Virginia

Rocketwrister · Post by **Rocketwrister** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 12:53 pm

Well, well, well....excuse me while I pat myself on the back. Sorry to all Blue devil fans out there; you guys had one heck of a run! Granted, I'm shocked that Virginia was able to win the IRC this year...great job! I didn't think that was going to happen; BUT just when you think everything is good...BAM there comes the rope around Hendricksons neck and hes left hanging again. How can a man/coach who has descent talent (not talking state tourney bound) every year choke and keep his job? Good thing Terry Cullen was run out of there YEARS ago. Good luck Hibbing!

bluesbuddy · Post by **bluesbuddy** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 1:04 pm

"yes virginia, dare iz a santa claus --- er, mah-self meanz, dare iz a state tourney mint ----" {frum da nose bleedz, dat iz}<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... smokin.gif ALT=":smokin"> choke after choke after choke ---- willz it ever endz? hay --- mah-self feelz fer yewz guyz --- beddar luck next yeer.

HAWKEYTIME9785 · Post by **HAWKEYTIME9785** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 1:12 pm

Okay i wasn't at the game personally, but i stunned when i heard the results.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ns/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> First off, i realize that game could have gone either way but its so interesting the way it turned out. I wanted hibbing to win the game in the first place, but expected virginia to come out flying and win this one. can anyone give me a recap on the game so i can further understand what happened?

bucksony · Post by **bucksony** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 1:42 pm

Viginia CHOCKED! It's that simple. They had their heads high somewhere else. Maybe the city of Virginia should hire on another position such as Quality Assurance and do an investigation of this years team.

Dons · Post by **Dons** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 2:02 pm

I think you guys are forgetting...it was 5-4.. choke??? hibbing scored with ..what ..30 seconds left in the game? and you are calling choke on them? i think we need to ease up a little...rather than sit and blame keith (though he has obvious faults) why dont you look at the opponent..

college Scout · Post by **college Scout** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 2:41 pm

yes virginia may have lost 5-4... a loss is a loss... you are up 3-1 at one point.... any one can tell you a good team plays good defense... you hav ea 2 goal lead you hav et oworyr more about stopping the other team then trying to score. Virginia didnt do it and they lose again

v110sniper · Post by **v110sniper** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 3:02 pm

I dont think they ckoked....and i dont think they lost because they were trying to score more. that was the right play to keep going hard. i wouldnt feel comfortable with a two goal lead early in the second with plenty of time left and the walters flying...of course u want to extend your lead. i think the reason virginia lost is because they didnt put the game away when they should have. they had a 3-1 lead and the momentum was in their favor. then hibbing scored when someone on the third line took one last chip at a puck under marwicks glove and it trickled in. the whole game got turned around in an instant. shea walters got a breakaway and buried it, and the got a goal w/ 30 sec. left.....not too much u couldda done except put the game away when they had the lead

bucksony · Post by **bucksony** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 3:09 pm

A choke is a CHOKE! Virginia was up by 2 goals and played to lose the game. I totally agree with the writer 'college Scout' on this one. By the way, lets not talk of Virginia hockey anymore since they now have to think of what Spring sport they may be/or may not be eligible to play.

The Masked Man · Post by **The Masked Man** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 3:26 pm

