Allow me to take a deep breath and get this out of the way:
BU is not a good hockey team this year.
Were my heart not so much on my sleeve -- and I didn't have so much faith
in Jack Parker -- the statement above would not have offered so much praise
towards this year's Terriers. Against Denver on Friday night, they simply
looked bad.
While BU did manage to create a number of scoring opportunities, they
repeatedly failed to convert on the how-can-you-not-score plays. While
heavy credit must be given to Denver netminder Wade Dubielewicz in racking
up 42 saves on 44 shots, it was the inability of the BU forwards to keep
the puck away from his chest pads that allowed the Pioneers the comfort and
confidence to put the game away before the 3rd period even began.
At the other end of the ice, the play BU goaltender Sean Fields (5 goals on
24 shots) was a harsh reminder of the severe loss suffered in the departure
of Ricky DiPietro following last season. Fields did manage to produce some
of the better saves I've seen in the college game all season, including an
acrobatic, Hasek-like cartwheel kick-save that blocked the high,
stick-sided puck out of midair.
Unfortunately for Fields, his entertaining saves (including three or so
lightning-quick glove catches on breakways) were heavily outshadowed by his
inability to keep the Pioneers from receiving countless second
opportunities. Fields gave up at least a dozen rebounds straight ahead,
rather into the sides or corners; it's no surprise that the 3 of the 5
Pioneer goals game on second chances. Furthermore, the majority of his
deflections went skittering a good six feet in front of him; he rarely was
able to collect and hold the puck.
That said, I don't fault Fields for this performance. Not entirely, anyway.
The BU defense was simply too slow and too often out of position to clear
the puck away or block the Denver players from swooping in to stuff the
puck home.
Similarly the BU blue-liners displayed an inability to successfully
challenge the Denver fowards on rushes, even when they were even. Denver
certainly had an altitude advantage, but it wasn't fitness or oxygen that
allowed the Pioneers deep into the BU end. Rarely did BU force Denver to
dump the puck, and as the game wore on the Pioneers clearly understood they
could easily carry the puck across the blue line.
BU showed their best in the second period, challenging the puck at both
ends and limiting Denver's ability and space to skate. BU also managed its
best offensive chances of the night during the period, but breakaway misses
by Corazzini, Pandolfo, Aufiero and Emery -- all of whom buried the puck
into the chest of "Dub" -- sealed the fate of the Terriers, who by the end
of the 2nd were down 4-1.
The Terriers may not have any true superstars on their roster, but they do
have some talented players. The problem against Denver is that they weren't
very smart on the ice; there seemed to be real communication problems,
players were often caught out of position and too many dangerous passes
resulted in quick turnovers, two of them converted into breakaway goals by
the Pioneers.
This is definitely a team that has the potential to turn a few things
around and improve in time for the Beanpot and the Hockey East playoffs,
but they still look like they'll struggle to reach .500 by the time March
rolls around.
What about Denver?
The Pioneers bought themselves a lot of confidence in nailing the opening
goal only 1:17 into the game, and played consistently from start to finish.
Looking at the numbers would make one believe that it was "Dub" and Bjorn
Engstrom (1G, 2A) that led their side to victory, but it really was a
consistent performance by each line that put the Pioneers through and onto
the scoreboard in each period.
Denver didn't play a great game, nor did they look like they have the
makings of a great team. They played an effective strategy, one in which
every player poured out 100% and took advantage of a disorganized opponent.
Defensively they allowed the Terriers through on a number of occasions and
were outclassed by the BU forechecking; at the same time however, Denver
managed to keep things clogged in front of the net, preventing BU from
converting any of their rebounds; at the blue line, Denver forwards pressed
and hurried the shooters into a passing, rather than shotmaking role.
But most importantly it came down to a matter of finishing their key
opportunities. Rebounds were put away and breakaways were sealed. While
Denver may not be blessed with talent, they were a clearly focused side and
one that may prove dangerous when the WCHA playoffs roll around. And unlike
BU, this is a team that shows a lot more potential for improvement
throughout the season -- that is assuming they don't forget how to take
advantage of their scoring chances.
On a final note, the game did feature at least one highlight in the third
period this BU fan will long remember:
Pioneer defender Aaron McKenzie (6-0, 190) received a pass at his own blue
line and began to advance the attack up the left. Thinking he could beat BU
forward Corazzini (5-9, 180) or at least hold him off, McKenzie went for
the burst of speed along the boards. Bad idea. Corazzini was too fast and
had his check lined up perfectly; seeing this at the last moment, McKenzie
put his head down and as he was slammed into the boards, shattered the
glass on the door to the visitors' penalty box.
McKenzie flopped to all fours on the ice while Corazzini glided away; he
remained on the ice for a moment, was checked by the trainer and was a bit
wobbly as he was led off the ice. 5-7 minutes later he returned to the ice
and to his (and his teammates') credit, did not look for retribution
against Corazzini or any of the BU players.
This was a completely clean and legal hit; even the most vocal of the
Denver fans refrained from yelling at the ref and demanding a penalty.
Perhaps this was also because the scoreboard replay clearly showed that
McKenzie dipped his head well before the hit -- but didn't prepare the rest
of his body. He really must have thought he could squeeze through.
I'm sure I'll start yet another hot-blooded shoutfest on this, but this is
a perfect example of how injuries can often come about as a result of
stupidity (or arrogance) on the part of the "victim." With a 4-2 lead and
10 minutes left in the game, there's nothing wrong with simply pushing the
puck forward and preparing for the check; there was no question that
Corazzini was going to make the hit, especially as he was right alongside
McKenzie. Everyone on the arena knew it, and prepared for a heavy check --
except for McKenzie.
Regardless, a spectacular check by Corazzini that thankfully did not result
in any sort of injury.
greenie
S P O O N ! !
(go BU)
|
