Media and Coaches Pick us Last...

[Spectator]

One other thing is last year on tthe way to a last place finish our opponents made over 200 more saves then we did and yet they scored 40 more goals. If we can tighten this up only a little we could create our formula for winning.

I didn't delve into the stats like that so hopefully you're right about how our fortunes will sway. Good breakdown though for sure. If this particular stat says anything it speaks volumes to how inconsistent our goaltending was. Either that or our shooters were just that bad last year .

What I saw were too many second and third chances on the shots that we did allow. A goalie can only stop so many consecutive shots, someone needs to be there to clear the puck out of the area. We didn't do that very well. We need some big, strong, defensive defensemen that aren't afraid to get their bodies in their and help out the goalie.

As for the shots that we took there's a big difference between good, quality shots and perimeter shots. Perimeter shots are good for getting the puck in on the goalie but someone needs to be there to clean up the garbage. Too often that wasn't the case last year.

Fair enough. I am only analysing the numbers, sometimes they don't tell the whole story. I did notice some glaring games where, for example we out shot NMU 42-12 and lost by a score of 2-1. Maybe a stronger more physical presence will prevent this from happening this year.

[BGFan]

One other thing is last year on tthe way to a last place finish our opponents made over 200 more saves then we did and yet they scored 40 more goals. If we can tighten this up only a little we could create our formula for winning.

I didn't delve into the stats like that so hopefully you're right about how our fortunes will sway. Good breakdown though for sure. If this particular stat says anything it speaks volumes to how inconsistent our goaltending was. Either that or our shooters were just that bad last year .

What I saw were too many second and third chances on the shots that we did allow. A goalie can only stop so many consecutive shots, someone needs to be there to clear the puck out of the area. We didn't do that very well. We need some big, strong, defensive defensemen that aren't afraid to get their bodies in their and help out the goalie.

As for the shots that we took there's a big difference between good, quality shots and perimeter shots. Perimeter shots are good for getting the puck in on the goalie but someone needs to be there to clean up the garbage. Too often that wasn't the case last year.

Fair enough. I am only analysing the numbers, sometimes they don't tell the whole story. I did notice some glaring games where, for example we out shot NMU 42-12 and lost by a score of 2-1. Maybe a stronger more physical presence will prevent this from happening this year.

Don't get me wrong...there were a lot of goals scored against us last year that were the fault of the goalies, however the only thing that the goalie should be expected to do is to stop the initial shot. If he has to make 2-3 consecutive stops there are defensement that aren't doing their job.

[rood]

Don't get me wrong...there were a lot of goals scored against us last year that were the fault of the goalies, however the only thing that the goalie should be expected to do is to stop the initial shot. If he has to make 2-3 consecutive stops there are defensement that aren't doing their job.

But if you've got a goalie that can and does consistently make 2-3 consecutive stops so much the better. See Brian Stewart for proof: faced an average of 31 shots a game with a saves percentage of .925 last year at NMU. Compare to Spratt who faced 28 shots a game with a saves percentage of .891 (his best year at BG).

[MACMAN]

Yes but you also need to look at where many of those shots came from....in the games I saw we let to many guys have their way with the slot...and Im sorry, but you would need an AMAZING goalie, a top .25% to stop all those. wwe can not let guys have the slot like that and win games. I am thinking with the new enlarged D and team we wont be letting that happen, look for some "much improved" goal tending this year.

[Spectator]

I am not trying to put blame on the goalies from last year. My focus is on this year, however it is noteworthy that last year we outshot our opponents throughout the year. Hopefully our team will take their own end very seriously this year and not allow point blank shots every game all game, and conversely our saves percentage will go up. Either way we will improve our winning percentage by improving our performance in our own end. We are going to improve this year fo sho.

[DWhite21]

Don't get me wrong...there were a lot of goals scored against us last year that were the fault of the goalies, however the only thing that the goalie should be expected to do is to stop the initial shot. If he has to make 2-3 consecutive stops there are defensement that aren't doing their job.

But if you've got a goalie that can and does consistently make 2-3 consecutive stops so much the better. See Brian Stewart for proof: faced an average of 31 shots a game with a saves percentage of .925 last year at NMU. Compare to Spratt who faced 28 shots a game with a saves percentage of .891 (his best year at BG).

I've gotta agree with you on this. I find it hard to believe that our defense was that much worse than the other lower tier teams in the league last year. Then again, our defense wasn't exactly steller either. The goalie is also responsible for controlling rebounds. I'm not saying Spratt didn't do that, but there's a reason he never posted a .900 save percentage any of his four years here. There's a reason he's plying his trade in the ECHL and no NHL or AHL team even took a flyer on him. He didn't even get invited to a rookie/prospects camp, let alone a main NHL camp like Svendsen.

