Expectations, what are yours for this next season

[MACMAN]

What are you expectations fro this upcoming season?
Mine are fairly simple, I think. I expect that we will have a 10 to 12 game CCHA win season.
As well as I would really like to see the team advance to the second round of the CCHA play offs.
More importantly I would like to see our GAA drop to around 2.45-2.6, I feel a big drop like that would be indicative of alot of other progressions for the team. I think they are fully capable of that as well as I would like to see three BG players in the top 20 for scoring, one in the top ten. I would like to see our Power play reach a 30% conversion rate, and to win more face offs.
I think those are realistic goals.

[fish87]

MACMAN, I agree with the win total that you put down, as well as the GAA. As for the powerplay, after this season, I'd be happy with an 18% conversion rate, since that would have put us midpack in the CCHA this year. Northern, who led the league in PP% this year, was at 19.9%, so I think 30% is a bit of a stretch, and unrealistic. Offensively, I don't think we'll have any forwards in the top 10 in scoring, but I think you will see major improvement from many of the forwards next season. Remember, Bergeron was in charge of the Redhawk forwards during his time there. I have a good feeling about next year, and I think the Falcons will take a big step in the right direction next year.

[threestooges]

The last five years, in a 12 team league, we have finished

11th of 12 (this year)
12th of 12 (2008-09)
7th of 12 (2007-08)
12th of 12 (2006-07)
12th of 12 (2005-06)

I'd be happy if we could finish 10th or higher next year, and be competitive in the games against the top teams. I don't expect us to beat everyone, but hopefully we won't have many weekends where we lose 2-1 one night and 10-2 the next. Baby steps.

[sum1udontknow]

There is no doubt that Bergeron will make us competitive, but the guys still have to go out there on the ice and compete and show it. With a young d corp it will be tough and will lay alot on the shoulders of krelove to get these guys ready to go, much like it was with page this year. With the talent we have and a dedication from the coach we will likely see less weekends where we are completely outplayed. Falcon hockey could win anything from 10-15 games next year as a likely win total and compete for a home ice series. I would be disappointed to see an equal output from what we had this year although we know we could have been a 10-15 win team if we wouldve got a few lucky bounces.

Falcon Hockey is looking good for the future.

[toddpav]

Honestly, I'd like to see 10 wins period (conference and non conference) and a solid game played on the ice. That's it. Anything else is just butter for next year. I'm reading what everyone is saying, and I don't think we can shoot for the moon and expect our new coach to solve all of our problems.

It almost seems that if the team doesn't meet some of the expectations in this thread, then there will be someone to blame (i.e. GC or CB... not acceptable). Let's just watch them develop the brotherhood, play better as a team, have a strong showing in the community and put a solid product on the ice.

[Falcon Fanatic]

Let's just watch them develop the brotherhood, play better as a team, have a strong showing in the community and put a solid product on the ice.

PLEASE don't call us the brotherhood!!! WE ARE NOT MIAMI!!!! As I said in another thread, we need OUR OWN identity...a Bowling Green FALCON identity, not one taken from the redhacks!!!! In the press conference, he said "family." I can live with that, but PLEASE don't make us "miami north!"

[toddpav]

Let's just watch them develop the brotherhood, play better as a team, have a strong showing in the community and put a solid product on the ice.

PLEASE don't call us the brotherhood!!! WE ARE NOT MIAMI!!!! As I said in another thread, we need OUR OWN identity...a Bowling Green FALCON identity, not one taken from the redhacks!!!! In the press conference, he said "family." I can live with that, but PLEASE don't make us "miami north!"

Whatever its called... it DOESN'T matter... people seem to get stuck on terms on these boards... it's truly frustrating. You think Miami was the first to use the term "brotherhood?" Hell no. Call it what you will, but if you get stuck on the term then hockey takes a back seat to terminology which is just plain ridiculous.

Side rant: I've seen way to much negativity concerning this entire situation. As a truly devoted Falcon hockey fan since 2002 when I first started school here, I've seen many highs and many lows throughout the last 8 years. Sure, I haven't been around as long as some of you on here, but you know what, it's time to stop living in the past, and look towards our future. And guess what... that future looks pretty damn bright with everything that has been happening over the past few weeks. New coach, ice arena renovations, etc.

And I leave you with this: To rag on the Athletic department, and Greg Christopher, and Ryan Gasser (the SID who manages the hockey stuff) and how he writes his recaps.... its too much. These same people are the SAME people who give Drew and I the opportunity to provide you all with liveblogs, photos, audio and video from every sporting event on campus. The ability to do that is granted to us by them. It's hard for me to keep an editorial viewpoint sometimes, but I strive to because of the opportunities granted to me by the Athletic Department. So please, if you are gonna trash the department, or the SID, or GC, do it in PMs with those who you think care, because I don't feel like reading it anymore.

