D1 vs. D2

[Ben Lambert]

After completing our first year of DI hockey, I must say that without a doubt, DI is far superior to DII roller hockey. This is coming from a person who played DII for years and always thought it was better. (It still is in some ways: everyone doesn't already know they have to face LU for the championship no matter what in DII)

Every team at the national level was a challenge for us this year which is something that I could never have said in the past while playing DII. Going into each game, our team knew that if we didn't skate hard, we were going to lose. That was never the case in the past--we knew that we would run into a cupcake here and there that we could pad stats against. We almost made early exits in our first two elimination games against teams that you'd have thought we'd blow away on paper. These teams (Long Beach, Florida, etc.) were tough as nails and would do well in any conference out there. I think it's also safe to say that the southeast is underrated as a whole.

Anyway, the time for teams like Neumann to move up is now. I hate calling people out, but come on. Neumann has been good since at least 2004 and show no signs of slowing down. Make the move. Follow SBU's lead and let's make DI what it should be: the level with the best teams and players.

[sanford]

i would say that neumann should enjoy this championship and see what next year's team is going to look like. im not sure who is going to graduate but they have some key players that are in their 4th and 5th year (scotto,wlazel, cras, sangeorgio, lamont). the 05-06 freshman are sr's next year (donahue, klenk, geirshbach, mariotti, yingling). if they want to have a team that will compete at the D1 level, next year may be their last chance for awhile.

Neumann is always in danger of having a big drop off from year to year. its a fine line with a school where the enrollment is less than 1,700.

whatever they decide to do...great season. best of luck next year whether they go D1 or D2.

[GoRangrHky]

I'm going to agree with Ben. We did exactly what we should NOT have done- didn't prepare properly, didn't skate for 36 minutes a game, didn't do the things we needed to do during the course of the weekend to be ready for games, and the results showed. For the previous few years, we were able to get away with playing this way, because like Ben said, playing against DII teams, you knew that you could just go out there and win regardless. Definitely not the case in DI.

Despite the fact that we also have no idea who's coming in, we got thumped our first season, that we're losing our top 3 goalies, and that it's becoming harder and harder to recruit at a school whos tuition is growing practically exponentially, our guys want to stick with DI. I give them a lot of credit, and expect a totally different team on the rink than what many of you saw this year, which will come from a LOT of hard work. I totally expect the 7 one goal losses or ties that we had this year to turn into wins.

And that level of work that they will have to put in is the difference between DI and DII hockey.

[get2it]

come on...hofstra does not even come close to being D1 without Dino and Mosenson...You have to have the core of 3-4 strong players surrounded by the guys who work hard and do all the little things...hofstra, having 15 plugs who just skate hard doesnt get you past house league...

[Patn Lawton]

I give Hofstra a lot of credit for moving up to D1 after having a successful run in D2 for 3-4 years. Same goes for AJ Frey who basically turned a roller hockey team into a strong program. Every team has turnover and will have a down-year every now and then. Hopefully Hofstra will be more successful next year.

[warwick]

ben

you stated that d1 is far superior to d2 and the challenge was greater at the national level, is it possible that the umsl team is not as good as past teams? i would like to hear your opinion on this. sanford made a good point about trying to replace 4-5 players in each of the of the next 2 yrs, especially being a small school. i don't recall anyone from the ncrha stating that the leagues would be divided by talent level. maybe the league should look into having the d1 and d2 champs playing each other. i would have liked to see neumann and lindenwood play each other, since they both play a similar style.

[Mtour71]

We have been hearing that every year...Oh, "That team can definitely take out Lindenwood." No one seems to be able to do it when it matters though..A similar game? Lindenwood is on a completely different level. During that National Championship game against UMSL you could tell LU was on a MISSION! They were DETERMINED and were FLYING out there. From the drop of the first puck you can tell that. When LU needs to step it up they do. Like I might have said in previous posts...Until a team can have 6-7 deep like Lindenwood it is going to be hard to knock them off. Gouge, Bruce, Fudge, Hill, Barnette, McGuinness, Thiefault, etc..:eek:

[warwick]

i never said neumann "could take out lindenwood". i said they play a similar style to lindenwood. i guess neumann wasn't on a mission in their games. how many neumann games did you watch? i never said lindenwood wasn't deep. all you did was mention players names (yes they are all very good players), are you trying to say neumann is not a very good team.

[Mtour71]

Well I guess I'm just trying to say that NO ONE is Lindenwood...Everyone knows that already. Neumann is a solid team and do not play a similar style like LU. The forechecking on that LU team is incredible and I haven't seen a team throughout the country who can skate with them. Lindenwood doesn't play one style either. They play a couple of different styles depending on who they are playing. Like I said Neumann is a solid team but don't have the names like LU does.

[eXpress19]

All of you are forgetting that Neumann is already playing a Division up. In all reality they should be playing in D3, they have a very small population in Neumann and for the talent they have to be winning the D2 National Championship is a great accomplishment all in its own. Just stop bashing them for not moving up and give them credit for what they have done with the small amount of players they have to choose from. Congrats Neumann on a Great and Undefeated season.

