The critical four point game went to the Tigers tonight 3 to 2. No need to build up how important this game was for St. Thomas and now their play off hopes rest on beating teams they haven't been able to up to this point in the season and hope for help from other teams.
With several important bodies out of the line up tonight, including Tyler Dietrich, who was slapped with a 2 game suspension last night for clapping at the ref, the Tommies started off on the wrong foot by allowing a goal at the 22 second mark of the game. Brad Gallant answered at 4:06 on a pretty passing play with Max Chamberland and Devan Praught to tie it. It remained that way for the rest of the period.
Jacob Johnston put the Tigers ahead again early in the second frame on an unassisted goal. STU tied it one more time when Alex Labonte took a nice feed from Devan Praught at 16:15.
The Tigers would score the winner shorthanded at 2:18 of the third period when Francois Gauthier got the puck in the Tommies zone then spun and fired top shelf past Charles Lavigne.
And that was it. The Tommies couldn't muster the tying goal and now sit 3 points back of Dal. Next game for STU is Wednesday night at UPEI. One more of those "must win" games.
haha another year another year with no playoff hockey at the lbr....
ReplyDeleteGood night and may God bless!!!
ReplyDeleteWill someone in the STU administration wake up and realize Eagles can't be coach and AD.
ReplyDeleteHello...
Tommies video guy what now it can never be eagles fault or the teams there is talent there. It most of been the ice maybe the puck was too soft.
ReplyDeleteIt's official,Eagles has cleverly guided the Tommies to 8th and last place,we now have the rest of the League just where we want them,unsuspecting of us and not ready now for the big surge into the play-offs;how can anybody support this kind of leadership and coaching,he must not be allowed to remain as either A/D or coach,please leave stating irreconsilable differences,8 years and this? send him back to the minors where heshould have always been.The only successful stradegy that he seems to have drilled into this team is how to give up goals while on the PP;Enough is enough!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you ... Enough is enough .. Eagles has to go ! Please Mr. Cochrane .. Fire him !
ReplyDeleteeveryone on the team is accountable tonite. We have beaten Dal 3 times but couldnt pull off the fourth. If we dont win on wednesday, then its over. Plain and simple. The team, EVERYONE INVOLVED, has to play inspired hockey with 5 games left. We have to be fans on UNB and UPEI down the stretch to beat Dal and WE have to support the team to get through this. Season isint over yet.
ReplyDeleteAnd the guy who said something to me about what he thinks I was going to say, come to the LBR on friday!
~Tommies Video Guy~
Appreciate your unyielding support Tommies Video Guy but let's face facts: the Tommies have five games left, four of them against SMU and Acadia. The other game against an improving UPEI team. You know what's telling: Tyler Dietrich gets a 2-game suspension because he feels the need to berate the officials. How selfish is that? Must win situation facing Dal and Dietrich is in the stands because his concept of team play is self serving. That is the problem with this team: too many 'I' guys and not enough team guys. When you've got little character among your players, they won't be able to suck it up when the chips are down. Look at how this team has faltered down the stretch. Shame on you. You've embarrassed the Tommies uniform.
ReplyDeleteHere's my complete set of photos from this game for those interested...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=193321&id=605370165&l=b26c9de739
disgrased stu fan, SMU hasnt played as well as they would like lately, having lost the past 3. Any chance to beat them, is now. We can and have beaten UPEI, its just harder on their ice. I dont know what happened with Dieter.
ReplyDeleteStill, we HAVE to win that game. Not surprising that everyone except video guy has packed it in.
i thought the tommies played well enough that they had a fair chance at winning but that damn short handed goal again.a mistake on the first goal and they never finished on their chances.they maybe a little weak on d,but still just scoring two with a good number of power plays i think.
ReplyDeleteafter looking at the stats i see that the tommies did kill seven penalties without allowing a goal so defensively they did play all right.0 for 5 on the pp and allowing a goal hurt.short season makes it hard to make adjustments.
ReplyDeleteLots of excuses, no answers. Nobody will answer for this and we keep on digging ourselves deeper. I'm joining the other 300 or so fans that gave up over the last 3 years. Thanks to the UNB fans that come to the LBR to scout the other teams. Puts butts in the seats.
ReplyDeleteSome of the answers for the weekend outcomes lies in the fact that 3 top players did not make the trip(injuries etc),in addition who would have believed that Tyler would have been given a gross misconduct penalty for giving the referee a standing ovation for his call finally vs the X player,a combination of no sence of humour and incompetance,the conduct of that referee should be investigated.
ReplyDeleteAlso it should be noted that the PK was perfect with no goals against it is just that the team has just not as yet mastered playing the PP with the same defensive diligence and so please remember,the Fat Lady has not sung yet and don't bury this team alive before she does,get to the rink and show that the support is still there!
