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Seven more wins this year puts BGSU in fourth place in the CCHA. That is not a very large number to overcome. Seven more wins! Six more wins puts us tied for fourth. I look at the NMU away series and think that could have been two. Looking back on the season can anybody see where BG left any W's on the table?

Considering that we only had 11 wins on the season, with 8 of them being in the CCHA, 7 more wins is a pretty large number. Especially since a lot of those wins would have to come against teams like Michigan, Miami and Notre Dame.

DWhite21 wrote:Considering that we only had 11 wins on the season, with 8 of them being in the CCHA, 7 more wins is a pretty large number. Especially since a lot of those wins would have to come against teams like Michigan, Miami and Notre Dame.

It's pretty much pointless to play the "What If Game!" but we should have beat Michigan twice! and were sooo close to beating Miami and Notre Dame once!

It seemed like a horribal season but most of the losses were close games where a few failed chances on the powerplay or a couple shots of the post really hurt the Falcons. BG only got blown out a few times!

sbkbghockey wrote:BG only got blown out a few times!

The fact that this sentence was phrased in a positive light with a exclamation point tells me our hockey program is in dire straights.

sbkbghockey wrote: It seemed like a horribal season but most of the losses were close games where a few failed chances on the powerplay or a couple shots of the post really hurt the Falcons. BG only got blown out a few times!

And this is exactly why we're nowhere near the upper echelon of teams in the league. Look at Lake State, they tied Wisconsin once and Notre Dame twice and only lost to Miami and Michigan by one goal in a couple of games. Heck, even Michigan State can claim to have beaten Miami, Ohio State, North Dakota and Alaska while also coming within a goal of tieing Notre Dame. Pretty much every lower team in the league can claim "Well if this hadn't happened..."

Just because you play well against good teams doesn't make you anywhere near as good as them. We just don't have whatever it takes, be it talent, coaching, etc, to win when we're not on the very top of our game.

I doubt any talk of doing better or worse can avoid talk of the coach, which almost makes me wish to not talk about the team's needs, and more about improving the program on a higher level.

What we need to focus on is supporting the guys on the ice and wish them well. This is going to be a mentally turbulent year, where no matter what anybody says, the fate of the program will hang over them. To judge results good or bad, or coaches, by way of how this season goes, is likely unfair.

[quote="DWhite21]Look at Lake State, they tied Wisconsin[/quote]

I was at that game. Probably one of the most intense hockey games I have ever been to. Wisconsin actually "won" because of the shootout, but Lake State was surprisingly good against one of the top programs in the country. I will say that the Lake State fans were sore losers though. They had a legitimate case because of the instant replay being off, but their screaming and vulgarity was uncalled for. From where I was sitting, it looked pretty clear that Connelly made the save on the play in question though

We fill the rink and I'll bet we never loose a home game, to anyone.

Not really trying to play the "what if game", but I think a fair evaluation at the end of a year is warranted. If nothing else, by going through the process we can focus on the team and its needs. Taking a step back and looking at the season in comparison to the CCHA, BG was closer to a successful season then it would appear at first blush. A bounce here or a save there and BG is in the middle of the pack.

Spectator wrote:Taking a step back and looking at the season in comparison to the CCHA, BG was closer to a successful season then it would appear at first blush. A bounce here or a save there and BG is in the middle of the pack.

Almost doesn't count and "middle of the pack" should not be the goal of this once proud program.

Falconfreak90 wrote:

Spectator wrote:Taking a step back and looking at the season in comparison to the CCHA, BG was closer to a successful season then it would appear at first blush. A bounce here or a save there and BG is in the middle of the pack.

Almost doesn't count and "middle of the pack" should not be the goal of this once proud program.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

As for us being a bounce or a save away from the middle of the pack, I guess we've been a few bounces or saves away from the middle of the pack 3 of the last 4 years in which we've finished dead last. It's clearly not that we're running into bad luck.

Good teams get over the hump regardless of the bounces. Is it a coincidence that Michigan, Miami and Notre Dame end up in the top of the league every year? Or maybe they're just getting the bounces

I think a broader philosophy must be adopted in general.

The results on the ice are utterly unacceptable by historic standards. But it has been 25 years since the NCAA title, it has been nearly 20 years since a league title, it has been as long since an NCAA tourney appearance, it has been 12 years since the Falcons made a showing at the JLA. The arena is falling down. Season ticket sales are non-existent. Attendance is anemic. The very program is positioned on the chopping block. None of the administration was here during anything approaching the "good years." The students were not even alive during those times.

BGSU Hockey is starting over. And a greenfield, start-from-scratch approach and attitude is what is required here.

Much like a program starting from scratch, people need to grasp the past as an emotional foundation. But any other connection just doesn't work. 2009 is Year One of the Second Era of BGSU Hockey.

Hockey fans have to focus on the hockey program before the arena, and before coaching issues. If we get too wrapped up in saying "oh its the coach" or "oh, we need to dress-up the arena," we lose the battle and it is moot. The way the wheels are going to turn, the arena issue will get addressed, but that beast is far more complex, and is a battle that outside of moral support, is not in the hands of most folks.

I understand the impassioned folks that thump the table and say "but the arena," however that simply is not the main fight at this time. That battle comes down to public interests, BGSU Hockey alumni, and folks seeking to create a path for those monies into a meaningful renovation project. That is not what most of us need be focused on.

What must be done, is for season tickets, in numbers not seen in the last 25 years, to be sold. I don't think the University factors a massive season ticket base deeply into their thinking. Push a season ticket base of 200 to 2500 to 3000, and this entire issue changes immediately. It is the hard cash and easiest thing the greatest number of fans and supporters can work with.

Besides, no renovations are going to happen this year or next year as I see it.

Hear, hear.... maybe the best post i have read on this site... nice job. I have my order in for four tickets. How can we promote season ticket sales right now? Do you or does anybody have any idea of the schedule for next year?

The ticket drive is about to kick-off. I am about ready to open www.SaveBGhockey.org, and folks are continuing to work on the matter.

Very much looking forward to that site. Thank you.