[topshelf]

If Neumann thought that they could compete in D1 they would have moved up by now. Teams and programs like UMSL, Stony Brook, Hofstra and Long Beach will continue to get better by playing against the much better competition in D1. A championship in D1 is much harder to achieve than one in D2.

DI teams will also attract the higher level players that are only interested in playing at the highest level in college.

[TSUMoody89]

I disagree with all these calls for Neumann to move up to Division 1. I feel like the size of the school would prevent them from potentially being able to compete at the level that they are. Sure they will get new guys on the team, but it is possible that a year or two could go by without new talent, and that would cripple them in terms of competing in Division 1.

Attending a school twice the size of Neumann, we face the same thing. We had two guys join the club my freshman year, six the next, NONE the next, and two this year. If there aren't new kids coming into the program, which the size of the school could prevent from happening, there is a downward spiral once the bigger class leaves the program.

Perhaps instead of calling them out for not moving up, people should be congratulating Neumann on their national championship. They had an unbelievable season and played fantastic in the tournament.

Let's not take that away from them.

[smiller]

All of you are forgetting that Neumann is already playing a Division up. In all reality they should be playing in D3, they have a very small population in Neumann and for the talent they have to be winning the D2 National Championship is a great accomplishment all in its own. Just stop bashing them for not moving up and give them credit for what they have done with the small amount of players they have to choose from. Congrats Neumann on a Great and Undefeated season.

Neumann isnt a community college. Its a private school with a very small enrollment. Infact, they have applied to become a university. Its amazing what you can learn on the internet in 2 mins.

[bigdave9]

ben

you stated that d1 is far superior to d2 and the challenge was greater at the national level, is it possible that the umsl team is not as good as past teams? i would like to hear your opinion on this.

Not possible, is the only answer to that question. Not even close, and anyone who played them or watched would agree. The '08 team would have beat our team last year by five goals, at least.

[oldschool22]

I doubt Neumann Will ever move up. Now that they are the premier team in D2, they'll always have a reason for staying there. They probably would be a 3-6 loss team in D1. While I can see the benefit of playing at a higher level, I doubt they would risk hindering their potential dynasty in D2.

[JLambertUMSL]

Not possible, is the only answer to that question. Not even close, and anyone who played them or watched would agree. The '08 team would have beat our team last year by five goals, at least.

Big Davey! :)

(Sorry kids, you can't wear #9. :p )

Mr. Wetton is correct. The '07-08 UMSL team is head and shoulders above any previous UMSL team.

If I may be so bold, however, I would suggest that the biggest reason for that is one PJ Tallo.

All we've really done is replace Wetton with Meade and Stacy/Shepard with Propp/Schulz/Holzum. It's Tallo and Cash that really pushed us over the top.

Tallo is the best college player in the country, hands down.

[Ben Lambert]

Not possible, is the only answer to that question. Not even close, and anyone who played them or watched would agree. The '08 team would have beat our team last year by five goals, at least.


Big Dave is right. Each year UMSL is better than the year before. I would know: I spent 2 years in the CRHL before NCRHA came about. I would say that there is almost no comparison between the two.

The biggest difference in the two teams in my mind are Meade and Tallo. The one thing the team lacked last year was size and strength. After Will Roestel's college roller hockey career ended abruptly in a mid season car crash, we never replaced the mean streak and size. That was the role that we needed to add to push us over the top. Meade is bigger and scarier than Roestel ever was. Not hating on Will, one of our biggest alumni supporters, but facts are facts. (The one thing that Will did have that nobody else has had since was the uncanny ability to bury on the power play. Wetton to Roestel was like an Oates to Hull combo. It will never be replicated by anyone. ) Everyone already knows about Tallo and what he brings, but the thing about him is that he is basically the replacement for the best passer and game regulator I have ever seen, James Wetton. We are so lucky to have landed those guys at UMSL it's insane. Without Tallo to replace Wettons clown sized shoes, we would have struggled in D1 this year, especially at tournament time.

[JLambertUMSL]

Meade is so scary that he got suspended a game for the face he made after an Eastern Michigan player tried to twist his arm in the postgame handshake.

(At least that's what it looks like on the video. Most bogus suspension of all time.)

[ianmackie]

James,

I have to ask how you can state that Pj is the best college player in the country?

I don't think Pj would even agree with that statement.

Ian

[Mtour71]

I do agree P.J Tallo is definitely a Top 5 in the country. ATLEAST! But you can't say hands down the best player in the country. You have players such as, Tom Bruce, Travis Fudge, Charlie Middleton, Brandon Barnette, Kyle Gouge, Brendan Nelson, Jeff Hill, John McGuinness..Without PJ that UMSL team would be a Quarter Final team (at the best). But if you put any of the players I listed on the UMSL team in his place, they would be able to carry them that far as well. Of course that is my opinion...PJ IS SICK THOUGH:eek:

[Mtour71]

(wrong thread)

[JLambertUMSL]

I do agree P.J Tallo is definitely a Top 5 in the country. ATLEAST! But you can't say hands down the best player in the country. You have players such as, Tom Bruce, Travis Fudge, Charlie Middleton, Brandon Barnette, Kyle Gouge, Brendan Nelson, Jeff Hill, John McGuinness..Without PJ that UMSL team would be a Quarter Final team (at the best). But if you put any of the players I listed on the UMSL team in his place, they would be able to carry them that far as well. Of course that is my opinion...PJ IS SICK THOUGH:eek:

PJ Tallo is the best college player in the country. Hands down.

