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Thursday, November 21, 2024
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It’s tough to only come away with one point this weekend I think we played better then that. I think our biggest asset is our speed I think when we stop on the half wall it allows not only time for our for checkers to catch up but also allows time for there backcheckers to catch up. I would like to see us go straight down the defenses throat use our speed to get to rebounds play a nasty breed of hockey let the goalie know we are coming. I think if we can do this the goals will come. I really love jakes game right now. It’s huge with our offensive struggles that we have the best goalie in the country between the pipes. This team is so close to breaking out🐾🚨
Colin, I too have noticed the tendency of our self-negating our team speed with half board curl backs, after having gained O zone entry. To some extent it is because the player gaining entry has no option; as you noted his line mates are still parallel or trailing looking for cross rink passes, rather than having burst ahead directly to the net. It seems to me that incorporating your suggestion into our offense would allow for immediate shots from the carrier, and possible rebounds and greasy goals. Hard shots purposely put on the pads can create havoc, if we have established goal front presence. Even shots that are blocked have a good chance of landing on a Terrier’s stick, and yielding a scoring opportunity when we have established numbers at the goal mouth. Jake was huge on Saturday! PSD
Team played as well as thy could. Both teams can not shoot the puck on the net at all. We don’t have the natural goal scorers needed to win at this level. Wise and Harper ave no goals ? How many would have thought that at this stage of the season ?? Jake cost us the first game as he can not catch a puck with his glove. He was a back up to Woll when both were on the same team. We now know why.
No SoCC, Jake did not cost us the game at all on Friday night. What did cost us the game? Revert to your earlier good point about Wise and Harper not having scored any goals yet this season. Max Willman has yet to score a goal this season. In fact, if you go to Hockey East Online stats, you’ll see there are no Terrier forwards among the top-20 in points …. ZERO. That’s what cost us the game on Friday … as well as plenty of other games we’ve lost this season. Yes, Woll is ahead of Jake in GAA and save percentage but not by much. In fact, if you take away October (when Jake did cost us some games), I believe the difference between the two NHL draftees is null and void. When everything was on the line for both teams this past March, it was Jake who proved to be the superior goalie. Having said all that, let’s see how Jake does against PC and UMass (NCAA top-ten teams) in January, February and (hopefully) March. That will be a huge test and I expect him to emerge favorably.
Nice points Glenn. So the record is clear jake and joe shared duties at usndp and for last year at juniors jake could have been a nhl all star goalie and he was not getting a shot simply because of the politics of the situation and were he has his mail delivered. He played great 42 saves and a shutout. Joe is a great goalie so the argument that he is the best goalie in the league is valid. I don’t subscribe to it but to say jake can’t catch is ridiculous I’m sure he caught a few of those 42 shots. Was he dominating Friday no but he made enough saves to keep his team in the game. Saturday he was awesome
A disappointing and extremely frustrating weekend! A reality check at this point in time, after fourteen games (almost half a season) B.U. has a 4-7-2 record and is #42 in the pair wise ranking. Clearly the most underachieving and over rated team in the country.
I was embarrassed on Friday nite when after skating circles around the beagles for the first 32 minutes, B.U. could not get a second goal, and when the team up the street tied it up and took the led, B.U. response was to surrender and quit! What makes a bad situation worse was that both goals were created by badly losing own zone face offs.The third period one team picked up the pace and the other became a figure skating team. The lowlight being, when B.U. pulled its goaltender and after the puck was shot out of the B.U. zone there was race to the puck. The Beagle forward swatted one of the assistant B.U. captains away like an annoying fly and calmly deposited the puck in the B.U. Not exactly a great show of heart or leadership.
The following evening was probably a better effort as the team play ed hard the entire game , although if not for the goaltending heroics in the first period , it might not have mattered.
It appears that the most talented players are not playing well. the lack of leadership ,heart , focus and engagement continue to be huge issues.
The team up the street could not beat Bentley and B.U. could not beat them. No way to sugar coat the results!
Frozen out I’m frustrated too . I think we are a better team then we are playing. I think we need to get to the net better and let the goalie know we are coming if we can apply significant pressure shots rebounds off the initial rush we can implement some of that second wave turn on the half wall offense. There is certainly something to be said about controlling the play in the offensive zone but again we are not getting the grade A chances from the perimeter. Coach sees this and he will make adjustments. I said it last year and I will say it again this team is not done they will figure it out. They are too talented not to score. As for Chad he was dog tired he was not pushed aside like a fly he lost the inside and tried to put loose puck into corner without taking a penalty. I know him as a hard working hockey player. He has been passed over several times at world juniors and only comes back to be even a better player. We are extremely lucky to have him. As for bc Bentley or any D1 team college hockey has a lot of parity. Any team can beat another on any given night. We should never put down a opponent. bc may not have a great record but they have a very talented team. I don’t like loosing to them but it was not because we quit . I love the make up of this team and I will be there till the last whistle rooting them on. I encourage everyone to do the same it’s more fun . Go bu🐾
Colin,
Happy Holidays! I am happy to agree to disagree with you. Friday was a nightmare. According to the coaches comments he was not pleased with the compete level (effort) in the third period.
Sorry the assistant captain was clearly going thru the motions on the last play instead of knocking the beagle on his posterior.
Finally it is a result orient business and today on 12-4-18 this team stinks.
Perhaps you should read the Globe article on UMass on how the new coach turned the program around by changing the culture and team relationships. Where is the accountability for the mess on the ice?
