UML Fires Coach MacDonald

[acs64]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

Chris, don't think for a second that this did not have anything to do with what transpired on Friday. While I'm happy for Merrimack College as a college hockey fan and its chance for a spot in the sunlight, it's a scary proposition to have them as the top school in the Valley. After their impressive series win over the team that beat us last year in the playoffs, imagine if they do come away with a banner next weekend. At a minimum, they have a 25% chance and after was I saw this past weekend, I'd have to say it may be higher.

FWIW, I think Mack comes down to earth away from home ice, and especially at the Garden. Having said that, they should be able to handle UHN on neutral ice if thats who they get, but I cant see them taking BC at the Garden. Revenge factor for BC should be huge.

 

[leswp1]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

I wouldn't rule out Mack. They seem to play spotty. We saw some really bad hockey when UML played them this yr.

 

[bottomdweller]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

Follow up article by Chaz in today's Sun.
http://www.lowellsun.com/sports/ci_17606336

When did this happen?

[They did reach the championship game of the Hockey East Tournament two short years ago, losing 1-0 to Boston University when a referee disallowed the tying goal and later admitted he blew the call.

 

[dmjossel]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

When did this happen?

http://www.hockeyeastonline.com/men/recaps09.php?mbu_uml1.m21

There's no admission there of any official blowing a call, of course, but there is a liveblog transcript about the Lowell goal and why it was disallowed.

The refs were Benedetto and Bunyon.

http://www.collegehockeystats.net/0809/gamesheet/mbu_uml1.m21

To give Context to what Chaz wrote there, apparently the puck did enter the net, the goal judge turned on the red light, and the replay showed the puck in the net, but the official never signalled a goal and indicated he had whistled the play dead. In other words, he lost sight of a loose puck. In an ideal world I suppose no official would ever lose sight of a loose puck, but it does happen. It's just a shame a championship game ends up being decided that way.

 

[leswp1]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

http://www.hockeyeastonline.com/men/recaps09.php?mbu_uml1.m21

There's no admission there of any official blowing a call, of course, but there is a liveblog transcript about the Lowell goal and why it was disallowed.

The refs were Benedetto and Bunyon.

http://www.collegehockeystats.net/0809/gamesheet/mbu_uml1.m21

To give Context to what Chaz wrote there, apparently the puck did enter the net, the goal judge turned on the red light, and the replay showed the puck in the net, but the official never signalled a goal and indicated he had whistled the play dead. In other words, he lost sight of a loose puck. In an ideal world I suppose no official would ever lose sight of a loose puck, but it does happen. It's just a shame a championship game ends up being decided that way.

There was no official statement but the ref who indicated no goal did admit the screw up and the pair to the guy said the call was blown (I heard the latter personally). Refs are human. Whatever coulda/woulda/shoulda there is it doesn't change the outcome to this.

 

[MBaggs12]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

To give Context to what Chaz wrote there, apparently the puck did enter the net, the goal judge turned on the red light, and the replay showed the puck in the net, but the official never signalled a goal and indicated he had whistled the play dead. In other words, he lost sight of a loose puck. In an ideal world I suppose no official would ever lose sight of a loose puck, but it does happen. It's just a shame a championship game ends up being decided that way.

I hate to have this scar ripped open again, however what is done is done. Here is the NESN broadcast of it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnibxyJAu8w
My two issues with it, first, yes he lost sight of the puck it happens, but he lost sight of it because it goes in the net and under the padding so it was clearly in the net when he lost sight of it, the other thing, why didnt the garden have sound with their replay, yes i understand the NHL replays are done via Toronto so the garden doesnt have everything it needs but i feel like it should get the NESN broadcast tap into that have video and sound, how hard is that.

 

[HawksSk860]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

Whatever coulda/woulda/shoulda there is it doesn't change the outcome to this.

I'm not so sure about this. Assuming they could have pulled it off (a BIG if)...an HEA championship and NCAA tourney appearance would go a long way in nullifying this "can't take the team to the next level" talk.

 

[UML]

I'm not so sure about this. Assuming they could have pulled it off (a BIG if)...an HEA championship and NCAA tourney appearance would go a long way in nullifying this "can't take the team to the next level" talk.

And imagine if they won an NCAA tourney game.

 

[leswp1]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

I'm not so sure about this. Assuming they could have pulled it off (a BIG if)...an HEA championship and NCAA tourney appearance would go a long way in nullifying this "can't take the team to the next level" talk.

NOt saying it wouldn't have changed it if they had sound in the booth. Just saying that it didn't happen so the outcome now remains what it is.

 

[leswp1]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

And imagine if they won an NCAA tourney game.

I was there when Roli stood on his head for however many OTs before the guys ran out of gas and lost. I can imagine it. Could taste it then too.

 

[UMLFan]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

Posted this on the UML Offseason Thread as well ...

UML announced their search committee today for the head coaching position. It will include:

Peter Casey, Executive Director for Business Enterprises
Steve O'Riordan, Associate Vice Chancellor, Financial Services
Jeff Daw `96, Hockey Alumnus
Bruce Crowder, Former UMass Lowell Hockey Coach (1991-96)
Bill Riley, Hockey Ambassador, Former Hockey Coach (1969-91)
Kristi Stake, Director of NCAA Compliance
Shannon Hlebichuk `98, Head Field Hockey Coach/Assistant Athletic Director
Eric Allen, Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs
Ed Chiu, Vice Chancellor for Advancement
Steve Tocco, UMass Board of Trustees
Mike Kuenzler, Business Leader & Benefactor

Casey is the chairman of the committee.

