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University of Maine 2024–2025: Freel-ing good

Years ago I heard Bob Norton, NESN commentator, talk about the strategy Maine could following Maines triple ot win in providence when it had a game the following day. It was the Cardinal Shermahorn team.

Norton is a former UNH assistant, so he knew what he was talking about. It was interesting.

He said the key was to get the players out of bed in the morning for breakfast and a morning skate in - however light. He thought getting their legs moving a bit and following the ordinary game day routine was important. I think he mentioned an afternoon nap for players before the game.

The Maine players endured an extra 30 minutes of intense pressure playoff hockey and likely didn’t fall asleep until 2-3. I’m sure the players needed food after the game and a wind down from the adrenaline.

The key for Maine is to not fall behind by 2 goals or more. A comeback under these circumstances is too much.
 
Potluck said:
Years ago I heard Bob Norton, NESN commentator, talk about the strategy Maine could following Maines triple ot win in providence when it had a game the following day. It was the Cardinal Shermahorn team.

Norton is a former UNH assistant, so he knew what he was talking about. It was interesting.

He said the key was to get the players out of bed in the morning for breakfast and a morning skate in - however light. He thought getting their legs moving a bit and following the ordinary game day routine was important. I think he mentioned an afternoon nap for players before the game.

The Maine players endured an extra 30 minutes of intense pressure playoff hockey and likely didn’t fall asleep until 2-3. I’m sure the players needed food after the game and a wind down from the adrenaline.

The key for Maine is to not fall behind by 2 goals or more. A comeback under these circumstances is too much.
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It was the frozen four, there was a day in between games. Norton absolutely hated Maine and especially shawn walsh.
 
I had thought about traveling to Boston for the games but I see the price of tickets on the Downeaster exploded so I'll be watching on TV and monitoring all the other games (WMU-NoDak will be playing)

For those who want to go but don't have tix yet, wait until just before the game and buy on stubhub. You can usually find some great deals. I got a ticket to Maine-PC for $7 a few minutes before faceoff.

Games of note that matter to us:
Cornell vs Quinnipiac (ESPN+, 4pm) - Go Quinnipiac!
Denver vs Arizona State (CBS Sports, 5 pm) - ASU win helps keep Pedo State home but a Denver win helps with the RPI which will matter if Maine loses tonight
North Dakota vs Western Michigan (CBS Sports, 8:30pm) - Ideally whoever wins this will lose tomorrow night. North Dakota is the host in Fargo and would be a 4 seed. The Broncos are still in the running for a 1 seed with a win. Neither scenario is good for Maine. Five overtimes would be lovely.

Other games:
Minnesota State vs St Thomas - The Mavericks are already assured of the autobid because of NCAA rules.
Clarkson vs Dartmouth - More Bobcat fodder for tomorrow night, hopefully. If either wins the autobid they are headed for Toledo to play Sparty.

Just to recap: A win tonight clinches #3 overall and the top seed in Allentown. A loss and Maine will finish 4-6 and either play in Allentown or Fargo.
 
ticapnews said:
Other games:
Minnesota State vs St Thomas - The Mavericks are already assured of the autobid because of NCAA rules.
Clarkson vs Dartmouth - More Bobcat fodder for tomorrow night, hopefully. If either wins the autobid they are headed for Toledo to play Sparty.

Just to recap: A win tonight clinches #3 overall and the top seed in Allentown. A loss and Maine will finish 4-6 and either play in Allentown or Fargo.
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"NCAA rules" - please explain. Is St. Thomas still too young of a program - on probation?
 
I forgot to mention how impressive Fowler was last night. A whisker away from a hatrick, Whitehead blocked a Fowler shot with his shoulder. All night Fowler was hustling and he was on the bench trying to get the guys going, standing up on bench, tapping stick on boards, etc…
 
ticapnews said:
I had thought about traveling to Boston for the games but I see the price of tickets on the Downeaster exploded so I'll be watching on TV and monitoring all the other games (WMU-NoDak will be playing)

For those who want to go but don't have tix yet, wait until just before the game and buy on stubhub. You can usually find some great deals. I got a ticket to Maine-PC for $7 a few minutes before faceoff.

Games of note that matter to us:
Cornell vs Quinnipiac (ESPN+, 4pm) - Go Quinnipiac!
Denver vs Arizona State (CBS Sports, 5 pm) - ASU win helps keep Pedo State home but a Denver win helps with the RPI which will matter if Maine loses tonight
North Dakota vs Western Michigan (CBS Sports, 8:30pm) - Ideally whoever wins this will lose tomorrow night. North Dakota is the host in Fargo and would be a 4 seed. The Broncos are still in the running for a 1 seed with a win. Neither scenario is good for Maine. Five overtimes would be lovely.

