Subject:  Re: Same 'ole situation

I wrote a reply to an earlier message today and rescinded it changing my mind.  Here is what I wrote, now that I have read Deron's last message.

Without directing any blame, fault or disrespect for Tim, consider the following question.

We as Maine fans are used to a different coaching style than is currently in place.  Does anyone feel that the more laid back style that is currently at Maine is part of the problem with leadership?

My personal opinion is that if you play for a fireball, you go 600 mph with your hair on fire to earn your place.  If you play for a passive style, you play 50 mph with no "go get 'em umph" and say at the end of every loss, "we didn't come to play last night", or, "we didn't have the heart tonight".

I think Tim is a great coach on the rink board, but I don't think he can light the fire.  I really think last years heart was from the players that skated for Shawn and UMaine, and earned the spot.

Deron said earlier about Nault turning the puck over.  Without bringing up the dreaded "Shawn would have" program viewed earlier on this same station,  I don't think there are many coaches that would not have benched a player for their part in numerous turnovers.

Do these guys wear the uniform because they go to school there?  Where is the "earning" your spot on a roster?  Where is the "pride" that goes with earning that jersey?  Not just wearing it for a couple of hours on the weekends and having it laundered at the university laundry mat.

I don't know about the rest of you, and I'm sure I'll be set on fire by many people on the boards, but this is not the Maine team and program I have been a fan of for 16 years.  This needs to be turned around right now and for good.  I don't like where this program is headed.  (and no, I don't think I'm jumping the gun at what some may call a bad "slump",  this has an entirely different feel than a slump).

Let the cannons rip.


t >>> [log in to unmask] 03/07/03 09:27AM >>>
This quote is from "captain" Chris Heisten in today's Bangor Daily News
(Larry Mahoney)

"We let in two soft goals. The team defense wasn't there tonight," said
Maine senior left wing and captain Chris Heisten. "There's no excuses. You
have to come to play every night and we didn't."

How many times are we going to hear, "we didn't come to play tonight" or "we
weren't ready", etc., etc.

I read a couple different recaps of the game and didn't see much for quotes
from Tim Whitehead.  The only thing I did see was he made a wishy washy
comment about liking the way they played.

Stop being part of the problem.  He needs to light a fire under Maine for
tonight.

Great coaches get their teams ready to play.  As far as I'm concerned
Maine's problems have reached epidemic proportions now and the coach can no
longer rely on the captains or team leadership, or experience to pull them
through.  He has to do what he can to make it happen.  If Maine loses
tonight (or Saturday) and you see quotes that they "weren't ready" or
"didn't come to play" that will be Tim Whitehead's fault.

-Deron