I wouldn't expect him to say he agrees with that statement. But I don't think it's even close. All the players you named are great, but I can tell you specifically why he's better than each, if you want. It has a lot to do with his all-around game.

Where did Thompson post? I didn't see it, unless he's using Ian's name (or unless you're still signed in on his computer). :p

[ianmackie]

Umm...I think Thompson is in everyone's post's...just saying.

But, this is Ian and I want the argument on how he is better then any of the names that are there.

I mean, he is great, but come on. It is embarrassing that you can't take off the rosy colored glasses for a second and think without bias.

Let me ask you one other question. Was the right goalie started? I mean the other one beat us and that was pretty recent. Oh well.

I think Erick Cantrell is the coolest guy alive...but others might think otherwise. I mean it is great to believe something but we also have to be reasonable.

In reality it is the Crosby/Ovechkin argument. Except you're wrong. Haha.

[JLambertUMSL]

Umm...I think Thompson is in everyone's post's...just saying.

But, this is Ian and I want the argument on how he is better then any of the names that are there.

I mean, he is great, but come on. It is embarrassing that you can't take off the rosy colored glasses for a second and think without bias.

Let me ask you one other question. Was the right goalie started? I mean the other one beat us and that was pretty recent. Oh well.

I think Erick Cantrell is the coolest guy alive...but others might think otherwise. I mean it is great to believe something but we also have to be reasonable.

In reality it is the Crosby/Ovechkin argument. Except you're wrong. Haha.

Damn, you're fast.

I'm not embarrassed. Back when I still thought he was going to Lindenwood I considered him the best player I've ever seen other than GT.

I'm in no position to publicly answer the goalie question. I've said what I needed to say privately, and that's where it's going to stay. (If you really want to know my take, Ian, email me and I'll tell you exactly what I think.)

I think Erick Cantrell is pretty cool too. Others think he's too loud and likes to make fun of people, but personally, I love Cantrell (except the "woo." I would rather listen to myself dying a bloody, violent death. But I'll ignore that, because I know how horribly obnoxious I sound on YouTube.)

I guess the biggest thing is that PJ gets a chance to prove it. The LU guys listed above don't, because the LU guys all play on the same team. None of them gets a chance to carry his team. PJ gets to play two-thirds to three-fourths of each game.

(For the record, I think Fudge is the most talented player on LU, and Gouge is the best player on LU.)

I don't know if I want to break it down to PJ versus each of those guys, because people will take it the wrong way and get offended.

[rnapoli22]

Big Davey! :)

(Sorry kids, you can't wear #9. :p )

Mr. Wetton is correct. The '07-08 UMSL team is head and shoulders above any previous UMSL team.

If I may be so bold, however, I would suggest that the biggest reason for that is one PJ Tallo.

All we've really done is replace Wetton with Meade and Stacy/Shepard with Propp/Schulz/Holzum. It's Tallo and Cash that really pushed us over the top.

Tallo is the best college player in the country, hands down.

I play on SBU, we played you guys it was a good game, and you beat us. You guys are talented and obviously showed throughout the week. What I don't get is why you hype your team up so much. I know your brother's on the team and all but you don't play. You watch from the bench and video tape games. Unless your out there you never really know what its like. I don't know you that well but I hear a lot about you. I'm not trying to defend my team, but I think I speak for everyone to say that you talk a lot. Yes PJ Tallo is a great player, but who's to say he's the best. There are tons of players out there that are threat. I could say Jim Tamburino is the best player in college hockey because I could see play on any given night in NY. Doesn't mean he is..

[Dave Garland]

I play on SBU, we played you guys it was a good game, and you beat us. You guys are talented and obviously showed throughout the week. What I don't get is why you hype your team up so much. I know your brother's on the team and all but you don't play. You watch from the bench and video tape games. Unless your out there you never really know what its like. I don't know you that well but I hear a lot about you. I'm not trying to defend my team, but I think I speak for everyone to say that you talk a lot. Yes PJ Tallo is a great player, but who's to say he's the best. There are tons of players out there that are threat. I could say Jim Tamburino is the best player in college hockey because I could see play on any given night in NY. Doesn't mean he is..

James does a lot more than just "watch from the bench and video tape games". He along with Ben have built UMSL up over the past few years with an extreme amount of dedication. Not only that, but James studies/watches/writes about inline hockey (College and Pro as well as some high school, etc.) and knows the game as good as anyone and has watched more of it. He puts a lot of time into it and so does Ben. He hypes UMSL because that is his program and he has done some great marketing for the team. Youtube clips, bios, articles...the list goes on and is well above and beyond other programs. He knows more than most coaches and players combined.

