Internal Problems with M Hockey?

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

 

Berenson said Guptill, last year's top freshman, didn't travel because he didn't like his work ethic or his performance.

 

This is not good. This is actually really bad. After tonight's game and now hearing this news, I don't like where things are going. Excuse me while I go and sob in the corner. 

EDIT: Now there are disgruntled alumni players. Great. Perfect. Awesome. 

 

5-0 loss to Ferris State?? #Speechless

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@enystrom23: 5-0 loss to Ferris State?? #Speechless” couldn't agree more. Have some pride putting on that sweater.

 

 

@enystrom23 5-0... That should send the message, tonight is a huge game.

Fhshockey112002

November 30th, 2012 at 11:45 PM ^

Looks like Red is trying to whatever he can to create some leadership on this team.  Yes there are some high-profile recruits that came in, but some of the older more experienced guys need to step up and show them the way.  Coming from Juniors/USNTDP where you play multiple times a week vs playing two times on a weekend (where teams spend 5 days scouting you) is a different beast.

Best thing that could happen is a player like Lynch or Moffie tear into some of the guys not performing.  

I know the goaltending has been a hot topic, and hasn't been anywhere near where it needs to be... HOWEVER, tonight Michigan gave up 17 shots in the second period, thats bad team play.

I Bleed Maize N Blue

December 1st, 2012 at 12:00 AM ^

Is Merrill even practicing yet?  I left him out of my post about captains showing leadership, because I think that'd be hard when he's maybe not so involved with the team.  Though when he's back, I'd say he'd need to show leadership, too.

lhglrkwg

December 1st, 2012 at 12:18 AM ^

Usually I get grumpy when people leave eaely for the NHL, but I might change my mind. If people have mentally checked out and they're supposed to be leaders of the team then they're not doing us or themselves any good.

I don't know. I just can't understand why a team so talented sucks so much other than maybe the whole team just not trying. I don't know

TheGhostofYost

December 1st, 2012 at 12:22 AM ^

I really want to care about hockey, especially with the atmosphere at Yost and the tradition here, but I just can't do it. 

VictorsValiant09

December 1st, 2012 at 1:08 AM ^

I agree about the leadership assessment; Brown left, and you have guys like Lynch and Moffie who should be clear-cut leaders, but aren't.  We all know AJ's a quiet guy in the room.

Whatever you're doing, Michigan Hockey Gods, do it faster, because I'm terribly worried.

DH16

December 1st, 2012 at 1:38 AM ^

We have yet to win a game on the road, and our only non-loss was that miracle OT tie against Northern. And we've just looked sloppier than usual at the games I've seen at Yost, so I can only imagine how much sloppier we've looked on the road. We've been outscored 17-3 in our last 3 games away from Yost. Gotta bounce back for round 2 vs Ferris.

Rudy31

December 1st, 2012 at 4:23 AM ^

Merrill, the same guy who was at skeeps on Tuesday neck brace and all, is not the answer to all our problems. Will he contribute to a stronger back line? Sure. But what I see right now is a team not willing to play team defense, meaning forwards back checking and defense cleaning up our own zone first. When you throw in freshman tendys, that's a recipe for disaster. It's gonna take one of the leaders to lay down the gauntlet about team defense first before (if ever) this season will turn around.

Doc Brown

December 1st, 2012 at 11:00 AM ^

Losing Merrill is about more than losing his playmaking on the blue line. It is about mixing up the d pairings, which are obviously not coming together AT ALL. Bennett and Trouba is not a good combo. Bennet has spent the past 9 months playing with Merrill. It will take time for him to learn the tendencies of playing with Trouba. Usually in juniors, minors, and the NHL, you play at least 4 games per week allowing more opportunities for new d pairing combos to come together. Serville has been disaster this season as well. Hitting a penalty hat trick was obviously the low point for his season so far. 

hennesbe

December 1st, 2012 at 4:27 AM ^

Berenson knows how to handle kids.  I wouldn't be concerned.  We see what has happened with the malcontent Titus Young playing for the Lions.  No player is bigger than the team.

justingoblue

December 1st, 2012 at 12:59 PM ^

but it looked like Chaisson had a really rough night. Also, other than not being an elite level goaltender bailing out bad plays over and over again (fifth was the exception) I don't think Rutledge deserves much blame for those goals. Right now it looks like the opposite of preseason expectations with a decent goalie playing behind a pretty awful defense.

