Sunday, January 29, 2012

Maine - MIH - 1/27/12 & 1/28/12

BU vs. Maine Men's Ice Hockey, 1/27/12 and 1/28/12 - Agganis Arena, Boston, MA


Bottom Line: Maine beats BU 4-2 / Maine beats BU 3-1

The Memories: The two hottest teams in Hockey East (if not the nation) met after a weekend of sweeps / Officiating might actually have had an impact on the games / All around lots of crazy stuff


First of all, I'm going to go a little bit sports journalist for a second. I have never, will never blame the outcome of a game on the refs. I know that all that matters is what they see and I've learned to let it go. Teams should be able to bounce back from a bad call or two. But on Saturday night, the officiating was just straight up terrible. I'm not saying BU would've won the games otherwise, but I definitely think at the time the calls were messing with momentum, which in turn could have changed the outcome.

But I digress. Time for the stuff I always write about.

Attendance wise, I loved these two games. Sure, maybe not a lot of those "regular" fans showed up, but they don't do anything anyways. Both nights, the 108 and 118 were filled to capacity and on Saturday for the first time in a long time I feel like the sections filled up before the starting line-ups were announced.

But those damn Maine-iacs made noise in our house. I don't care if they were winning. The inbreds made noise in the place where we reside, where we take care of business. For that I am pissed.

So for this week I decided rather than get super game specific, I'd offer general comments on where I think we can improve. Take it for what you will. But here are things that bug me every home game and that are so simple to fix.

Oh, and while I'm on it - just because I offer "improvements" doesn't mean I don't think we're the best fan base in Hockey East. At times I complain about the home atmosphere, but c'mon, we're absolute beauties. We wear jerseys. Expensive jerseys. And lots of us own more than one. Our fans actually understand the game. A big shut up to anyone else who reads this that doesn't go to BU - talk to us about a game and we can admit where BU sucked and where we didn't. And no Parker doesn't pays refs or whatever else stupid crap you come up with night in and night out. We show up to away games. Don't know what I'm talking about? Must not have gone to your own home games this year because I guarantee if you were playing us you saw a lot more Scarlet and White than you were anticipating. We know how to get behind this team. Call us crazy but it doesn't matter if we lost those other guys or if Privitera's gone for a bit or if Clendening has a bad game (bad GAME - not season, anyone who thinks differently feel free to never talk to me ever, ever, ever, ever, ever again), we are behind the boys 2009% (don't read into that percentage, I just wanted a high number).

Okay so back to what I was saying.

First of all, I urge everyone who chants to listen. Guess what, you can watch the game, chant, clap, and listen all at the same time. Everyone speeds up everything and it just sounds like absolute bull. It's not that hard. Everyone simultaneously complains about ole speeding up. So honestly take five seconds to get out of your own head and listen. And a little sound lesson for you all - if you listen behind you, you'll all stay on tempo (big fancy word for "together"). Trust me, the band has the tempo thing down so if you listen to those gems, you're fine. (Seriously, they're so good looking). Even the wheels on your house and the if you can't get into college chants speed up. Just stop thinking you're right and listen around. We all know the words but we sound like crap if we don't pay attention.

Secondly, if the other team scores, don't let them even think about celebrating. Do the post goal "go BU" chant. If we were all doing it, it would change everything. First of all, we'd drown out any other opposing fans who try and sit in our seats. Then, we would remind the other team that it's just one goal, act like you've done it before and get the hell off the ice. Finally, we'd remind our team that, yeah, it's one damn goal. Goals happen in less than a second. Don't mope, take your minus ones, sit down, get revenge next shift. But it only happens if the fans are absolutely making the building rattle. So us, as fans, can't act down and out from one freaking thing. Scream "go BU" or get the hell out of the building and go crochet some doilies (seriously though, I know a guy).