Yes, UMass coach deserves a great deal of credit but it’s a lot easier to turn a bad team into a NCAA top-five team when you get a guy like Makar to return for his sophomore season.
Frozen.
It seems like you’re pointing a finger at Albie? We are all frustrated with the recent results but i’m sure the players are more so. Also, how can anyone blame the goalie when you can’t score any goals? Two goals in the last three games is not going to cut it against any opponent. Harper, for example is a proven goalscorer at Division 1 level but has struggled mightily to score this year. perhaps missing most of last year has set him back a bit? carpenter and Bowers, also proven scorers the same. IMO the team is entertaining but lacking the finishing touch, thus far. I however don’t think its from a lack of effort. The team is frustrated at not being able to score. When they start to score, and they will, then they will grow in confidence and the results will come. Remember at this point last season the record was even worse. Lets give Albie and the club more time. If they score the second goal to make it 2-0 on Friday, incredible save by Woll, then the game probably goes differently. Games are often resolved in a few plays or key moments, when thoswe start to go the terriers way, the results will change.
Frozen out if chad knocked him on his backside as you wanted that would be a penalty. It’s inerferance to hit a guy without the puck which leads to a defensive zone face off. He was beat to a loose puck plain and simple. As to U mass they are rolling and good for them my allegiance is to bu. Makar is a great young player but we have Fabbro. I don’t think Makar can hold Fabro jock strap. We need to figure out how our team can get better and who cares about other programs. As far as I’m concerned we have the best one🐾
Glenn,
Good point, perhaps the student athletes at UMass value
an education and focus on the college game more than our recruits. This is part of the culture that their coach built into the program.
B.U arguably has as much talent as any other school in college hockey. Yet they are a lousy team.
frozen out bu is not a lousy team. Year in and year out we compete for trophies. It is a nice story about u mass but I don’t care about there program. I care about ours. We have some kids who are great students. I know how hard they work in school you give credit to another program and knock ours . I like our culture we have guys that work hard go to school in the summer work out in the early Am and represent the university in nothing but the most positive light. I’m proud of this team for what they do on and off the ice. 🐾
Sure jake did not cause us to lose Friday, lack of scoring did that. But, let’s face it : He can not catch a puck as a very high percentage of goals against him is high glove side. If you can not see that you know nothing about hockey. NHL all star ? Crazy talk. If he was that good HE WOULD BE IN THE NHL NOW.
Colin,
Unfortunately , you cannot dispute their record. According to the pairwise they are the 42nd best team in the nation. Sorry to be difficult but they do not work hard enough to produce a consistent sixty minute game or many victories. The culture has to change or the will be the undisputed most disappointing underachieving team in the nation.
Clearly too many passengers and not enough drivers on most nights. Top six forwards and defenseman refuse to effectively play the cycle game or get in front of the goalie. At they times refuse to go to dirty areas, especially in the third period on Friday.
The team so far is disgraceful and simply embarrassing . perhaps you forget the no shows against Providence and Merrimack.
Albie was left a mess, I hope he is capable of turning it around sooner rather than later.
Happy holidays, clearly we are not where we would like to be at this point all of the season clearly it’s been in up and down roller coaster to say the least and I’m a die hard fan as most of you guys know with that being said I think we definitely have the talent but lack experience… A a few guys are taking a longer time to adjust to this level like Jake wise and others that said there is games that we look unbeatable but as soon as you think we will make a good run they come up with a stinker I personally think that this Christmas break will do them good go back regroup and make a good second-half push as far as for Jake on Friday’s game that first goal he probably wants to have back but I blame that one on the face up guy which was Bobo lost the face of and never went out to get the guy and we can see what Jake did the following night so Jake is the least of our worries we also need to get goals from Harper wise etc.. I believe we will make a good run the second half and remember when you get into the playoffs anything goes so whatever you did in the regular season means absolutely nothing.. I know most of you guys on here love the fact that this is happening with clearly shows how much of a fan you really are every team has its ups and downs and if you support them in Good Times you should also do it in bad times which I really wouldn’t call this bad I called this inconsistent which can be fixed and I believe will be fixed as we move forward ask for now that is all see you all Friday night against low and then Saturday at Lowell go Terriers
Big Roy,
You are absolutely correct; in spite of this team having a great deal of talent, it has been an up and down season. There have been periods wherein the aforementioned talent was on display, and periods when it was also coupled with creative team chemistry. The result of those components gelling together was inspiring Terrier dominance, albeit un-sustained for protracted periods of time. To me, that proves we clearly have the capability, but not yet the chemistry, or gelling, that is produced by experience – again, as you noted. Like Colin and yourself, I too believe that we are on the verge of a significant breakout, in that our talent level, when coupled with continued hard work, dedication, and time spent is too great to be denied. Keep the faith bloggers and fans, and remember that last year we were similarly challenged, but emerged with a much different second half. Best wishes to all for a blessed holiday season and New Year. PSD
Son of Cesar crazy talk take a look at who got cut from that team where the coach is from where he coached at look back to the last few world junior teams it’s not crazy talk. Our goal keeper made a commitment to our program he has sacrificed immensely for this program. In my mind if he stayed out in minasota for school he would have been the starter for world juniors and also if chad krys was from minasota or any where else then the northeast he would have been on the team. The nonsense is you saying he can’t catch. I guess the NHL scouts don’t know hockey because they missed this when they picked him in the first round.
Colin, the scouts make mistakes all the time on early draft picks. Take a look at the Boston Bruin drafts and see how their high picks have not produced to the extent that despite many injuries they are not even being called up even in this most dire of times personnel wise. You are to close to the program to see what we all can see. Where are the championships we have been used to in BU history.? We are, I hate to say, not as talented as advertised.
