WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

[walrus]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

So, are you saying that because a different coach was behind the bench, a very blatant, very dangerous, clearly scoring chance denying penalty right in front of a ref was not going to be called? Oh, and Robert deserved to lose after that, too.

With Walshy behind the bench Minnie never would have scored a goal in the game

 

[BassAle]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

I think if he had survived and stayed at Maine he would have won a couple championships in the 2000s

 

[BassAle]

My guess is that Maine would have won the 2002 NC had Walshy been there, although Maine should have won anyway, had the NCAA not assigned Piotrowski to ref that game. That OT call against Schutte was ridiculous. I really thought that Maine had the game won when Robert Liscak circled the rink shushing the 18,000+ dejected Gopher fans after his go-ahead goal with less than five minutes remaining.

It was Schutte that did the shushing.


Unrelated but evident of poor officiating:
late in the game (maybe OT) Liscak sent the puck up ice after clearly crossing the center line (a good couple feet) and it was whistled for icing. If Minnie had scored on the resulting face off I would have really flipped out. I was watching on TV and even the announcers said that it was a bad call.

 

[SJHovey]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

I'm kind of curious why people think Maine would have won the 2002 and 2004 title games if Walsh had been behind the bench when they couldn't even get past the 2000 semi-final when he was there?

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

I'm kind of curious why people think Maine would have won the 2002 and 2004 title games if Walsh had been behind the bench when they couldn't even get past the 2000 semi-final when he was there?

Well you see, he forgot to cheat that year in 2000, but he would have definitely remembered to cheat in 2002 and 2004.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

I'm kind of curious why people think Maine would have won the 2002 and 2004 title games if Walsh had been behind the bench when they couldn't even get past the 2000 semi-final when he was there?

Take this for what it's worth, as I'm primarily trying to facilitate the discussion ...

(1) Walsh was a better bench coach than Coach Whitehead?
(2) Walsh was a superior motivator, head and shoulders above Whitehead?
(3) Walsh had more recruiting "pull", and likely would have had slightly stronger teams?

I also recall the 2002 team was all focused on "win it for Walshy", and I've never been a huge fan of that approach - makes it almost too emotional, takes the focus off the opposition. Walshy instead would have made it a full-blown "us vs. them" war, playing the Finals on the opposition's home turf, etc. See item (2) above.

Not saying the outcome would have changed - obviously we'll never know, and the Gophs won it as it did play out - but I would have liked UMaine's chances a whole lot better with Walsh in place of Whitehead.

All of that pre-supposes that Walshy hasn't "reverted to past form" and/or scooted off to the NHL, too.

 

[walrus]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

I'm kind of curious why people think Maine would have won the 2002 and 2004 title games if Walsh had been behind the bench when they couldn't even get past the 2000 semi-final when he was there?

North Dakota was the best team in the Frozen four in 2000, especially with Cory Larose sitting for a spearing penalty against Michigan in the regional. In 02 I doubt Maine would have gone into a shell with Walshy on bench, he would have kept them attacking, Timmay was the king of playing not to lose.

 

[Snively65]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Take this for what it's worth, as I'm primarily trying to facilitate the discussion ...

(1) Walsh was a better bench coach than Coach Whitehead?
(2) Walsh was a superior motivator, head and shoulders above Whitehead?
(3) Walsh had more recruiting "pull", and likely would have had slightly stronger teams?

I also recall the 2002 team was all focused on "win it for Walshy", and I've never been a huge fan of that approach - makes it almost too emotional, takes the focus off the opposition. Walshy instead would have made it a full-blown "us vs. them" war, playing the Finals on the opposition's home turf, etc. See item (2) above.

Not saying the outcome would have changed - obviously we'll never know, and the Gophs won it as it did play out - but I would have liked UMaine's chances a whole lot better with Walsh in place of Whitehead.

All of that pre-supposes that Walshy hasn't "reverted to past form" and/or scooted off to the NHL, too.

And, Walshy would have screamed at Schutte (I thought that it was Liscak) to sit down, instead of taking the extra lap around the rink taunting the Gopher fans after Liscak's goal in the 2002 NC.

 

[BassAle]

And, Walshy would have screamed at Schutte (I thought that it was Liscak) to sit down, instead of taking the extra lap around the rink taunting the Gopher fans after Liscak's goal in the 2002 NC.

It wasn't after Liscak's go ahead goal. It was after Schute scored.

 

[tomthumb]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Further topics are under development, so any ideas, feedback or suggestions for similar future threads are welcome.

My suggestion:

JFC, people....get a friggin' life...

