Thin defense aside, I think this team has some of the best hockey skills 
UMaine has even seen ... maybe not an '88 or '93 level of skills, but 
best in many years, IMHO.  Unfortunately, I think they're not 
athletically strong, compared to other UMaine teams.  And most of all, 
they appear to be the most mentally undisciplined team in many years 
(Preston Ryan did not make the team undisciplined! ;-) ).  It looked 
like several players were measuring the their game success individually 
with a "you foul me and I'll get you back" attitude.

I seem to recall early season successes were accompanied by some 
impressive passing ... passing that was missing from the 2nd season?  
Maybe just shutdown by defenses playing more in our face, or as was 
often spoken, "we've got to play a perfect game", causing a death grip 
on each UMaine stick?

When Coach pushes a forward back to defense (for the first time) in the 
last weekend of the regular season, you've got to think his team had 
issues the coaching staff thought they could work through ... or was the 
coaching staff (earlier) betting the season hopes on a healthy Bishop?

It looks to me as if UMaine has a 60-40, or better, chance of making the 
NCAA Tournament.  Let the rats jump ship ... it's not over 'til it's over!

I'm just glad I don't have to go to every UMass home game and endure the 
constant, ignorant, incessant, annoying "You s***!" cheer.

cheers, wayne

Jon wrote, in part,  on 3/12/2007 6:41 AM:
> I don't believe this team has the defense or the will to make much 
> noise in the NCAAs.