Hockey east champs 2015 2018
My best assessment of the situation is that the high-end talent is there, but the absence of the twin-towers (Greenway and Tkachuk, who would have been in their senior and sophomore seasons respectively) make it easier for opponents to shut down our top-six forwards.
Glenn,
It is not that simple. It was assumed that both would not return. The program was left in disarray by its predecessor . Fair or not it took for ever to name a replacement . Albie was left with a mess. I hope he has the opportunity to clean it up. My sources told me that allegedly he was not the first choice of the primary decision maker. The final decision came higher up the food chain .
Naming Albie took less than two months … surprisingly quick. How long did you expect it to take? What exactly was the “mess” that Albie was left with? What is the “disarray” that you refer too? In all fairness, I would say Quinn left the program significantly better than how he found it. Think of the 2013-2014 season. Of course for 2014-2015 Quinn did have the huge benefit of Parker landing Eichel as a recruit.
Glenn,
I could not disagree more with your thoughts. The former coach neglected to recruit his first year and did not arrive at B.U. until June. As proven his primary goal was the NHL, B.U. was a stepping stone until he reached it.
As you are aware he constantly denied the preceding. Evan to the point of telling any one who would listen that this was his dream job and that he was here for life. Action always speak louder than words!
Do you realize that he agreed to a new more lucrative contract with an extension to remain at B.U.and within approximately 24 hours changed his mind.
If Albie was the first choice it would have taken a lot less than almost two months. In that time period who was running the program? I know B.U lost recruits and at least one player that could have contributed right away. So believe me the program was not better than when Jack was forced out.
Larry, you really can’t believe what you just said. First of all, I’m in no way taking away from the brilliant job that Jack Parker did as head coach of BU. However, it is beyond ridiculous to say that the program was in better condition when Parker handed the keys over to Quinn in 2013 than when Quinn handed the keys to O’Connell this past spring. Look at the pipeline of players coming into BU then and now. So a few recruits decommitted over the summer and went to major juniors. That was disappointing but even factoring in those decommits, there are many recruits who Quinn and company landed who are still planning on coming to play for BU. Believe me, you wouldn’t want to go through the list of recruits who were in the pipeline in the summer of 2013 and compare them to the list of recruits when Quinn left. You still have not at all been able to tell me what the “mess” and “disarray” was that Albie got from Quinn’s departure. As Terrier Lifer pointed out, I stand corrected: It did not take two months for Albie to be named head coach; it took two weeks ROFL! That passage of time felt like forever to you?
On a final note, your recurring theme song when you see guys like Tkachuk and Greenway leaving early is that BU hockey players don’t value an education. PLEASE. News flash: Immensely talented players leave school early … wherever they are on campus.
Obviously, Colin & Frozen Out are passionate fans who view & express the state of the BU Hockey program very differently. As someone in the know, Colin & F.O. both tell some of the truth, but spin it in their own ways reflective of their diametrically opposite personalities and attitudes.
Colin is right in that the academic performance of the hockey team has improved in recent years. The overall GPA for the team has become commensurate with those of other BU Athletic programs. BU has become much more difficult to get into in recent years, as the acceptance rate is now under 25% (compared to over 60% in the early-mid 2000’s) and the average SAT/ACT score and GPA is much higher. Admissions is also less forgiving as they once were with admitting hockey players; there are a handful of guys on the team who are also strong students whom I know Coach Quinn had to fight tooth/nail for to get admitted.
Yes, the end game for blue-chip players who come to BU is to develop themselves for the NHL. However, many of these players who leave early did well enough in school and care enough about their education where they’re still taking BU Summer classes towards their degree. Another thing to mention is the number of players who have positioned themselves to be very close to graduating by the end of their Junior year. The ability to go to Summer school on campus has created that opportunity, including enabling some upperclassmen to start graduate programs before their Senior year of hockey eligibility. There’s one Junior on this year’s roster who already completed his bachelors’ degree and is now enrolled in a graduate degree program.
Also, think about the # of players who could’ve easily left before their Junior or Senior years but didn’t b/c they enjoyed the BU experience from a hockey, academic and social standpoint… Matt Grzelcyk, Danny O’Regan, Doyle Somerby, Brandon Hickey, Jordan Greenway, Dante Fabbro. Yes some guys bolt b/c things didn’t work out for them at BU (A.J. Greer, Kieffer Bellows) and others have left a year earlier than widely expected (JFK, Tkachuk). However, I feel the culture of BU Hockey is attractive enough where guys want to play here, work hard to do well on and off-the-ice when they’re here.
F.O. – Yes, Coach Quinn did say numerous times that BU was “a dream job” and that he’d love to coach at BU as long as he could, which I think you construed as “here for life”. But I’ve been in a room with him more than once where he reiterated BU being “a dream job”, yet when asked about the NHL, he consistently said if the right NHL opportunity came calling, he’d be doing himself and BU a disservice if he didn’t consider it. I know he rubbed you (and some other BU folks) the wrong way at times and I know much of your bias is based on one verbal interaction with him that went awry.
For the record, Coach Quinn couldn’t start at BU until after the 2012-2013 NHL season ended — which was prolonged due to the lockout. He didn’t start until May 1, 2013; at that point, it’s very difficult for any head coach to recruit for the following season.