Thirdly, no dead air. I'm not saying fill every little bit of space with a new chant (that just gets annoying). But throw out a single "let's go white" or whatever you want and just keep the crowd into it. Trust me, it happens a lot at basketball games. If one of us spits off an individual cheer, then at least another three people spit out their own right afterwards. It's a simple way to keep up the energy without pissing everyone off saying the same two things over and over again. Speaking of that last tidbit, please pay attention to the cheer we just did. I don't want to cheer "let's go terriers" four times in a row before throwing in a "go BU".

Fourth do not. Under any circumstances. Insult your own team at the game. I do not care how badly we are messing things up. Keep it in your mouth and complain to someone else later. If I see another person throw their arms up when a dman takes a dumb penalty, I will come down and rip your face off. Not kidding. If we're getting on our own team's case we just look pathetic. No crap they make dumb plays. We wouldn't have lost a game yet if we were perfect. But save it for later.

And fifth. I should not even be writing this, but I will. Don't leave the game until it's over. I don't care if there's 4.6 seconds left, we're down by two, and Parker just got tossed. Stay in your seat. Way to waste your own money and your own time by not sticking it out. There are some many instances where games get turned around in the last 5 seconds, NCAA and NHL. How much would you hate yourself if you missed that? Also, don't do that to the team. The boys chose the right route. They chose to play for the love of the game, to get stronger, to try and win for the pride, and for each other. That is way more exciting than those Canadian junior slimeballs who play on a team they use as a catalyst to promote themselves. Not to say that last part doesn't happen in college hockey, but for the most part these people play for the Boston sprawled on the front of their chests. They play for us. Don't insult them by making them think you give up. It makes them give up.

Okay, so good. General ranting done. I know we had a tough weekend but I fully expect in two weeks for us all to go back to Agganis with more heart than ever. I want revenge too, as I'm sure do the players. Can't believe those hillbillies came to our home with their baby blue accent color and their banner. Won't let it happen again with the Minutemen. This is our house.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Why You Should Go Watch WIH vs. BC on Wednesday

First things first, I'm always a fan for getting more people to the women's ice hockey games. I think they deserve support just as much, if not more, than some of the other teams on campus. Yes, I do get frustrated when the attendance is more than just lacking, it's non-existant. But that being said, I'm completely pragmatic. I know men's ice hockey is the best way to get students out of their dorm and wearing Scarlet and White, ready to scream their heads off and show their pride on their sleeves. But with that in mind, if there's going to be a single women's ice hockey game that you attend all year, it needs to be this one.

This game is big for the team and for the school. So far the team has split the season series with BC. BC women's hockey (contrary to the men) is doing superb right now while we are faltering. But that doesn't mean we can't absolutely own this team. We've already done it once and we're hot coming off the weekend win against Vermont. For those of you clueless to the women's team, let me introduce you to some ridiculously hard workers. Jenn Wakefield. She's getting hattys and setting Hockey East records. Leading the team in shots by a mile. She's an elite athlete and spent part of last semester repping Canada. Kayla Tutino. She's got three SHG (that's more than Wade Megan, people) and three GWG (which is tied with Wade Megan who has the most for the men, currently). Oh yeah, and did I mention she's a freshman? Kerrin Sperry. Girl eats, sleeps, breathes hockey. She's keeping the net away from every body and really stepping up. Did I mention her name is Kerrin? That's pronounced KIER-AN. Kerrin *clap clap* Kerrin *clap clap* Kerrin *clap clap*. See it works here, too. And of course, I'm going to throw a shout out to the whole D in general. Boucher, Watchorn, Carly Warren, Fratkin, Miller. Girls are ridiculous and I love watching them all.

As for the school and the students - this is just another chance to prove we win at life. We all know we've absolutely killed Boston College this year. Not just in men's ice hockey, but in everything else. This is the last remaining "big team" game against the Eagles this year and it's our last chance to prove the Eagles suck. That's a cause we can all get behind.

And then there's this rink called Walter Brown Arena. It doesn't have padded seats like Agganis and you can't sit behind the goals. It doesn't fit our normal crowd and it's always freaking cold. But seriously, this place is historic. You know the men used to play here, right? If you don't you're literally an idiot. This place has seen more National Championship teams than Agganis. It's the site of the most unbelievable 11 seconds in Boston University Hockey history.

