Yikes...  I cannot imagine the team that I saw
dominate against Denver is the loser of three
straight.  I don't get up to Orono much living in CT,
but when I left that weekend, I was pleasantly
surprised by a team that appeared to have a lot of
heart, guts, and determination to win.  It seems since
the fracas at Washburn, the team lacks focus and
desire to win.  Which, for the life of me, I can't
figure out.

I have read a lot of the posts about losing and ties
being unacceptable under Coach Walsh, and I doubted
that this was anything different under Coach
Whitehead.  Now I am not so sure.  Providence has a
good team this year, hats off to them.  But come on, a
season sweep to BU and what would appear to be an
awful effort at best tonight, what gives?  I mean how
can you not be "up" everytime you put on the Maine
sweater and step on the ice.  Especially at home.  Two
shots in the second period is absurd.  Dan Kurluke's
Bangor High team from last year may have been able to
muster two shots.  It seems we have gone from "Winning
isn't everything, it's the ONLY thing" to "You win
some, you lose some"  Not acceptable in my book. 
Let's see if tomorrow we can put forth a Division I
effort.

On a superstitious note...  Alfond used to have those
painted banners that hung across the balcony, with
catchy sayings, etc.  Although I have not attented
games regularly since 2001, I don't think they have
made an appearance since we last won in 1999.  Have
they been around?  If not, I think we bring them back.
 We need all the help we can get!

Just my $.02
-Duke       

--- Wayne T Smith <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Maine 18 1/2.
> 
> 
> Thats minutes played ... and that might be generous.
>  Quotes from the 
> seniors in the BDN today suggested they have only
> played 40 minutes and 
> would try to correct that this weekend.  Well, they
> changed it, but not 
> for the better. :-(
> 
> For most of the 1st period, it was an entertaining
> game, with much of it 
> played in the PC end.  But Maine couldn't see the
> open player at the 
> corner of the net (several times) and were unable to
> score.  PC scored 
> with about 1 minute left in the period.
> 
> The second period seemed to be played without joy or
> resolve or 
> confidence on the part of Maine, and the third
> period ... well, the two 
> earlier posters have described the third period
> quite accurately, IMHO.
> 
> With a few minutes left in the game, I wanted the
> band to play "Taps" 
> ... just to give the guys a jolt ... to get them mad
> and with enough 
> resolve to do what they can do Saturday night. 
> Luckily, the band has 
> more sense than me.
> 
> The house was ready tonight, with lots of Standing
> Room Only ticket 
> holders and a huge, loud and energetic student
> turnout, but it wasn't 
> enough.  The situation was set, with both PC and
> UMaine needing big wins 
> this weekend in order to have a reasonable chance
> for HEA home ice 
> playoff series and an NCAA Tournament bid.  It was a
> time when we fans 
> are used to seeing our team gel and exceed
> expectations ... the sum 
> greater than its parts, and each part having and
> knowing its role.   
> Unfortunately, many Maine players, coaches and fans
> went home disappointed.
> 
> PC surely has a talented core of players ... at
> least a half-dozen of 
> them are pure joys to watch.  They are a formidable
> opponent.
> 
> 
> Care to venture what we'll see Saturday night?
> 
> Go Blue!  Get up and Go Blue!
> 


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