P.S. The referee of record for the X game was Jon Langille,google his name and you will find a record of incompetance that will astound you.
ReplyDeleteSTU better get use to sitting at the back of the bus because thats where they will be until the program folds up shop
ReplyDeleteLast 5 years of MCADAM tenure as Coach STU is consistently in top 10nationally. Same thing in the SMITH tenure along with one AUS championship. The Tommies can become an elite team again the resources are there. The program has fallen on hard times in the Eagles tenure thus far, but can and will return to this level. There are lots of experienced hockey people who support the program as Alumni and Friends that can help guide the current administration and staff in putting together a comprehensive plan to remedy our current ills should we miss the playoffs again. In the mean time, all we can do as supporters of the program is cheers the green and gold on in the uphill climb they are facing to make the playofs this year.
ReplyDeleteAnd here in lies the problem,Eagles consults with nobody,takes nobodys advice nor is anything but a talking head who only talks the talk,ie bulls**t,he is alone in bringing about this dilema and has neither the intention nor ability to trust anybody elses opinion on the subject of hockey,a fatal flaw in his personality which precludes doing any better,I like the intention contained in the above submission but it is far too late to wxpect that Eagles is ready for anybody's counsel, any co-operation on his part at this time would be something that I would believe to be only in the interest of self preservation,it is time to have those Friends and supporters to formulate the recouvery plan and Eagles has no place in that forum.It was a hugh mistake to have given such a responsability to a man with so little background.
ReplyDeleteThe season is not over yet and anything can happen.It is not Eagles fault,but he will probably not be coach next season.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to see a big crowd this weekend at the LBR,I believe the support would help.
Oilslick
Oilstick, your right it would be nice to see a good crowd out, but it probably won't happen now. and its basically over for the tommies and 'Eagles'
ReplyDeleteOilslick, if it's not Eagles' fault, then whose is it?
ReplyDeleteFurther to the anonymous posting @2:37PM:Feb 01.
ReplyDeleteThere is a majority of players,I believe,who because of coaching are or will be contemplating leaving the Tommies and it is with the greatest of urgency that I am suggesting that recommendations cotained by that anonymous poster happen ASAP and that the ideal remedy ie removal of Eagles from both duties asap;has anybody taken inventory of the quality coaches who have left the Tommies unable to work with such a man.If one has any hope of this situation getting any better then Eagles must go.
What ? other than lead the rush to last place in the AUS has Eagles accomplished? He has consistantly underrecruited,consistantly overestimated many recruits and failed to retain many others .He inherited a quality team as a result of Coach MacAdam and Coach Smiths previous recruiting and aside from less than a handful(up to this year) has failed to convince enough recruits to take advantage of the offerings at STU,so please explain to me,anybody,why should he be allowed to continue with this insanity,why isn't he doing better? simple ,he is not capable of doing so.
ReplyDeletewow I had no idea the contempt for coach Eagles was so high. I guess the masses have spoken.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear from some of the Tommie faithful on this issue... or maybe we already have. Tommies Video Guy, Dan, Squirrel H8TR... do you guys agree with what is being said? Any comments?
ReplyDeleteI think change is needed, and it has to come sooner rather than later, because we cannot afford to fall behind one more year. The AUS is to competitive to keep down the path that we are heading! Someone is going to have to step up, if this program is to have any hope.. the fans here are loyal but are running out of patience it seems and hope, and by the looks of the attendance in the past few years, have lost interest. lets get this back on track new faces are needed.
ReplyDeleteThe season isn't done just yet. It will be a tough climb to the final playoff position but is "doable".
ReplyDeleteEveryone involved will have to do some soul searching and hopefully do what is in the best interest of team when the season is finished.
Tough questions for sure.
To be clear, the comments are for everyone, good, bad, or otherwise. Keep it clean and keep it hockey related. Please try to avoid any cheap shots.
As we have said in the past, the site is about bringing you, the fans, Tommies news, not the site being the news.
We will continue to be supportive of our hockey programs, our players, and coaches.
GO TOMMIES!
Go Tommies!!!
ReplyDeleteAs much as Mike Eagles deserves respect for what he did as a hockey player, his personality is not conducive to running a university hockey program. He is not an educator, has no post secondary background so how can he relate to what these guys face going to class and playing hockey: He is completely ignorant of the alumni and dismisses any involvement from this group; he won't give them the time of day and that is too bad since the alumni cares about this program more than anybody. Mike is simply incapable of accepting advice from any quarter, whether it be from players, fellow coaches, or alumni. He needs to realize that unless the culture changes, this team will be a perennial loser. What few fans are left is a sad testament to how far this team has fallen.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWow, why don't you tell us what you really think? That's quite a character assassination. Whatever you think of Mike Eagles as a coach and/or AD, some of the above comments are very mean-spirited and an extremely personal attack on someone who has given a lot to the program. Regardless of his capabilities, or weaknesses, this attack is totally inappropriate and cowardly. Everyone should just think a minite before venting their frustrations in such a way. Fine, if Mr. Eagles is not the man for the job, but really... get a grip.