Normally I don't come on here and defend people, but just some thoughts to mull over.

Wish I could have been out in Colorado to watch. I spent most of my radio show last week talking about nationals and I'm sure it was a great time. Congrats to all the champions.

[dan sangiorgio]

If Neumann thought that they could compete in D1 they would have moved up by now. Teams and programs like UMSL, Stony Brook, Hofstra and Long Beach will continue to get better by playing against the much better competition in D1. A championship in D1 is much harder to achieve than one in D2.

DI teams will also attract the higher level players that are only interested in playing at the highest level in college.

posted on behalf of jon donahue and steve klenk

look up our results vs d1 teams to see if we can compete...... eg towson. we would have played any d1 team but the ecrha thought we should have to pay 200 dollars to play them in a cross divsional game.....
now my 2 cents
i would have have liked to play umsl and lindenwood just because they would have been good games to play in. just when i thought umsl was fading they added tallo and cash who i won't say he is the best college player but he certainly knows how to use his speed to make big plays. plus adding cash would have just made our rivarly better. i think our neumann team was a much faster overall team and would outshoot you umsl but with cash in net umsl would be able to score most of there goals on counters which seemed to be a big part of there game. frankly our team would have done much better then long beach and stoney brooke at nationals in d1 and if you watch us play out in colrado its hard not to agree.
as far as moving up i never had any say in that but the main reason neumann didn't move up to d1 because in 2 years neumann may not even have a team, the future is very uncertain. the future for a socal team, long isalnd team and MO team are alot more stable because they are in the hotbeds of roller hockey. next year we will be down 4 players from this years national championship team and be losing atleast 4 more key players the following. also whether our coaches comeback after this season is still uncertain. with such a small school its hard to tell whether we will be able to replace players to but a competative team at any divsion.

[missionhockey33]

posted on behalf of jon donahue and steve klenk

look up our results vs d1 teams to see if we can compete...... eg towson. we would have played any d1 team but the ecrha thought we should have to pay 200 dollars to play them in a cross divsional game.....
now my 2 cents
i would have have liked to play umsl and lindenwood just because they would have been good games to play in. just when i thought umsl was fading they added tallo and cash who i won't say he is the best college player but he certainly knows how to use his speed to make big plays. plus adding cash would have just made our rivarly better. i think our neumann team was a much faster overall team and would outshoot you umsl but with cash in net umsl would be able to score most of there goals on counters which seemed to be a big part of there game. frankly our team would have done much better then long beach and stoney brooke at nationals in d1 and if you watch us play out in colrado its hard not to agree.
as far as moving up i never had any say in that but the main reason neumann didn't move up to d1 because in 2 years neumann may not even have a team, the future is very uncertain. the future for a socal team, long isalnd team and MO team are alot more stable because they are in the hotbeds of roller hockey. next year we will be down 4 players from this years national championship team and be losing atleast 4 more key players the following. also whether our coaches comeback after this season is still uncertain. with such a small school its hard to tell whether we will be able to replace players to but a competative team at any divsion.
Congrats to Lindenwood and UMSL putting up a fight
Congrats to Neumann and WCU putting up a fight
you guys i think should move up regardless what kids come back. i understand you beating towson 4 out of 5 times. but can you do that week in and week out? its funny how you hate on SBU and LBS. but you didnt make terrible comments on UMSL which also moved up. Thank god your eligiblity is up because you were a non-factor to begin with on that team. scotto and mariotti ran the show. why do you hate on the Stony Brook not Stoney Brooke? what are they really teaching you at Newman?

[dan sangiorgio]

i didn't hate on them i just said we would have done better..... and if you think you a better hockey player then me atleast post your name otherwise you prolly just a typical LI scrub with an ego, who can play rough in roller hockey but on the ice wouldn't make it a game or so before a broken collar bone ended your season....... and honestly i have nothing against your school or long beach i was shocked to see you both out in the round of 16.... but hey if you were a little more of an non factor and didn't take dumb penaltys you would have gone futher...... gl next year since i won't be i'll be too busy making plenty of money with that degree from "Newmann"

[missionhockey33]

i didn't hate on them i just said we would have done better..... and if you think you a better hockey player then me atleast post your name otherwise you prolly just a typical LI scrub with an ego, who can play rough in roller hockey but on the ice wouldn't make it a game or so before a broken collar bone ended your season....... and honestly i have nothing against your school or long beach i was shocked to see you both out in the round of 16.... but hey if you were a little more of an non factor and didn't take dumb penaltys you would have gone futher...... gl next year since i won't be i'll be too busy making plenty of money with that degree from "Newmann"
First off I'm not from long island, im from jersey
Secondly I don't attend Stony Brook
I'm just a fan of ECRHA roller hockey that has been watching for a while.
And for a while I see some good posts by you and some bad posts. I didn't mean to anger you. Your good,but now you see how it feels when someone downgrades you. Good look with all you do DS 97

ps use spell check

[dan sangiorgio]

no problem then, sorry if you thought i was putting them down thats not what i was really trying to