And we can make it loud.

It doesn't absorb sound. That place echoes like no other with no one in it, so if you pack it full of the 3,800 it can take it's going to explode. The glass is lower which means the players can literally internalize everything you say. It's homey there and it feels like hockey. If you've never been, what are you waiting for?

As much as I could try and spit off stats and logical reasons to go to the game (it's a Wednesday night, take a mid week break - it's more hockey before a massive weekend of the sport - you already paid for a sports pass so use it), the real reason you should go has nothing to do with that.

Of all the teams on this campus (and believe me, I really truly support them all) I have always felt the most emotionally attached to the women's ice hockey team.

Maybe it's because they stick salute us no matter how little of fans show up, maybe it's because they were in the national title game last year, maybe it's just because they have Boston sprawled across their chests, but I can't help but to truly get into every women's ice hockey game I go to.

Despite the fact that they often have afternoon games and we're all sleepy and lazy, those girls play with heart all the time. Not to take away from the rest of the teams, but I want this team to win more than anything. I see constant effort from them, even in the losses. Even when they aren't at their physical peak and aren't playing up to their potential, I still see hustle. Whether their up or down, they demonstrate team work and perseverance through every thing they do.

That being said - they're having a rough go of it right now. Look, I'm completely pro-Poulin and know we're hurting without her, but I know the problems run deeper than that. But I am not giving up on this team just yet. I've seen them play in the Frozen Four. I've seen them prove themselves over and over again to every team they've faced. This program is so young, but they're just so god damn good at what they do. But right now what they need is a push. Some energy. A reason to keep fighting.

And call me emotional when it comes to sports, but holy hell do I know the fans can be the motivation to relight that flame. Those girls feed off energy more so than most teams I've seen, collegiate or not, contenders or not. If they see that they're worth it, meaning if the crowds show up to prove their worth it, I fear for BC's life. No, I'm not kidding around. I have a feeling that they will absolutely unleash everything should more than the usual suspects show up to Walter Brown. And I'll be selfish here - I want to see that.

So, seriously. Stop kidding yourself. You won't be doing homework on Wednesday night and hey you don't actually have to go to class all the time. Spend one freaking night, less than three god damn hours, to trek to Agganis plus five minutes to see a Battle Royale. I want to kick the crap out of BC one last time before the seasons are over and I know you do, too. Give that jersey just one more wear this week. Get yourself some pre Maine weekend energy. Scream your ass off because what the hell else would you rather be doing? I don't care if you're a freshman, a senior, or anyone else, this game could be huge for all those involved. The team deserves this one, and we can give it to them.

Go crazy for the team and I promise you the team will go crazy for you.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Providence - MIH - 1/21/12

BU vs. Providence Men's Ice Hockey, 1/21/12 - Schneider Arena, Providence, RI


Bottom Line: BU beats Providence 8-0

The Memories: Goals from six different Terriers, seven Terriers recorded multi-point nights, along with a PP that seems unimaginable after last year's / Kieran Millan earns his 8th career shut out / PC Hockey has absolutely zero fans aside from that one real life Friar and the two 10 year olds in our section


Truth be told I have absolutely no idea why I am writing this at all. I have nothing to complain about BU wise. But considering I went to the game I might as well talk about it.

Here's a break down of what the day looked like -
BU fan cars show up an hour before the game: BU fans 25 - PC fans 0
BU commuter rail group shows up 45 minutes before the game: BU fans 40 - PC fans 0
BU alumni, friends, and generally older crowd shows up 30 minutes before the game: BU fans 50 - PC fans 0
BU fans collectively stare at the clock in the dark since Schneider can't pay for electricity. They keep staring until 15 minutes before the game. 10 minutes before the game. 5 minutes before the game. Game time. And for anyone keeping score, it's still BU fans 50 PC fans 0.

