State of the Program

dannyk · Post by **dannyk** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:57 pm

I dont think calling for Pooch's head does much good. First off I will agree that last place finishes are not exactly what we want at BG, and going 0 for the playoffs recently is not exactly progress.

I guess my question is what do fans think are realistic goals. I really dont think givin the state of our rink (yes it does factor in) and huge power shift to the WCHA in the last 10 years that we really have a shot at being in the top 4 in the league on a year by year basis.

Home Ice for the playoffs is a legitimate goal. Heck we barely got it with the best goalie in the nation. I think most us forget that almost every game that year we were outshot 2-1, that top 6 finish raised unrealisitic expectations for last year.

As for the ultimate goal the NCAA tourney beating teams other than bottom feeders is not the way to get computer pts. Yes beating RIT and Uconn puts a win in the win column but it does the hockey team about the same good as the football team beating Southwest Missouri St.

bigdog · Post by **bigdog** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:09 am

i agree, the whole uconn classic is irrelevant. Theres a reason it was refered on the CCHA website as a "battle for the best of the worst." The coach keeps refering to this accomplishment as if it is one. It was more of a relief becuase if the team was to lose that tournament then that would have been completely embarassing. The year we had siggy the team was out shot 2-1 and then without siggy last year our team boasts the second highest scoring in the league other than Michigan. With pretty much the same players as only 2 freshman played in a game last year at a time. Could it be coaching strategy?

MACMAN · Post by **MACMAN** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:40 am

I kind of agree with Dannyk on this. To be the best your have to play and ultimately beat the best.
I see us in the hunt this year, taking more shots and having more quality shots as well.

I think Coach has been able to build up a good team, we can not forget its only been 4 years, in that time he has had to deal with the slid Powers created. Powers started the slide and yes while Powers did get in some good players, that allowed Coach to Coach them to the playoffs with some steller goaltending. Coach is now working with his own guys, to me His real coaching record begins NOW. The previous season while they count, show only his ability to be a good coach, including lastyears last place, yes the team was coached well last year.
The deal starts now, I see what he has done rebuilt, we a are a faster team, with more endurance (you all saw that last year, although spuratic) This team is going to do things this year, I dont see the stupid losses, I do see some suprising wins, and some close ones. But most of all I see this being the real begining of the return of Falcon hockey.

a side note, I did hear that the Reccenter renovation project and the Icearena renovention projects are now a / the primary focus. To add to that I saw what looked to be members of the AD, University and some enginerrs in both the REC and Ice arena taking notes and walking the buildings. so I see a face lifted rink coming sooner rather than later.

Ineedbotox · Post by **Ineedbotox** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:14 am

To be honest, these threads, while a bit repetetive, are pretty interesting to me. I'm not sure if it's like a wreck that you don't want to turn away from, or whether I am trying to figure out which posters are the same person posting under multiple identities. But I am entertained nonetheless.

The only opinion I really have on the whole thing is in response to the person(s?) who think you can't play for someone you don't respect, I completely disagree. I think if you are a college athlete, you have put your heart and soul into the sport since you were a little kid, and part of being in a program like BG is living out your dream. Some will go on to pro hockey, some will not.

But for the most part, the players were recruited by this coach, and if you took a scholarship here, you should have done your own due diligence on what kind of coach you are playing for. True, sometimes appearances can be deceiving, but it is kind of on you to decide where you want to play and who you want to play for.

That being said, even if you find out that your coach is not who you thought he was, it is still on YOU to give the game and the team your all. Just my opinion, for what little it is worth.

bigdog · Post by **bigdog** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 2:56 pm

Clearly you have never played under this coach. I do agree it is possible to win when you don't believe or trust in the coach and this is what this team will have to do. However, it is hard to keep up your enthusiasm about the game when the coach takes the fun out of hockey. Or when you have to hear the stupidity come out of a man's mouth that makes absolutely no sense, this is the man you are suppossed to look up to. The main aspect is and i have heard if from a number of players on the current and past teams that they end up hating hockey. It is the coaches practices, systems and lack of imagination that forces these very good players into average discouraged players.

Mrs. RUIT · Post by **Mrs. RUIT** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 3:06 pm

"It's not fun anymore." Waa, waa, waa... I'd be rich for all the times I've heard that statement from "student athletes" and their parents. You know what? Grow up, get over it and take responsibility for your own actions.