[warwick]

its funny, that when someone doesn't have something intelligent to say, they will usually make fun of their spelling. when you say you are just a fan of ecrha i take it that you don't play, (at least competitively) if thats the case then you have no idea how different players contribute. its not just about goals scored

[missionhockey33]

its funny, that when someone doesn't have something intelligent to say, they will usually make fun of their spelling. when you say you are just a fan of ecrha i take it that you don't play, (at least competitively) if thats the case then you have no idea how different players contribute. its not just about goals scored

wasn't making fun of his spelling just trying to help him out. and i have played in narch torhs and aau tournaments so i guess it is funny

[William Bourque]

DI was superior to DII this season. A lot of this has to do with teams like Long Beach State, UMSL and Stony Brook moving "up" to Division I.

Something everyone should remember is that based of the Division breakdowns that the NCRHA uses to determine DI and DII, that DII should be the best division by far. Maybe its time to start pushing for the change to your regional directors.

[Patn Lawton]

I think people argue about spelling on every forum. It is important to use enough proper spelling, grammer, and punctuation that everyone can figure out what is being said without going over it five times. I don't really think a few words spelled incorrectly here or there is a big deal. We can all agree that nobody likes Bill Bourque.

I agree that at least in ECRHA D1 was better than D2, which has not really been the case in the past few years where more depth has been in D2.

[MBurke]

We can all agree that nobody likes Bill Bourque.

QFT

(10 char)

[JLambertUMSL]

I play on SBU, we played you guys it was a good game, and you beat us. You guys are talented and obviously showed throughout the week. What I don't get is why you hype your team up so much. I know your brother's on the team and all but you don't play. You watch from the bench and video tape games. Unless your out there you never really know what its like. I don't know you that well but I hear a lot about you. I'm not trying to defend my team, but I think I speak for everyone to say that you talk a lot. Yes PJ Tallo is a great player, but who's to say he's the best. There are tons of players out there that are threat. I could say Jim Tamburino is the best player in college hockey because I could see play on any given night in NY. Doesn't mean he is..

Of course it doesn't. Because he's not.

I'm not enough of an egomaniac to think I have to defend myself against someone like you....you have no idea what I do. :D

(And I don't particularly care about what you and your buddies say.)

[JChaubard13]

D1 is defiantley better than D2 and who ever said Neumann could be LU is just flat out wrong. Have you ever seen LU play? Neumann should make the jump to D1, like SBU and UMSL, if they think they can compete.

[JChaubard13]

Another note if PJ Tallo is the best player in the nation where was he during the final. there are a handful of players on LU alone better. I play on SBU and he didn't even stand our in our game either. Im not saying he isnt nasty though because the kids got talent.

[rnapoli22]

Of course it doesn't. Because he's not.

I'm not enough of an egomaniac to think I have to defend myself against someone like you....you have no idea what I do. :D

(And I don't particularly care about what you and your buddies say.)

I have nothing against you or your team, I was just asking a simple question. I didn't realize you do that much out there in MO, but once again just asking a simple question. I don't know what went on with you and my "buddies".. I wasn't there at the time. Honestly I think we could care less about you guys unless we're duking it out the rink for a W. I'm not one to go on these forums and trash talk. Just looking for an explanation. Congrats to you James and your squad, you guys had a great season.

[William Bourque]

We can all agree that nobody likes Bill Bourque.

Not Fair Pat.

I would like you to know however, that i wore the Brockport tshirt that i got from you for our game against Southern Illinois. I got comments from some people at the rink, refs and my own players about what i was doing. I told them they just didn't understand.

[WCU #17]

Another note if PJ Tallo is the best player in the nation where was he during the final. there are a handful of players on LU alone better. I play on SBU and he didn't even stand our in our game either. Im not saying he isnt nasty though because the kids got talent.

the kid had a goal and an assist in the final game against Lindenwood, who, if you didnt notice, was directing all their attention towards him. The kid is definitely one of the most skilled players in the league, there may be a few more talented guys playing for Lindenwood, but the reason he is the best player in the league is because of his smarts, he is head and shoulders the smartest player in the league, its almost gretzky-esque the way he passes the puck and controls the play. He hardly ever makes a mistake

[Hockey_Freak]

Who the best player is and why is a matter of opinion. It can depend on all kinds of variables. Some people will put more weight on one thing than another (offense or defense, speed or stick handling, sniper or dangler) that's what the forums are all about. To say one player is "The Best" is a very large statement and for the most part can't be proven. I see a lot of talent across the league, on any given day quite a few people could be considered "The Best" in the league.
As for the DI vs DII question.... I spent last season watching DII and this year it was DI. I think the main difference in the divisions is depth. It seems that the DI teams have deeper talent.
For everyone to say one team should move up to prove themselves is a bit overstated. I can see why a lot of people would want to see a team like Neumann move up considering their record. I think they'd hold their own, but wouldn't dominate like they do in DII.
Again it's all opinion. And that's the point I'm trying to make here. (besides killing time at work)
Congrats to the winners, DI & DII. Can't wait to see what next year brings. Oh and props to the teams that did move up and made it to the Nationals, you should be proud of yourselves.

