Seeing as this is a discussion group, allow me to give my opinion.

Expect Jimmy Howard to start in goal.

The UMass debacle was a total team collapse in all three zones and
goaltending.  Doyle didn't stand on his head in either relief
appearance of Howard.

But that isn't what I feel tips the scales toward Jimmy.  But I don't
think you can come away from the UMass series alone and say that one
goaltender outshown the other.  Doyle gave up less goals, but the games
were effectively over when he came in and UMass was more defensive
minded.

Tim Whitehead has shown that he is a man of "hunches" (Jimy Williams
comes to mind for you Red Sox fans out there).  He played Yeats last
year on a hunch, when some like JIm thought Morrison should play.
Because he plays hunches, he will play Howard.

For starters, Howard could not play much worse than he has.  Law of
averages.  Also, Howard comes from the US Development Program based out

of Michigan, he's played in Yost Arena and I believe he has played
against Michigan.  He also has a little bit of a rivlary with Michigan
goalie Montoya (sp?).

What counts against Doyle is I'm not sure he has the big-game
experience.  Howard does have more experience, especially with his
world junior championship experience.  Granted, he's had mixed results
with this experience, however.  But two stints in world championship
competition isn't bad to draw on.

I'm not saying I believe that Howard should start, I just think he
will.  But Whitehead has surprised me before.  The only way Doyle will
go is if Howard has had a complete meltdown and no longer has
confidence and Doyle has been outstanding in practice.  If they are
close to even, Howard will go.

I maintain that the two most important parts of the game are defense
playing smart and fundamentally sound and creating numerous and good
offensive chances.  Either goaltender can win, but both will lose if
the above two points do not happen.


--- james acheson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> yeah I guess... but i tell ya... when I was yelling for Snow to some
> in against LAke State because of his ability to pass to the far blue
> line, to PAt Tardiff or MIchel Latendress or any ofo the others, and
> Shawn did it, I got confident enough to figure I know something.
> And if a goalie shuts out UMAss twice and I have 2 great goalies, I
> am playing the one with the 2 shutouts... however I must stand
> corrected, they each had a shutout against UMASS.
> last, s far as not questioning the coach's moves... sorry, I am not a
> rah rah fan who thinks that everything our boys do is 100% correct, I
> see this as a discussion group where we get to question those very
> moves.  (I am well aware that MAine chose Tim Whitehead over me... I
> do not even pretend to be a close second in the race,... therefore
> you gotta know what my opinion is worth compared to Tim's... that
> said.  Play Frank!
> Play Colin Marty and Todd together like early in the season... or
> Lucas, Marty and Todd to get all the speed together.
> Tell Prestin to iron the ref's jerseys before the games so he does
> not get called when he crosses his eyes.
> oh, and see if ther eis any way in God's green earth that Michael
> Schutte can finish up his senior year this week.
>  "Chesley, Clair" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Because a goalie had 2 shut-outs against a particular team during the
> season is a minor consideration as to how a goalie is going to play
> on a particular day.   The factors that a coach uses to decide on who
> to play is based primarily much more recent information i.e. how did
> he look in practice, how did he look in the last game, is he totally
> healthy, are there other stresses in his life, etc.
>
> Also, we should keep in mind that sometimes a coach will pull a
> goalie not because he is playing badly but because he is concerned
> about the goalies confidence etc.
>
> Basically the coach knows so much more about what is going on with
> his goalies than we do, so that (IMHO) it's really not worth
> questioning.
>
> And when Shawn was there I barely ever questioned any decision that
> he made.  It's kind of like questioning Kasparov on his decision to
> make a particular move on a chess board.  Or maybe it's better to say
> that:   "I wonder why he made that decision, but I sure don't think
> that I have anywhere enough knowledge or experience to have made a
> better one."
>
> I sure hope that Fox Sports New England or WABI  picks up the game on
> Saturday!
>
> GO BLUE!!!!!!!!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Deron Treadwell [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 12:53 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Howard, Doyle et al
>
> > I AM a Jimmy fan, but I am also realsitic, I think.  i understand
> wyh
>
> > Jimmy was pulled aginast UMass ... but pleawse exp[lain to me why
> he
>
> > started teh next night?  Doyle had 2 shut outs against them this
>
> > season.
>
>
> As I understand it, Whitehead felt that Doyle also gave up a key soft
>
> goal when he relieved Howard in the first game, also letting the team
>
> down.  So he gave Jimmy another shot to start the next game.
>
> I too thought the decision was questionable, but at this point it
>
> doesn't really matter.  Whitehead will start the goalie that has
> played
>
> the best and with the most poise these last two weeks in practice.
>
> Either goalie should be fine if the defense plays well in front of
>
> them.
>
> Another problem that has nothing to do with these guys is scoring
>
> goals.  Wayne said MONTHS AGO he was concerned about offensive
>
> production and that has also been a big problem down the stretch.  We
>
> will need to score at least 4 goals Saturday to win I think.
>
>
>
> =====
>
> Deron Treadwell -- [log in to unmask]
>
> http://www.blackbears.net
>
> GOD BLESS OUR BRAVE SOLIDERS!
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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desktop!


=====
Deron Treadwell -- [log in to unmask]
http://www.blackbears.net

GOD BLESS OUR BRAVE SOLIDERS!