Coach Paluch......

[The Niz]

Its just now taking hold, and not to worry hes not going anywhere, and will likely get nice extension. Hes a good coach with a good coaching crew and a good team of players who understand this style of hockey. Yea sure the team stumbles at times, but seriously we were dead last season, after a season plagued with illness and injury, we have a fast agresive young team and great new recruits. We finsihed higher than anyone here save myself and a few others saw possible. the team has exceeded expectations this year and next year a repeat will meet expectations. dont rush to judgment, yet. lets watch next season.

If they lose tonight it will be exactly what everyone predicted going into the season. Last night was a joke. I was embarassed to be there with the Lake fans yelling louder than our own.

[FalconFeathers]

Sad to say but after closely following this coach and the unexplicable descions he makes...this team is not where it should be. Talent is there, it is available to the coach and he does not know how to work it. I will say no more but it has been frustating, painful, and depressing watching some young mens season be ruined by this coach. It is shocking and disturbing to say the least. A very very sad situation, trust me, he doesn NOT have the best interest of these players at heart. I am now convinced that he has another agenda.

[Falconboy]

Sad to say but after closely following this coach and the unexplicable descions he makes...this team is not where it should be. Talent is there, it is available to the coach and he does not know how to work it. I will say no more but it has been frustating, painful, and depressing watching some young mens season be ruined by this coach. It is shocking and disturbing to say the least. A very very sad situation, trust me, he doesn NOT have the best interest of these players at heart. I am now convinced that he has another agenda.

Care to elaborate on his possible other agenda? I definitely don't know enough about hockey and intricacies of it to know whether Paluch's scheme is bad or good or not great or whatever. What I do seem to notice is that we are plain and simply not getting enough of the top recruits out there , the kind of recruits that Michigan or MSU, or ND or Miami(OH) are getting. We seem to be getting a few nice small quick and fast scorers here and there but when it comes to getting the bigger enforcers that all the top 4-5 teams have we just aren't getting them. IMO , being smaller than everyone else is fine if that team is so much quicker and faster and skilled than everyone else but thats definitely not the case as many of the top teams not only have the size to push us around but great speed and quickness as well. So just from my side of it its seems Paluch's problem is recruiting. We seem to have a few studs on the team(Cepis,Soleway,ect.) but we also seem to have too many average players that keep the team's overall skill level down. Just my take. I think it may still take another 2-3 years for the this years class coupled with hopefully a few better ones to inch us up the CCHA ladder.

[FalconFeathers]

IMO the talent is there, You would have to closely observe how this coach runs the lines. NOT to the advantage of the team. There are other serious issues that cannot be seen from the crowds, there are underlying factors causing inconsistency on the ice. It is the job of the coach to creat strong lines, players that compliment each other, players that work well and communicate with each other. How can you ever acheive this mixing the lines on a regular basis. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Mine is based on knowledge and facts which although I will not disclose are non the less accurate and nothing will any longer convince me otherwise. I did not own this opinion 2 years ago. It has been created by what I now know and experience.

[PegCityFalcon]

Listen people Pooch may not be the greatest coach, but damn we play in the CCHA with a terrible rink, terrible fan support (only come if we play Michigan because they only really like Ohio State), and a sliding program. Look at it this way we have 2 players that were NHL drafted (Jimmy and Eno). We have 1 that will play in the AHL (Whitmore). We are playing teams every night that have 4 or more drafted players with 4 or more that weren't drafted that'll play AHL hockey. To expect more from this team is ridiculous. This team is overachieving give Pooch some credit. As for those who get pissed that the team drinks. Get the F over it. These are college kids that practice daily and go through a vigorous training regimen. Remember 2 years ago when 5 UMinnesota players (including Phil Kessell and Jeff Frazee) were suspended for underage drinking on the thursday before their 2 game set with UAA? TJ Oshie (a hobey baker candidate for UND) has twice gotten into scrums after drinking once post friday game against SCSU and another on a Thurday after they had lost the weekend before. Kids drink they are in college. If we put more restrictions on them we recruit less and less kids. This is not a bad team we have 2 legit scoring lines. A third is needed to be an NCAA contender and we have a checking line (also called your Energy line) which Pooch puts in to check hard and get the team going, he does this at the right time every game. If your gonna ask for a coaches firing go to that pansy sport of Football, but leave hockey to the people who actually know the difference between a plug and a pylon.

