Stretch run to spring break? The inconsistent play is going to be lucky to get them into the HE Playoffs. It seems like they play terrible the first night and then get pissed off and give it hell the next night OR they play great the first night, get over confident and then get lit up like Fenway Park the next. The lines should be set, they should be confident with their linemates and as far as motivation goes, that scripted MAINE on the front of their sweaters should be enough for them to play their asses off night after night, no matter who is behind the bench motivating(or in this case NOT motivating) them. As far as the Alfond goes I think it's the most pathetic excuse of home ice advantage as I've seen. For the most part it seems the fans go out to be seen or to be able to say "I went to the hockey game", yes they are filling the seats, the money is needed to keep the program going but the place to me has lost a lot of it's intimidation in the past few years. I like the efforts put into the arena to make it more modern. But to say it's the extra skater I think is pushing it. I agree with Nonni about the Lake State/Bowling Green point, we aren't that far off. There is a need for change not only in the hockey program but the athletic department. Maybe Obama will bring us some change we can believe in....
Tony
From: Bill Dewkett <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, February 8, 2009 1:17:12 PM
Subject: Re: {Disarmed} Re: Maine 1, UNH 0I agree with you Nonni, it is that time in the season where young no longer applies, lines should be set and the team ready for the stretch run. Deron, I also agree with you in that this is a Jekyll and Hyde team. I see displays of talent one night and wonder if they ever played hockey the next night. Is this a factor of the coaching staff getting them mentally ready or letting them get themselves mentally ready for a game? Since when has the Alfond crowd been unnerving to our players. The Alfond was and is always our “extra” skater on the ice. If they are young then it is between their ears and it is the coaching staff’s job to clean out the self-doubt. I also don’t see anybody leaving early.
Bill-----Original Message-----
From: The Maine Hockey Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nonni Daly
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 12:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: {Disarmed} Re: Maine 1, UNH 0
Deron, both you and I and everyone else should be getting tired of the "they are young" -- we've been hearing that since the first article popped into the BDN in August ... it is getting worn out fast! Have you considered that Maine is way more close to being the "next Bowling Green" or LSSU than you want to consider?I remember when "being young" was not an excuse -- it was a reason to overachieve. Am I the only one who remembers this?----- Original Message -----From: [log in to unmask]" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">Deron TreadwellTo: [log in to unmask]" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">[log in to unmask]Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 11:29 AMSubject: Re: Maine 1, UNH 0
I did not see Saturday's game, but watched Friday's on TV.
This win was key because they closed out the deal. They arguably *should* have beaten UNH twice this season. (We won't talk about Bentley et al).
I have admittedly not been very patient with Maine's decline and "rebuilding" and I don't get to see them as often as I'd like. But every time I do I am struck that unlike last year when I thought they were just terrible most of the time, I do see talent there. It is obvious. They are just so young and they are learning everything on the fly. I think this next recruiting class is crucial. Can we build on what we've got and keep taking steps forward? Or will there be more early defections?
On that note, things would be much different if you still had Teddy Purcell and Andrew Sweetland on this team right now. Those two leaving early definitely set us back and have made this process more difficult. Being cynical like I am, I still am waiting to truly see what kind of talent we can recruit long-term without Grant Standbrook. We won't truly know that answer for years to come. I also like some of the things they've done to modernize Alfond Arena and it does help. Reputation is also important. We don't want to be the next Bowling Green.
DeronFrom: Adam Parker <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Saturday, February 7, 2009 9:59:56 PM
Subject: Maine 1, UNH 0
Great game tonight. I'm sure everyone has thoughts, but having watched both games, I saw two distinctly different Maine teams over the two nights.
There were 4 of us together in the Verizon, and we went up against the UNH Student Section (cheering, that is) and - I can safely say we won the battle! :)
I thought the team looked a lot better tonight than last night. On Saturday they hustled, they skated hard, etc. I felt like on Friday they were just not trying. Maybe they didn't want to get caught out of position, but I felt like they could've pushed a bit more.
Granted, they could still improve. They could get some more shots on net, and Darling could give up fewer rebounds. But, I was very happy with the effort, and more importantly, the result.
Any thoughts?_popupControl();