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A few people here have stated that Coach Paluch has made some coaching mistakes but have failed, IMO, to produce solid examples. To me, this seems to be a ploy to move the onus of failure from the player's shoulders to the coach's. While, ultimately, the responsibility for producing winning teams IS the coach's responsibility he can only do so with a complete buy in from the players. Now, Coach Paluch has always said that he's not here to be a friend to the players....he's here to coach them (which is the same stance that York has always taken, and, if you all remember, so did Herb Brooks), so it MUST be the player's responsibility to accept that stance and just do what he asks of them. It's his way or the highway. It isn't a democracy, there's no "kinder, gentler", you just do it. When it's done....we succeed (6 game win streak, wins against ranked teams, etc., etc.), when it isn't we lose.

Here's the problem I have with all of this pissing and moaning about coaching mistakes, etc., etc. Paluch has brought back with him the style of play that won us a national championship in 1984, and has also won a national championship for BC, a school that is constantly contending for that coveted prize year in and year out. It requires discipline from the players, highly skilled players, and an attitude and work ethic from the players that "I'm going to do all it takes, and all that I'm asked to do to win!". If any of that is missing, it won't work. It also needs leaders on the ice. Upper classmen who step up and just "do it", to coin a phrase. You don't do it for the coach, you do it to win, you do it for pride, and you do it for the team. And it has to happen from the top because the attitude from the top works its way down through the underclassmen.

So tell me.....what's missing? Self discipline? Skill? Self motivation? Leadership? What? It continues to work in BC, so why not here? I don't believe that it's skill because we've proven time and again that we can play with anyone, anytime. That leaves self discipline, self motivation, and leadership. Is it one of these? All of these? Or another reason that I've missed all together?

I'd be interested to hear all of your views on this. Also, if you truly believe that it's coaching, say so and state why.

I think it's a lack of leadership. Last year's departures left some huge shoes to fill. I don't think we had enough people ready to assume such a large leadership role. That's not really anyone's fault -- it's just how it's worked out this year.

Of course I'm just guessing -- maybe there is great leadership and I just don't see it on the ice. I don't know any of the players personally anymore so I can't say for certain.

It's got to be a mental thing.
To achieve a decent ranking in the CCHA, all you have to do is be above .500. We're 6-5-0 at home, 2-10-1 away. For whatever reason, this team doesn't travel well. Maybe they're just too sequestered on the overnighters, and should go out and soak up the local sights, rather than sit around the hotel. Maybe they shouldn't travel after a Friday night home game to a relatively close Saturday night away game. Sometimes rest is overrated.
The only thing I wish Pooch would do is pull a goalie who's having a bad first period. I don't think he's ever done that. Contrast that to UAF's Friday night. Two quick goals, their kid was outta there, and UAF ultimately won the game. Doesn't matter if it's the goalie not performing well, or the defense letting the shots in; sometimes you just have to shake up the team to get everybody to concentrate.

I told FF in a PM this morning that I think Scott is going to eventually dominate this conference.

I'm already saving money for my donation to the Poluch Ice Arena.

Rightupinthere wrote:I'm already saving money for my donation to the Poluch Ice Arena.

I hope they spell his name right, at least....

GO ICERS!!
SWEEP THE LEPRECHAUNS!!

Rightupinthere wrote:I told FF in a PM this morning that I think Scott is going to eventually dominate this conference.

I'm already saving money for my donation to the Poluch Ice Arena.

Before you go naming the arena after him, better learn to spell his name

SEE!?

That's ANOTHER mistake by Paluch! His name isn't spelled how it sounds!

Will his bumbling never cease?!

Rightupinthere wrote:SEE!?

That's ANOTHER mistake by Paluch! His name isn't spelled how it sounds!

Will his bumbling never cease?!

There you go again....redistributing the blame!

BGFan wrote: There you go again....redistributing the blame!

I prefer the term "ducking".

Seriously, if the Ice Arena or the rink are ever named, I hope "Helen Lloyd" is part of it.

*stands and gives BGFan a round of applause*

Thanks for saying what I've been thinking for weeks!

That's all I'll say for now! I'll wait to see how this plays out...in past years, it seems like at the LAST moments, someone steps up. (see beating the #2 seed Miami a few years ago and then making to the Joe)
GO FALCONS!
BEAT THE IRISH!
Erika

Rightupinthere wrote:SEE!?

That's ANOTHER mistake by Paluch! His name isn't spelled how it sounds!

Will his bumbling never cease?!

Great post, BGFan. I don't follow hockey quite as closely as you, FF, BG Bill and others...but I listen to you guys and your opinions cuz you know the deal.

As far as I can tell, Paluch has the program heading in the right direction. The program will return to the glory days...just gonna take some time.

Seems none of our coaches can do the job these days.

I think oddly and for no good reason, that the sch should revert back to OSU home, Osu home, Osu away, Osu away etc...
this crape of spliting the series like this is crazy, esp since we play 4 times!!!! do both home games in one weekend and both away in one weekend, or reduce the sch to of CCha games to pairings and lets play some more schools in other conferences (personaly this would far more exciting than playing ccha teams 4 times. play each school twice and mix in some Maine, BC, Minesota, Neb, etc...

You know, I get the feeling that a lot of people are looking at a team like Miami this year and their success and assuming that, after a very disappointing season for them last year, that they are simply willing their way to #1 and #2 rankings. The fact of the matter is (to clarify things for some people), Miami had a disappointing year last year because of A LOT of injuries to key players like Andy Greene. Their success this year has not been overnight - they have been building this type of program for many, many years.

The reason that I point this out is because so many people are so quick to jump down Pooch's throat when we have reached what I believe will ammount to a hiccup in the rebuilding process. I think a lot of people, especially the younger fans, are seeing what Miami is doing this year compared to last and questioning why we can't perform at the same level.

Don't get me wrong, we have some PHENOMENAL seniors on this team, but, they came to BG to play under a different system than Paluch has in mind. There is no doubt in my mind that they have bought into the system by now, and I respect the heck out of them, but I wonder if they simply do not possess the type of physical abilities/skills/attitude that Pooch would like to recruit into his system. Once Pooch gets four full classes under his belt is when I really expect to see a massive turnaround in the program. I think many of us forget the depths that this staff has had to climb out of (God bless Buddy Powers, though - I mean the man no offense at all).

A lot of you, I'm sure, get tired of hearing "be patient" from some of us, but, BE PATIENT! Your understanding will be rewarded in the end.

I think there's also a problem with those who may not have as much knowledge about hockey. I've said it before, and always will: Hockey is different from any sport in the world and comparing it will only confuse you more.