When did this generation become so entitled?

Edited to add: BRAVO Botox! Your post was spot on!

Ineedbotox · Post by **Ineedbotox** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 4:47 pm

bigdog wrote:Clearly you have never played under this coach. I do agree it is possible to win when you don't believe or trust in the coach and this is what this team will have to do. However, it is hard to keep up your enthusiasm about the game when the coach takes the fun out of hockey. Or when you have to hear the stupidity come out of a man's mouth that makes absolutely no sense, this is the man you are suppossed to look up to. The main aspect is and i have heard if from a number of players on the current and past teams that they end up hating hockey. It is the coaches practices, systems and lack of imagination that forces these very good players into average discouraged players.

Have fun in the REAL world when you don't like your boss or people you work with then. Sometimes, those people take the fun out of the law, but somehow, I manage to make it work.

And hey to Mrs. RUIT! Always good to see you around here. In fact, after seeing Grant's pictures from the concert, I'm kinda sad I'm not in OH where I could check out that beautiful boat & your hubby's yummy cooking. Take care!

Falcon Fanatic · Post by **Falcon Fanatic** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:08 pm

Mrs. RUIT wrote: "It's not fun anymore." Waa, waa, waa... I'd be rich for all the times I've heard that statement from "student athletes" and their parents. You know what? Grow up, get over it and take responsibility for your own actions.

When did this generation become so entitled?

Edited to add: BRAVO Botox! Your post was spot on!

Thank you, Mrs. RUIT!!!! I couldn't have said it better!!! I have tried to stay out of this whole pissing match but your post was worth noting!!

Also, thanks a bunch for the fantastic time we had at your boat dock!!

It was a BLAST!!!! ....Oh, and the concert was pretty good too!!!!

Mrs. RUIT · Post by **Mrs. RUIT** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:49 pm

It was our pleasure and definitely a highlight of our year! See you at Homecoming!

As for the post... I, too, usually stay out of these scenarios, but this was too close to home and just set me off. What can I say?

bigdog · Post by **bigdog** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:18 pm

You people talk as if you have won some feat. You haven't won anything becuase unfortunately you still have the same coach. Mark my words when you finally reaslize that he is a terrible coach it will be to late. As it already is. You people that come on here are something else. I really thought that I would be able to find some level headed people that if nothing else would just look from now on with a cynical eye. But for some reason you guys refuse to hear that something is wrong. Its not like I am just making this stuff up because it is fun to post on this site. I have experienced the feeling and I have been around all the players freshman to seniors and have seen that 95% of them feel the same. The players on the team are UNHAPPY but are unable to say anything due to the fact that they are scared they won't play. I thought I could speak for them as I no longer have this concern. All the players on the team are my friends so I wish them the best but I also don't want them to have to put up with the same stuff as I did.
For a second take the fact that last year at the senior banquet I heard the seniors were not allowed to give senior speeches. This is a tradition that had gone on for what seems like forever. The coaches wouldn't let the seniors say thanks to the people who have helped them over the past four years. Gutless. Don't you think it says something WHEN THE COACHES WOULDN'T LET THE SENIORS DO SPEECHES BECUASE THEY WERE SCARED AS WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO SAY ABOUT THEM.

Ineedbotox · Post by **Ineedbotox** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 4:13 pm

bigdog wrote:You people talk as if you have won some feat. You haven't won anything becuase unfortunately you still have the same coach. Mark my words when you finally reaslize that he is a terrible coach it will be to late. As it already is. You people that come on here are something else. I really thought that I would be able to find some level headed people that if nothing else would just look from now on with a cynical eye. But for some reason you guys refuse to hear that something is wrong. Its not like I am just making this stuff up because it is fun to post on this site. I have experienced the feeling and I have been around all the players freshman to seniors and have seen that 95% of them feel the same. The players on the team are UNHAPPY but are unable to say anything due to the fact that they are scared they won't play. I thought I could speak for them as I no longer have this concern. All the players on the team are my friends so I wish them the best but I also don't want them to have to put up with the same stuff as I did.
For a second take the fact that last year at the senior banquet I heard the seniors were not allowed to give senior speeches. This is a tradition that had gone on for what seems like forever. The coaches wouldn't let the seniors say thanks to the people who have helped them over the past four years. Gutless. Don't you think it says something WHEN THE COACHES WOULDN'T LET THE SENIORS DO SPEECHES BECUASE THEY WERE SCARED AS WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO SAY ABOUT THEM.

