Another rough season

[BGFan]

First off, I'm not going to name very many players here, but if they read this board I'm sure that they'll know who they are.

Suffice it to say that there were some bad, bad attitudes in this year's senior class. When that happens, regardless of the leadership capabilities of some of the underclassemen, a team is going to have a bad season. While we didn't lose much last year as far as scoring prowess, we lost a great senior class as far as leadership was concerned. There in lies the biggest difference between last year and this year. How do I know? First hand experience and a LOT of years of watching college hockey. My first clue came last summer during the all night softball tourny that Scooter held when one of the seniors stated to me (he was quite drunk, btw) that he felt that Buddy was a better coach than Scott. Although I'm not sure how he could possibly know this given that he never played for Buddy, he seemed pretty sure of the fact. There were also some very BAD feelings when Morrison was picked as the only captain this year with no assistants. Talking to parents it was very easy to pick up on this fact (one of who was a parent of the drunk player last summer). This not only put stress and bad feelings within the senior class itself, but also made it very difficult for Morrison to lead the team. One could ask, "Was this a smart move on Paluch's part?"...but one could also ask "Why would he choose somone as an assistant captain that doesn't respect him as a coach?". If you don't believe that Scott was aware of certain players feelings towards him then you don't know Scott very well. It was a tough call either way. Had he made them assistants, they win, and, perhaps, we have a better season. If he doesn't, he weakens his stance as a coach and, possibly, seasons down the line suffer as a result. All in all, this season wasn't shaping up to be a banner one in the annals of Falcon Hockey from the very beginning.

What does the future hold? A lot depends on Foster and Matsu, IMO, but they're not the whole team. If they stay, I believe that we do more than contend for home ice next year. Why do I say that? Because, even though they'll only be juniors next year, they'll inherit the leadership of the team. In particular, Foster, but also, to a certain extent, Matsumoto (even with his problems earlier this year). Both of them left it all out on the ice this year regardless of the score. Matsu was always the first out on the ice and the last to leave and cheering on his team mates as they were leaving between periods. Between the two of them the leadership would be very solid. Why no seniors? Looking through the list of this year's juniors, it's a tough call. Meloche and Dobek do have some leadership qualities, especially when they're on the ice and it's quite possible that one or both of them could be selected as assistants. Who knows? If Foster and Matsu leave, they'll be the logical choices.

Goaltending wise, I keep telling myself that Spratt is much better than his earlier performances showed. Many here don't remember or have chosen to forget Siggy's freshman year when he was contending with Masters. Siggy was less than steller that year and was, to say the least, frustrated. He got his head on straight between the seasons, came back in the best shape of his life, and went on to be one of the best goalies in the history of the program. Can Spratt do the same thing? Yes. Will he? Time will tell. He may not have been the best among the freshman goalies this year, but I've seen many freshman goalies start great and fizzle the following years. I've also seen many freshman goalies NOT improve from one year to the next. Spratt is in much better shape now than at the beginning of the season. If he continues to improve I have no doubt that we'll have a stable back stop for the next three seasons.

[svillefalcon]

let us all give BGFAN a big round of applause!! very good post, very imformative and had a lot of info to backup your points. i agree with most everything you said. i def think we can contend for atleast home ice. that also might just be the inner falcon coming out of me, but i believe that spratt will be a great goalie for us. I personally think hes another siggy in the making, if so, that should be great news to all falcon fans. He is in a lot better shape than he was at the beginning of teh season.

[OrangeFalcon02]

"quote:
I really do believe we will do MUCH better next year.


Here are some of the reasons why I think you're wrong;

Offense:(1) We are losing 3 of our top 6 point scorers to graduation. (2) We will probably lose either Foster (very likely)or Matso (somewhat likely) or both to the pros. (3) Matso will still be eligible to play Major Junior in Canada. Depending on where he goes in the draft and what advise he gets from his agent will determine whether or not he goes that route if he doesn't go pro.

This group accounted for 187 out of the 334 points the team scored and no other player reached 20 on the season.

Defense:(1) We lose Morrison and Sitko. (2) The talent may be there but the coaching is not. 147 (15 with the man advantage) goals against in 38 games speaks for itself.