Literally Schneider Arena is the saddest looking place on the face of the earth, people or not. The entire place is black and silver. And here's the thing. I know there was a basketball game that night, but you're telling me that of all the kids that go to PC, there aren't ANY hockey fans? I know kids here then when given the choice between hockey and basketball, they'd pick basketball hands down even if it isn't the school's token sport. There's none of that at PC? That's absolutely pathetic.

Things that aren't pathetic - the two 10 year old kids that sat in our section and chirped at us all night. Congratulations, young ones. You made more noise than the rest of the other PC fans combined last night. One thing, though. Kids' gonna tell us we have no swag? Last time I looked in the mirror I'm pretty sure the Dog Pound didn't look like Cason Hohmann.

Here's where I thank Garrett Noonan and Bay State Road Sports for making that joke possible.

Okay okay, so for real though. When there's no opposing fans, it's so easy to shut up and just watch the game. But the Dog Pound didn't. Aside from the usuals (like telling Beaudry and Gates over...and over...and over...and over again that they suck), we pulled out some fun ones. Of course, the sieve/back-up sieve made a reappearance. But we also got the anti-semite cheer in as well as you're a racist. Even chanted about BU football and what not. All in all, we were loud, sure as hell creative, and we kept it going. Through 3-0. 6-0. 8-0.

Also, since I knocked the Dog Pound for this last night I'm going to take the time to praise it for singing the Matt Nieto song perfectly last night. Sure, the Sahir one could use some work, but whatever, it's not as easy as Glory, Glory Matt Nieto.

As short and as unnecessary as this blog post is, I'm going to stop here. Because if I kept talking I'd probably start insulting the guy in front of us who told us to stop swearing since his kids were there. And then proceeded to leave his children unattended for 20 minutes while trying to tell any and all security guards about us. Or about the Friar who told us that of all our chants (all. of. them.) the Beaudry you suck one was the worst, and that we should show some class. Or about the kid at the end of the game that asked us if we got paid to be there. Oh, I'm sorry, is that what they do at PC? No, kid. We were not paid to be there. Making the Parker thank you and the Justin Courtnall salute at the end of the game that much better.

All in all, for those who are awful at predictions and can't keep up, Schneider Arena is now our house. You're welcome.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Providence - MIH - 1/20/12

BU vs. Providence Men’s Ice Hockey, 1/20/12 - Agganis Arena, Boston, MA

Bottom Line: BU beats Providence 6-1

The Memories: Terriers get a 4 goal period for the first time in a long time / Millan blocks 36 of 37, giving up a single goal that was, yet again, a collegiate first / Students, students, students. Everywhere


I'm actually going to split up the two game weekend for a first time in a long time. It's because I'm probably going to have different, but hopefully great, things to say about both games.

I am proud to say that for the first time since I've started writing this blog, I actually feel like the crowd in Agganis was doing its job. I know I'll probably get some haters for this, but hey, we don't have the best atmosphere in our home arena. Which is ridiculous because it's the same kids that go to the away games and just dominate those home crowds. But some students (not all) have a tendency to just get bored. If I can EVER hear the players yelling to each other, it's just way too quiet and frankly embarrassing.

If I had to say what makes an atmosphere intimidating, I'd break it down into three things - volume, resilience, and creativity.

Which leads me to Friday night.

The volume, oh, it was there. First things first, sitting in 118 you sometimes have a hard time picking up on what the 108 is saying aside from the traditional cheers (to which I assume the 108 could say the same about us). But I could hear them. From start to finish I could hear them. When you break it down section by section, I still can't complain. There usually comes a point in games when there's only one guy starting cheers and there's only 50 kids joining in. That point never came last night. Cheers were starting to the left of me, in front of me, and hell even behind me. And when one cheer started, I could hear it all around me. Oh, and we did the sieve/back-up sieve chant. Couldn't tell you why, but aside from school-specific ones, that is my hands down favorite. There were also times when we were trying to win battles down low. Rather than sitting there and gasping, ooo-ing, awe-ing, and what not, some kids started chants. I whole heartedly approve that method. If you're as anxious as the guys on the ice, don't let that affect the atmosphere. Those of us in the stands have the ability to harness that, spin it around, and absolutely dominate the noise. Which in turn gets into the players' heads, Terriers or not, and can affect the outcome.

