western michigan university @ cornell game 1

so i figured i would start this bad boy up. any thoughts before the game? I am psyched to be able to see a regular season game again. should be fun. I hope that Cornell comes out hard and does not show their lack of playing time. LGR!

My thought is that I hope they win. That will be quite sufficient for now.

Openers, Schafer era:

96 L 2-6 at Michigan State
97 W 5-4 at Brown
98 W 4-2 Northeastern
99 W 3-2 Niagara
00 L 4-5 at RPI
01 L 3-5 Sacred Heart
02 W 6-1 AL-Huntsville
03 W 3-1 at Ohio State

3-1 Home,
2-2 Away

Oh man, I remember that loss to Sacred Heart like it was yesterday. Mark and Matt McRae were particularly devastated about that one...

Friends have been suggesting that Marr is going to start in goal tomorrow but that shouldn't be much of a surprise.

Sat 10/04/2003 W 6 Western Ontario (ex) 2
Fri 10/10/2003 W 4 Ferris State 2   
Sat 10/11/2003 L 2 @ Ferris State 5
Fri 10/17/2003 W 5 Nebraska-Omaha 1   
Sat 10/18/2003 T 2 Nebraska-Omaha 2 ot    
Fri 10/24/2003 L 2 @ Michigan State 4
Sat 10/25/2003 L 3 Michigan State 7

2-3-1 overall plus one exhibition win. 0-2-0 on the road against good teams (assuming MSU is OK this year), though they beat both on home ice. Just the facts so far - not sure how to analyze this further.

WMU fans on USCHO say they have bad special teams and take penalties at bad times. For what it's worth.

So their fan base is full of Greg Berges... Anything else? I think that WMU will give Cornell some very good games this weekend, in spite of where the two teams will finish the season.

Great. Thanks for reminding us of Sacred Heart, Greg.

Sacred Heart.....*blood boiling* bunch of no talent ass-clowns. That was the game where on of their more classy players decided it would be funny to throw a hockey stick over the glass at the fans in section E. Bastard.

"on of"="one of"

Gameday thoughts: Marr will (I think) start tonight. A source tells me that, earlier in the week, Marr was actually outperforming McKee in practice, despite their performances against the Under-18 team. McKee was "sloppy."

As for Western Michigan's team, Dana Lattery is the player to look out for (4 goals and 3 assists through 7 games this season). He also scored a goal on Lenny in a game last season. This season, the Broncos have averaged 3 goals a game, while giving up an average of 3.50 goals a game. Their special teams are not very good. Power Play: 4/31 (12.9%). Penalty Kill: 24/32 (75%).

Well, that says they have a sub-par record against some middle of the pack western teams. I'm not sure it means anything, since the fact that we have no record at all may be a balancing factor.

LGR!

JH

Is Chabot likely to get any time this year, or will Schafer only be dressing Marr and McKee? By the way, Marr's stats in his 4 games last year were really quite good - I hope our young defense and Schafer's system will give him the same support.

Mike Hedrick '01 wrote:

Is Chabot likely to get any time this year, or will Schafer only be dressing Marr and McKee?

Unless one is injured (like Chabot apparently was last week), I don't see why Coach wouldn't dress all 3 for home games, similar to last season. For road games, we'll probably see 2 dress.

As far as playing time, Schafer said:
"It's up to them to sort it out...If one guy separates himself from the pack, it'll be one guy. It could be two guys, three guys, who knows? One of them needs to show us that he's the guy. That's what we're looking for."

From the outset, it seems like it'll be #1) Marr #2) McKee #3) Chabot judging from this article:
[www.cornelldailysun.com]

Interesting comments by Coach Schafer in the ECAC weekly preview on USCHO:
[Q]"I have great feelings for the hockey program," said Schafer, "but I have bad feelings for the University. Western Michigan did a lot for me and a lot of my feelings are for Bill Wilkinson. He was a boss and a mentor.

"I was disappointed with how the University dealt with him, a guy that started the program. I still hold a grudge against the school. I was very disappointed ... I'm still disappointed."