Goaltending:(1) We lose Horrell. (2) Spratt did nothing to show that he is capable of being a solid #1 goalie in the CCHA. Of all goaltenders in D1 hockey he has the worst numbers in terms of both GAA or Save %. (3) The new recruit, Greer has a 4.10 GAA and a .878 Save % in the NAHL. That's good for 23rd out of 26 goalies in that league who have played in 19 games or more and he is 52nd out of 67 overall.

As for the coaching, well, if you don't have anything good to say about somebody ..................
_________________
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool."

I think "Turtle" has made some good points.

A crisis may be developing in Falcon hockey, 7 seniors including, Ryan Barnett, Mike Falk, Bob Frazee, Jon Horrell, Don Morrison, Brett Pilkington, and Jon Sitko played their last college game on Saturday night. After this season it is widely believed that the BGSU Hockey program is in the crapper and the chances of key players “jumping ship” is a high probability.

Alex Foster is likely to exit very shortly for other opportunities, Jonathan Matsumoto will definitely go home to play Major Jr. hockey, Bryan Dobek will be moving on and the likelihood of Justin Liut and Bryan Bales being around next season is slim.

Possible 12 of 26 players on the roster will not return, and as many as 14 may pursue other opportunities.

What the h*ll is going on with this program? I have heard that the team morale is at zero and that there appears to be no concern by those running the program. I am not close enough to know the actual state of affairs, but it does not sound good.

[BGDrew]

What the h*ll is going on with this program? I have heard that the team morale is at zero and that there appears to be no concern by those running the program. I am not close enough to know the actual state of affairs, but it does not sound good.

Funny, the players I know say they can't wait to show how good they are next year.

If you don't have a clue, don't spread rumors.

[Rightupinthere]

What the h*ll is going on with this program? I have heard that the team morale is at zero and that there appears to be no concern by those running the program. I am not close enough to know the actual state of affairs, but it does not sound good.

OF02, welcome to the board. There are a few individuals on this board who I don't just consider to be "fans" of BGSU Hockey program, but actual members of the team. They know both current and ex-falcon hockey players personally. I imagine quite a few of them are on their X-Mas lists.

BGFan is one of these people. I would take their word as the truth. BGFan's post would just about sum up what several of these individuals have stated here on this forum as well as the chat room. I believe that we are in for a good year next year.

Just wait.

[dannyk]

bgdrew

i didnt really understand your post. they cant wait to show how good they are? the season ended 2 days ago with on a long losing skid. why didt we show how good we were this year. it is never good to not care until you are a senior and your back is against the wall.

[Dublin Falcon]

I still pose these questions - who owns, Matso's rights in the OHL and does anybody know what contact that team has had with him and second where would Foster go if he's not draft-eligible and he gets a two way contract, meaning he gets a much smaller amount to play in the minors (AHL) which is where he would play if he signs IMO, versus the NHL. I would argue that we can't afford to lose these guys if BG is to make any run at home ice and beyond next year. I hope these talks are rumours because on paper the incoming fwds (at least 4 of them) look stonger than we have had in 10+ years. Spratt was a mistery and arguably his success or lack thereof will determine much of the team's fortunnes but agreeing with the comments of those who spoke of Siggy in his first year I agree. This year 2 other very highly rated goalies Saurer at Michigan (#1 CSB) and Connelly at Wisconsin didn't set the world on fire either. Connelly's stats were good but the game I saw him in he was pretty shaky. Plus my money is that Wiskey's D is just a bit better than BG's.

[BGDrew]

bgdrew

i didnt really understand your post. they cant wait to show how good they are? the season ended 2 days ago with on a long losing skid. why didt we show how good we were this year. it is never good to not care until you are a senior and your back is against the wall.

If you would have seen how hard the team played at the end of this year you'd realize the losses weren't from lack of trying. I don't think we had any real senior leadership, and I don't see this being an issue next year.

In Pooch I trust.

[NWLB]

Funny, the players I know say they can't wait to show how good they are next year.

If you don't have a clue, don't spread rumors.

Funny, I've heard that every single year I have lived in Bowling Green, and a couple in which I didn't. No offense, I'm not trying to stir the pot, but in good times and bad, underclassmen have said the same words. Given how little the program has done in 14 years, those words carry little weight. Wins , lots of them, and consistently turned-in, will change minds.