[MACMAN]

I have to add...back on topic that while I think Mich will clearly be strong, and you can easily point a finger to them on winning the CCHA, I feel and believe that Miami will take it this year, with Mich right behind them and ND right there as well.
The hard spot and most open is 4th, there are to many teams that could earn that place, and as every season shows, there is a team that produces like crazy out of nowhere that could wallk up and take it.
It will be a good year of College hockey.

[Spectator]

Soooo your thinking BG for fourth I like the way your thinking.

[MACMAN]

I am the optimist, and not ever afraid to go out on a limb...so visit this with me.
No expects much from us, so why not, look what Northern did a couple years ago, then people expected some production and they fell apart.
Every year there is a team that finds ways to win in the face of adversary, they just do it. Why couldn't these guys, this team? Is there any reason to believe they could not be the shocker team this year, the guys with nothing to loose, nothing to prove, but everything to gain. new coaches, new philosphy, new life, new program, new.....hey Ill say it, I like that this team can walk on to the ice and win and have people go holy s**t, where did they come from? I like that if they looses their jocks ina game people will say...well it was BG...
No let down, this whole SEASON IS THE UP SIDE. How often do you get that gift.
Im diging it, I dig that we have some seriously good players, a top 10 goalie prospect another who has again found his game.

[Spectator]

Nothing to lose attitudes can take some pressure off. Heres to you being the fortune teller of ncaa hockey. And here is to all the rest

You are in a position to look like a genious or to look a little foolish. I think you look smart as hell. Rock on Macman

Let's hope we can stay healthy and lets hope for a few good bounces.

[pdt1081]

Nothing to lose attitudes can take some pressure off. Heres to you being the fortune teller of ncaa hockey. And here is to all the rest

You are in a position to look like a genious or to look a little foolish. I think you look smart as hell. Rock on Macman

Let's hope we can stay healthy and lets hope for a few good bounces.

BG received the lowest number of votes possible in the coaches poll. Simply put, it's unanimous amongst the other coaches that BG will finish last. Coach made a copy of both polls, highlighted BG's position, and placed them in every locker in the locker room. The talent is there. It's all how the boys respond now.

[toddpav]

Nothing to lose attitudes can take some pressure off. Heres to you being the fortune teller of ncaa hockey. And here is to all the rest

You are in a position to look like a genious or to look a little foolish. I think you look smart as hell. Rock on Macman

Let's hope we can stay healthy and lets hope for a few good bounces.

BG received the lowest number of votes possible in the coaches poll. Simply put, it's unanimous amongst the other coaches that BG will finish last. Coach made a copy of both polls, highlighted BG's position, and placed them in every locker in the locker room. The talent is there. It's all how the boys respond now.

Exactly. The 1980 team were expected to go nowhere, either. We've got the talent, we've got a new coach, and now we've got the motivation. All that's left is to win!

[Falcon Fanatic]

I am the optimist, and not ever afraid to go out on a limb...so visit this with me.
No expects much from us, so why not, look what Northern did a couple years ago, then people expected some production and they fell apart.
Every year there is a team that finds ways to win in the face of adversary, they just do it. Why couldn't these guys, this team? Is there any reason to believe they could not be the shocker team this year, the guys with nothing to loose, nothing to prove, but everything to gain. new coaches, new philosphy, new life, new program, new.....hey Ill say it, I like that this team can walk on to the ice and win and have people go holy s**t, where did they come from? I like that if they looses their jocks ina game people will say...well it was BG...
No let down, this whole SEASON IS THE UP SIDE. How often do you get that gift.
Im diging it, I dig that we have some seriously good players, a top 10 goalie prospect another who has again found his game.

I agree MACMAN!! I know THIS senior class wants to go out winners! They want to leave THEIR mark on Falcon Hockey. They want to prove to everyone that we are NOT a last place team. PERIOD!!!

1 DAY, 4 HOURS, 44 MINUTES THE PUCK DROPS ON THE NEW ERA OF FALCON HOCKEY!!
BE THERE!!!!

[rood]

Alright, I could deal with being picked for last in the CCHA, we've been there often enough lately, but now Inside College Hockey has us pegged as 53rd out of 58 in the nation. Ouch.

http://www.insidecollegehockey.com/5Pol ... 8_0801.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[VDub26Falcon]

Just another flyer for the lockers! I will be 100% shocked if this team finishes last in the CCHA. There is a lot of talent there, as many have pointed out, and the change in leadership, in my opinion, will make a HUGE difference. Pooch always seemed so non-chalant about everything. I want to see some FIRE on the bench! I want physical, hard-nosed, grind-it-out hockey coming from the Falcons and I think that is just what we are going to see!