 

[leswp1]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

Posted in the other thread too. The fact that Tocco would be anywhere near this committee is insulting. He is the Azzhat that tried to kill our program and who's agenda is to push Amherst. What the hell would he be doing on there. Who the hell allowed that?????!!!!!

 

[Go-UML]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

Posted in the other thread too. The fact that Tocco would be anywhere near this committee is insulting. He is the Azzhat that tried to kill our program and who's agenda is to push Amherst. What the hell would he be doing on there. Who the hell allowed that?????!!!!!

Dunno, but I'm equally unthrilled. Guessing it's a political thing....someone had to be on from the Trustees and he pushed it to be him. I have no facts to back that up at all, but since I'm a cynical SOB, gonna toss it out there.

 

[JB]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

Anyhoo, now Michigan State & UMass--Lowell have head coach openings, which is healthy with the logjam of qualified guys in the pipeline.

What is the likely hood after this rebuilding (from basically nothing) and this years run that Dennehy starts getting a sniff from programs like MSU that have a spot open?

He is not a MC alum but is a local product so that may hold him here. You would think being a BC grad if he has eyes at staying in college coaching (one would think he would have taken an AHL job along the way if it wasn't) that is the prize he seeks. Just seems guys who want to be in college coaching want to go "home". Would a run at somewhere like MSU set him up for a BC job? The question becomes does he believe MC is sustainable at least until York rides off into the sunset. If that is his goal.

Just a thought on potential dynamics changes in the valley, at some point.

 

[Patman]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

I hate to have this scar ripped open again, however what is done is done. Here is the NESN broadcast of it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnibxyJAu8w

It should be a reminder... your best will not be good enough, better is expected when working with people who will not let you win.

Look, BU was a team way beyond us in talent... but I don't care... the team at that point had their brains together... systems working perfectly... I'll take my chances at 1-1 from that point on.... but it doesn't matter. You need to work that much harder, that much better, that much more often.... but even if that goal stands that doesn't necessarily save Blaise's career... I could see it well argued that if we win that game we don't have all the things that lead to today. You could have a perfectly good coach... but winning and losing will give you a reputation that may not be fair... but you still have that reputation and we have to go based on that.

 

[dmjossel]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

What is the likely hood after this rebuilding (from basically nothing) and this years run that Dennehy starts getting a sniff from programs like MSU that have a spot open?

He is not a MC alum but is a local product so that may hold him here. You would think being a BC grad if he has eyes at staying in college coaching (one would think he would have taken an AHL job along the way if it wasn't) that is the prize he seeks. Just seems guys who want to be in college coaching want to go "home". Would a run at somewhere like MSU set him up for a BC job? The question becomes does he believe MC is sustainable at least until York rides off into the sunset. If that is his goal.

Just a thought on potential dynamics changes in the valley, at some point.

Dennehy is signed through 2016.

http://www.merrimack.edu/about/offices_services/PublicRelationsMarketing/news/Pages/Dennehy2016.aspx

 

[JB]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

Dennehy is signed through 2016.

http://www.merrimack.edu/about/offices_services/PublicRelationsMarketing/news/Pages/Dennehy2016.aspx

Like that has ever stopped a college coach from switching programs.

Note: I am not saying Dennehy is going to leave MC. I am just suggesting the posibility and wondering how that possibility affects Lowell. If MC drifts back into the pack (Dennehy doesn't even need to leave for that to happen look at Toot and Umass) does it lower pressure/expectations at Lowell?

 

[UMLFan]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

If MC drifts back into the pack (Dennehy doesn't even need to leave for that to happen look at Toot and Umass) does it lower pressure/expectations at Lowell?

I think as long as Meehan is in charge, expectations have racheted up at Lowell, fair or not. Owning the stadium means they need to make some money off it, and the best way to do that is to get that hockey program back on its proverbial legs.

Changing it so that UMass doesn't have 3 times the recruiting budget that Lowell does would be a good start.

 

[JB]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

I think as long as Meehan is in charge, expectations have racheted up at Lowell, fair or not. Owning the stadium means they need to make some money off it, and the best way to do that is to get that hockey program back on its proverbial legs.

Changing it so that UMass doesn't have 3 times the recruiting budget that Lowell does would be a good start.

Well for Lowell Hockey that is a great first step.

 

[Gainzo]

Re: UML Fires Coach MacDonald

Changing it so that UMass doesn't have 3 times the recruiting budget that Lowell does would be a good start.

Yep. Even my friend, who was part of the UMass program (not on the team) when they started up, thinks that is BS. Either way I'm looking forward to the 2011-2012 season. No more dump, chase, change after 40 seconds. I liked Blaise but his system sucked. I hate to say this but Toot had the dump and chase down pretty good this season.

BTW: The Devils raped the City of Lowell with their sweetheart deal. I'm sure the University has made more $$ since the beginning of the year than the Devils ever brought in.