What's new
By:
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.

University of Maine 2024–2025: Freel-ing good

I agree with (almost) all of the points made above. I wouldn't call the current team a "dump and chase" team, because I don't think that is their only strategy which they follow religiously. A lot of Gendron-era teams from when I was in school nearly exclusively dumped and chased, because they probably couldn't effectively run any other system. This team sometimes dumps and chases, but they are also capable of and often will carry the puck into the zone down the wall or thru the middle. And I think in general the goal for this team is to carry it into the zone, and they only dump and chase when they are either out of energy and going to change, or because the opponent has sufficiently taken away the blue line and made it impossible to skate in.
 
It looks most likely we play either UMass or Lowell first round, both of which may be tournament teams. Just a crazy year for the conference.
 
For me the biggest difference between the Red and Barr teams is how much more aggressive Barr likes to be on the forecheck. They might dump and chase a bit more than I would prefer, specifically when they don't adjust mid-game to opponents taking that game away. They're tenacious when it comes to puck retrievals and forcing opposing teams to make mistakes and we never really saw that with Red's teams. That's a testament to Barr's recruiting and filling out a deep lineup that can play that system with four lines.
 
tylerzx2002 said:
For me the biggest difference between the Red and Barr teams is how much more aggressive Barr likes to be on the forecheck. They might dump and chase a bit more than I would prefer, specifically when they don't adjust mid-game to opponents taking that game away. They're tenacious when it comes to puck retrievals and forcing opposing teams to make mistakes and we never really saw that with Red's teams. That's a testament to Barr's recruiting and filling out a deep lineup that can play that system with four lines.
Click to expand...
Ben's teams love to get after it on the forecheck. If the preferred look off the rush isn't there, they go to work down low to rush a pass and or force a turnover. That style plays well in the tight games where room is limited.
 
Just to be clear my last comment wasnt a complaint, an observation. I did say that the dump in does seem to work for them overall.
All teams do it, college more than pro, its just in watching some of the other hock east games it seems maine does it alot more, no stats on that though to back up the observation.
Yeah its their style to win with the players on hand. Its their hammer in the toolbox. Really just wondering if this is Barrs style or if it might change depending on how future rosters shape up. Will see.
 
NorthMike said:
Just to be clear my last comment wasnt a complaint, an observation. I did say that the dump in does seem to work for them overall.
All teams do it, college more than pro, its just in watching some of the other hock east games it seems maine does it alot more, no stats on that though to back up the observation.
Yeah its their style to win with the players on hand. Its their hammer in the toolbox. Really just wondering if this is Barrs style or if it might change depending on how future rosters shape up. Will see.
Click to expand...
Even on the dump and chase attempts where Maine doesn't come up with the puck it hasn't been easy for opponents to counter up ice this season with breakout passes. Really helps illustrate why Maine has been one of the best teams at limiting opposing shots on goal (third fewest against in the nation). When it's all clicking it's kind of a treat to watch and should serve them well as the lights get brighter here in March.

I'm very curious to see how well Barr replaces two of the best defensive forwards in the nation (Scott/Renwick) next season. Might have to trade some defensive responsibility for additional offense.
 
If you go back and watch the '99 Frozen Four game against BC.....Maine dumped & chased the whole game. Heavy forecheck and crashed the net against a very fast BC team. Year after year, if any team is able to punch BC in the mouth consistently throughout the game, you will wear them down (bunch of elite pretty boys). If Maine can get their game back to the way they played Denver, it could be an epic run.
 
Chris2474 said:
If you go back and watch the '99 Frozen Four game against BC.....Maine dumped & chased the whole game. Heavy forecheck and crashed the net against a very fast BC team. Year after year, if any team is able to punch BC in the mouth consistently throughout the game, you will wear them down (bunch of elite pretty boys). If Maine can get their game back to the way they played Denver, it could be an epic run.
Click to expand...
Don't even have to go back that far, just look at the two games at Alfond last season. Maine took BC completely out of their game in that series.
 
Tonight they had the awards for the student athletes. Alfie gave a speech at 36:20 here: https://www.youtube.com/live/C3yZEiQvkP4?si=0cU69H0LNvkIhyT1

He talked about how Standbrook made an impact on him. He says he still talks to Standbrook once a week and Standbrook is now 87.

I couldn’t keep track of all of the ice hockey players that were recognized. But I did hear Sully Scholle got a 4.0 over the last year.
 
Weekly Media Availability

Assistant Captain Harrison Scott: https://youtu.be/TR12BFUIiPI?feature=shared

Says they notice UMass plays 1-3-1 in neutral zone and their ice is bigger(wider) so team is focused on not turning pucks over for odd man rushes. Says his favorite memory was when he went on the ice game time at TD Garden vs. BU the Maine fans greatly outnumbered BU fans. I enjoy hearing from Harrison, he has good attitude and always is upbeat and positive.

Taylor Makar : https://youtu.be/bBQkt-Wwmn8?feature=shared

Says he thinks the coaching staff does a great job of helping him find an identity as a power forward and getting the most out of him. I wished he would have come in sooner. What a great impact he has had on the team. When teams play Maine this year I’m sure they are like oh man this is going to be a tough grueling battle and Makar/Renwick/Mitton is sort of the face of that. I don’t think opposing players want to play against that line with how heavy they play. If I could give that line a name I’d call it the Beast.

Coach Barr : https://youtu.be/eViIj8pr0Ss?feature=shared

Says Nobes has been solid in his own zone and given the team good minutes back there. Mentions he is tough, blocks shots, finishes checks, and is good on penalty kill. He has been great since getting in the line up. Nice to see him get a shot and then play his way into the full time role. He is greatly improved from last season.
 
Chris2474 said:
If you go back and watch the '99 Frozen Four game against BC.....Maine dumped & chased the whole game. Heavy forecheck and crashed the net against a very fast BC team. Year after year, if any team is able to punch BC in the mouth consistently throughout the game, you will wear them down (bunch of elite pretty boys). If Maine can get their game back to the way they played Denver, it could be an epic run.
Click to expand...
Damn, that '99 squad carried lunch-pails to the rink every night. Was at the Albany Regional, and that team fought tooth and nail to advance.

The title game..? I needed a bucket of Rolaids to get through that one. UNH was even better than BC that season.

But there was this one guy in net for Maine that night... He played pretty well.
 
Last edited:
99 regional was in Worcester and you guys advanced pretty comfortably over Ohio State and Clarkson….. agreed on Alfie stealing the F4 though
 
bruinsfan11 said:
99 regional was in Worcester and you guys advanced pretty comfortably over Ohio State and Clarkson….. agreed on Alfie stealing the F4 though
Click to expand...
Yes, that was a fun regional. Steve Kariya had a 6 point night against Clarkson. Clarkson deserved that for getting the bye. The game after between UNH and Michigan was epic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top