Other games:
Minnesota State vs St Thomas - The Mavericks are already assured of the autobid because of NCAA rules.
Clarkson vs Dartmouth - More Bobcat fodder for tomorrow night, hopefully. If either wins the autobid they are headed for Toledo to play Sparty.

Just to recap: A win tonight clinches #3 overall and the top seed in Allentown. A loss and Maine will finish 4-6 and either play in Allentown or Fargo.
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Correct me if I am wrong, but shouldn't we be cheering against Quinnipiac? My primary concern is not playing PSU (or NoDak, for that matter) as hosts. Don't we want both ECAC and NCHC autobids to go to a bid stealer (preferably ASU in the NCHCs case) that makes sure that the cut line goes above PSU and leaves them out?
 
amkirby10 said:
Correct me if I am wrong, but shouldn't we be cheering against Quinnipiac? My primary concern is not playing PSU (or NoDak, for that matter) as hosts. Don't we want both ECAC and NCHC autobids to go to a bid stealer (preferably ASU in the NCHCs case) that makes sure that the cut line goes above PSU and leaves them out?
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I beleive this has more to do with getting shipped to Fargo. Also a bracket in Allentown with Maine, BU, Quinnipiac, and Penn State is sort of gross. Also rewarding Maine as a 1 seed with a B1G school is also gross.
 
amkirby10 said:
Correct me if I am wrong, but shouldn't we be cheering against Quinnipiac? My primary concern is not playing PSU (or NoDak, for that matter) as hosts. Don't we want both ECAC and NCHC autobids to go to a bid stealer (preferably ASU in the NCHCs case) that makes sure that the cut line goes above PSU and leaves them out?
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I'll run the numbers when I get to my PC but if that's your priority, I believe you might be correct. My chief concern is staying East and not having to play North Dakota in Fargo (or a potential regional final against Minnesota out there). Playing Pedo State in Allentown doesn't concern me.

An upset in the ECAC eliminates Michigan, not Pedo State. They are only eliminated if the ECAC gets an autobid and Arizona State or North Dakota win the NCHC. The Lions are 88% to earn an invite.

This is from memory. I'll check it and post corrections if needed.
 
grooverider said:
I beleive this has more to do with getting shipped to Fargo. Also a bracket in Allentown with Maine, BU, Quinnipiac, and Penn State is sort of gross. Also rewarding Maine as a 1 seed with a B1G school is also gross.
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BU is locked in as the 7 overall seed, which would make them a natural for 2 overall Michigan State in Toledo. A group of MSU vs ECAC autobid or Minnesota State and BU vs Ohio State is almost certain. Manchester will be Boston College vs the AHA champion and Providence vs Denver or Quinnipac. Fargo and Allentown remain up in the air.
 
So the ideal scenario is for Quinnipac to win this overtime but lose tomorrow and Arizona State or North Dakota to win the NCHC. And obviously a Maine win tonight.

That eliminates Pedo State and gives Maine the top seed in Allentown with a game against Minnesota State (and Minnesota playing North Dakota in Fargo would be nice). The other game in Allentown would probably be UConn vs Quinnipac.

If Maine loses tonight, a Quinnipac win matters for the RPI. The difference between Maine and Minnesota would come down to .0001. There's one scenario where Minnesota edges out Maine by .00003

Arizona State has rallied to tie Denver in the NCHC btw...

ETA: Cornell wins. The ECAC will get an autobid. Michigan is eliminated. I think PSU is in (but can be bumped up to a 3 seed). Quinnipac is now on the bubble.
 
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If higher seeded teams win the rest of the way

Allentown
3 Maine vs Minnesota State
UConn vs Pedo State
ticapnews said:
So the ideal scenario is for Quinnipac to win this overtime but lose tomorrow and Arizona State or North Dakota to win the NCHC. And obviously a Maine win tonight.

That eliminates Pedo State and gives Maine the top seed in Allentown with a game against Minnesota State (and Minnesota playing North Dakota in Fargo would be nice). The other game in Allentown would probably be UConn vs Quinnipac.

If Maine loses tonight, a Quinnipac win matters for the RPI. The difference between Maine and Minnesota would come down to .0001. There's one scenario where Minnesota edges out Maine by .00003

Arizona State has rallied to tie Denver in the NCHC btw...

ETA: Cornell wins. The ECAC will get an autobid. Michigan is eliminated. I think PSU is in (but can be bumped up to a 3 seed). Quinnipac is now on the bubble.
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Colgate with a shortie with 1 1/2 to go, then gets a PPG in OT. The Q's halo is looking a little tarnished.
 
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