Well its been a couple weeks since my last rant, so before 2005 ends I 
figure I'll harp on this subject one last time this year.

But first.. a recap for those who haven't been paying attention or lost 
interest: Maine split this week down in Florida losing to Minnesota-Duluth 
and then beating Northeastern.

Now for the rub... Keith Johnson in the Portland Press Herald Dec. 29:

"Especially the juniors, we haven't had the best of luck down here," Johnson 
said. "We haven't really played particularly well either, but it feels good 
to split down here and get ready for the second half."

...

".. it feels good to split down here"

Excuse me?  I wasn't there, but it doesn't sound to me like there was much 
that happened on the ice that felt good.

I could see this quote making sense if you took care of business against 
Minnesota-Duluth (proud owners of only 7 wins in 20 games prior to Florida) 
and then gave Cornell a good game.

BUT.. you got whitewashed by Duluth 4-1.  Then you spent a good deal of the 
game behind against a Northeastern team that has..... ONE WIN!!!

But hey, that apparently feels good.

I don't mean to pick on Keith, it isn't his fault -- he just gave the quote, 
but the quote is indicative of the pervasive attitude on this team and with 
this program right now.  Instead of demanding play at the highest (and more 
importantly hardest working) level possible WE continue to view mediocrity 
as an acceptable outcome.  I have real concerns about the direction of this 
program long-term right now.

But the new year is upon us and like everywhere else this is a time for new 
beginnings.  All is not lost in Orono.. yet.  Happy New Year!

-Deron