Also, Coach Quinn agreed to the Rangers job on May 22, 2018, and Albie was named his successor on June 6th — two weeks later (not two months). As for the hiring process, I know there was not consensus on whether Albie or the other finalist would be the best hire. When word got out about whom the other finalist, I know there were folks at BU that didn’t like the possibility of the other finalist succeeding Quinn. And it wasn’t necessarily for that finalist’s record as a head coach but more so for his perceived personality/demeanor.
I sincerely believe you, F.O., when you say you hope Albie gets the opportunity to succeed. I’ve also been disappointed by the team’s performance so far this season and have concerns on whether they can recover the way they did last season. However, I’m optimistic Albie will succeed long-term, but IMO the first 13 games of this season is a bit premature to evaluate whether BU made the right decision.
Glenn,
Did you enjoy last nights game? You I believe are the same person who told me the coach of the NYR was not leaving for the much greener pastures.
The dumpster fire on the ice is the inability to score on three breakaways, glaring defensive zone lapses that should not occur at the high school level and unfortunately, at least last night, below average goaltending.
Good teams pay attention to details and bad teams make excuses. Extremely disappointed with Albie’s comments after the game. It sounded like a losers mentality.
On 12-8-18 the record is 4-8-2. #46 in the pair wise. Attendance less than 3,000. More noise at the Mugar Library.
No Larry, I was at a holiday concert. I agree that the state of our BU Terriers is extremely concerning. Guys we expected to be prolific goal scorers are not generating offense. Sorry to disappoint you but Quinn accepting the Rangers job after he promised to stay at BU is a non-issue … as far as what’s put us in this position. Now that he’s a NYR (my other favorite hockey team) you’ll do what you can to try and find a way to blame Quinn but that’s a failed proposition.
Glenn,
I guarantee you had a better evening than any Terrier fan. As far as your favorite head coach, I was totally vindicated. Believe me B.U did not hire him to have him leave after five years. Also anyone agreeing to a new contract and then reneging 24 hours shows a lack of integrity and character.
Glenn,
I guarantee you had a better evening than any Terrier fan. As for your favorite hockey coach, I was totally vindicated. Believe me, BU did not hire your pal for him to leave after five years. Never s good look for any one to agree to a new contract and then renege a day later. It shows a lack of character and integrity.
Yes Larry, I was glad I had that concert to take my attention away from the game. The only thing you are vindicated on is that Quinn left for the NHL (which you said would eventually happen). As for Quinn’s success at BU: Two HE titles, a Beanpot championship, a Frozen Four birth, and going to the NCAA tournament in four of five seasons. So, the best you can frame your disdain for him is that he left for an Original-Six NHL HC job … a position which the Rangers had to make three offers before he accepted. What you said about Friday night’s disaster was reasonable … though they did a nice job this evening. If you think Quinn is to blame for our 5-8-2 record, you are living in a fantasy world.
Glenn,
The way your pal left had a adverse effect on the program. He was a great recruiter but his teams with more talent than any other team, under achieved. Threw away an NCAA title by playing his first two lines the entire game.Great at finishing second in the beanpot, destroyed the FOH and the hockey alumni mentoring program and no interactions or interest in students or anyone except his players.
If it was not for Jack Eichel (not his recruit), then he won on title. Could not win anything with McAvoy,Grezlick,and JFK.
Glenn,
Opps!, Last line insert Keller for Matty G. A senior moment on my part. However for you to believe that when the head of an organization abruptly leaves that it would not impact the remaining personal is unrealistic.
Nice victory last night. However only 5-8-2, 39 in the pairwise.
Larry, your logic is defective. Yes, Quinn left suddenly and surprised many of us. Yes, we are having a dreadful season so far. But no, Quinn’s departure had no such adverse effect on the program. In other words, you’re trying to imply a cause and effect relationship and that is incorrect. The really funny thing is that if there was such a relationship, then all you ever said about Quinn only being a good recruiter and not a good coach would be proven completely wrong LOL.
Glenn,
Have you ever worked for or owned an organization or company? I did and believe me any time key personal left it had a negative impact .The senior managers have to explain the occurrence and reassure everyone that it will turn out fine. For example,
His recruits came to play for him not Albie. Don’t you feel the parents feel betrayed? It is human nature to be disappointed . The fact that you do not see the repercussions is mind boggling.
Hi Larry, I work for myself. I cannot discount what you say in your business experience but it certainly cannot necessarily be transferred to college hockey. Make no mistake about it, Quinn’s recruits came (and others will be coming) to play hockey at Boston University for a multitude of reasons … including being able to study at Boston University, enjoying the campus/city, our facilities (such as the arena and strength and conditioning equipment), the history of BU Hockey and how many players have gone on to have pro careers after leaving BU, and the coaching staff (not just Quinn). So absolutely not, the parents and players might have felt disappointed but not betrayed. They are not so naïve as to think successful head coaches do not move on to pro level positions. They have too many other perks from which to benefit … when considering whether or not to play at BU. The pros still clearly outweigh the cons. Students and players know this.
Glenn,
For you to say that parents or student athletes did not fell betrayed is unrealistic and to minimize the effect it had on the program is not believable. There has to be continuity in any successful program, two coaching changes within five years causes chaos and stress for everyone and as a result creates a negative impact.
If some of your clients left after making a commitment to you, how would you feel?