ReplyDeleteAgree completely with above poster. Anonymous 12:04, you've really crossed a line. You've gone from "He can't coach, he's not the right man for the job" to character assasination. It's interesting that all these posts are "anonymous." Not one of you would think of saying these things to the man's face.
ReplyDeletei agree. A lot of the attacks on Eagles have been personal and mean spirited and NONE of this would be spoken to his face about it because Eagles would mess up people. Ive been on the ice with him at a fun scrimmage and he took it very serious. Accidently hit him with a puck and he gave me this scowl. I was afraid.
ReplyDeleteAs a hockey guy, Mike knows his hockey. A poster wrote he isint an educator with no post secondary degree. Does Trevor Steinburg have a university degree? His sons are going through university now, and I am sure he knows exactly what the players are going through with school.
As a recruiter, the team does need some help. I know some great OA players in the OHL that would help the team out, so maybe if we can get a person on the payroll and strictly recruit, we will be fine.
About the players, yes, we have MJAHL players and chlers. We also have professional players as well with Erick Tremblay and Andrew Andricopolous. Jordan Scott was the MVP of the MJAHL. Last time i checked, UNB also has MJAHL and fringe CHL players, but also have a lot better players and more depth than we do and I wish people would see that.
The players need to play better on the ice. But to solely blame Eagles just because he recrited the players is unfair. Mike cant dress himself and play the game. The players have to be motived themselves to play (which they are) or else they're scholarships will be pulled and they would be cut.
Still dont think the HC/AD has anything to do with with, but maybe more help would be needed in either spots. I understand its hard but still, everyone needs help sometimes.
And about Mike being his own boss, is also dumfounded. I am sure there is a board who makes these decisions. Everyone has a boss. Everyone has someone who is their boss.
I also find here that people keep repeating a lot of things, but there isint much talk about hockey and the product on ice. So in closing, the main thing we need is help. We need someone's whose job is solely recruiting and Mike should coach, because i have learned a lot about the game from him that translates to my own hockey.
~Tommies Video Guy~
This is an open forum, and HOCKEY-RELATED debate is welcome. That said, when debate or criticism crosses into personal attacks, that is not welcome and will be deleted.
ReplyDeletePlease see http://stutommies.com/2005/07/about-stutommiescom_01.html
The tone of some of the recent blogs are more than in bad taste and need to be cleaned up.
ReplyDeleteThere is a reason the games are played and nothing should be assumed about the outcomes in anticipation.
The team is still playing hard and some credit has to be given to their opposition as they are pursuing the same prize,the Fat nas not sung yet and I believe that the best is yet to be seen of this team starting wednesday night on the Island,lets get the Kharma going for this final run.
Hi Bill,
ReplyDeleteI f you were writing a column on a pro sport team that has not acjieved in 8 years. What would you comment: The fans should speak to the coach directly or status quo is fine? I realize that numerous pro teams never win "the cup", but This hockey not a low market program at STU. Someone said, in this forum that STU is paying a Million bucks to have space at the new rink, and that is just for space, (not ice time) coaches rooms etc, someone else said that the female players from Europe cost almost 10K a pop, plus coaching salaries, recruiting costs, plus travel meals and other team expenses. etc etc. Look at attendance! and remember the all sprot pass concept might mean that fans bought the ticket to see other events but turn out because the secont event, hockey is free. If STU is trying to buy into a hockey program to compete with the other universities, it certainly is a great cost and poor product. What do you think Jennifer Myers might be doing right now if she was Still at STU???
Honestly, it is hope. Spoke with a freind last night and concluded that fans, alumni, people close to the team have given up hope. Its gone. The best we can hope for is to squeak into the playoffs year after year. Maybe pull an upset but never win. UNB is right to mock us because we collectively deserve it. They know, we know, everyone knows we are losers and what we need most is hope. We have none. Nobody in the right places pays attention to the shrinking attendance, the losing record year after year, decreasing support in the community. I just want to believe again. Dark days to be a Tommies fan.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather not be drawn into this discussion in this forum. I recognize there is frustration among the fans, but I don't like the anonymous character assassination of a good man. Whether he's a good coach or a good athletic director is a different discussion. You're well within your rights to criticize on that basis, but the criticism carries more credibility if there's a name attached to it.
