The Coaches Show, with Shawn Walsh and Joe Carr just got over on local
radio, here are some notes from the discussion.
 
Walsh thought that the Maine/Lowell was as chippy of a game as he's seen in
several years (I believe he said 6-7 years), and wondered if anything would
be done about it.  He didn't say anything about Bullock, and I ran out of
time before I could call him and get his opinion, so I'll wait till before
the rematch! <smile>
 
Maine Goalie Blair Allison was named Hockey East Player of the Week for this
week.  Blair is the first Maine player to win POTW, which is a credit to the
balance of the team.  Maine has had several Rookie of the Weeks, Scott
Parmentier, Jeff Tory, and I'm sure some others I'm missing.  Shawn
Wansborough was Rookie of the Month of Decemeber.  Walsh really feels that
Allison is overlooked, and underrated as a goal-tender, and I tend to agree.
 His numbers are very impressive, but from what I hear (I just got the tape
today, and have yet to review it) Bob Kurtz, and Bob Norton of NESN made
some referrence to them not giving him enough credit till that game with
Providence.  Walsh brought the idea up to Allison that he thought Maine
should promote Allison has a Hobey Baker Canadate, and what was Allison's
response?  "You can't do that Coach."  Why?  Because Allison feels that Imes
should be the one to be promoted.. Walsh says he can promote both!  Allison
has always been a very poised player, and he is without question a team
player, very unselfish, and generally a good guy.
 
This has been on Hockey-L of late, Walsh did discuss his feelings on the RPI
Rating, and said that he didn't think it was very accurate.  In support of
that he said that he didn't feel that the WCHA, and CCHA played enough
non-conference games, and that it didn't give winning enough credit.  I
think I echoed this last week, and it's nice to see I'm not alone <smile>.
Walsh bluntly said, "We've laced it up 32 times this year, and only two
teams have beaten us."  He said he was also proud of the record his team
has, as well he should be.  Both him and I can agree that there needs to be
"some" system in place to place teams, and keep it out of the boardroom,
Walsh doesn't think this is quite it yet, and I think any rating that
doesn't give winning % more than a 25% share will be less than adequate.
 
The Shootout format was also brought up tonight by a caller.  Walsh said
that he personally thinks Hockey East will DISCONTINUE it's use after this
season.  Walsh said he personally was really on the fence on his feelings,
but thinks if it came to a vote today, he would vote to remove it.  Walsh
said that other leagues may adopt it, because of the publicity Hockey East
received from doing it, but feels that if Hockey East scraps it, other
leagues will probally not adopt it.
 
Walsh reported that there are over 800 seats still available, good seats
actually, for both the UMass game and the Merrimack game, call 207-581-BEAR
for tickets!
 
20 points is now the magic number for the Black Bears to clinch the Hockey
East regular season title.  Any combination of Maine wins/ties and BU
losses/ties affect that magic number.  Regardless, if Maine wins it's next
four games (the 4th being Feb. 26 @Alfond against Lowell) Maine will clinch
the title at home.  If it goes to the wire, Maine's last league game is in
Portland, Maine "on the road" against UNH.
 
As some of you know, for the first time in Walsh's career, Maine stayed over
in Lowell after Saturday nights win.  Walsh was impressed with the
committment the team has made, as captain Chris Imes stood up after Walsh
began to make a comment about not wanting his team to go out, and Imes said
they weren't going out, and that no one on the team was going to partake in
alcohol for the remainder of the year.  Walsh did not know this, and I
suppose it must have been decided during the players own meeting Sunday
after the UMass loss.  The team really does seem focused, maybe more so than
they have been all year, it is really exciting.
 
As I proposed to you a couple days back, Walsh said injured forward Shawn
Wansbourough should play against Lowell on Feb. 25, and is skating without
contact this week.  Walsh also said that Wayne Conlan responded positively
to his first action in 18 games this weekend.
 
Walsh said that Maine has signed one prospect, David Cullen?  I'd be
interested in hearing anything that anyone may know about him.  Walsh is
planning a long recruiting trip on Maine's break in a week and a half, and
is looking for 1 more defensmen, and 1 forward who can finish.  With Maine
returning ALL of their forwards next year, Walsh is looking for some
snippers.  Nyles Sanderstrom should have a regular spot next year, and Walsh
is already looking forward to training camp to see who is ready to step up
with some internal competition coming in!
 
That's it! <Whew!>  If anyone around the area is interested, a charity
Broomball tournament is going on at the Alfond tomorrow night at 7pm, as
some media teams will battle for the right to play the Maine Black Bears.
It ought to be fun, $2.50 for adults, $1.50 for students, I'm planning to
attend.  JOE CARR is playing, so if you wanted to check him out this is the
chance, but Walsh and Assistant coach Guy Perron will be there, and Steven
King, and his wife Tabitha will also be playing in the tournament!  Ought to
be great fun!!
 
 
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Deron  Treadwell - [log in to unmask]
The University of Maine (24-2-6)  GO BLUE!!
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