hi everyone.  I'm pretty new here and I'm not sure of the protocol but
I had a couple thoughts I wanted to share.  Please don't get too upset
with me.
 
My thought is that while I think Walsh is an awesome coach, I think we
need to put the use of the trap in some context.  Was Paul Pooley a
genius when the trap gave Providence the 1996 Hockey East title over
maine?  Is Jacques Lemaire a brillant coach because he's employed that
system at New Jersey of the NHL?  In fact more and more teams are
using defensive-style hockey like that.
 
The trap, or any defensive style like it, was the right decision to
make with only 4 defensemen playing.  Those four could not do it
alone, they needed help.  So it was a natural decision to do that and
(just so you don't get me wrong) it worked out real well.
 
I don't think Walsh was posturing, I think it was boring.  Most games
featuring the trap are even if our beloved Maine black bears are in it.
 
More credit should be given to Michaud.  It wasn't the trap that kept
Maine from losing the game for Maine, it was Michaud.  That may have
been the game of his career.  BC did put wave after wave of pressure
on and even though the trap did help Maine prevail, it still didn't
keep BC from getting many good scoring chances and over 40 shots
(after allowing over 50 the night before)and if not for Michaud Maine
would have lost, trap or no trap.  He stepped up and really played
well.  I am very proud of him.  He's had a lot of criticism dumped on
him and looks ready to make another spring turnaround.
 
I'm really thrilled we came out with 3 points and I am pumped for this
weekend.  I just think Michaud isn't getting enough credit and Walsh,
maybe, is getting too much.
 
I enjoyed (as always) all of the posts on this weekend's action, as
well as others, I just have a difference of opinion here.
 
                                JD
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