Wilkinson is now head coach at Wayne State, a program he's took from six wins in 1999-2000 to yearly totals of 18, 21 and 21 since then.[/Q]

[uscho.com]

Rich H '96 wrote:

Interesting comments by Coach Schafer in the ECAC weekly preview on USCHO:
[Q]"Wilkinson is now head coach at Wayne State, a program he's took from six wins in 1999-2000 to yearly totals of 18, 21 and 21 since then.[/Q]

[uscho.com]

I saw Wayne State play last year and was very impressed with the coaching. They played with so much heart that I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I have to defer to Coach Schafer with regard to knowing how great Wilkinson is, but I actually predicted last year that they will have a solid program as soon as is humanly possible.

it pisses me off that I can't get tickets because 2x as many people show up to the line... I go out of my way to get them... and then I can't give my spare away.

Link to opponent's broadcast for those of us too cheap to pay (yet!)

[media.yahoo.com]

McKee with the start tonight - Marr "tweaked his groin" according to Adam.

The video feed is AWFUL!!! It's going about 1 frame per three to five seconds. Audio is fine, though. Anyone else having this problem?

1-0 WMU on PP (Vesce, slashing)

Golly, I can't believe people are booing!

Edit: Ok, something wasn't right about that goal...might have been a man in the crease or goal off the posts.



Post Edited (10-31-03 19:19)

WMU gets the first goal at 1:38.

SCORE! 1-1 Knoepfli! (unassisted)

Big Red going on PP



Post Edited (10-31-03 19:25)

hynes skates to the bench after getting pounded



Post Edited (10-31-03 19:26)

Score! 2-1 CU! Vesce!



Post Edited (10-31-03 19:30)

2-1 CORNELL!!!

Anyone getting the WMU audio? I get a password screen. Is this a pay-link or are they asking for a Yahoo ID?

I'm getting the Yahoo audio. I assume you have to login. Usually I am, so it didn't ask for a password. I'm not paying for this.

According to the WMU announcers (who aren't that great and missed a CU goal due to being in commercial), McKee is getting some early whistles and not covering up the puck.

Chris '02 wrote:

According to the WMU announcers (who aren't that great and missed a CU goal due to being in commercial), McKee is getting some early whistles and not covering up the puck.

Wodon says the same. Kid's probably nervous after that quick goal.

2-2

1st period over. Still 2-2

I like the video feed...pretty smooth for me and decent quality. Hey not bad since I can't be there!

BigRedIslander wrote:

I like the video feed...pretty smooth for me and decent quality. Hey not bad since I can't be there!

Working fine for me, too.

2nd period underway.

Shots were 10-9 CU in the first period

Wierd. Now I've got the Yahoo audio without a password required.

Is this the $5 per game I2 Sports video feed? If so, is it worth buying? Thanks.

Keith and myself are listening to the Western Michigan broadcast which is still free. I believe that the video feed is indeed the I2 sports thing they're talking about.

Still 2-2.

Bitz, 3-2!!!

It's 3-3 now. Didn't catch the WMU scorer's name.

WMU going on the PP.

PP goal for WMU. Red trail 4-3 with about 7 mins left in the second.

Defensive breakdown. 5-3 WMU

Ouch, 5-3 now...

5-3 now, sounds like a turnover at the blueline.

UGH, another infidel scores.

Granted listening to the WMU broadcast makes it tough to tell if its sub par goaltending or poor defensive play, but the guy did say WMU was taking advantage of a frosh goalie.

I wonder what kind of hook Coach has? Haven't really had this problem in recent years.

I'm watching on i2. 2 of the goals at least McKee was hung out to dry.

McKee has played decent....like a normal goalie, which I guess most teams would be happy with. But his positioning and confidence is obviously no where hear Lenevieu or Underhill.

The key will be for Schafer to get the young defensemen not to make such stupid mistakes....they'd been burned bad many times

Looks like we're in for an exciting yr

Yale with an early 1-0 lead over North Dakota.

This Bitz kid looks like a find! 5-4 WMU

BITZ 5-4!

SCOOOOOOOREEE!!!!

BITZZZZZZZZZZZ

damn video feed freezes every cornell goal!! I'll pray for another freeze

Great Cornell pressure

I just got caught up reading this thread (site's a little slow so it took awhile ). I've been watching the i2sports broadcast, and it's coming in pretty darn clear for me down here in Tennessee. It all depends on your download speed - if you're well over the 384kbps that they recommend (and meet the minimum system requirements), then it should look pretty nice. Anyway, back to the game...