/rant

[TheKa]

WHOA! WHOA! Wait a minute...Last I checked this was a PUBLIC message board and everyone is entitled to their opinions and to post said opinions on this board as they see fit. You know what? I think it's beyond wrong to tell people what they should post on a message board. Agree with them or disagree, it doesn't really matter in the long run, however, no one should be told how to feel. From the beginning of this program in 1969, I'm pretty sure that there were people out there who didn't agree with the coaching staff or the athletic department they just didn't have a public message board to write those opinions on. It is FF's opinion (one I agree with, by the way) that this team needs it's OWN identity and should never be a copy of another team, especially one from our own conference and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Yes, FF is my friend and I'll defend a slam on her or the opinions of others like her. There aren't many people out there who live and breathe with the highs and lows of this program more than FF...

As far as the coaching situation goes, if you think that in time, people (myself included) won't give the new coaching staff a chance, you couldn't be more wrong. It has been a rough 4 days of knowing in my head that the new coaching staff will be fine-in time- but knowing in my heart that I wanted Razor and his staff behind the Falcon bench. I've known and respected Razor for 10 years and it is hard to digest that he won't be able to see his dreams of coaching the Falcons long term realized.

Now, as far as people's opinions of the AD...everyone has a different relationship with him and a different opinion of him. I personally can't stand him, but that's my opinion. I could attempt to sway people to share my opinions, but is that really necessary? If you like the AD that's fine. You probably have a different interaction with him. Just because I don't like the AD doesn't mean that I can't support this team/program. Hell, I sat through 7 years of HATING the former coaching regime but I was still there game in and game out.

On to what this thread is supposed to be about. Our expectations for next year. I would love to see the team overachieve, but realistically, I would be thrilled with an 8th place finish and first round home games for the CCHA. My ultimate dream is to see the team at JLA again come March. I want to see continued hard work on the ice, in the classroom and in the community. I want the team to steadily improve as the year goes on. I never want to see a team that goes 0 for 30 something on the power play EVER AGAIN! I would love to see team Defense improve, backchecking. I love watching a player that is not only an offensive threat but also one who is responsible on the defensive end too...See Steve Yzerman, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsuk. Above all, I want to continue to build on the family atmosphere and fun that I saw this year at the ice arena.

GO FALCONS!!
Erika

[toddpav]

WHOA! WHOA! Wait a minute...Last I checked this was a PUBLIC message board and everyone is entitled to their opinions and to post said opinions on this board as they see fit. You know what? I think it's beyond wrong to tell people what they should post on a message board. Agree with them or disagree, it doesn't really matter in the long run, however, no one should be told how to feel. From the beginning of this program in 1969, I'm pretty sure that there were people out there who didn't agree with the coaching staff or the athletic department they just didn't have a public message board to write those opinions on. It is FF's opinion (one I agree with, by the way) that this team needs it's OWN identity and should never be a copy of another team, especially one from our own conference and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Yes, FF is my friend and I'll defend a slam on her or the opinions of others like her. There aren't many people out there who live and breathe with the highs and lows of this program more than FF...

As far as the coaching situation goes, if you think that in time, people (myself included) won't give the new coaching staff a chance, you couldn't be more wrong. It has been a rough 4 days of knowing in my head that the new coaching staff will be fine-in time- but knowing in my heart that I wanted Razor and his staff behind the Falcon bench. I've known and respected Razor for 10 years and it is hard to digest that he won't be able to see his dreams of coaching the Falcons long term realized.

Now, as far as people's opinions of the AD...everyone has a different relationship with him and a different opinion of him. I personally can't stand him, but that's my opinion. I could attempt to sway people to share my opinions, but is that really necessary? If you like the AD that's fine. You probably have a different interaction with him. Just because I don't like the AD doesn't mean that I can't support this team/program. Hell, I sat through 7 years of HATING the former coaching regime but I was still there game in and game out.

On to what this thread is supposed to be about. Our expectations for next year. I would love to see the team overachieve, but realistically, I would be thrilled with an 8th place finish and first round home games for the CCHA. My ultimate dream is to see the team at JLA again come March. I want to see continued hard work on the ice, in the classroom and in the community. I want the team to steadily improve as the year goes on. I never want to see a team that goes 0 for 30 something on the power play EVER AGAIN! I would love to see team Defense improve, backchecking. I love watching a player that is not only an offensive threat but also one who is responsible on the defensive end too...See Steve Yzerman, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsuk. Above all, I want to continue to build on the family atmosphere and fun that I saw this year at the ice arena.

GO FALCONS!!
Erika

Erika,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, but you obviously haven't read any of my other posts in any other threads this season. I'm not telling people how to think, or trying to sway their opinion (heck, I haven't agreed with a lot of what GC does, but I still respect him).

My post wasn't directed at any one person. Marta knows me and knows how I feel about Falcon hockey. We are both passionate. I was just venting in general, and it certainly wasn't directed towards her. While this may be a PUBLIC message board, there are rules, and those rules will be changing. The Athletic Department ALLOWS me access to most events because I'm affiliated with this site. Do they have to? Nope... but they do, and that shows their objective standpoint in regards to AZZ, and that's important to me. I would just like to see less trashing of the department and GC. I'm not telling anyone how to post or how to feel. I'm just asking them to express those feelings in other ways that may or may not include this forum. It's because of this forum and the athletic department, however, that I'm given access to our events, to share with you all. You may not care about that access, but I certainly do.