Hibbing was the one that came out flying. They took it to Virginia for the first 4-5 minutes. Hendrickson tried to match the Walters line with a makeshift third line for the first two periods and also tried to be physical with them before they hit the offensive zone. It was a mismatch and the Walters line beat the bigger and slower Virginia defensemen along the boards all night. Hibbing was up 1-0 and had an apparent shorthanded goal called off which would have made it 2-0. Virginia came right back and scored on the same power play to tie it. That seemed to revitalize the devils as they built a 3-1 lead. Play went back and forth the rest of the game with Virginia getting a late goal towards the end of the 2nd period to go up 4-3. Hibbing came out the 3rd period and played with more urgency than Virginia. Virginia looked as though they were playing not to loose instead of playing to win. Hibbing scored about 5 minutes into the 3rd period to tie it at 4-4. Virginia looked tired towards the end and the Hedley line was gassed as Hendrickson played them for about the final 5 minutes. Niskanen also appeared very tired from all the ice time he logged. Hibbing scored with 30 seconds left to win it on a rebound in front of the net following a face-off in the Virginia zone. Hibbing beat the devils to more of the loose pucks and had more in the tank at the end. The Walters line played a great game, with Shea having an outstanding game. Hibbing's defense also had a solid game, as they were able to smoothly move the puck out of their end. For Virginia, the Hedley line had a good game although their lack of speed was a factor. Niskanen had his usual solid game, but Hibbing was able to limit his rink long rushes. Both goalies played well. The difference in the game, as I see it, was #1 Virginia's inability to take care of the front on their net, an Achilles heal all year. And #2, was the play of Hibbing's 2nd line. Chris Modich played a great game. That along with a couple of Hendrickson blunders did the devils in. The fans got more than their monies worth. It was a tremendous game, an IRC classic.

puck4ever · Post by **puck4ever** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 10:56 pm

there was definitely no choking from virginia. hibbing won the game because they played tougher down the stretch. virginia did lose the game in front of the net, whoever said that. i believe 4 of the goals were 2nd or 3rd chance goals, maybe 3, either one is unnacceptable. but give credit to hibbing for playing their hearts out, they deserved. the only person that choked for virginia is hendrickson. the kids weren't well enough prepared for a tight game. i thought it would be just the opposite seeing as virginia won the last meeting between these two teams in a close ending. hendrickson made some bad calls, as he does most years, but that isn't the only problem. hibbing was better prepared, cxame out lfying, and knew what had to be done to win and executed. great game hibbing, you deserved it.

sotaninrussia · Post by **sotaninrussia** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 12:42 am

I think of the situations were different it wouldve been a totally different game, if that makes any sense. Virginia wins the IRC title, gets the top seed, has everyone on da range buzzing that this is their year...they had everything to lose. Now take Hibbing a very rare losing season, players getting kicked off the team, players moving in to play, a look at some points like there is some inter-team conflicts, no one expects anything of them...they have nothing to lose. After they beat Eveleth-Gilbert DeCenzo was quoted in the paper that winning that game was their goal, anything else was just gravy. Got to say I'm impressed, 10-14-1 and one game away from state, congrats.

Rocketwrister · Post by **Rocketwrister** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 4:21 pm

Will Virginia ever run Hendrickson out of town? I personally think it's obvious the guy isn't a great coach.

puck4ever · Post by **puck4ever** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 11:02 pm

hendricksons time as coach was up a long time ago, but for some reason he is still coaching. he is doing some great work with the youth program, now that his son is in peewees, ill give him credit on that. but his demeanor as a coach leaves much to be desired. he is extremely hockey smart, but cant relaste to kids, and fails to mold and shape his players for life after hockey. he is a poor role model and has been for some time, but with his son now approaching the high school ranks, he may have a change in attitude as he sees what goes on with the kids on the team. i say give him till his son has graduated, by then he may resign from the head coach position after his son is gone, and if not, then fire him and look around for a new coach. he should have been cut many years ago, but since they have kept him for this long, they should let him coach through his son's career at virginia, just my opinion.

The Masked Man · Post by **The Masked Man** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 11:32 pm

With his record in futility one would think he would have gotten tossed long ago. He came very close to getting booted 6 or 7 years ago. It's hard to believe that a coach like Randolph could get the hook and this guy escapes like Houdini year after year. People around town can't stand his arrogance and ego and it is safe to say that at least 80% of the kids that played for him think he is an absolute jerk. He has no communication skills with the kids and the way he broke his word to the players about illegals this year is totally inexcusable, unacceptable, and unprofessional. The profanities he shouts, at the referees, from the bench during games displays a total lack of respect and sportsmanship. Throw on the fact that he is always out coached in the big games (like last Saturday) should be reason enough. The School Board needs to take action on this for the sake of the kids! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /devil.gif ALT=":evil"> Exorcise this Devil!!!<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /devil.gif ALT=":evil">

sbe8951 · Post by **sbe8951** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 12:10 am

Hndrickson led the team this year. He made a couple of mistakes, but this virginias best chance to make it to state for long time and you blame hime for that. I don't think any of u know what your talkin about

JLS 81 · Post by **JLS 81** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 1:41 am

She was all fundementals in this one guys. The difference as I said before on another thread came down to defensive coverage. Hibbing covered well in their d-zone and Virginia did not do as good a job. that was the difference in the game. Decenzo's club has covered well this past month.