[bgsufalcon24]

Listen people Pooch may not be the greatest coach, but damn we play in the CCHA with a terrible rink, terrible fan support (only come if we play Michigan because they only really like Ohio State), and a sliding program. Look at it this way we have 2 players that were NHL drafted (Jimmy and Eno). We have 1 that will play in the AHL (Whitmore). We are playing teams every night that have 4 or more drafted players with 4 or more that weren't drafted that'll play AHL hockey. To expect more from this team is ridiculous. This team is overachieving give Pooch some credit. As for those who get pissed that the team drinks. Get the F over it. These are college kids that practice daily and go through a vigorous training regimen. Remember 2 years ago when 5 UMinnesota players (including Phil Kessell and Jeff Frazee) were suspended for underage drinking on the thursday before their 2 game set with UAA? TJ Oshie (a hobey baker candidate for UND) has twice gotten into scrums after drinking once post friday game against SCSU and another on a Thurday after they had lost the weekend before. Kids drink they are in college. If we put more restrictions on them we recruit less and less kids. This is not a bad team we have 2 legit scoring lines. A third is needed to be an NCAA contender and we have a checking line (also called your Energy line) which Pooch puts in to check hard and get the team going, he does this at the right time every game. If your gonna ask for a coaches firing go to that pansy sport of Football, but leave hockey to the people who actually know the difference between a plug and a pylon.

Uh, who has four winning seasons out of the last 5 and three bowl trips (2 wins)? Gregg Brandon. Who had a winning season this year? Gregg Brandon. Who has a team that should be favored to win the MAC Championship next year? Gregg Brandon.

Who has not won a playoff series in 6 years? Scott Paluch. Who has 2 last place CCHA finishes in the last 3 years? Scott Paluch. Who is the coach who's had multiple problems with players not listening and not giving a crap (coughDonMorrisoncough)? Scott Paluch.

And you want to fire Brandon? Face it, Scott Paluch has been a loser ever since becoming head coach. You talk about all the factors working against him, and that's fine I understand he hasn't been dealt a great hand. But when you get swept in the first round of the playoffs against ALASKA, and not win a single playoff game in 5 years, that's terrible. If he follows it up with a loss against LAKE SUPERIOR, I want him gone immediately. This game is all or nothing for Paluch as far as I'm concerned. We should've crushed LSSU into submission last night and we were completely unprepared to play. That's bad coaching.

[Falconboy]

Listen people Pooch may not be the greatest coach, but damn we play in the CCHA with a terrible rink, terrible fan support (only come if we play Michigan because they only really like Ohio State), and a sliding program. Look at it this way we have 2 players that were NHL drafted (Jimmy and Eno). We have 1 that will play in the AHL (Whitmore). We are playing teams every night that have 4 or more drafted players with 4 or more that weren't drafted that'll play AHL hockey. To expect more from this team is ridiculous. This team is overachieving give Pooch some credit. As for those who get pissed that the team drinks. Get the F over it. These are college kids that practice daily and go through a vigorous training regimen. Remember 2 years ago when 5 UMinnesota players (including Phil Kessell and Jeff Frazee) were suspended for underage drinking on the thursday before their 2 game set with UAA? TJ Oshie (a hobey baker candidate for UND) has twice gotten into scrums after drinking once post friday game against SCSU and another on a Thurday after they had lost the weekend before. Kids drink they are in college. If we put more restrictions on them we recruit less and less kids. This is not a bad team we have 2 legit scoring lines. A third is needed to be an NCAA contender and we have a checking line (also called your Energy line) which Pooch puts in to check hard and get the team going, he does this at the right time every game. If your gonna ask for a coaches firing go to that pansy sport of Football, but leave hockey to the people who actually know the difference between a plug and a pylon.

Uh, who has four winning seasons out of the last 5 and three bowl trips (2 wins)? Gregg Brandon. Who had a winning season this year? Gregg Brandon. Who has a team that should be favored to win the MAC Championship next year? Gregg Brandon.

Who has not won a playoff series in 6 years? Scott Paluch. Who has 2 last place CCHA finishes in the last 3 years? Scott Paluch. Who is the coach who's had multiple problems with players not listening and not giving a crap (coughDonMorrisoncough)? Scott Paluch.

