Vermont Sweeps Huskies Out of Playoff Picture
Last year the Huskies came a point away from making the playoffs after splitting the final weekend. This year, they made sure not to leave until the last minute. After back to back home loses to the Vermont Catamounts, the Huskies have practically sealed their playoff fate with 3 weeks left in the year.
The Huskies 3-1 loss to Vermont was the latest disappointing effort from the team picked to finish 6th by Hockey East coaches. The loss extends the home winless streak to 9 games, which is the longest in 15 years. It also gives the Catamounts their first ever weekend sweep on the road against NU. And it gives them a sweep of the season series for just the second time since they joined Hockey East in 2005. But more importantly, it leaves Northeastern in last place, needing to make up a 4 point game and jump 2 teams in the final 7 games of the season.
For the second night in a row, the Huskies scored first. Cody Ferriero’s 9th goal of the year came on a Northeastern power play minutes into the 2nd period. But Vermont would answer soon after when Chris McCarthy beat Bryan Mountain with a wrist shot.
McCarthy would give Vermont the lead in the 3rd period on a weak shot that trickled through the five hole of Mountain. Like Rawlings on Friday, Mountain played well enough to win, despite allowing some questionable goals. The senior finished with 26 saves, but remains winless through his 7 starts.
The Huskies would come close to a tying goal several times in the final minutes, but Vermont goalie Brody Hoffman turned in another stellar performance. The comical streak of opponents picking up weekly awards after facing the Huskies will likely continue this week with Hoffman, who was excellent for the Catamounts all weekend.
Brett Bruneteau’s empty net goal with 30 seconds left would seal the 3-1 win for Vermont.
The Huskies now find themselves a long shot to make the playoffs (playoffstatus.com puts it at 11%) and frankly, this isn’t a team deserving of making the playoffs. Blame injuries, turnover from the new coaching staff, or just plain bad luck if you want, but Northeastern should not be in this position, especially after the events of last season.
The Huskies have had problems with defensive breakdowns and poor goaltending all season, but this weekend they finally figured it out on that end. Unfortunately, the offense once again disappeared. At no point this season (not even the Hunstville weekend) has this team got solid play on both ends of the ice in a series. It seems that when one group steps up, another steps back. The result is a team that has been massively underwhelming and a record that reflects that.
Last year, it seemed like the team just quit on the coaching staff as the season came to an end. Signs of that are beginning to pop again this year. With their backs against the wall, the Huskies could have come out this weekend and grinded out a win or two against a team with less skill than them. But they didn’t do that. They came out flat in the biggest series of the season. Their response to Vermont’s physicality and intensity was to shut down and stop working and they got the result they deserved.
The Huskies will travel to Amherst on Tuesday to make up the game against UMass that was postponed by the blizzard. I’m sure there will be a line shake up or some other sort of cosmetic changes, but unless there is a full blown attitude change and a renewed focus, you can write off the rest of this season.
Firmly in last place. The architect of the mens hockey demise is Mr. Roby. Put the blame no where else. He has driven this season ticket holder away.
“Mad Dog” Madigan is clueless, indeed !!!! My fear is that he will step down (dishononorably discharged) and his assistant will take his place. Keefe is out of his league also, make no mistake – this is his PP … his PK … his lineup – his bench management. Jimmy-boy is only a figurehead – and a lousy one at that. His press conference last Friday would be hilarious if it were not for the fact that the team quit on him. Please fire him !
I can’t see Keefe being promoted if Madigan were to step down. I would hope that the first call would be to a Mr. LaPlante, but Roby would probably not consider someone involved in Textgate.
In a side note please can we get someone else to announce the games. These guys have their heads so far up Jim Madigan’s butt it is not funny. Listening to them they must be looking at the standings up side down. We have so much super talent that we only have three players in the Plus in the Plus-Minus Ratings. Someone should let the coaches know that this is not golf, Maybe they should study the film of the game or even view it once. Check out that recruiting class and their glaring weaknesses.I have to watch the game with no sound.Please make a change!!
Madigan has been around NU for a while and he is a well-known and well-liked guy…which is why there are so many apologists for him and people would like to blame all of the problems on AD Roby instead, when in reality they both deserve blame.
I know what you mean listening to these commentators but they ae like the hockey team’s website…totally oblivious to the reality of things. All they are concerned about is spinning a bad situation into a bouquet of roses. This is not fair because Roby may only be getting the information through the website and listening to the commentators. Mr. AD, get down to where the action is, at ice level!
I’ve said it all the way since the begining. Fire Madigan!!! Madigan has to go! he is not the person for this job by any means. I had my doubts when elected and now its as clear as the water that he is not qualified nor has the experience to coach a HE team. As for Roby, im sure that the trustees will see the damage inflicted and will take action hopefully by getting a real AD.
Madigan’s popular and good at fundraising and recruiting, but not so great as a coach. Why not fire Roby, and “promote” Madigan out of the coaching job and into the AD job? I think it’d be more suited to his talents.
That would be the perfect solution in my mind
Trogador you idea is brilliant!