[alex]

Holy cow, he's not only "hands down" the best in the nation but he's also "Gretzky-esque" now too.

[umsl_player_38]

okay first thing first i am not the best player in the country everyone knows there are just as many players out there with the same talent as me and even better. everyone has there opinion on this. but the thing is to make a great player you have to have a good team. i dont care how good you are you cant carry a team by yourself to the finals. and this also goes out to the people who think if a player has 1 or 2 bad games or "does not stand out in a game"does not make them good then you must not know hockey. this subject is stupid and needs to be dropped.

Umsl Hockey
Pj Tallo

[RichardGraham]

Hey PJ,

Thanks for posting. Congratulations on helping to take UMSL to the Division 1championship game, and thanks for the interview afterwards. Good luck to you and your teammates next year.

[William Bourque]

PJ,

Way to take a stand and open your mouth in the matter. Very Classy.

You earned a ton of respect from every one who watched you play this weekend.

Keep up the hard work, on and off the rink.

[JLambertUMSL]

okay first thing first i am not the best player in the country everyone knows there are just as many players out there with the same talent as me and even better. everyone has there opinion on this. but the thing is to make a great player you have to have a good team. i dont care how good you are you cant carry a team by yourself to the finals. and this also goes out to the people who think if a player has 1 or 2 bad games or "does not stand out in a game"does not make them good then you must not know hockey. this subject is stupid and needs to be dropped.

Umsl Hockey
Pj Tallo

(I wrote a longer post, but chopped it down quite a bit.)

Fine, PJ. (Pj, whatever...)

I know you don't like the hype. But as long as you're doing stuff like the following, all in the first half of the first period of our first game at Nationals....against one of the best power plays in the country....

ALL shorthanded....
3 goals (one on a two-man disadvantage),
one assist (well-earned, and on a two-man disadvantage as well),
3 blocked shots,
3 steals,
2 deflected passes....

It's all your fault, Pj.

[Mtour71]

one of the best powerplays? jesus you dont watch as much hockey as i thought you did. definitely the best haha. and on the subject of peter tallo, if you ask him he will tell you that i taught him everything he knows. in the first 14 weeks of this year, pj already has-

-saved my dog from getting hit by a car
-invented a time machine and saved Lincoln and JFK
-cured cancer..twice
-turned bath water into bud light
-found Bin Laden, and told him to hide again because finding him was too easy
-stopped global warming

and somehow he still finds time for hockey and his frat. what a dude.


***Tallo for President in 08***

[Patn Lawton]

Now tallo is starting to sound like chuck norris :D

[Ben Lambert]

If I was a more pissed off person, I would tear into a few people on these boards. I think that we should drop it before it gets ugly and personal.

[ianmackie]

Why? Mancrushes are ok. It's like Mckernan was with Edmonds here in the STL. I like that James defends Pj, we all gotta have favorites. Ben, you are my favorite!

[Ben Lambert]

Don't know why but thanks Ian. You are a stand up guy.

[JLambertUMSL]

one of the best powerplays? jesus you dont watch as much hockey as i thought you did. definitely the best haha. and on the subject of peter tallo, if you ask him he will tell you that i taught him everything he knows. in the first 14 weeks of this year, pj already has-

-saved my dog from getting hit by a car
-invented a time machine and saved Lincoln and JFK
-cured cancer..twice
-turned bath water into bud light
-found Bin Laden, and told him to hide again because finding him was too easy
-stopped global warming

and somehow he still finds time for hockey and his frat. what a dude.


***Tallo for President in 08***

I'm sure you know you're not really anonymous anymore, right? I hope so.

[ianmackie]

You know why Ben? Because, like me, you can have a disagreement with someone but then still have a beer or more with the guy. The same people that hate me still have to respect me for being upfront. I'm the same to everyone, just then again some just get my humor. Speaking of which THE PJ TALLO was just at my rink coaching and I had to bust his balls. I was looking for your brother though...but sadly he wasn't there.

But, back to the point...Division 2 sucks...haha...

[JLambertUMSL]

Why? Mancrushes are ok. It's like Mckernan was with Edmonds here in the STL. I like that James defends Pj, we all gotta have favorites. Ben, you are my favorite!


http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/rude/1/double-finger.gif

One for you, and one for George.

[JLambertUMSL]

You know why Ben? Because, like me, you can have a disagreement with someone but then still have a beer or more with the guy. The same people that hate me still have to respect me for being upfront. I'm the same to everyone, just then again some just get my humor. Speaking of which THE PJ TALLO was just at my rink coaching and I had to bust his balls. I was looking for your brother though...but sadly he wasn't there.

But, back to the point...Division 2 sucks...haha...


You love to poison the well. If that's humor, I guess I just don't get it.

Oh yeah...and Ben doesn't drink beer. Shows how much YOU know. :)

I don't hate you at all. Far from it. I hope you're not implying that I'm one of those people who still has to respect you for being upfront (whatever that's supposed to mean).