Larry, for you to use the word “betrayed” is ludicrous. As far as a client leaving me, first of all, I would feel disappointed but not betrayed. More important though, the analogy is not good because in a personal fitness training session, I am pretty much everything with regard to the client getting (or not getting) his or her value. As good a coach as Quinn is, there is far more for the student-athlete and his family to benefit from (while playing college hockey at BU) than just Quinn’s mentorship. I know how important it is for you to think that people feel betrayed by Quinn but it’s not happening … so sorry. Besides, the majority of Quinn’s recruits have decided to come to BU anyway. So, they can only feel so “betrayed” LOL. I will tell you this, if I was recruited and offered a good job by a manager of a company and then he or she left, you better believe the departure of that leader is not exactly what I would care about.
Sorry to disappoint but you should be concerned if the person who hired you left. It is hard to believe that you have no understanding of the dynamics of a business and human behavior in that environment.
I do feel he betrayed and misled not only the student athletes but the athletic director and the student athletes parents. Action always speak louder the words. His actions spoke volumes.
Not exactly setting a good example to his student athletes of negotiating a new contract then reneging . .At the end of the day the only person he cared about was himself.
Terrier For Life,
I did enjoy the majority of your blog. However I would like to clarify a couple of points. I am glad to learn that some of these players actually value an education and take their studies seriously. The culture I am referring about is that B.U. has become like an AHL franchise where individual statistics and individual performance is more important that the team. The focus for the high end talent is how quickly can I play in the NHL. Two recent examples are Charlie MC. and Brad T. who clearly played at much higher and consistent level in the NHL than at B.U.
As you know I am no fan of the prior coach. I did not like him personally and never understood the way he ran the program. We had mutual disrespect for each other. I was fooled but I now have realized that this was the prior athletic directors selection. His predecessor had no say in the selection and would never had hired him after they way he left the program when he was the associate head coach.
We agree that the prior coach stated to anyone who would listen that B.U. was his dream job. Obviously not true but I agree that this is still free country and he certainly has the right to leave. My issue is that after renegotiating and agreeing on a longer more lucrative contract to stay a B.U. that within twenty four hours he or his agent received additional years and compensation to go to the Rangers.
I was always taught that deal was a deal and if I made one I honored it. Believe me I made mistakes but would always honor my commitments.
To me this showed a lack of character and integrity. It set a poor example for his former student athletes. In fact the HC of the NYR never stayed at any position longer than five years. At the end of the day B.U. was a place holder or a bookmark until he could get his real dream job.
No Larry, you should not be concerned. You seem to want to have it both ways when in fact neither of your points are valid. You maintain that Quinn was not a good coach and now you want to try to tell us that it’s at least partially his fault that the team has done poorly this semester. You love to say “my pal” but truth be told he is someone I did not even know outside of the Agganis setting. You make it seem like we would do stuff together. He was an acquaintance. I do not know him outside the world of BU Hockey. You also said about the only person he cared about was himself … and that’s profoundly wrong. It’s just more BS that you want to try and dump on him. Why not ask the families and student athletes who played for him while he was here … regarding whether or not he cared for those kids and treated them well? I certainly have gotten to talk to some of them at BU Hockey games and Pre/Post game gatherings and their unsolicited comments about Quinn are completely inconsistent with what you would like people to believe about him.
Another point that you often make is patently false: You tell us that he said that BU Hockey was his dream job and he left for more money (multiple times his BU salary). Therefore (according to you), the BUH head coaching job was not his dream job. WRONG. Just about everybody has their idea of a dream job. I certainly do. BUT, if someone comes along and financially makes an offer that is irresistible, I would leave that dream job. It does not in any way mean that the initial dream job was not way more desirable than the new job. People leave their dream jobs all the time for jobs that are much less desirable … because of extrinsic reasons. Of course Quinn left for an Original Six HC job that had to compensate him many times over what the BU job could pay.
Oh, and what about Denver? Montgomery leaves and their program is ranked #8 now. So are we all supposed to believe that the reason they are doing well is because Montgomery did not promise the DU Hockey community that he would stay?
Glenn,
Go outside your friends for the truth about your buddy. Action always speak louder than words. Have you talked to any former members of the FOH or any former players that requested numerous times to mentor players and were denied. Probably not because they do not attend or support the program any more. Have you noticed the attendance ? Long time season ticket holders, premium seat holders and Suite holders have left the building and are not coming back due the ignorant treatment from you know who was only interested in his team and himself.
Some day you will learn how he destroyed every relationship he had on his way out the door. He really put the athletic director in a very uncomfortable position that adversely affected him.
I agree that he could leave at any time for a better job but do not create this myth about a dream job or job for life when in reality it was a stepping stone place holder until he did get his real dream job! Also It is a lack of character and integrity to agree to a new deal at B.U. and then renege within twenty four hours.
Larry, what are you talking about with this “my friends” thing? It’s the same thing with “my friend” Quinn. The people from whom I form my opinion about the state of BU Hockey are people I interact with when I go to BU Hockey events. They are players, parents, other fans, etc. The truth about BU Hockey is that Quinn brought the program up a notch via his ACTIONS and the relationships that he cultivated and that infuriates you because you know it’s true. Who are all these former FOH members and former players that you say feel the same way you do? I have yet to meet any of them.
Lack of attendance at BU Hockey games is no different than lack of attendance at the other college hockey games. It’s a problem pervasive in college sports; so you can’t use it to try to back up your position.
Glenn,
You honestly amaze me. I award you the DD apple polisher of the year. His actions set the program two steps backwards. He never won the last game of the year and his one great year was due to the previous coach, prize recruit. Reality check he won 0.0 with Charlie, Clayton and JFK on the same team.Almost impossible to do with that much talent. Even last years season ending run ended in a disappointing loss. I believe only won trip to the Frozen Four that did not end well.
