I think Gionta is the key for BC.  When he is on, the team seems
to be on.  Bellefeuille and Farkas are streaky players - dangerous
at times.    Mottau, Allen and now Orpik shore up a good crop of
blue-liners....
 
However,  I think the real problem for BC (I have said this since the
first time I saw him play last year) is between the pipes.  I have never
thought Clemmensen was up there with the elite goaltenders of
the league (i.e. Michaud, Conklin, Larocque, and Matile when he's on).
I strongly believe his numbers are good mostly due to the fact that
BC's strong defense more than amply make up for his glaring
weaknesses.  If he happens to be on - like he was for the NCAA
tourney run last year - BC has a chance.  Otherwise Gionta and
company have to play at a very high level for BC to do well.  It
seems evident to me that this fact bears out this year.  BC now
has 9 losses - almost unbelievable when you consider their lineup.
I can only point to 1 thing - Clemmensen cannot keep them in
games where the team is a little sluggish in front of him.  However,
look how many games BU has been in due to the play of Larocque
(and it's pretty obvious that BU's talent level is way, way down
this year).  I also think Maine and UNH have benefited from strong
goaltending when they have played some so-so hockey this year.
Just my $.02....
 
Thoughts?
 
- Kevin
 
John W Duffill wrote:
 
> Dont lose sight of the fact that Gionta is only a sophmore.  I think a big
> difference between Maine and BC is if you shut down Gionta you can pretty well
> shut down BC not so with Kariya and Maine.
>
> John Duffill
> An Original Friend of Maine Hockey
>
> > gionta looked unbelievable, but i don't think he has steve kariya's heart...
> > steve works real hard everytime he is onthe ice an he, i think is alot more
> > consistent than gionta...
> > so i dunno, i voted for gionta on the college hocey online site, but i would
> > take it back and vote for steve, gionta didnothing against BU in the bean
> > pot
> >
> > rambling, jim
 
 
 
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  Kevin C. Tompkins                     Comverse Network Systems
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