Some don't get your humor....there you go again.....so if you antagonize someone enough to piss them off, well, the truth is that they just don't get your humor.

Division 2...I think Lindenwood should have three teams that play each other all season long, then three teams becomes two (naturally) and they play each other at Nationals, and the rest of the country is in Division 2.

(I hope you get my humor.)

[Mtour71]

i knew i wasnt anonymous from the second i signed up for that "secret" piha players/administrators board. i really dont care. whatever. i have no skeletons in my closet. im not at LU because im a poor student. whatever, life goes on.. Ill get a ring that fits my thumb someday though.. next Enright? maybe hahahaha

[ianmackie]

what? i don't understand what you are saying? nice fingers though.

james, if i hated you...well, you would know.

i know what ben likes to drink...not my point.

anyway, when doing interviews this offseason go 1 more.

[GoRangrHky]

Going back to the last page, no, Hofstra is not the same without Mo and Dino. Dino graduated, nothing we could do about that. Mosenson decided to take some time off from school, which he decided after we made the move. However, there were a few other people (Jim Tamburino, Frank Morris [of NECRHA fame, for us old-timers], Sean Masem to name a few) who were up until about August planning on going to Hofstra this year. A line with Masem and Tamburino up front and Morris and Mosenson on D I have a feeling would have turned our 7 one goal losses/ ties into a few more wins.

But like everyone has been saying, you never REALLY know what kind of team you're going to have the next season until the season starts. Same thing next year- word on the street is that a former quality ECRHA defenseman is looking to come here, but who knows.

[JLambertUMSL]

what? i don't understand what you are saying? nice fingers though.

james, if i hated you...well, you would know.

i know what ben likes to drink...not my point.

anyway, when doing interviews this offseason go 1 more.

I'm joking around with the fingers, because you poisoned the well with the "mancrush" stuff. Someone else (actually a whole group of people, allegedly) must have a "mancrush" too: http://ircnationalrankings.blogspot.com/2008/04/2008-division-i-all-american-team.html

What kind of interviews are you talking about? One more what? That's a little bit cryptic.

[JLambertUMSL]

i knew i wasnt anonymous from the second i signed up for that "secret" piha players/administrators board. i really dont care. whatever. i have no skeletons in my closet. im not at LU because im a poor student. whatever, life goes on.. Ill get a ring that fits my thumb someday though.. next Enright? maybe hahahaha

Who said anything about skeletons? I don't give a crap about your personal life. I don't understand what you're trying to say other than "look at me and my street cred, PIHA PIHA PIHA LU LU LU LU FOUR RINGS I HAVE FOUR RINGS I'M FROM LINDENWOOD AND I PLAY PIHA LOOK AT ME EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

You could just sign your name instead...right?

[georgies#1]

Who said anything about skeletons? I don't give a crap about your personal life. I don't understand what you're trying to say other than "look at me and my street cred, PIHA PIHA PIHA LU LU LU LU FOUR RINGS I HAVE FOUR RINGS I'M FROM LINDENWOOD AND I PLAY PIHA LOOK AT ME EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

You could just sign your name instead...right?

Obviously he isnt puttin his actual name bc his point isnt that he plays piha or 4 lu n has 4 rings lol he just said he knos he isnt anonymous and is fine with that...u would have a valid point if he was tryin to brag but he obviously hasnt...so good point there sir....he is simply doin wut ur doing....stating how he feels...which usually is in favor of the team he plays 4 or played on...except his points usually hold more value since his program has won 7 titles in a row!! but im DEFINITELY not taking nething away from UM-St. Louis because they deserve all the credit in the world!! They had a great year and got 2nd in DI nationals there first year from the move from DII so congrats!! Just try not to be suck a **** to the other guy that has strong opinions when neither of u r actually playing right now!! ha

[Mtour71]

Jesus christ... What started out as a simple joke has turned into an funnier episode of Yo Momma. My street cred? Correct me if Im wrong, but im pretty sure that my reputation is just that I have a ton of talent going to waste because I am dumb as rocks with the puck, and I love the whiskey.. (like i said correct me if Im wrong)

You hit it right on the head. All im trying to say is "look at my street cred." How did you come up with that? What I was really trying to get across through reverse psychology is that I want more videos of me on youtube. Do you know how many backhand toedrags I pulled last wednesday at all american? where was the film crew then? hell even kyle novak, "the best recruit since Saint Pj Tallo" was there..cmon man, throw the lil dog a bone here.. how else am i supposed to get in one of those dangl production videos?

Ask anyone who knows me. Im really not about self promotion. I have never got on here and preached about "oh i play piha pro this or played for LU that." I am (contrary to popular belief) entitled to an opinion. However saying that LU is a better team than UMSL is not my opinion. It is the statement of a fact.

But anyway, back to my point...Hey everyone look at me!!! PIHA PIHA PIHA LU LU LU LU FOUR RINGS I HAVE FOUR RINGS I'M FROM LINDENWOOD AND I PLAY PIHA! and I am better than you.

p.s- D1 makes D2 look like District 5..