Never was involved with students, alumni or any one unless you belonged to the coaches cabinet at a membership fee $3,000. (Restricted to elitist) Certainly discriminates against the common hard working fan.
Did not schedule for the future and left Albie in a untenable position.Disgracefully left the university by being deceitful and deceptive about his true intentions.Left the athletic director on the hook and jeopardizing his future
Believe me the truth hurts but hiring him was a big mistake. I was fooled like the majority so I am rooting for Albie to succeed!
Larry, I amaze you LOL? I know what an apple polisher is but what’s a DD apple polisher? Just because I live in reality does not mean I’m an apple polisher. Although I am happy about the semester ending with two wins, I am not at all happy with how the season is going. However I am not delusional enough to suggest it has anything to do with Quinn. Now if we lost the lion’s share of our top players and recruits to other programs then yes, I might give Quinn much of the blame but you know as well as I know that that’s not the case. With every post you write, you make it painfully clear that you were dissed by Quinn and his “punishment” will be you attempting to blame any BU Hockey shortcomings on him … forever. And then when he leaves you think we’re actually gullible enough to buy into your ideas as to why the current team is not doing well … having to do with Quinn LOL. He was here five years. His first year he made the best of a bad situation and then proceeded to go to four NCAA tourneys and win two HE titles. You think the teams we lost to in those NCAA tournaments weren’t ultra-talented? Larry, he was a success for BU Hockey and you can’t debate your way out of that reality. In the same way that Parker’s legacy included landing Eichel, Quinn landed many players who have yet to arrive at BU but will make a significantly positive impact during the next five to eight years. Remember, being realistic is not apple polishing. Oh and by the way, that’s a lie about him not being involved with alums who were not part of the Cabinet group. I can speak for myself (I donate to the men’s and women’s programs but not anywhere near that Cabinet level amount) and several other BU alums and hockey fans who I have come know from going to games and he interacted with us and answered questions at gatherings. So as far as Quinn only being involved with the high-rollers of the BU Hockey world …. WRONG!! It’s funny you still haven’t even begun to describe the “mess” that Albie inherited. If you think that Quinn leaving for the Rangers the way he did set a damaging tone to the season … WRONG!!
Glenn,
It is reflected in the attendance and the general apathy toward the program. When the FOH and alumni hockey players.mentoring program ended it broke up carefully cultivated relationships that were built up over decades. Those people are gone . Also lost were millions of dollars from legacy donors who changed estate planning.
I know personally how he treated people who politely questioned his decisions. If you think I am the only one then you are sadly mistaken. I have solid sources that actually are employed or were formerly employed at either Agganis or within the administration.
For you to condone the less than honorable way he ran the program and left the university says more about you then it does about me.I doubt he will ever be remembered by most in a positive light or be invited back to a hero’s welcome.
As far as his record it speaks for itself. He did less with more and could never reach the ultimate goal. Certainly, not in the same class as the former Denver coach .
Perhaps you forget the alleged gaming accusations that occurred during his tenure. In fact one player I believe missed an entire year! So if he fooled you so be it.
If it was “reflected in the attendance” then the other teams would be getting better turnouts … and they are not. Just another way you choose to misinform us. Oh and the gambling thing with you-know-who in 2015-2016. Oh yeah, that was a real blemish on Quinn and how he handled it … please take that in the most sarcastic way possible. Even you have to be laughing at yourself when you wrote that one. I suppose things were better in the 2010-2013 period before Quinn … when a few guys assaulted women. Now of course that did not represent Coach Parker (who I have the utmost of respect for and enjoy seeing at Agganis … in person and in stone) well and it wasn’t reflective of the general character of the team IMO. But if you want to go the foolish route of the gaming incident, I can’t help but point out that the character of the players Quinn brought into the program was first-rate. So please don’t go there or you’ll lose any semblance of credibility you have left.
Quinn did less with more … BS alert!! Yes, I will agree that Montgomery had a much more successful career at Denver than Quinn had at BU because he did win a national championship. Of course Montgomery had more success in his short tenure at Denver than pretty much anyone in college hockey. Still, even you have to admit that Quinn did an excellent job by winning two HE titles, one Beanpot and making four NCAA tournament appearances. But of course you won’t admit it because it just kills you to face facts.
And condoning the way Quinn left BU, I did not like it but that’s how things work when a team keeps raising its price for your services. Even though I am a Rangers fan, I was still angry and upset that he left BU. But that’s business. Even though Terrier Nation felt quite disappointed by his departure, nobody except you (his prized personal heckler) denies that he left the program in better shape than when he took it over. Oh, and by the way, there were some pretty hefty gifts made during his tenure too … including high-end training equipment.
Happy Holidays Larry!
Glenn,
A Happy and Healthy Holiday season to you and your family Although, we agree to disagree I have enjoyed our debate.
I agree that attendance is an issue however please note that UMass is drawing well. Also I never knew or I am unaware of any college coach who did not want to help with attendance. I know for a fact from people employed and no longer employed at Agganis Arena that Dollar Dave wanted nothing to do with this problem. It certainly was the complete opposite view of both coaches that preceded him.
A real cheap, ignorant statement about the alleged assault of woman claim but why let the facts get in the way of the real story.
I do not condone this alleged situation but the truth is in both cases a woman prosecutor dismissed the original charges. Are you aware that one student case was dismissed and the other students case was reduced to a misdemeanor . Are you that clueless that you do not realize that this had nothing too due with hockey and more to due with students , alcohol and the middle of the night, a bad combination.( I believe that there allegedly were also some sexual harassment issues with some professors and students, if so is that President Browns fault)
Unlike the gambling issue that I think was reported In the CHN and other reputable websites. Some even implied that the final game was thrown
as ridiculous as that sounds. I even defended Dollar Dave when people asked me if it was true.
