Vote for Hobey

As of January 9, fan balloting is open to help determine the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. Among the 77 candidates still in the running, Cornell has three:

Andy Iles
Greg Miller
Nick D'Agostino

Presumably, although they are not explicit about it, you can vote once per day as in the past. Apparently new this year, fan voting counts for 1% of the total ballot in each of the three phases (Top Ten, Hobey Hat Trick, and winner); previously, I believe, it had counted as one full vote toward the total ballot, alongside 58 other voters.

Greg currently has about 4% of the vote, Nick about 1%, and Andy a negligible amount. The current leaders are Austin Smith of Colgate, Jack Connolly of Minnesota-Duluth, and Spencer Abbott of Maine, with about 13% each.

This phase, for selection of the Top Ten, will remain open until March 4.

[www.hobeybakeraward.com]

These last few weekends have certainly stopped me from thinking about any Cornellians. Seeing how Smith has progressed, he's the only legitimate ECAC candidate. Watching him also explains why he can play so many minutes. He often sits back rather than get into the corners, thus Schafer's plan of being physical with him was very difficult. I don't know if he plays like that all year, but many times he's in the center of his defensive zone, waiting for a teamate to get him the puck for a quick skate up offensively. Combine that positioning with a great shot, the best that I've seen in the ECAC in years, and fast wheels, leads to many opportunities. Why he didn't have it last year is a mystery to me. But he's a great performer, and I hope gets to the final 3, at least.

Hobey Hat Trick Announced:

Spencer Abbott – University of Maine, Senior, Forward
Jack Connolly – University of Minnesota-Duluth, Senior, Forward
Austin Smith – Colgate University, Senior, Forward

Top 3 scorers nationally, by a fair margin (62, 60, and 57 points). I'm hoping Smith wins it, as he has 15 more goals than either of the other two.

RichH
Hobey Hat Trick Announced:

Spencer Abbott – University of Maine, Senior, Forward
Jack Connolly – University of Minnesota-Duluth, Senior, Forward
Austin Smith – Colgate University, Senior, Forward

Top 3 scorers nationally, by a fair margin (62, 60, and 57 points). I'm hoping Smith wins it, as he has 15 more goals than either of the other two.

I hope that Smith wins it because in the consolation game, Smith came at the net hard, accidentally collided with Iles, then helped Iles up after the save was made and play ended. Smith, Whitney, and Iles had similar interaction at the Cornell end of the ice before the scuffle that ended the consolation game too. He has great character.

Jim Hyla
Combine that positioning with a great shot, the best that I've seen in the ECAC in years, and fast wheels, leads to many opportunities. Why he didn't have it last year is a mystery to me.

Jim - some answers to your mystery here ...

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