Very thorough post and some good points!

I'd add one thing.  Maine must win the special teams battle.  Maine's
power play was absolutely awful last weekend, and the penalty kill had
a couple lapses as well.

BC's power play is more deadly than Wisconsin or Harvard, but their
penalty kill is one of the best in the country so it is going to be
that much harder to generate PP goals.

However, I agree with those that say Matti K. is overrated.  He
benefits from a great defense in front of him, but he's not that good
of a goalie IMHO.

I really believe that Maine will be hard pressed to win this game
unless special teams comes out at least a draw.

-Deron

--- Dan Doucette <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Some thoughts prior to Thursday...indulge me please
>
> Coach should try and get a copy of "Miracle" and show it to the boys
> on the
> bus ride down.  Any hockey player that sees that movie and wouldn't
> want to
> skate through brick walls after the showing must have serious
> motivation
> problems and ought not to play.
>
> On to the game itself. Given the past contests with BC, and the
> aftermath of
> the Regionals, here are my thoughts on points for the next game.
>
> 1.  Playing from behind will not work well.
>
> Maine needs to score the first goal.
>
> 2.  Pressure Matti - take shots whenever possible.
>
> Do not look for the cute pass and stand around.  Kaltianen can let in
> some
> real softies, but won't if Maine is just playing pass-o
>
> Also, spinning off my first point..if Maine DOES score first, they
> can't
> retreat into defensive mode.  Take the game to BC...Herb Brooks' way
> to beat
> the Russkies works well against any fast skating team.  They can't
> beat your
> goalie if you're in the process of outskating the rest of the team
> and
> attacking the other net.  Double-shift Jackson if you have to, Coach.
>
> 3.  Win more faceoffs than you lose.
>
> It will not be helpful to lose these battles as they did to Wisconsin
> 46-34
> and leave someone in as they did with Jankus to take draws in the
> third
> period of that game, who only won 6 of 18 draws.  and change who
> takes the
> draw when someone is tending to lose draws late in the game.
>
> Coach has to know someone late in the game who has the hot hand on
> the draw
> and put them in for faceoffs.  Pull your faceoff guy for another
> skater
> right away if you have to (we are NOT home team and earn last
> exchange on
> substitutions against BC, btw) but losing faceoffs as often as
> against
> Wisconsin will NOT help.  Didn't anyone else except me and Lindsay
> notice
> that ?  Does someone keep faceoff stats for Maine during the game and
> report
> the results to the bench ?
>
> 4.  Use the depth of the Maine bench as a weapon.
>
> Jerry York has a tendency to shorten his bench late in close games.
> Maine
> can gain tremendous advantage as they have had throughout the
> Tournaments
> this year by throwing a fresh fourth line against tired opponents.
> Our
> fourth line scoring meant victory in a couple of contests late this
> year,
> and could very well do the same in the next contest.
>
> These are the things I noticed.  Needless to say, more things are in
> play
> when Maine takes its measure against BC and plans for Thursday.
> Coach no
> doubt has used the long layoff to put plans in place for the next TWO
> games.
>
> Finally, I'm open to a big argument, but it would be VERY difficult
> for me
> to support BC should they prevail against Maine.
>
> GO BLUE
>
> Dan