Taking 1 out of 4

This is becoming quite the theme with the Terriers here.  Two games this weekend and what were our results?

1. One loss and one tie.
2. Fell completely out of the polls (not even under “teams receiving votes”)
3. Goaltending issue again???

The first game this weekend featured the Terriers against the Minutemen of Massachusetts.  (That’s my Jim Prior for ya)  It started out with a bang, with Pete MacArthur potting one just 33 seconds into the game.  However, UMass was quick to come back and skated away with a 5-3 (ENG) win.  The things I noticed in that game were that the defense often seemed to be pushed off the puck and retreating back into the zone.  Also, UMass forechecked extremely hard and we seemed unable to counter it at all.

On the plus side, it was the debut of the alternate uniforms for the year, though I doubt with Jack Parker’s superstitious ways that we’ll see them for a while.  UMass had some nasty alternate uniform, I didn’t really like it at all.  It doesn’t counter what happened in the game though.  A defensive breakdown leading to a wide open player putting it in the open net.  The only thing about the game that was effective was our first line, which was really buzzing.

The second game this past weekend didn’t start any better.  Northeastern got off to a quick 2-0 lead before we managed to make any sort of attempt.  Luckily, we came off with a tie.  In a hard hitting game, it looked like the Terriers developed some legs toward the end.  We simply can’t give up the quick goals and have every game be a fight to tie.

It’s so frustrating to see what has happened to this team.  As a bright spot, the top line played well again, and were the sole reasons why we came out of this with a tie.  You can’t win with only one line putting pucks int he net though.  One thing I liked about this game from hearing it on the radio was how the crowd got into it.  I have to admit, it seemed like it was a great game.  I just wish that we could’ve come out with more than one point.

After this weekend, I’m not so confident about the Terriers anymore.  I know that there are going to be alot of people playing the “they’ll turn the corner” game, but it’s 9 games into the season and we’ve won 2.  That’s not saying that there is no talent on this team, there just seems to be no cohesion and confidence in this unit.  Of course, only time will tell what will happen, but I’m picturing another repeat of the 2003-04 season.  The only exception is that this team is, IMO, much more talented than that team and deserves a lot better.  They have many of the same characteristics, though.

As for my predictions!  I was … phew.  Only got 3 games right.  Not a good way to start the season.  Maybe I should predict the Terriers will lose more often.

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