DD was the best recruiter the program ever had but never could get that talent properly focused for full season. He basically never made in game adjustments and B.U.played the same style regardless of the opponent. So yes he did less with more, played B.U., particularly the athletic director like violin and then ran out the door when he found his dream Job!
Thanks for the holiday greetings and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss/debate BU Hockey with you as well. Well as far as UMass goes, they have two things on their side … a program that has pretty much always been the doormat of Hockey East has now become kind of an overnight sensation with Makar as a returning sophomore AND they are a traditional campus (not an urban campus like BU). They deserve a lot of credit and how can anyone route against them given their poor history. I do wonder if there is any website that ranks all the NCAA and/or HE teams as far as their home attendance. I see you as using the general theme of lower attendance in general as another way to sell your points about BU Hockey being in a bad situation because of Quinn. I attended a roundtable several summers ago in which Quinn addressed attendance issues with an idea of Hockey 101 … going to educate kids on campus about hockey who were from foreign lands. So you saying Quinn wanted nothing to do with solving the attendance problem is again … untrue.
Yes, I do know that the charges were dropped. Of course nobody is saying that the offenses never happened … especially the one in Warren Towers. The whole point is that it was laughable of you to try and bring up the gambling issue as a way to discredit Quinn. He and BU Athletics handled it as honorably and respectfully as they could. He found out and had the player out of the lineup before the NCAA even knew what happened. I don’t fault Parker for what happened in the early 2010’s but you don’t even acknowledge what happened with the gambling incident was the fault of the student and not the coach.
It’s funny how you try to discount the success that Quinn had here by saying how good his recruits were … as if his accomplishments were not as great because he had blue-chip recruits. Guess what … so did many other programs and they couldn’t come close to what Quinn accomplished here at BU.
Glenn,
Dollar Dave was extremely glib, a salesman, salesman who if he could not baffle you with brilliance, would bedazzle you with B.S, However action speak louder than words. I personally discussed attendance issues with both Agganis Arena personal and people within the administration and both told me that Dollar Dave’s only focus was coaching and recruiting. This is the total opposite of his two predecessors who believed that strong alumni, fan and student support was necessary to be successful.
The former coach was unfortunately supported by the clueless athletic director, who’s job could be in jeopardy because of his less than transparent actions. So for you to state it is untrue is simply very fake news.
His fault or not the way that B.U. handled the alleged assaults ruined Jack’s reputation and eventually cost him his job. In 40 years he did an amazing job of doing things the right way. No program is perfect but thee were minimal hiccups along the way.
The gambling issues were real, how severe , I do not know , but it is certainly part of Dollar Dave’s short tenure.
What success? He had more talent than any other coach and failed to win the ultimate trophy or even return after he was badly out coached in his one final appearance. His last three Bean Pot teams collapsed
in the finals to the beagles, crimson, and huskies, quite an accomplishment! Perhaps they could name a trophy after him for any Bean Pot team that can duplicate that feat.
So many other programs with less or equal talent won more, Providence, Denver, Northeastern, Lowell, Minn.-Duluth, Harvard etc.
Larry, what in creation are you talking about? Once again NO … only two of those programs you listed won national titles … Denver and PC. And if you’re going to tell me Denver did it with less talent you are beyond help. We were about to beat PC for our sixth NCAA title when the goal from hell happened with 8:36 left … and I’m sure that was Quinn’s fault LOL. Quinn had us finishing in the top tier each year … way better than the overwhelming majority of D-1 programs over that same time span. You trying to twist the narrative by lamely attempting to grade Quinn more severely because he recruited a plethora of NHL caliber players is the ultimate in fake news. Also very fake news is when you try to sell your point that BU players who leave early have no value for their education … when it happens the very same way to other schools sans the Ivies. You call me an apple polisher but I most certainly am not. You seem to find apples and do your best to spoil them. If you didn’t have an obsession with trashing Quinn based on your own personal vendetta against him that we all know about … then you might have noticed and given credit to him for keeping guys like Brandon Hickey here for four years … when Calgary was trying to get him to sign a contract. How about how he developed Greenway into a better player each of the three years he was at BU?
The gambling issue had nothing to do with Quinn. It had to do with the player whose name I will not mention. Face it Larry, you trying to even insinuate that Quinn was culpable for the gambling issue is every bit as dumb as me trying to say it was Parker’s fault for those incidents we spoke about in a previous exchange … and it wasn’t of course!
Oh and BTW, so if we go by your idea that he is such a great recruiter and that’s about it (not much of a coach) … how do you explain NHL executives making him an extremely coveted property … and then the NYR signing him? And how now he seems to be getting generally good reviews by the always lenient NY sports media LOL.
We can at least agree that Jack did an amazing job in his forty years as BUH coach. I have met him a few times and found him a pleasure to speak with and you and I are both grateful for all he has done for our alma mater. I hope he continues to be a presence at Agganis.
Glenn,
I believe Minnesota-Duluth won two NCAA Championships within ten years.. Last year their coach Scott S. squeezed every inch of talent out of an average squad. How many years in a row did UMass -Lowell (with few if any NHL draft choices) either win or make the final game in the Hockey East Tournament. Two examples of doing more with less.