BG Hockey is a very small world, so I understand if some worry rumors or speculation here might cause real events to occur. But if message boards and such are enough to motivate a players to leave, there are issues that go beyond an internet forum.

It is not yet time to start calling for change. Not yet. If the team is as bad next year, the season afterwards will be that time. But not before.

[BGDrew]

Wondered how long it would take for that kind of talk to transfer over from the Hoops forum.

[Bleeding Orange]

Wondered how long it would take for that kind of talk to transfer over from the Hoops forum.

Yeah, seriously. People with vinegar in their cheerios from the whold Dakich situation either need to change cereals before posting in here or simply keep their mouths shut. There is absolutely no correlation between what is going on with the basketball program and the football program. None.

It is pretty sad that riding our coaches at every opportunity has become chic around this place

[It's the Journey...]

I am not saying change is needed but I know for a fact that NWLB is a VERY loyal Falcon fan and know more about hockey than most people on this board, expecially the history of this program. So I would not jump on him to hard. Hockey is a different animal as far as recruiting and getting your own players on the ice. Change happens slowly and we skated harder this year than last, but so did almost everyone else in the league. It will be a long and rocky road but we will get there and those who are calling for Pooch's head now might want to either learn more about this program or hockey in general, and then speak.

[pdt1081]

I still pose these questions - who owns, Matso's rights in the OHL and does anybody know what contact that team has had with him and second where would Foster go if he's not draft-eligible and he gets a two way contract, meaning he gets a much smaller amount to play in the minors (AHL) which is where he would play if he signs IMO, versus the NHL. I would argue that we can't afford to lose these guys if BG is to make any run at home ice and beyond next year. I hope these talks are rumours because on paper the incoming fwds (at least 4 of them) look stonger than we have had in 10+ years. Spratt was a mistery and arguably his success or lack thereof will determine much of the team's fortunnes but agreeing with the comments of those who spoke of Siggy in his first year I agree. This year 2 other very highly rated goalies Saurer at Michigan (#1 CSB) and Connelly at Wisconsin didn't set the world on fire either. Connelly's stats were good but the game I saw him in he was pretty shaky. Plus my money is that Wiskey's D is just a bit better than BG's.

Matsumoto is right where he wants/needs to be. Right now, he is not that attractive to the pros. They speak highly of his offensive talent, but it takes more than flashy offense to go beyond college. He needs to work on his defensive ability to become a dominant player. He knows this and said so in the Sentinel last week. He said he wants to be able to play in all situations and wants to be a leader. If he were to go to a different team right now, he would be a new guy again, not the leader. It's possible to be a leader as a new player, but very rare.

In tonight's paper, Foster says "As far as I know, I'll be back. It's a long summer, but I'm planning on coming back." The next paragraph says two high-ranking NHL executives that were at the series last weekend say he's thinking about going pro. I believe he could be giving the impression that he's thinking about leaving, just to see his market worth. At this point, I don't see him jumping straight to the NHL. Another year or two for him to develop his offensive ability will greatly increase his market value.

As far as coaching goes, Paluch hasn't even had a full team of his recruits. This year's seniors were recruited by Buddy Powers. They came here to play Buddy's system. Not all of them bought into Paluch's system. When players don't want to play for a coach, bad things happen (see BGHS this year, but that's another thread). Next year will be 4 classes of players that came to BG to play for Scott Paluch. Before people go calling for drastic moves to be made, why not let Paluch have at least one full team of his own.

[NWLB]

I don't know that somebody was saying I personally seemed as if I were hauling sour feelings from basketball and football here. Indeed, I'm specifically saying it is not yet time to start calling for somebody's head. But we have been dragged on and on for years in the recent past, hoping somebody we thought was going to lead us out of the dark would.

I don't think it is chic to pound on coaches at BG now, as much as fans have grown to realize that being less willing to accept what we are getting is wise. The down-side is that in the case of Hockey, fewer fans understand the game, the way bad apples can truly drag a program down, and how quickly things can reverse themselves.

The sign that the mandate from fans has gone, will be seen in the stands. If the townies start packing-it-in, then its over.

[BGDrew]

The sign that the mandate from fans has gone, will be seen in the stands. If the townies start packing-it-in, then its over.

If beating the #18, #16, #14, #12 and the #6 teams gets you fired, I want nothing to do with this University.