Fhshockey112002

December 1st, 2012 at 1:45 PM ^

The third goal is a perfect example of where this team is... It is a simple 2 on 2 with Ferris having a trailer.  The far side Ferris player drives the net (as he should) and since there is NO BACK CHECK, Chiasson is in no mans land.  He is caught between stopping the backdoor pass, and allowing the trailer to walk down the slot.  

Ferris does a nice job of spacing, and it's a slam dunk essentially while Rutledge has no chance.  

justingoblue

December 1st, 2012 at 2:08 PM ^

If he had stayed at home, a warm body between the goal and the backdoor guy likely could have stopped that shot from going in, or even stopped the initial pass. Two defensemen trying to play the puck in front of the net isn't ideal, especially with Ferris' winger lurking in good position.

On the third goal, I agree the defense needed support and didn't get it, but I'm not quite sure Chaisson covered either the front or back guy. It looks more like he was waiting to see whether Nieves was going to get in a position to stop the trailer and got beat by a good pass.

The problems don't start or end with him, I just don't think he had a very good game (based on five clips of Ferris goals, which, obviously...).

JustGoBlue

December 1st, 2012 at 1:24 PM ^

it's possible to overstate the lack of confidence on the ice right now.  There just isn't any from anybody, that I've seen.  They're playing like they expect to lose and they are.  They're badly lacking leadership in that area and there isn't much the coaches can do when they just keep losing.

I think the only "internal problems" are that Red's pissed they keep losing and he's pulling every trick in the book and anything he can make up to do something to jumpstart this team.  In a normal year, maybe Guptill can practice like we'll presume he practiced this week and maybe get away with a stern talking to, but with the circumstances right now, it's Unacceptable and it's a message Red's trying to send.  I think it also illustrates the lack of leadership.  Do you really think Orts would let somebody get away with such a bad week of practice that the coaches wouldn't let him travel? 

The alumni are just as pissed as we are, probably way more so.  They're being vocal, maybe that will galvanize this team. 

JustGoBlue

December 1st, 2012 at 1:24 PM ^

it's possible to overstate the lack of confidence on the ice right now.  There just isn't any from anybody, that I've seen.  They're playing like they expect to lose and they are.  They're badly lacking leadership in that area and there isn't much the coaches can do when they just keep losing.

I think the only "internal problems" are that Red's pissed they keep losing and he's pulling every trick in the book and anything he can make up to do something to jumpstart this team.  In a normal year, maybe Guptill can practice like we'll presume he practiced this week and maybe get away with a stern talking to, but with the circumstances right now, it's Unacceptable and it's a message Red's trying to send.  I think it also illustrates the lack of leadership.  Do you really think Orts would let somebody get away with such a bad week of practice that the coaches wouldn't let him travel? 

The alumni are just as pissed as we are, probably way more so.  They're being vocal, maybe that will galvanize this team. 

Don

December 1st, 2012 at 1:59 PM ^

Mel Pearson was assistant coach here for 22 years starting in the '88-'89 season, and in '91 we started our string of appearances in the NCAAs. He was here for every one of the national championships, Frozen Fours, and CCHA championships since Red got here, and to say that he was Red's right-hand man for this sustained period of hockey excellence isn't an overstatement. Last season Mel took over Michigan Tech, and was named CCHA coach of the year after the season was over.

It would not surprise me at all if the loss of Pearson is something that Red, his staff, and the team are still adjusting to.

lhglrkwg

December 1st, 2012 at 2:30 PM ^

I don't understand where the offense went either. In the last 6 games, we've scored 2, 1, 1, 3, 1 and 0 goals.

It seems like the D and the goaltending haven't gotten much worse lately, the offense just bottomed out and thus the offense hasn't been able to cover the poor D and suspect goaltending like it was earlier in the season where we were scoring 3+ goals consistently