I believe you have definitely raised some legitimate issues, and I like hearing from someone who has been there, done that and knows what they are talking about vs. people who know nothing (like me

).

Honestly though, I feel really bad for you. I feel bad that you are so upset about the situation still and have such bitter feelings. I think the only point I had was that life isn't always what you think it is and you have to take what you get and deal with it. I just hope for your sake you have SOME good BG memories, whether on the ice or off. That's why I come here because I really cherish the time I spent there in college, and I hope for your sake, you have good things to remember too.

BGFan · Post by **BGFan** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:03 pm

THE point you're missing: you don't always get what you want in life so you have to make the best of the situation that you're in. Play for the team, the school, the fans, etc. No one says that you have to play for the coach. If nothing else, prove to him that you deserve to be there. Assuming that you were/are truly talented enough to play D1 hockey, what the coach says or does shouldn't make a difference because your talent should overcome it and you, the team, and the fans win. I didn't see that. I saw some players on the ice at times that really didn't care. That's the biggest problem that I have with your complaints. You and some of your team mates just didn't seem to care enough to win.

bigdog · Post by **bigdog** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:36 pm

clearly when you are an athlete you are going to work as hard as you can. If you don't, you don't play, everyone wants to play. Also no one likes to lose. I hate losing. But it sucks that sometimes you are just out coached on the bench, even a person over the internet could call what line pooch is going to put out next. Easy to match lines even when BG is home. Giving the players 2 1/2 hour practices everyday leading up to a game so that when the game comes your legs are burning and you can't perform to your best abilities. Those are just a couple dumb things that a better more experienced coach would avoid to help win.

BGFan · Post by **BGFan** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 2:18 pm

I have two points to make before I drop this for good because it's a lost cause from your perspective.

Concerning Paluch: He coached AND played under Jerry York, one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history. Paluch's philosophies and style are pretty much a direct reflection of York's. My guess is that Coach York has 2.5 hour practices prior to a game also, and yet his teams win. Why? Probably because he recruits the type of player who can handle it w/o whining. Probably because it works. When Jerry was here his players hated him for it but they won. In fact, during York's tenure here, they had "I hate Jerry York" parties....but they won. They had the attitude and the desire to win, and, more than anything, they were a team. They played for each other, for the school, for the fans.....not necessarily for the coach. So basically what you're telling us is that you don't and didn't have the desire to do whatever it takes to win.

Concerning the current players: We have talked to a few. You won't like what they have to say concerning last year's (I'm assuming your's) class. It pretty much boils down to anything and everthing that came out of the mouths of last year's class was negative and brought the whole team down. How's that for leadership? How's that for being a team player? How's that for desire? How's that for being grateful for the opportunity to receive a free education and leaving it all on the ice for those that provided that opportunity. I'm a member of the Falcon Club. I provide part of that opportunity and I would appreciate it if better use was made of the donations that I make on the player's behalf regardless of who's coaching the team.

FWIW, we had two players on the 1980 miricle on ice olympic team. My guess is that you wouldn't have made it past Herb Brook's first practice.

bigdog · Post by **bigdog** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 2:39 pm

ok, I agree with most of your post. I agree with the fact that Paluch does mirror York in everyway. Hence the of a lack of imagination I have been refering to. The players in BG want to be players of BG, not a copycat of BC. I will give you another example of the lack of imagination about this coach. One weekend we played Michigan got beat, our powerplay sucked, weird the very next game we used Michigan's powerplay against
Ohio State. Then when the powerplay didn't work against Ohio State we then took Ohio State's powerplay and used it against Notre Dame, then when it didn't work we the used Notre Dame's powerplay against Notre Dame. That is someone who has no imagination and tries to copy everything other teams do instead of creating a unique personality for this team. I also agree that York is a great coach and that his players may not like him. Not liking him is not the problem. I have not liked coaches in the past but I have respected them. This is the relationship is currently as BC. In BG how can you possibly respect this person. Have you not heard a speech of his. Embarrassing. The man can hardly speak. If it was a person that the team didn't like than that would be different and I wouldn't be here right now writing. There is no respect for him because how can ther be. Respect has to be earned, nothing has been done by the coach to earn any respect by the players.