I think a lot of people are going to be quick to criticize McKee for some of the goals, but with the exception of the first one and one of the others, they were more the fault of defensive breakdowns and/or WMU players juking some of our guys. And the first goal I could understand, since he must be at least a little nervous, being his first game and all.

Note: in the 3rd period, McKee has looked much better - more relaxed, making better saves.

We had good sustained pressure for much of the game, especially now in the 3rd. WMU really has good yield so far, given the # of shots they took. Their PP has been able to capitalize on our defense mistakes too. Hopefully we can break through a few more times here.

SCOREEE TIED UP!!

score!

WOW, I wish I could have seen whatever just happened there!!!! Tied 5-5 wit 22 seconds left!

NO idea what happend!!! like under 30s left...scramble in front....the net looked knocked up from behind but I guess it went in! Who knows who cares!!! Tie Game!!

Goin to OT!

Western Mich coach is goin crazy

No report on who scored it yet

Moulsen's goal

Moulsen from Hornby and Abott 19:32

O...M...G....

Now that my heart rate has slowed enough to type

5-5!!!

Man, what a game....McKee was a wall in the 3rd...can't believe its going OT right now!

McKee big leg save early in OT

Told ya this was gonna be exciting......PP for Cornell!!!

nice to see the team battle back.

Defend that old barn!!!!!!!!!!!!

BIG save for WM on a deflectiopn...time out Cornell w/ 32 secs on the PP left. Tryin to get the 1st line back out

AHAHHHHH puck went in but net off!!! DAMN

I think a WM player knocked the damn net off

PP over SOOOO many good chances but couldnt finish...damn

5-5 Final.....a game we should have won.....a couple of quick goals by WM

Hey but a BIG goal late, squeeze out a point, and the undefeated at home streak continues!

Back to earth boys.......we were spoiled last year.

Very nice comeback to pick up the tie. McKee looked very strong in the third and the overtime.

Byron Bitz is a seriously good player for somebody with, now, 65 minutes of NCAA experience.

Maybe....but both the fans and players are gonna have to work extra hard for every game this yr...and I'm excited about it

I think the way we played in the 3rd period was indicative of what we could expect this season. Defense cracked down and started to cycle more, wearing down the WMU players, and offense is definitely there for us. McKee, again, played very well in the 3rd period and OT, and I would expect that he will start again tomorrow. I think the biggest thing was getting the shakiness out at the start - it was his first collegiate game, against a team who has already played numerous games, and who has excellent speed. Once things start falling into place, and the defense begins to prevent mishaps, I think we will be in really good shape for the rest of the year.

Tomorrow should be an exciting conclusion to the unfinished business left tonight.

One thing to remember though is in the 3rd he shortened up the defense...so we didin't have the freshmen defensemen playing....that, along w/ McKee made things look better

its gonna mean alotta mins for the "oldeR" defensemen

WMU coach whining on the post-game about the 5th goal. Said, "it's a long-time coming before we come back here," and that "it's hard enough battling 20 guys when you have to battle a few more (i.e. the officials)." Pathetic.

I think that the video was worth $5! It was good enough and I hope it improves each year.

It streamed in at 360kbit/sec and Road Runner will actually pass over 3000 kbit/sec at times. So there is room for improvement as broadband Internet gets faster.

I'm listening to the WMU coach bellyaching about the refs (on the "Bronco Radio Network". He is going on and on and should give it a rest.

ITs worth $5, but I mean 60 for the year seems like a lot...it def doesnt cost nearly that to run.....they must be making a crapload on it

[[q]WMU coach whining on the post-game about the 5th goal. Said, "it's a long-time coming before we come back here," and that "it's hard enough battling 20 guys when you have to battle a few more (i.e. the officials)." Pathetic.[/q]

How quickly he forgets the circumstances preceding his first goal....

If I were him, I'd be griping instead about the moron in Section B who had the brilliant idea of throwing a water bottle at him before sticks in the air. It's a good thing the true fans got those tickets

Due to health problems, I had to settle for watching from home (in Ithaca) over i2, with a RoadRunner connection. There were very few pauses for rebuffering - the game streamed almost flawlessly. They used two cameras, one in the Press Box, one on the platform next to Section A and did a pretty decent job of switching between the two. The audio levels were somewhat uneven - this may be first-night confusion - but I could hear all the play call. They left the sound going while Adam talked to the engineer back at the station. Unlike the radio broadcast, the video continued during the radio breaks and showed the hunks of the game that radio listeners missed.