And you want to fire Brandon? Face it, Scott Paluch has been a loser ever since becoming head coach. You talk about all the factors working against him, and that's fine I understand he hasn't been dealt a great hand. But when you get swept in the first round of the playoffs against ALASKA, and not win a single playoff game in 5 years, that's terrible. If he follows it up with a loss against LAKE SUPERIOR, I want him gone immediately. This game is all or nothing for Paluch as far as I'm concerned. We should've crushed LSSU into submission last night and we were completely unprepared to play. That's bad coaching.

Well, when you put it like that 24 I can't really disagree much. Of course something could possibly said for Paluch having much more problems to deal with upon becoming coach than GB who had the perfect scenario to walk into from the start. But yeah, no CCHA playoff wins in 6 years isn't good. I'm guessing by the time Paluch's contract is up and we still haven't made any inroads or improvements whatsoever he would be let go.

[The Niz]

I can't understand wanting to fire the guy after having what is most definately a turn-around season. I will be disappointed with a loss, but I'm not calling for the man's head just yet. Something seems strange about the team's chemistry but it is 100% better than last year. Ialso have to note that the new assistant does seem to have a very big hand in the team's improvement this year.

[Falconboy]

I can't understand wanting to fire the guy after having what is most definately a turn-around season. I will be disappointed with a loss, but I'm not calling for the man's head just yet. Something seems strange about the team's chemistry but it is 100% better than last year. Ialso have to note that the new assistant does seem to have a very big hand in the team's improvement this year.

Hey I'm not calling for the man's head, just wanting to get everybody's take on the situation. My gut feeling is that we may have to give Paluch a pass on the early years with all the bad team chemistry or what ever it was that was bad during those years. Having seemingly gotten all that out of the way and if he can make some serious inroads in recruiting some more studs we should see more improvement in a couple more years. If by then we are still in the bottom of the league then the case for firing Paluch should be made.

[PegCityFalcon]

HAHAHA 24. The football team plays in the MAC! You should have winning seasons when you play teams like Buffalo and Ohio University. Hockey is in the CCHA we play real teams that can and do win National titles (remember MSU last season). You keep your pointless bowl games against more opponents that no one has heard of. Losing 6-1 to Lake St. is better than losing 63-7 to some no name team from Oklahoma. If we fire Pooch, we get another coach to come in and do the exact same thing. This campus and city have neglected our hockey program we need to deal with it.

[TG1996]

Two hours before arguably the biggest game this program has played in a decade, and THIS is what we're debating?

Good lord, people, take a deep breath.

[Tricky_Falcon]

HAHAHA 24. The football team plays in the MAC! You should have winning seasons when you play teams like Buffalo and Ohio University. Hockey is in the CCHA we play real teams that can and do win National titles (remember MSU last season). You keep your pointless bowl games against more opponents that no one has heard of. Losing 6-1 to Lake St. is better than losing 63-7 to some no name team from Oklahoma. If we fire Pooch, we get another coach to come in and do the exact same thing. This campus and city have neglected our hockey program we need to deal with it.

The football team has also played teams that can and do win national championships. Not sure what your point is.

[BGDrew]

Most of the people posting here taking shots are of the Falconboy mold that you have to be negative for negativity sake. We could win the freaking 2A and you people would still find something to bitch about.

[It's the Journey...]

I am SO glad the concept of 18 sports, 1 TEAM has caught on with some of us here... All of our teams have moments where they could execute better or be better prepared. I don't see coach P on the chopping block this year. He did better than expected. That said, this late down turn does need to be addressed when he meets with the AD after the season ends. I am sure he will just like I am sure coach Brandon was reminded of October during football. Lets just try and support the team and get them to the next round. GO BG!!!!!

[Falconboy]

HAHAHA 24. The football team plays in the MAC! You should have winning seasons when you play teams like Buffalo and Ohio University. Hockey is in the CCHA we play real teams that can and do win National titles (remember MSU last season). You keep your pointless bowl games against more opponents that no one has heard of. Losing 6-1 to Lake St. is better than losing 63-7 to some no name team from Oklahoma. If we fire Pooch, we get another coach to come in and do the exact same thing. This campus and city have neglected our hockey program we need to deal with it.

The football team has also played teams that can and do win national championships. Not sure what your point is.

I think his point was(but he didn't say it) that we play teams every year in our own conference that can win NC's. Football only plays them once in a blue moon out of conference. At least thats what I think he meant.