ReplyDeleteBill seriously, if you do not want to e drawn into this, then why do you post your thoughts? I am not one to say Eagles is not a good man a great player who played well beyond his size. Most coaches are good people, work well beyond hours they are paid, etc, but the time has come for aa change. He does not see that as an AD or he would have stepped down as coach, and he does not see it as a coach or he would have just done the AD job alone. Too many puzzle pieces without a picture on the box to go by
ReplyDeleteI agree with the previous post. Mr. Hunt, don't try and pontificate. There are reasons why some people don't want to put their names to a comment, but that doesn't mean they aren't allowed to have a say. I agree that the talk should be hockey-related, and for the most part, it has been. We've already established that Mike lacks in recruiting ability and might be taking on too much with the dual jobs. The W-L reflects that. Nobody's questioning whether he's a good man away from the rink. No doubt he has. But I know from being a member of the alumni he doesn't pay any attention to the people who've supported this program over the years. I'm not saying we should have input into coaching decisions, but at least give us the time of day. He won't even acknowledge there are people around the program who might have an idea or two about the Atlantic Conference and some of the players who might make for a good fit.
ReplyDeleteHow about this: I won't pontificate, and I won't participate.
ReplyDeleteHave at it.
Excellent, unless you want to post without your name???? I had a STU Pass and have gone to the games for 5 years....this year I did not. i would do so to support a new coach and see what he brings to the team. What a sad state of affairs. The entire Blog is a keep or get rid of a coach, with a lame duck president, and AD who has his hands tied and a coach who does not know his hands are tied. Someone mentioned jennifer Myers and what she would do. She would do something, she was constantly asking players and trusted alumni about both hockey coaches. It seems egos run supreme in that corner of the athletic department.
ReplyDeleteThank heavens no one in power reads this blog. UNB fans love Mike Eagles and the Tommies. They only have a five minute drive to play them and Gardiner uses it like a controlled scrimmage. It is sort of like the Harlem Globtrotters, They know they will win, because the other team can't. Having said that if we make the play offs, who knows maybe the players have enough pride to play in spite of the coach. Three years ago I heard a parent of a player say "well you can't fire twenty five players", perhaps the coach?
ReplyDeleteMike is there to coach. The players are the ones that are playing the game. If they do not know how to do that,then that is not the coaches fault.
ReplyDeleteOilslick
It's in the recruiting department that Mike fails. He knows his hockey, but does he know how to deal with a team and with a group of different personalities. There have been games in which the Tommies have shown little discipline on the ice and yet, the players haven't been held accountable. Sure, he hasn't got a lot of bodies to play with, but he needs to establish that he's the boss and it's his team. Sometimes I think Mike has trouble doing that. He seems to just be there, but not really there if you get my drift. Really do believe Mike has a role to play, but he could use some help, and he has to accept that he needs some help.
ReplyDeletethis is just after the tommies lost to the panthers.i`ve watched two games in a row and now i am getting a little angry.i bet eagles won`t sleep tonight,not because of the loss,but because our only two goals came from banfield and gallant.yes guys that think they can get better will play better than has beens.notice other teams do quiute well using ex mjahl players.now that the season is blown ,why not leave the line that draws a penalty on for the power play.hell even my wife is yelling decline everytime the other team takes a penalty.
ReplyDeleteI would say frustration is a fair word to use. Here is the IP address of the post at 9:28.
ReplyDeleteIP Address 198.164.241.# (University of New Brunswick)
ISP University of New Brunswick
I have been tempted before to post this stuff but tonight I am "frustrated".
Somehow you Squirrels are just in second heaven, a great team to cheer for and an even better team to kick while they are down. You truly are UNBelievable. I mean that in every nasty way conceivable.
Bill Hunt is right not to post. You can't tell if it a mourning Tommies' fan or a great UNB hockey fan.
I am not certain why you decided to send out the IP address, but I think this borders on hacking and sending out private information. I will leave this to the police of the blog to respond
ReplyDeleteThe final quadrant of the IP address is blocked.
ReplyDeleteThe point of identifying the poster is to expose a Squirrel posing as a STU fan to stir things up.
I am a hockey fan, I got to both UNB and STU games, fan of both. but STU is going down the tubes. I had passes to both university teams, but gave up STU because of direction it was taking....to much money, too little accountability.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it possible STU fans can be using UNB computers? Just because the IP address is a UNB one doesn't mean they are a UNB fan...maybe people I know have done an undergrad at one school and their masters or education degree at the other...
ReplyDeleteTo Anon at 1:34, anything is possible but if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck it is probably a duck.
ReplyDeleteWell, no arguing with that logic... please.
ReplyDeleteI meant to say many people I know...not maybe
ReplyDeleteReally, who cares if you keep Eagles??? I say let him stay and let the program falter. UNB fans love him because he brings a team to the table that always loses. Fans will still turn out. Go up the hill when a good team comes to town to watch the UNB guys, down the hill to watch the bottom teams when they come to STU.
ReplyDelete