Rocketwrister · Post by **Rocketwrister** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 8:48 am

Ok, so if someone who reads this thread who played for Keith could please respond it would be appreciated. I saw on the news the other night they had a little thing on Niskanen (sp?) and showed some highlights and interviewed him and Hendrickson bit. Niskanen said they don't have ANY forecheck system, it's just go out and play hockey. Ok, ok so if this is true it's obvious why they didn't win. You can only go SO far on talent...then some kind of coaching strat has to come into play. It showed on Saturday.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin">

The Masked Man · Post by **The Masked Man** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 9:35 pm

I'm a little surprised by your response. Just because a coach's son or daughter is approaching the high school level is no reason to keep a coach on. Above everything is the coach's responsibility in the development of the kids as individuals with a strong foundation of moral values and self worth. If a coach compromises these with a pattern of poor judgment, conduct and ethical values he or she should be relieved of the duties. As for the case of coach Hendrickson, do you really want to put this program through another seven years of this? Keith has always stated to people in the Virginia youth hockey program that he does not think a parent should coach their sons or daughters. If he really means what he says he should step aside when his son reaches the varsity level. Of course he has been know to go back on his word (e.g...illegals this year). Might he change? Possibly. Just remember that Keith was spoon fed through his high school years when his father was head coach and also through college when his uncle was head coach. This is what it produced. The same process is now taking place at the youth level. The apple does not fall far from the tree. To sbe8951 - To say that Hendrickson led this team is very shortsighted. This group of players has had success all the way through their hockey careers. They use to destroy the competition in their youth hockey days at Virginia and MIB. In the end the coaches tried to over-coach this group. Things were working great from mid-December through the end of January. If it’s not broke - don't try to fix it! They should have sat back and enjoyed the ride.

sbe8951 · Post by **sbe8951** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 10:06 pm

how did he over coach them. I don't care if they destroyed the competition throughout their youth hockey day's that means nothin. You can't blame coached for their coachin job this season. It was the players that did not beat hibbing. Hibbing out skated virginia the whole game, so how is that the coaches fault

The Masked Man · Post by **The Masked Man** » Wed Mar 03, 2004 7:53 am

When I say that they over-coached the team I mean that they were making lineup adjustments continually the last two or three weeks of the season. Everything was going smoothly until the Eveleth/Gilbert game. So they lost one game in a dozen, no need to turn the cart over. It happens. Sooner or later they were bound to have a bad game (and it wasn't that bad) and sooner or later E/G was bound to have a great game. It just happened at the same time. This was just my observation, but he team also looked fatigued at times the last 2-3 weeks. This could have been from pushing them too hard during the course of the season. Maybe they should have had an occasional weekend off or gone with four lines more often just to give them that little extra rest. As for them destroying teams at the youth level, my point is that this is a very talented group of individuals and that it has brought them success through their careers in many sports. The talent was there, always has been. This group would have been successful no matter who coached them. In the end the coaches let the team down by bringing back the suspended players after they stated that they wouldn't. The players felt betrayed and became frustrated with shuffling of the lineup and not knowing if they would be playing or not. Nothing was ever said to players as to why the changes were made. These coaches have had a history of not being able to communicate with the kids. Don't get me wrong...lineup changes can and do happen to find team chemistry...but they appeared to have it before the suspended players were brought back. Juggle the lineup, but keep your word and do it with the players that you have. They are the ones that are committed to being there. They did not let their teammates down. One last comment on this. Did anybody see the replay of the game? Hibbing had 8 line changes over the last 5 minutes of the game while the devils stayed with the Hedley line the whole time. You might say that there may have been some timeouts or stoppages in play during that time, but Hibbing also benefited from these stoppages and still continually change their lines. Maybe they weren't over-coached after all. Just out-coached!! You live by the sword...you die by the sword.