I'd much rather be IN Lynah, but seeing the game and getting the play-by-play call by Adam Wodon is not a bad way to see how the team looks and to get a feel for how things were going. Much better than muttering about less worthy radio announcers or AM radio signals.

My access was provided by a friend - and I'm very grateful.

Let's Go Red!!

Ken '71

Well, it never pays to whine (unless you're Jack Parker), but the tying goal was chancy, and then having the o.t. kill, and not getting the obvious even-up a minute later... he has grounds to be miffed.

I was happy with what I saw. This team looks potentially explosive (the Vesce-Moulson-Bitz line started something on every shift, the Abbotts had moments, and Dan Pegoraro was playing as aggressively as Hornby at times). McKee was entirely credible. The D, as expected, needs a lot of work, but Schafer could probably turn me into an okay blueliner -- there's room for improvement, but we're led by the guy who we can reasonably assume will inspire/teach/demand that improvement.

Get well soon, Ken.



Post Edited (10-31-03 22:13)

Well....great game. Only a few things to add that haven't been said. McKee did play much better after the second period. We had some defensive lapses, but I also thought that he was a too weak blocker high and less so glove high. But then again, there were WMU players just left open to skate down the slot and pop a wrist shot high. I was very impressed with Bitz. He really can skate well and definetly has the scoring touch. That line along with the Hornby line played extremely well in the offensive zone all night. It was a great game, and I agree that the third period and ot looked more like the cornell team that Coach wants out there.

(btw...did someone throw out the ass who threw the pepsi bottle that hit their coach?)

Sorry, I can't read through most of the posts but WMU was gifted a goal early when the puck clearly hit the netting above the glass, was cycled through the offensive zone and then went in for a goal. And then we had a goal called off during the OT period. Dell made equally questionable calls for both teams, and we let him know about it.

Ya know, I'm not saying the kid doesn't have promise, but I think you're doing to easy on McKee . Yeah, big situation, team with some games under their belts, but it's not like he just let in a few bad ones and played solid the rest of the time... not from where I was standing.

The whole team got better in the third, but in the first and second McKee wasn't just so-so, he was downright bad. He was nowhere to be seen on several of the goals (the one, 4th or 5th) that bounced around in front of the net... yeah, it'd be hard to stop, but the whole side of the net was open. The second one was a quick one timer that would also be hard to stop, but he barely moved a muscle to go after it. Most of the shots got a 1 - 2 foot bounce. Half the time his first reaction after a shot was to look behind them. Once or twice, looking behind him, instead of staying forward, popped the puck back on the stick of a guy with a goalie looking the wrong way, leaving him need to sprawl to cover it, pushing him completely out of the play. In the second, yeah, he faced some bad D-moves, but he let in 3 goals on SEVEN shots. He wasn't hung out *that* badly. He should stopped a few.

I'm just judging him overall, but he just didn't show it tonight. He could have great promise, but let someone else step up for now - assuming they're healthy.

The rest of the freshman were much better. The crowd really got behind Bitz after some snazzy moves. O'Byrne and Carefoot were solid. Salmela on the line is a bit shakey, but frosh could be worse. It'll be interesting to watch this class develope.

Overall, the team looked iffy and then definitely gell-ed, played some more solid hockey and got better pressure. We still can't finish, but what else is new . Reminds me of the teams my freshman and sophomore years - 99-00 and 00-01 - Steinstra, Rutter, the 3 Ps . Hard fighters who have to push for the bounces and fight off the soft goals. It was certainly an entertaining night, and if this is the way the team start, it'll be great to see how they are in the winter.

Edit: [Q]And then we had a goal called off during the OT period.[/Q]
Yeah, but that so wasn't a goal. The net came off a full second before the puck when in.



Post Edited (10-31-03 22:25)

Alright just got back from the game. Wow. Everybody went absolutely nuts when we tied it up with 27.6 seconds to go. And there was a period of sustained pressure a few minutes into the third that were among the most exciting minutes of hockey (without a goal being scored) you'll ever see. Too bad we didn't get the win in OT, esp. with a PP, but considering the circumstance of being down 2 going into the 3rd, the tie isn't that bad. It's one of those situations where it must feel like a loss for Western Michigan.

