Frozen Fenway A Success

Now that Frozen Fenway is finished it's time to look back at whether it was a success or not?  All of the teams involved will never forget walking out of the dugout and looking out at the history that is Fenway Park.  It's a dream come true for anybody just to attend a Red Sox game, but being able to play hockey on it was unimaginable until the Winter Classic has taken the NHL by storm.  All of the teams that played at Fenway performed at their highest level.  Vermont was looking to jumpstart their second half for with a victory but lost in overtime.  Their high play didn't stop there as they beat Umass Lowell in overtime getting them going in the right direction.  Umass Amherst dominated the game for the most part against Vermont but on Friday took their game to the next level defeating Boston College 4-0.  Northeastern, UNH, and Maine all played very well at Fenway and it seems those teams are headed in the right direction for the end of the season.  The playoffs for those teams seem inevitable but will the Wildcats make the NCAA Tournament for an 11th straight year??? That we will find out as the rest of the second half continues.

Inconsistency for the Catamounts

With a thrilling comeback over Umass Lowell tonight Vermont looked like they got a boost from Frozen Fenway.  The win was the 3rd of the season over a ranked opponent for Vermont.  When they beat #1 Minnesota at Mariucci their season looked promising to say the least.  When the Catamounts host Providence College on Sunday they will be looking for their first "winning streak" of the season.  Will they be able to pull this one out and move in the right direction for a second half surge to make the playoffs?  Only time will tell at this point!  Highlights 1/13/2012 Against Umass Lowell

What's Wrong with the Wildcats??

In the Hockey East Preseason Poll the UNH Wildcats were picked to finish 3rd.  As of today the Wildcats sit in 7th place and in danger of ending their 10 year NCAA Tournament streak.  Their are many aspects of the Wildcats season that have lead to their losing ways.  Senior goaltender Matt Di Gigolamo looked to continue his winning ways from last year but has struggled immensely with an .883 Save Percentage and a 3.41 Goals Against Average.  Coach Umile has looked to Freshman Casey DeSmith of late to backbone his team.  He picked up his first career win and shutout Wednesday against Providence.  It was the teams first road win of the season.  Looking at the Wildcats roster nobody could have predicted the season they're having.  With players like Stevie Moses, Nick Sorkin, John Henrion, and Greg Burke leading the way UNH should be better.  Things just haven't clicked for the Wildcats and without a major surge in the second half the Wildcats could be hitting the golf course early.

JVR Possibly Traded is Absurd

JVR celebrates the GWG against Chicago

The rumors have started about the possibility that the Flyers are looking to trade James vanRiemsdyk to Toronto for defenseman Luke Schenn.  If you ask me this trade just doesn't make sense.  Both players are young and have long careers ahead of them but why would Philly be looking to trade JVR after signing him to a 6-year, $25.5 million contract extension this past summer.  James hasn't produced quite like last years playoffs but he has showed flashes of brilliance this season.  His best games have been when he was placed on one of the top lines where he belongs.  During the playoffs last year James averaged over 19 minutes per game, resulting in 7 goals in 11 games.  This season when he has played considerable minutes he has produced.  Laviolette obviously hasn't picked up on this because he has not played him as much as he should.  When James plays over 17 minutes he's produced because he can get in the flow of the game.  The numbers don't lie and Laviolette isn't getting all he can out of JVR.
I know the Flyers need a defenseman after losing Pronger for the year but trading away JVR isn't the answer.  If he is traded he will produce because he will be getting the minutes he deserves and the Flyers will regret it in the long run.  

A Look at What's to Come

After trading away Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, their two top goal scorers in the off season the Flyers haven't done too bad for themselves.  They currently sit 4th in the Eastern Conference and in good position to host a first round playoff series.  Star forward Claude Giroux leads the way for the Flyers but speculation of trades loom in balance for the Flyers.  

The defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins continue to dominate the NHL and look to capture the Presidents Trophy and continue their quest for a 2nd straight Cup.  All 4 lines have produced for the Bruins and they look to be the deepest team in the league.  Thomas and Rask are the best goal tending duo maybe ever making for an exciting 2012 for the Bruins.  

As the second half of the season begins Hockey East is looking to be the deepest conference in College Hockey.  The parity in the league has continued to grow making for an exciting finish down the stretch.  BC and BU sit atop the standings closely followed by Merrimack and Maine.  With new coaches Umass Lowell, Providence, and Northeastern all look to be making their case to get a bid to the tournament.  Surprisingly UNH has struggled as well as Vermont in the first half.  Umass Amherst looks to get back to their winning ways after an overtime victory at Frozen Fenway.  

The Bruins, Flyers, and all Hockey East teams will be featured throughout the rest of their seasons.  Thoughts and perspective from myself will be featured so feel free to comment and give your opinion on your favorite team or rival.