Secondly - resilience. No, that wasn't the best second period from the Terriers by any means. Especially coming after a huge first period, it'd be easy to get lazy and quiet. But that didn't happen. I'm sure if you compared the quantity of cheers in the second versus the first and the third, it would be a lot less. But I can't really say the quality was any worse. Still loud, still full, still going.

Third is creativity. This is probably the only aspect where I could I knock us at this point, and it's not by much. Of course, creativity is harder to come by in a home atmosphere when no opposing team fans show up. That is unbelievably easy to feed off of. I get that, I know on Friday night we couldn't be battling ourselves. But the one thing that bothered me - the post goal cheers. No, not chanting names, but the songs. Both Sahir Gill and Matt Nieto scored last night. For real, do you guys read the Dirty Laundry List? The Dog Pound facebook group? I think I heard approximately 5 people do the Sahir Gill song and 15 doing the Matt Nieto one. That stuff is great. It's so much better than getting complacent with just chanting their names. But it only works if we all do it. Instead it sounded like the 5 of us got drunk and forgot the words to if you're happy and you know it.

But overall, wow. We might not only be number 1 in Hockey East, but I think the fans are making their way up the rankings, too. In some fictional arena atmosphere poll in my head, not the NESN poll we are currently in the process of rigging (bravo, boys and girls). I have to admit, I'm starting to think we can do it. If the Terriers manage to pull off home-ice advantage in HE, they might have more benefits than just the ice.

Look - these kids, Parker, the whole school administration basically has been ranting and raving about us recently. And I dare someone to try and tell me that the fan support hasn't helped drag us from the bottom up. I think there's a reason that we can't really put our finger on our top guy right now. Chiasson's leading in points, but Noonan - what the hell where did all this offense come from, and Santana just played leap frog with a goal-eeerr, sieve in his 4th game back. Wade Megan's still doing the greasiest of work, ChrisCo's getting it going finally, and Clendening is becoming an assist machine. We, the fans, we're making this fun for everybody. We're getting in everyone's heads, lately we're getting on everyone's TVs, and we sure as hell are coming soon to a Hockey East arena near you. But not without laughing, chanting, and cheering opponents out of Agganis first.

Thanks for coming, but our house, well god damnit I think it's finally our house.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Northeastern & Harvard - MIH - 1/13/12 & 1/14/12

BU vs. Northeastern Men's Ice Hockey, 1/13/12 - Matthews Arena, Boston, MA & BU vs. Harvard Men's Ice Hockey, 1/14/12 - Bright Hockey Center, Boston, MA


Bottom Line: BU beats Northeastern 4-3 / BU beats Harvard 4-3 (OT)
The Memories: Two huge come from behind wins for the Terriers / Chris Connolly finally finds the back of the net (twice) versus Harvard / The Dog Pound steals another Hockey East arena and makes it our house, and then doesn't even need to try at the ECAC arena
New year, new games, and what seems like a new team.  That Notre Dame game was rough. Even just watching it on TV I was feeling it.


But onto 2012, the year without Trivino or Coyle. And my oh my, what a sweet year it may be.

This weekend all the little Terriers were still on break but kids that find Boston more exciting than home and own a BU jersey decided to show up to two big road games.

The first was Friday night at Matthews Arena versus Northeastern and Vinny. Oh Vinny. Anyways, the Northeastern students were loud as usual until, oh wait, we started winning and then they shut right up as usual.  I can say that the good ol' Dog Pound was not letting up on the chants and the Vinny cheers even when we ended the first down by two. Our chants, as per usual, were more creative (Parker sucks...that's cute NU, anything else you'd like to share with the class?) and our resilience was there. So even though those Northeastern kids had fun with their vuvuzelas, bullhorns, D Fence sign (what the), and had approximately 300% more penguins than we did, I'm pretty sure we still came out on top.