 

[e.cat]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

North Dakota was the best team in the Frozen four in 2000, especially with Cory Larose sitting for a spearing penalty against Michigan in the regional. In 02 I doubt Maine would have gone into a shell with Walshy on bench, he would have kept them attacking, Timmay was the king of playing not to lose.

Agree Maine would NEVER have gone into a shell with Walshy behind the bench. Walshy was a difference maker no doubt and Maine would still be dominant if he was there!

 

[Patman]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

I think if he had survived and stayed at Maine he would have won a couple championships in the 2000s

Easily... but let's also remember "its hockey"... unless you're thoroughly stacked then nothing is to be assumed... and even then...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Easily... but let's also remember "its hockey"... unless you're thoroughly stacked then nothing is to be assumed... and even then...

Fair take from the UML universe, where Coach Bazin has been doing his best to become the "Walshy" of the Merrimack Valley (hopefully without the *complications*). Not unlike Walsh, Coach Bazin has taken his program to unprecedented heights relatively early in his tenure, and it will be interesting to see if his route follows the "Walsh" model or the "Umile" model. But getting to the top first is always an advantage, and perhaps Coach Leaman's ascent is going to make it more difficult for Coach Bazin to make that next step?

Walsh was already a guy who'd gotten two teams to the promised land (even one without that pesky * ), so he had the roadmap, and the program had the institutional knowledge. There were always those D-1 trophies to show to any recruits who might still be on the fence.

Also, I think of this comparison as well ... Walsh wins in '93* and then has several seasons in between before his program scales the mountain again 6 years later in '99. York's BC teams fell away (slightly) after the '01 title, and it took him 7 years to return to the top in '08, which he then followed with the '10 and '12 titles. In retrospect, it appears UMaine was probably positioned to do the roughly the same in '02 and '04. But Whitehead wasn't Walsh ... and if York retired after '08, does Luce Canaan step in and win in '10 and '12???

Just some additional food for thought ...

 

[joecct]

Further topics are under development, so any ideas, feedback or suggestions for similar future threads are welcome.

My suggestion:

JFC, people....get a friggin' life...

What if Millbury had taken the BC job?

 

[all bear]

What if Millbury had taken the BC job?

What if either Cedorchuk or Umile (I'd put up an asterisk but he's never won anything meaningful) could count ?

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

What if Millbury had taken the BC job?

He did ... if only for just awhile. I swear I even saw the press conference.

Yes, that is part of one of the coming attractions, probably around the next time things slow down on the boards.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

What if either Cedorchuk or Umile (I'd put up an asterisk but he's never won anything meaningful) could count ?

Say what you will about Umile - most of us UNH'ers have "eyes wide open" now, with the benefit of 25 years of hindsight - but he never drove his nationally prominent program directly into a crater like Count Cedorchuck did. and in such a naïve and basically uninformed way. I've heard from lots of folks over the years that he's a swell guy, but he wins my vote for Worst HE Coach of All Time, and it's not really even close. God I miss those days.

 

[Middle Street]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Fair take from the UML universe, where Coach Bazin has been doing his best to become the "Walshy" of the Merrimack Valley (hopefully without the *complications*). Not unlike Walsh, Coach Bazin has taken his program to unprecedented heights relatively early in his tenure, and it will be interesting to see if his route follows the "Walsh" model or the "Umile" model. But getting to the top first is always an advantage, and perhaps Coach Leaman's ascent is going to make it more difficult for Coach Bazin to make that next step?

I'm a younger fan, so the Sean Walsh era was way before my time, however from everything I've read, and after watching that video you shared, I really think comparing Bazin to Walsh is a stretch. Very different personalities and Norm is nowhere close to the recruiter Walsh appears to have been.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

I'm a younger fan, so the Sean Walsh era was way before my time, however from everything I've read, and after watching that video you shared, I really think comparing Bazin to Walsh is a stretch. Very different personalities and Norm is nowhere close to the recruiter Walsh appears to have been.

Mixed blessings there - TBF I think Walshy was a unique personality in the 30 year history of HE. Good news for UML is Bazin probably won't land the program in trouble with the NCAA ... bad news is, if he can't find the hidden (and not-so-hidden) gems that Standbrook and Walsh did, then he's probably doomed to a lot of close-but-not-quites. Kind of like a certain guy who likes the turtleneck look.

 

[Hope Street]

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

Re: WIS Productions Presents "Hockey East 'What IF' ... Shawn Walsh Beats Cancer?"

This is the dumbest discussion going. At least until someone starts 'What If Harkness Never Left RPI'