Edmonton, Mori also played with F Jack O'Brien in Portland. O'Brien and Thomas Stewart played in Iowa (ECHL) last season. backup G Sam Hillebrandt played with Wakely in Barrie. Volotovskii played with Woo on Medicine Hat
lost in a lot of the discourse on the situation is the emotional toll this takes on the players. there's a reason the thing that got the administration to do a single thing right was the letter from 7 anonymous players requesting the action. theyre finally in a position to relax a tiny bit from all that tension hanging over this. everyone reacts differently to stress and grief, especially at this age, so i have no idea what to expect from this. Hakstol has the experience to wrangle the situation but im not sure he has the time to make enough of a difference for this weekend. lots of wait and see going on. people might be tuning in more just to see what the situation is. if UML can take advantage of the turmoil and inexperience they could end up on top, but if Hakstol works some quick magic it could be tough sledding.
I agree with most of your post and many of us have been saying this the past few years. But where I'll disagree is your comment that it's not the talent. I think because of how we play (as you noted), offensively skilled recruits won't come here. We aren't getting those guys that we can expect to score 20+ goals a year because they don't want to play in the method that Lowell plays.
hawkeytown
"I mean, that thing is good"
This is where we disagree. Lee Parks was a top-10 goal scorer in the USHL in his final season, with 30 goals. Last year, we brought in Jay Ahearn, the highest goal scorer available in the transfer portal, who had 19 goals. Luke Shipley was a top 5 goal scoring Defensemen from the WHL. And do we really need to get into how skilled Diego Buttazzoni is? Even cinnamoroll said last year, we had the best CHL recruits coming in comparison to the other HE schools.
I could provide plenty more examples, but the point is that we bring in players with proven scoring ability and plenty of talent. As another poster, also, mentioned, the issue isn’t necessarily the talent we have; it’s how we utilize it. Are we putting players in the right roles, creating the right line combinations, and giving them the freedom and opportunity to play to their strengths?
You can have all the talent in the world, but if you aren’t maximizing it through the system, player utilization, and line combinations, you’re not going to get the results you should. That’s the issue we should be questioning.
Sol Diablo
Well-known member
I think you are pretty much right. Hakstol doesn't have much time to get up to speed. However, as its been stated, "nothing as old as your old job when starting a new one". I suspect he's been immersing himself in game footage, talking with the players, esp C and AC's. Will be an interesting series if I can figure out some way to watch it.
cinnamoroll
baby sharks enthusiast
Sean McGurn might help there, he was captain under a former NHL head coach in juniors. Dale Hunter does great work in London, was not surprised he got a letter.
espn plus carries hockey east games so if you have it already, youll be just fine. if not the seas will definitely have it unlike certain other platforms... hockey east and ECAC honestly have the easiest streaming setup to follow not named Alaska Anchorage (seawolves games are streamed on youtube)