[JLambertUMSL]

Jesus christ... What started out as a simple joke has turned into an funnier episode of Yo Momma. My street cred? Correct me if Im wrong, but im pretty sure that my reputation is just that I have a ton of talent going to waste because I am dumb as rocks with the puck, and I love the whiskey.. (like i said correct me if Im wrong)

You do have all the tools.


You hit it right on the head. All im trying to say is "look at my street cred." How did you come up with that? What I was really trying to get across through reverse psychology is that I want more videos of me on youtube. Do you know how many backhand toedrags I pulled last wednesday at all american? where was the film crew then? hell even kyle novak, "the best recruit since Saint Pj Tallo" was there..cmon man, throw the lil dog a bone here.. how else am i supposed to get in one of those dangl production videos?

You know you love it. To be honest, I don't give a rat's ass about shooting video, I just like roller hockey, video is good to have, and I have a cheap camcorder, so I do it.

Novak messaged me last week about UMSL and videos, and I responded. Is that OK?

We don't generally "recruit" freshmen. We get enough phone calls from juniors and seniors and their parents. (But the kid is a major talent...I'm not going to ignore him.)


Ask anyone who knows me. Im really not about self promotion. I have never got on here and preached about "oh i play piha pro this or played for LU that." I am (contrary to popular belief) entitled to an opinion. However saying that LU is a better team than UMSL is not my opinion. It is the statement of a fact.

My dad can beat up your dad.


But anyway, back to my point...Hey everyone look at me!!! PIHA PIHA PIHA LU LU LU LU FOUR RINGS I HAVE FOUR RINGS I'M FROM LINDENWOOD AND I PLAY PIHA! and I am better than you.

Sometimes you know it when you see it.

[ianmackie]

wow, the professor has gone crazy. first the mancrush, then the LU hating, and now the collins bashing. someone needs to stop self medicating or up the does. maybe you need a new batch. but, you need to settle.

back to the original point of this thread...what was it again? this is just so entertaining.

[JLambertUMSL]

wow, the professor has gone crazy. first the mancrush, then the LU hating, and now the collins bashing. someone needs to stop self medicating or up the does. maybe you need a new batch. but, you need to settle.

back to the original point of this thread...what was it again? this is just so entertaining.

LU hating? Collins bashing? Where? I'm not hating or bashing anyone. George bashed himself.

Who's the professor?

[Mtour71]

i dont think your dad could beat up mine... my dad has done more to save the world than pj has in 08.. in fact hes PJs running mate in the campaign for the presidency haha.. well this post has obviously cooled down, but it was fun while it lasted. god bless the internet..

[cdolan]

i love it. didnt this happen last year? an Umsl- retired lindenwood HOF'er(MIZ)? who's doing this next year after nationals.

[ianmackie]

what i really wanna know is where is the youtube vid of the NCRHA championship game between LU and UMSL? i mean the regional game was up 2 minutes after it was done.

i really just need to see the introductions. the actual part i need to see was when the goalie that actually beat us was introduced with a towel around his neck. that was the biggest moment of the game.

[Poe31]

yeah, I'd like to meet the person who made that decision

[ianmackie]

he wears a sick tophat with straps.

[feedmetherock]

Yea well i think the UMSL beating LU game was a little more of a break through than the LU beating UMSL game in the finals. Don't worry the man that made the decision to start Ames instread of Cash is very sociable haha because it's "pops." Questionable decision at best, but I guess what's done is done. George, Ian, and James try not to get so angry over a forum post. UMSL had a hell of a season. (obviously LU did as well with their 7th in a row). I love you all. lol See you next season. (I hope no one hates me for posting because it seems if you post people hate you lol)

#18
Jeremy Scott
UMSL Hockey

[Ben Lambert]

Probably the worst coaching move of all time. I don't care who reads this and anybody who knows me knows what a Thomas Ames backer I am. There is one (maybe two) people in the universe who agree with the goaltending decision.

In 120 games there was only 1 goalie to beat LU. Why you wouldn't start him against the same team in the championship is beyond me. Even if you were looking for a rotation for "fairness" why wouldn't you set up the rotation so Cash goes in the final game? So frustrating that my last game ended like that.

I guess the penalty I took on the first shift of the game didn't help either.

It's history now I guess...

[Ben Lambert]

oh yeah.... d1 was better than d2 this year ha ha

[JLambertUMSL]

Benjamin, I am shocked.

Ian, all I can say to you on that one is do it yourself. Nobody's paying me to put videos up. I do it for UMSL because it's a nice thing to do for players who work their asses off to make my organization successful, and it's a decent marketing tool.

I've also got seven games' worth of video to encode (four of those games have two angles, meaning there are 11 tapes). All of it has to be fed into the computer in real time. That takes a while. I work forty hours a week, in addition to the PIHA stuff and other obligations. Putting up highlights of you guys beating us isn't my top priority. I'm sorry, sir. Please forgive me.

[JLambertUMSL]

George, Ian, and James try not to get so angry over a forum post.

I haven't gotten angry at all. I'm just having fun.