Wayne,

Thanks for bringing some semblance of sanity to this discussion list.
I have avoided comment, because for the most part the remarks I'm
seeing questioning everything from a players sanity to their skill
level have been without fact or reason!

Unless these people are going to the insiders club and can quote
comments from either the coaches or kids directly I would stay away
from personal attacks on the players.

I understand that this is a discussion board and that some of us want
to vent given the inconsistent start the team has had, but some of this
is way overboard.  And I'm not going to call attention to those
comments by dignifying them with a response.

Having traveled with sports teams a long time a go as a broadcaster I
learned a great deal about personalities, why some guys are playing why
others are not, and who gets along with who, as well as who the leaders
are.  Not to mention who has the nagging injury or is thinking about
passing a course.  Which is why the Coaches are there to put players on
the ice not the fans, they know what's happening behind the scenes, and
if they don't they are not running successful programs.  MAINE is a
successful program, and until I find out otherwise I will put my trust
in the coaches.

The one time I can remember questioning Shawn was in 1999 when he
basically said regular season and Hockey East tourney meant nothing
after we had fallen short in both, I thought he was sending the wrong
message, I then witnessed a tournament in Anaheim that changed my mind.

Ultimately it is up to the players to give 100%, there is nothing magic
that the coaches say, and excuse me but it is ludicrous to think that a
player should be cut!  If they are screwing around not going to classes
and setting a bad example yes, if they are a leader that has
demonstrated their value, absolutely not.

Maine has the talent to play for the title again this year, but they
need to find that out themselves, if they don't then we'll be
disappointed not in the fact they didn't win (at least not in my case)
but that they did not put forth the necessary effort.

My observation from the Harvard game are this-

Maine lost way to many one-on-one battles
Maine allowed Harvard players to get to the net for second & third
chances
Maine did not get to the Harvard net, to screen or bang away at second
chances

This was a team wide problem as hockey is a team game and I won't point
out individuals who were culprits, it was a team effort.

I will say that Brent Shepherd has been the nicest surprise this year,
he delivers hits, gets to the net, and is third in scoring.  There are
other more talented players that trail him on the score sheet and
should be looking at what he is doing and modeling themselves after
him.

I don't subscribe to the leadership questions.  The seniors on this
team, in particular John and Ben give 100% night in and night out, but
they are not the most talented.  Todd was a quiet leader last year, and
yes both Prestin and Colin Shields we're lambasted on this board and on
others many times.  Prestin quieted his critics, but Colin was a
whipping boy last year.

The team needs to figure things out for themselves, please leave the
personal attacks at the door.  You want to see another player dressed
fine, I have wanted to see Zab back on the ice, but I have stated that
with directly attacking someone that he should replace.

Maine fans in Alfond are the best around, the Maine fans on this board
remind me of the people who support BC or UNH on the other board!

Merry Christmas to all and here's to a great Florida trip for the Black
Bears!  You may all remember that got swept there last year and many
we're up in arms at the time!  It's a long season, let's see what
happens and enjoy the action.

Bob Fitta
Maine '83
On Dec 14, 2004, at 1:57 PM, Wayne T Smith wrote:

> Lest we forget ...
>
> While some of us were calling for Prestin Ryan to be a captain his
> senior year and admiring his play, there were many more of us wondering
> why he was still on the team, what with his temper and penalty
> minutes!   So while we all learn about the players and team from this
> mailing list discussion, and it's great, we should realize that we're
> all expressing opinions and personal comments that may or may not be
> close to any reality the players or coaching staff should worry about.
> Just my opinion ;-)
>
> or as lemony snicket wrote in book 3 (I think):
> Violet: She's Count Olaf!
> Shirley: I'm not Count Olaf.  Let's go down to my office.  You'll see
> my
> nameplate there that proves I'm Shirley.
>
> cheers, wayne
>
> Jon Eggert wrote, in part,  on 12/14/2004 1:02 PM:
>
>> As far as a take the team by the horns leader I can't imagine anyone
>> forcing
>> his will on the team better than Prestin Ryan did. Not sure if he was
>> vocal
>> in the lockerroom but anyone watching him had to see the will the guy
>> had.
>> Prestin more than any other player is the guy this team misses. You
>> think
>> teams were going to pitch a tent in front of Jimmy with Prestin
>> around??.
>> They were too busy looking over their shoulders wondering when he was
>> going
>> to clean their clocks:)
>> Besides Ronan and Murphy, the older guys on this team are
>> inconsistent in
>> their effort.
>>
>>
>>
Bob Fitta
Director of Advertising
Harvard Magazine
617-496-6631