Dons · Post by **Dons** » Wed Mar 03, 2004 8:33 am

I think you make many valid points...but i can just see all of teh posts if keith didnt bring back suspended players.. You would have every person in here and then some pissing and moaning about how dumb it would be of keith to keep 2-3 seniors out of the line up. Keith made a statement about how a player would not be re admitted to the team if he violated the drinking law...but i cannot help but think that he intended this to be more threatening..and would like to keep his word...but he just did not have it in him to make an example of these kids with the team that had showed so much promise..and in a section as wide open as it is. He was left with a choice of demonstrating his coaching authority..or wat seemed like would be the best choice for the team. you tell me what you think he shuold have done??

rapids hockey · Post by **rapids hockey** » Wed Mar 03, 2004 8:45 am

Was the IRA pretty packed for this game? How did you guys like the atmosphere there for a playoff game?

bucksony · Post by **bucksony** » Wed Mar 03, 2004 9:15 am

Hey, thanks for asking. The atmosphere in the beautiful IRA arena was ELECTRIC! Last Saturday, was the first time I have been there and boy it was something else! The fans were as loud as can be and in fact some of the Hibbing players were mentioning that the had a hard time hearing their coach because of the Volume of the crowd. I wish I would have recorded that game because it was a real treat and the staff at the IRA arena sure know how to accommodate people from out of town. The entrance to the arena was incredible and the whole place very clean. Nice job Thunderhawks. I difinelty will attend other games held there in the future. Hopefully you guys will advance just like us tonight to go the big show. Go Thunderhawks and Bluejackets!!! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)">

The Masked Man · Post by **The Masked Man** » Wed Mar 03, 2004 11:04 am

To bucksony - The replay of last Saturday's playoff game is being shown this week on Mediacom Channel 5 in Virginia. If you know someone from The Queen City have them record it for you. Otherwise I think you can buy copies of the game for around $10 from Bob Coombe (broadcaster). The crew does a great job on the broadcasts using multiple camera angles as well as slow motion replay. Picture quality and sound are very good! To IRA - The closeness of the fans to the ice made for great viewing and atmosphere! Awesome game!!

puck4ever · Post by **puck4ever** » Wed Mar 03, 2004 11:08 pm

first of all it is bob cohn, not coombe. other than masked man, you made perfect sense with every argument you made. i played for kieth for 4 years, very recently, and we always had a forecheck-first guy hard, second guy support the puck, third guy high in the slot to cover the strong side wing. they may have gone away from that this year, but that doesn't make sense, but when does kieth ever make sense??? the only reason i say keep kieth on till his son leaves is because his son being in the youth program makes kieth more involved in the youth program. that is what is needed for any successful hockey program. although kieth cant coach to save his life, his presence at youth hockey games makes kids work harder because they want to impress the coach. letting the kids know you care is vital for the success of any team. he doesn't treat the kids well when he is the one coaching, but thats another story, at least the players will be ready now when they get to high school. pat guyer and keving gordon did fine coaching their kids in high school, maybe the trend will continue for hendrickson, he needs all the luck he can get. and virginia school board has kept him around this long when he shouldn't have been, so why stop now? they probably should, but i say stick it out, cant get any worse at least. and dons, kieth should have kept the kids out to make an example out of them, that drinking will not be tolerated! it hurts the players on and off the ice. it is not good to drink, the coach should preach that and stick to it. tell me this dons. do you want future generations to grow up to be all threats and no action when it comes to matters like this? do you want them to grow up thinking there is a second chance and no serious consequences for their actions? that is the responsibility a coach carries with him. he needs to instill morals and values in his players while showing them how successful they will be if they stand by their beliefs and what is right. kieth is no coach, he is an adult that the players on the hockey team listen to and follow. i know you dont want to believe what i am saying, but it is true and i know you know it is true. thats good enough for me. i hope kieth changes his attitude before too long, or his off seasons are going to be much longer than just the summer.

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HAWKEYYTIME9785

choke?

Virginia/MI-B v Hibbing

Hendrickson

its over due but...

Pack His Bags!!

i don't think so

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