Best players tonight: Bitz, Hornby, Knoepfli. I won't use the word "worse" but those who weren't exactly stellar were O' Byrne and Salmela, both of whom had lots of turnovers. Also, I think O' Byrne had 3 penalties, at least 1 of which was unnecessary (some hitting behind the play, for example). Anyway, who cares, good game. Very exciting. Till tomorrow....

So, time for my comments:

- Bitz...well, yeah, I agree with everyone else, this guy is amazing.
- The first WMU goal...yeah, Dell should have blown the whistle, but at the same time, McKee really should have had that puck. I'm afraid I might have spoken too soon about him. Though he did look good in the third period and OT.
- Great rally by our boys to tie it up.
- Hornby, without a doubt, is still the heart of the team. When our guys were looking down in the second period, he was still out there kicking @$$.
- While of course our defense needs some work, given the five goals allowed, part of the blame can also be placed on the offense. There were definite scoring chances that were messed up, especially in the second period. Nevertheless, five goals scored is nothing to sneeze at.
- Is it just me, or was there something wrong with the ice tonight? Normally, I'd say that they just need more practice, but players on both teams were falling more often than usual.

Just speculation, but the warm weather might have left the ice softer than ideal (I think Wodon mentioned it being warm in Lynah).

One of the guys who got revenge on Volonnino wrote:

- Is it just me, or was there something wrong with the ice tonight? Normally, I'd say that they just need more practice, but players on both teams were falling more often than usual.

Weather.com says it's now 66 degrees in Ithaca. Not good ice weather.

to whom did adam wodon give the stars tonite? i imagine moulson and bitz for sure...



Post Edited (10-31-03 22:54)

My impressions from watching the netcast (which I thought was quite good with the exception of the minor audio problems)....

Bitz: wow. He's going to score a LOT of goals before he's done. That one-time from Vesce was a brilliant play all around, but Bitz was really impressive.

O'Byrne: I was actually pretty impressed with him. Yeah, he was out of position a couple of times, and maybe he took an unnecessary penalty, but he's going to be solid by mid-season. Also seems like he has a nasty, nasty temperament. I like it

Salmela: Could have been worse.

McKee: seemed REALLY shaky until the third period, but then played much better (as everybody else has already said). Hopefully it was just butterflies from playing in front of the Lynah Faithful...but I'm not sold on him yet. Who's for launching a stay-in-school campaign (or rather a "come back to school" campaign) to bring back lenny?

Don't think I saw enough of the rest of the fresman to form any opinions yet. On to the rest of the crew...

Wallace: meh... he was alright, but he got juked out of his skates on that one goal...

Hornby & the Abbots: WOW! Did these guys spend the summer doing wind sprints non-stop? They seemed much faster than last season (and they weren't exactly slow then).

Vesce: same old same old. Maybe it's just me, but he didn't seem to be winning face offs like he usually does. But I was when he laid the wood to that W.Mich player in the 2nd (I think it was the 2nd).

Knoepfli's goal was beautiful, great effort on his part.

[Q]McKee: seemed REALLY shaky until the third period, but then played much better (as everybody else has already said). Hopefully it was just butterflies from playing in front of the Lynah Faithful...but I'm not sold on him yet. Who's for launching a stay-in-school campaign (or rather a "come back to school" campaign) to bring back lenny?[/Q]
The NCAA might take issue with that .

[Q]Vesce: same old same old. Maybe it's just me, but he didn't seem to be winning face offs like he usually does. But I was when he laid the wood to that W.Mich player in the 2nd (I think it was the 2nd).[/Q]
The linesmen were very picky, tossing people out of the faceoffs left and right. Probably 2/3rds of the time one if not both players got tossed - seemed like more often us, but I could be biased. Anyway, could screwed with Vesce's style - but you're right.

Edit:

Vesce: same old same old. Maybe it's just me, but he didn't seem to be winning face offs like he usually does. But I was IMPRESSED when he laid the wood to that W.Mich player in the 2nd (I think it was the 2nd).

