Thanks, Beth, for posting this to give everyone a look at how things are
going with Union.  I've talked a bit with some of the Union people like Jim
Teresco (doing an excellent job with his updates, they show that the Dutchmen
are playing better than their record indicates), and I see a definite
similarity between Union now and Merrimack in 1989-90.  That Merrimack team
finished 3-18-0 in Hockey East and early in the season, they were shut out at
home by BU, 8-0, and outshot 40-10 including 19-0 in the third period (I did
the shot chart and I really tried to give them a shot :-) ).  But when the
end of the season came, that team played at #1 BC in the HE quarterfinals
and shocked the Eagles with a 6-3 win, forcing a third and deciding game; all
three games were close.  So Union's goal should be to improve during the
season such that at the end, they can look back and realize they were better
at the end than at the start.  Wins and losses aren't as much of a concern
right now.  I don't think all fans can understand this; it took me a little
while to understand it, coming from Northeastern which had won the HE
postseason title in 1988 and a Beanpot.  You learn to get enjoyment out of
little things in a game, such as keeping a powerful opposing power play off
the board, or watching a talented freshman who you know is only going to get
better.
 
I've told Jim that I hoped fans there wouldn't get discouraged, it's bound to
take a few years.  Merrimack's Ron Anderson has a five-year plan (of which he
is right in the middle), and it is likely that Union's Bruce Delventhal is
thinking along the same lines.  Unfortunately this doesn't help the seniors
this season - they leave while Delventhal remains, looking towards better
times.  Yet the seniors who will be gone after this season will be remembered
as the ones who made it possible for Union to make the jump to the ECAC and
DivI - they are the cornerstone of the future of Union hockey.  Likewise the
fans who support the team in difficult times.
 
The one thing to remember is that despite the 1-10 record, this Union team
may be the best ever to play at Union.  Records cannot be compared between
divisions.  Winning in DivI is very different from winning in DivIII; you
need to "learn" how to win and build a new winning tradition.  In the article
Beth posted, Mike Gallant talked about how Union hasn't been blown out often,
it's the little things that are why they are losing.  THAT is the difference
between DivI and III, no doubt about it.
 
I've been watching the performances of Union through hockey-l this year and
I like what I see.  We look forward to hosting Union next season in what
should be a good continuation of an old DivII-III rivalry (Merrimack defeated
Union 6-4 in 1977 to win the DivII ECAC Championship).  And I can't wait to
see Jim go wild on the list after Union's first ECAC win. :-)  Hang in there,
Union fans.
 
 
- mike