That's ridiculous, by the way. Matthews (in my small scope of what I've seen of HE arenas in person) has just a great hockey atmosphere. Aside from the fact that I just hate the North - Eastern chant, those kids can get loud. For the most part they stay loud and antagonizing until, like I said, they start losing. But even then there's still a handful of kids who don't give up. And as stupid as their signs are (I'm glad you love Dongara and Bitetto, I do, but really?) at least they've got some. Overall that can be a damn intimidating place to play, but thanks to the Dog Pound keeping up with the volume and the creativity (and giving Rawlings a warm welcome every time he came to visit) I'm pretty sure we showed the Huskies that they can just shut the hell up.

Now Harvard, by contrast, is not really that scary to play at, if at all. Aside from the fact that it's another "Boston" team which almost always makes for a fun game, Bright Hockey Center really isn't bright after all. I don't care if your students are on break. So are ours. And those 4 screaming chicks you brought don't count. I'm sorry, but the Harvard "fans" were literally pathetic.

Dog Pound 23423534526234 million, Harvard -12 on this one.

And despite the fact that we had no competition from the stands, it was good to see us keep the energy up. Almost worse than getting beat is losing steam halfway through the game. I feel like that's what happens to us at home in Agganis, which is also pretty lame but whatever. If we didn't keep cheering,  the team couldn't have made a comeback and Garrett Noonan wouldn't have scored the game winning goal in OT. Yeah. That's right. I'm pretty sure hockey skills had nothing to do with the last three goals. That was straight Dog Pound adrenaline. You're welcome, boys.

Overall, a solid weekend for a team that really needed it. I'm glad I got back to school early to take a two night trip across the street and then over the river. I'm glad that 30 some odd kids did that as well. We get to say we saw Vinny first and that we are missing nothing and then we saw ChrisCo shake off the demons and get not one, but two beauties.


Basically, next year, the year after that, and all years after that, if you're at this school, give up your last weekend of Winter Break and come to some games. Also consider giving Spring Break the middle finger and taking a road (flight?) trip to see your team. You won't regret it. I'm pretty sure your homeland is nothing compared to what we got to see this weekend.

And for the rest of us - still plenty more road trips (BUs trips? T trips?) to go around. If you don't go to an away game by the end of the year, I'm pretty sure you lose. At life. Hope you don't get too jealous of our memories.

What's This Blog/Who am I/Why does it Matter

So, I kind of came out of nowhere with this blog. And not that I really give a crap whether people want to trash talk it or not, I figured I might as well given an explanation as to what this is all about.

First of all, I pretty much am never going to talk about the teams in general, the plays in general, recapping the game, etc. etc. If I wanted to do that I'd be a sports journalist. Stop right now if that's what you expect.

Lately I've heard a little bit of crap about my last post - the "letter" to Terriers (cough cough kid still in high school cough cough) and I figured I might as well clear up the whole anonymous vs. me thing. The blog itself is anonymous, but if you're not stupid you can find out who I am (cough cough twitter cough cough) and I honestly don't give a crap either way. Don't need to take credit for anything I write, but I'd never deny it either.

So why do I have the right to write what it is I do anyways? First of all, I am in no way associated with any of the teams and I can guarantee you I've had no more than a 2 minute conversation with (almost) any athlete at this school. I don't write this for them. I'm a student that's been to almost every men's and women's ice hockey games and men's and women's basketball games since I've started coming to this school. And I'm a student that night in and night out screams, bad or good, for those teams. I've been a Boston sports fan all my life and I've never been into half-assing anything. Maybe by writing this I can rub off a little bit of passion and scarlet for some of the brain dead people at this school. (By brain dead I mean I seriously met a kid the other day that didn't know we had a hockey team.)

In short - read this or don't. Keep my identity anonymous or don't. Hate on this or don't. I write this because god honest I have close to no life outside of BU Athletics.