Recap: Huskies at UMass Lowell
Final: 2-0
Saturday night, Northeastern started with some good energy and pressured River Hawks defensemen, but as usual struggled to get quality chances. Mustering just ten shots through the first couple periods, it was clear that while the Huskies did a decent job containing UMass Lowell on the penatly kill, they could not generate the right plays to make the other team uncomfortable. And with the recurring second period blues, the Huskies found it difficult to even set something up in the zone, especially on the power play. One man advantage saw Northeastern manage just one opportunity to score.
Lowell’s depth, and consistent level of play that came with it frustrated the Huskies all night, and while the third period consisted of 15 Northeastern shots on goal, they were of the low quality type. Rawlings was solid in net and made a few great saves. Both River Hawk goals came during a flurry of opportunities in front of the net. With the sustained pressure both goals were inevitable.
Heading into the break the Huskies will have to decide for themselves which steps need to be taken to improve little by little. It’s apparent that there is no easy fix to the team’s struggles without something drastic happening, which would risk a change of the landscape for this season. And with the way things are going on right now, that doesn’t seem so bad. The little improvements will only help so much. One little improvement could be better recognition of players’ roles. These games are being played without a compass, and some self direction goes a long way.
“recognition of player’s roles” – indeed.
Simply put ….
Exhibit 1:
Coach Madigan’s post-game comments included words like “grittier …” to explain the team’s general lack of paying the price in front of the net in an attempt to salvage was has become Hockey East’s most inept power play. Coach Jim may be on to something here.
Exhibit II:
UMass Lowell’s McGrath stated in his post-game comments that the turning for them was the mid-ice hit on Ferriero that got the their bench going. Obviously, he has a keen eye for the obvious.
Exhibit III:
Joe Manno (prior to his leaving for USHL) was NU’s fastest, biggest and nastiest forward and was seen watching his former teammates at the Tsongas Center from the stands.
Summation:
Given Madigan’s comments, how does he not recognize the usefullness of players like Manno, who may have had a hand on “pushing back” whatever jump the Riverhawks claimed they got from the center ice hit ? What makes things worst is that even in a case of reversed sitautions – the last NU win at UMass was punctuated by Rawlings heroics but also by the massive hits Manno laid on big Ivenko (right into UMass bench !) and the unfortunate shoulder separation on another UMass player later.
Why does (did) “Mad Dog” Madigan keep his aggressive Huskies (ie Manno) on short leashes and not have expanded roles for these players ??!??!?
I suspect Coach Madigan is at a loss for team-building and have his players maintain high compete-levels. “Grittier” … he says. He should pay the ultimate price – replacement – and not by Gerry Keefe – who is apparently the architect of this woeful PP.
I think the PP struggles for the same reasons the 5 on 5 offense does. They don’t get into good areas, they don’t win enough pucks and they don’t shoot enough. PP, even strength, doesn’t matter: one guy gets the puck, tries to do it all himself and either loses the puck or takes a shot from the outside that the goal handles easily. Off the puck movement is basically non existant
Drew, you are spot on.
The “good” areas means sacrifice – paying the price. Guys are watching instead of going to these areas – communication is almost non-existent – other than the long discussions that happen when new lines comes out for a faceoff. Boys … coach … this is suppose to be done on the bench.
If you watch Roy, who doesn’t have the speed, size & strength to hold off checkers – in my opinion, he makes the best quick decision plays – a chip here, a drop there. Watch him without the puck – he’s not watching – he’s moving around to open ice. Unfortunately, the rest of them cannot “READ” and react quickly.
Inevitably, if you don’t have sublime read and react – then you better have size / strength to hold on to pucks while guys are getting opened. A veritable mess. Cory’s post in dead on – no compass – no direction – no recognition of a team concept.
Bring back Cronin !
In essence, Coach Madigan was to prepare his team last year for what would be a new era in NU hockey. He had recruited well based on the program that NU offered as opposed to the other top schools in Hockey East. If he would have just stuck to the game plan and have the players brought in to play their styles, we would not be in this predicament. Something went terribly wrong. He would rather stick to an old formula that tested negative rather than engaging in a new style that could have at least changed the landscape for years to come. He repeated a failed history. Unacceptable!
I am deeply disappointed with what this team has become. We are no longer taken seriously and, for some players on this team, it is just not fair.