-Todd

[FindlayFalcon]

My post wasn't directed at any one person. Marta knows me and knows how I feel about Falcon hockey. We are both passionate. I was just venting in general, and it certainly wasn't directed towards her. While this may be a PUBLIC message board, there are rules, and those rules will be changing. The Athletic Department ALLOWS me access to most events because I'm affiliated with this site. Do they have to? Nope... but they do, and that shows their objective standpoint in regards to AZZ, and that's important to me. I would just like to see less trashing of the department and GC. I'm not telling anyone how to post or how to feel. I'm just asking them to express those feelings in other ways that may or may not include this forum. It's because of this forum and the athletic department, however, that I'm given access to our events, to share with you all. You may not care about that access, but I certainly do.

-Todd

As Erica said, this is a public forum. It is up to Grant--not you--how and where we post our opinions. And from what you are saying, we all need to shut up about our opinions so you can have access to events. Am I right???

[toddpav]

My post wasn't directed at any one person. Marta knows me and knows how I feel about Falcon hockey. We are both passionate. I was just venting in general, and it certainly wasn't directed towards her. While this may be a PUBLIC message board, there are rules, and those rules will be changing. The Athletic Department ALLOWS me access to most events because I'm affiliated with this site. Do they have to? Nope... but they do, and that shows their objective standpoint in regards to AZZ, and that's important to me. I would just like to see less trashing of the department and GC. I'm not telling anyone how to post or how to feel. I'm just asking them to express those feelings in other ways that may or may not include this forum. It's because of this forum and the athletic department, however, that I'm given access to our events, to share with you all. You may not care about that access, but I certainly do.

-Todd

As Erica said, this is a public forum. It is up to Grant--not you--how and where we post our opinions. And from what you are saying, we all need to shut up about our opinions so you can have access to events. Am I right???

Nope. Far from it, actually. I'd just like to see a little more restraint, tact, and class when it comes to talking about the athletic department. There's a right way to do it and there's a wrong way to do it.

And anyone who has read any of my previous posts knows that I surely don't agree with a LOT of what the athletic department does. My post was a rant and was meant as such. Everyone can share their opinions.... but again, I think there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. And you're also right in saying its not up to me to decide what gets posted... its up to Grant. Take it how you will... I don't hate anyone for posting their feelings. It just makes it a little awkward when I walk into a pressbox prior to the start of an event and EVERYONE in the box is talking about AZZ and how the postings are getting out of hand and are off based. Guess I'll just have to deal with that then.

[MACMAN]

Well said and I know none of those comments, or gazes you get would have anything to do with anything I have ever written
Two things I think we all need to remember that many things written on a BB get taken out of the writers intended context, because all the nonverbal are missing, and the person with their personality. Thats two thirds. It is hard to write posts continuously that remove most doubt as to what your trying communicate. Take it from your resident dyslexic, add wonder. Add a touch of coming on with some attitude over some none related issue, or some athletic based issue and its on.


I did not want to start any kind of uneasy boat rocking (and yea Im guilty baiting from time to time) I know this transition is difficult for many to swallow, I know I personally would have had a much more difficult time with it, if the U had gone to yet another alumni. No matter who he was. But my intent was to slowly begin talking about our exciting future. It is exciting. the Administration is again behind this program, our facility is getting its work started, our TEAM is excited, our RECRUITS are STOKED as they know BG is serious and they are part of something very, very special, and more so other players are talking about how they want to come here too.
Transitions are never easy and hard to know when a a well inteded post will not be well recieved, but that is case here we all want the same things.

[vwfalcon]

My expectations are that our boys will compete just as hard as they did this year. Even though it didn't show up in the W column, the boys were right there in at least 3/4 of the games last year. I expect our PP will develop more of a killer attitude, I also expect the boys to have even more pride than they do right now to put on the Orange, Brown, and White sweater with the show of support from the administration. I expect there to be growing pains, but maybe a little more success right away. I also expect the cheap shot BS from Miami to be a little less, since they have respect for our new coach, they might not sink to the bush league stuff they pulled last season.

Finally, I expect excitement from the crowd the future is bright and it's time to return this program to its storied past.

[MACMAN]

Finally, I expect excitement from the crowd the future is bright and it's time to return this program to its storied past.[/quote]




you bet I would think that as the excitment around the program grows and more work is done to the facility and "things" start happening the crowds will swell as a result. A full house is an amazing thing in our rink, a fun thing.

[NWLB]

Despite being a bottom dwelling program for many years, the coaches motivational theme will not be called "The Sisterhood."

The team will perform better overall than it did this year. It will win a few more games. Recruiting will improve noticeably. Fans who are not part of the existing "inner circle" will be seen in larger numbers than in recent memory. The coach and athletic administration will at once seek to keep the grass roots foundation connected, and folks will be. However they'll foster a bit more formal and professionally detached decorum. It will take time and folks will have to build new in many cases. I'd expect a whole new level of access built largely for donors. Talk will turn to the "major" renovations to take place after the basic upkeep has been taken care of. There will be a new incoming president to the University by the end of the season.