O'Byrne took penalties and make a couple turnovers, but he also sprung a really nifty pass to get us out of a tight spot deep in the zone late in the game. He wasn't the dominant presence I half-expected from the hype, but hey Murray wasn't even the best blueliner in his *class* as a frosh.

McCutcheon didn't get on the board but he cropped up in the middle of a couple excellent chances, in just the right spot. I'm hoping this means he has good hockey sense.

A few random comments:

-- The i2sports feed worked great for me. Definitely worth the money. We should send them some constructive criticism (the team camera tried too hard to follow the puck up close and ended up trailing the action a bit; long shots would be better for following the game, and also better for game film, which is after all what it's there for), and also ask nicely for them to put the audio of away games on the same system so we don't need two different subscriptions.

-- After the game ended, some of us on Lynah chat went off and listened to the audio feeds of the Yale-NoDak and Princeton-SCSU games, which we could only do because the feeds were free and not subscription services. Now that we apparently have a good video feed worth paying for, I'd like to see them go back to having free audio, even if the video has to cost a little more to subsidize it. We all care enough to pay for video, and it's better for the college hockey community as a whole if fans can catch the end of other teams' games without needing to sign up for a subscription service. Also, the free audio could be used to advertize the pay video.

-- If the second video camera is on the platform next to Section A, does that mean there's no longer handicapped seating there. That would be kind of a bummer for the local group that always sits there because they like to be near the band.

-- The officiating sucked, but it sucked both ways. The AR was overactive in calling penalties, and Dell blew calls from the start (e.g., the missed out-of-play before the first WMU goal and the quick whistles when McKee didn't cover up).

-- Interesting to see handshakes after game one of a two-game series.

-- If Marr were healthy, I'd think we'd see him start game two, since McKee was less than stellar and a rotation would be a good idea. But with Chabot as the current #2, I'd say it's much more up in the air, given that McKee seems to have been markedly better in intrasquad play.

-- I'm encouraged by the fact that we played better in the second half of the game. This is going to be a team that needs to find its way, and three points out of this weekend (the current best-case scenario) would still be a good early confidence boost.

> long shots would be better for following the game

I strongly disagree. The audio gives a fine overview of the action - if the puck happens to be out of frame 5% of the time, Adam covers it so so what? The near shot video gives color and a sense of really being there (and close). I think the balance was great.



Post Edited (10-31-03 23:18)

4 things...

-go byron bitz!!

-the reffs sucked(western michigan) tonight

-the abbotts were on fire!! they have been doing mad good lately

-a season opening tie is better than a loss! and well get them tomorrow!

I thought the shots were fine at the zoom they used, or they would have been if the camera guy had been on his game. He seemed to lose track of the puck a few times (I recall once where the puck was being handled in the zone, but he camera followed a player going to the bench for a line change), and was frequently behind the action. Somebody give that man a jumbo cup of coffee before the game tomorrow night.

hey guys
what a game to miss the end of. in case anyone was wondering i was the one who was struck in section A with the puck on the olde noggin. Lots of blood (on the Joe N jersey darnit!), an ambulance ride, a few hours in the cayuga ER, and 16 stitches later and i come home to find that cornell salvaged a tie out of a pretty crazy game. strong offense but shaky D as well as bad 73 degree ice today. If anyone wants to see the stitches i will be back in my seat tomorrow

cant believe i missed an extra attacker goal. way to fight back, red. oh and the EMT grabbed the puck for me so that was sweet.

Man, how'd I miss that? When did this happen jy3? Glad you're doing alright, I got some stitches myself in a lovely bagel accident earlier this year, but not that many.

jy3, good to hear you're alright, way to take one for the team!

Schafer's not happy, good for him. There was a lot of positioning that our team from last year just would have not have done.

[uscho.com]

Quote of the article "It will change overnight, without question."



Post Edited (11-01-03 00:52)

John, I'm in agreement with Greg. The "big picture" approach that we used to get with the old camera was too often frustrating because you weren't sure where the puck was or where it was heading --usually you knew that a goal was scored only from the reaction of the players. I'd rather have tighter zoom with a puck I can track, even with the occasionally poor framing, plus if it is the same people manning the cameras for the season they should tend to get more proficient over time. (And I would guess that the i2 cameras are not providing the game tape for the coaches and that there is a separate camera taping the game in the wide view preferred by coaches, but someone there could probably tell us.)