I admit that B.U and Denver had about the same talent level. Yet during the same time period, Denver clearly dominated college hockey Two Frozen four appearances , one N.C.A.A Tittle and year in and out the best team in the west. B.U. had one dominate year and lost in the final.
If you recruit the best talent you are expected to not only to win but to dominate. Kiefer Bellows, A.J. Greer , Brady Tkachuck, JFK and Clayton Keller come to mind, without doing any research, as some of the players who did not value an education. Brandon Hickey was a fourth round draft choice and to his credit made it priority to get an education. I hope makes to the NHL sooner than later.
As far as that horrible ending against Providence, Obviously the fluke goal was not Dollar Daves’ fault, The fact that the game was tied and the team melted like a puddle is on him. Perhaps if he had not exhausted his top six forwards the outcome would have ben different.
It amazes me that you totally ignore the deceitful and deceptive way he left the program which showed his true lack of character,. I guess you see nothing wrong with reneging on a new contract, not notifying your associate head coach, and jeopardizing the job of your alleged good friend on the way out the door. A nice legacy to be left behind but he did achieve his ultimate goal and dream job. As far as the gambling issue, not his fault, but it did occur and was kept quiet by the administration as compared to the previous coaches problems.
Please note that the Flyers let go the former North Dakota coach who had built up a much better collage resume than Dollar Dave . He did not last long .(less than four years)He was not even the initial choice of the Rangers. So during this honeymoon period I would expect those swell New York writers would behave. Only time will tell if he succeeds.I am just glad he is gone from B.U. and despite my feelings, wish him no ill will. Certainly not cut from the same cloth as his predecessor.
Hi Larry. I could not disagree with you more when said that when you bring in the best talent that you are not only expected to win … but to dominate. That is so wrong! You hear everyone who writes about and broadcasts college hockey say that there is so much talent out there that there are no weak teams anymore. The differences between top-three round NHL picks and other D-1 college hockey players has greatly diminished. Add that to the phenomenon of some other programs getting players who come into their college years after several seasons of junior hockey and that really changes things. Of course Quinn chose to make us a very young team. That was his doing. Anyway, at best you can say that recruiting the way Quinn did puts you in a good position to win a national title but when there are 59 other programs … no way can any sane person expect a team to win a national title … no less “dominate”.
So, as far as your accusation that I “totally ignore” the way Quinn left, my point is not that I am OK with him leaving the way he did, I just can no way honestly say that the manner in which he left is what caused us to have the record we do at this point in the season. It’s not as if the fault is with anyone but the current players and coaches. If we turn it around, the praise will be theirs and nobody else’s. It’s not as if the team would be performing any differently if Quinn left the program in a manner that you would deem to be honorable.
Once again, I will remind you that the overwhelming majority of Quinn’s recruits and their families have digested the news about Quinn’s departure and decided to stay … either at BU or in the pipeline of recruits. At this point that is reality.
I will agree that perhaps Quinn could have managed that 2015 game against Providence better than he did in the third period.
On a final note, and having not much to do with what we’re talking about, I’m intrigued to see that Bellows is struggling in the AHL this season … 12 points in 31 games.
Glenn,
We continue to agree to disagree. However I agree with your assessment that Dollar Daves strategy of only recruiting extremely talented young players was flawed and did not work compared to teams that developed raw players that stayed for at least three years, combined with some recruiting of older players. In five years he never changed his strategy.
He set an extremely poor example for his players and recruits by the way he left by being less than transparent about his true career goals. He certainly used the athletic director to obtain an additional years and more dollars.
He left B.U with scheduling issues which more evidence that his tenure was more year to year than long term. He refused to honor traditions and relationships that had been built up over 5 decades. If questioned he would change the subject or hide behind the athletic director. He made it clear to the previous coach that he was going in a different direction. Dollar Dave did what was best for Dollar Dave.
Please note that Cal Maker of UMass is skipping the under 20 world tournament to rest up for the second half of the season. Mean while not only do BU players always accept tournament invitations but one of our captains is playing overseas in the Spangler Cup. Nothing wrong for playing for your country but I believe it is part of the culture at B.U. where the ultimate goal is to improve individual skills to get to the NHL rater than a focus on playing as a team.
Hi Larry. Nobody expects him to continually announce to recruits or current BU players that if he gets blown away by an NHL HC job that he would leave BU and take that job. So no, there is no “extremely poor example” at all. If anything, players and recruits see that a connection to BU is a major asset to get to the NHL … and that would make them more like to come to play at BU.
What scheduling issues are you talking about?
As far as Makar, if resting for the rest of the college hockey season is truly his reason for skipping the World Juniors, that is highly unusual to say the least. Leave it to you to try to find some way to stick it to BU Hockey when something fluke like that happens. Are you telling me that over the years that the schools which win the NCAA title are the ones who do not have their star players play in holiday-break tournaments? Also, I have heard it said many times that the two weeks of playing in the IIHF World Juniors has positively transformed the level of play for college freshmen.
Glenn,
You can rationalize any way you want but he left B.U as more of a zero than a hero. His deceptive deceitful way he negotiated anew contract with B,U. which was only a ploy to get a better contract with the Rangers, shows a lack of character and integrity. ( Especially after he agreed on a new contract from B.U..) I judge people by their actions not words. Dollar Dave was never transparent with anyone.
According to Albie , B.U.had only 14 scheduled home games for next year when he took over as head coach.He was scrambling to find opponents. Normally schedules are made several years in advance .
I report facts . As a former student manager and legacy donor it truly hurts to see the down fall of the program . Opponents come into Agganis and win too many games. Excuses have replaced victories.