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University of Maine Off-season 2024: Insert Pun Here

Sparkee said:
When the second semester came and it was the hockey east schedule plus post-season Boija started 14 games and Ostman got 5 starts. The final game should have been a Boija start but he was sick. So to me this is already proven and not a fluke. I think with a full season of regular starts he will be an above average hockey east goalie. I'm also, like you, expecting Berzins to get some games where he can work his way into a rotation. But that is yet to be proven, though he did well in USHL down the stretch.
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So the guy who was too sick to play the final game, yet still managed to sit on the bench, is "proven and not a fluke"?

That sounds more like wishful thinking than anything "proven" at this point. Not trying to start anything here ... recall that Ostman was viewed as the clear #1 at this point last year, and look how that worked out. I have a lot of faith in Coach Barr's ability to make the right choices, and to coach guys up and develop them with his staff (as they've demonstrated over the last few seasons). But I'd respectfully state the jury is still out on Boija; less than half a season as UMaine's de facto #1 only makes him the incumbent #1 at the start of next season.
 
Chuck Murray said:
So the guy who was too sick to play the final game, yet still managed to sit on the bench, is "proven and not a fluke"?

That sounds more like wishful thinking than anything "proven" at this point. Not trying to start anything here ... recall that Ostman was viewed as the clear #1 at this point last year, and look how that worked out. I have a lot of faith in Coach Barr's ability to make the right choices, and to coach guys up and develop them with his staff (as they've demonstrated over the last few seasons). But I'd respectfully state the jury is still out on Boija; less than half a season as UMaine's de facto #1 only makes him the incumbent #1 at the start of next season.
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He shut out UNH in one of the post season games.
 
Chuck Murray said:
So the guy who was too sick to play the final game, yet still managed to sit on the bench, is "proven and not a fluke"?

That sounds more like wishful thinking than anything "proven" at this point. Not trying to start anything here ... recall that Ostman was viewed as the clear #1 at this point last year, and look how that worked out. I have a lot of faith in Coach Barr's ability to make the right choices, and to coach guys up and develop them with his staff (as they've demonstrated over the last few seasons). But I'd respectfully state the jury is still out on Boija; less than half a season as UMaine's de facto #1 only makes him the incumbent #1 at the start of next season.
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I think Boija is going do pretty well, its just something about his poise, manner, positioning, and fundamentals.
He has a ways to go dont get me wrong, if he can develop and build on those skills he could possibly become a top goalie.
 
Sparkee said:
He shut out UNH in one of the post season games.
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I'm not sure that puts him in select company. Especially when his goalie coach beat UNH in OT in a D-1 title game.

Shutting out UNH at home in a HEA quarterfinal hopefully won't feature on Boija's personal list of greatest accomplishments by the time he moves on, or else he'll likely have had a pretty mediocre career, no?
 
Chuck Murray said:
I'm not sure that puts him in select company. Especially when his goalie coach beat UNH in OT in a D-1 title game.

Shutting out UNH at home in a HEA quarterfinal hopefully won't feature on Boija's personal list of greatest accomplishments by the time he moves on, or else he'll likely have had a pretty mediocre career, no?
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It is a start, that is, shutting out UNH and ending UNH’s season. A great start indeed. I agree with you, let’s hope he does even better things. I also agree with you on your other point that Boija is an outstanding goalie.
 
Sparkee said:
It is a start, that is, shutting out UNH and ending UNH's season. A modest start indeed. I agree with you, let's see if he does even better things. I also agree with you on your other point that Boija is a promising yet somewhat unproven goalie.
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Fixed your post. :D
 
amkirby10 said:
Man, three straight years of ending the season against the Minutemen.
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It's always seemed to me that the Hockey East schedulers have often followed the same general pattern of scheduling the league games over the years. I know that when we were regular attendees when our kids were kids, we could almost predict which schools would be where on the UNH schedule for years on end. Stands to reason it would be the same everywhere else, too. Always wondered if this was at least in part driven by three HEA schools having unconventional early February schedules due to the Beanpot, with the rest just being "if it's not broken, don't fix it"?

Or it could be lack of imagination and/or just general laziness in the offices of HEA??? Nah, couldn't be lol ... :rolleyes:
 
Fishman'81 said:
A little off-topic here, but the Bruins suck.

Carry on.
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Cannot blame either loss on Swayman, who has played great, I think.

The Bruins were a poorly constructed team this year with few adjustments made during the offseason, and when Bergeron and Krejci eventually announced their retirements not much cap space was freed up anyway. Management will need to make major changes in the roster for next season surrounding Swayman, Pastrnak, and McAvoy, despite the latter playing lousy the past month. I am frankly surprised that the Bruins got past the Leafs and won the first game against the Panthers.
 
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Snively65 said:
Cannot blame either loss on Swayman, who has played great, I think.

The Bruins were a poorly constructed team this year with few adjustments made during the offseason, and when Bergeron and Krejci eventually announced their retirements not much cap space was freed up anyway. Management will need to make major changes in the roster for next season surrounding Swayman, Pastrnak, and McAvoy, despite the latter playing lousy the past month. I am frankly surprised that the Bruins got past the Leafs and won the first game against the Panthers.
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McAvoy has been screening his own goalie a lot without any opposing forwards in front. It is annoying watching him. He has had some bad turnovers(did you see the behind the back no look to the front of his own net last game) and unnecessary icings. I really like how he played in the past but watching him lately causes me to swear at him through my tv a lot.

The Bruins are finishing in the top 8, which is likely as good that the roster could allow. Certainly not terrible, but just not strong enough to be a legitimate contender.
 
Sparkee said:
McAvoy has been screening his own goalie a lot without any opposing forwards in front. It is annoying watching him. He has had some bad turnovers(did you see the behind the back no look to the front of his own net last game) and unnecessary icings. I really like how he played in the past but watching him lately causes me to swear at him through my tv a lot.

The Bruins are finishing in the top 8, which is likely as good that the roster could allow. Certainly not terrible, but just not strong enough to be a legitimate contender.
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Yup, agree with everything here. I had been more concerned about Lindholm than McAvoy until the past month, but recently Lohrei has been their best D-man, I think.
 
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UncleRay said:
You sure he was joking? He's got a track record.
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Yes…and

in my opinion he’s got a better track record knowing what he’s talking about than most people on here

i believe he did say that Maine would never return to the way it was under Walsh and I hope he’s wrong…but for what? 24 years he’s been right so far
 
Looks like since we play UMass for a single game on Sunday if the schedule holds to what it has been we will likely have a one off against a team we are playing on the road against twice during the regular season..based on last seasons schedule that team could be BC for a Friday night tilt. Providence, Northeastern also could be in the mix.
 
StillKIA2 said:
Yes…and

in my opinion he’s got a better track record knowing what he’s talking about than most people on here

i believe he did say that Maine would never return to the way it was under Walsh and I hope he’s wrong…but for what? 24 years he’s been right so far
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Saying there would never be another coach like Walshy is really going out on a limb
 
Carolina signs an AHL affiliation agreement with the Chicago Wolves. Maybe we now know Bradly's hockey home for next season.
 
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