2001-02 team's place in history

I was in LA for the weekend, but a friend (who works at Harvard, but is dating a Cornell MBA, and is definitely a Big Red fan) called every time there was a score. Needless to say, the last phone call was most disappointing.

I read in various places that it was thought if this team did not win the ECAC tournament championship at Lake Placid, then the entire season would be considered a failure. How can that be the case, when statistically this team is the best Cornell has in the past 29-30 years?

Ironically, though, despites the stats, this team now has lost twice in three tries to Harvard--a first under Mike Schafer's reign. (Believe me, I am still smart from having witnessed the OT loss at Bright last November.)

Tom Tseng BS '87 MEng '94
still a Lynah season ticket holder

This season was not a failure. It was a thrill to be a part of, even if the ECAC tournament ended disappointingly.

I wish the team the best of luck in the NCAA tournament, and hope that they can surpass expectations and knock off a very strong New Hampshire team. (I can't even bring myself to face the prospect of losing to QC. )Beating UNH will get us to a rematch that we want (BU) a chance to play the game we were "meant" to play in Florida (Maine) or the rematch that we REALLY REALLY REALLY want (#$*&$*@).

And I am going to relish every second of it.

I agree that the season can't be considered a failure, because what we achieved thus far is more than most people expected going in. But the post-season obviously has been a disappointment and if we don't beat Q (or even if we do and then lose to UNH) there will be a strong argument that the post-season has been a failure (based on performance and ranking during the regular season). But even then I would not say the season itself would be considered a failure.

I believe that unlike NCAA men's hoops, where a good/bad performance in the tournament typically makes or breaks a team's season (regardless of what went before), NCAA men's hockey is not as dominated by such considerations, particularly for the ECAC teams and particularly for Cornell this season. Next season may be a different story.

How can 24-7-2 be a failure? Clearly, the team really wanted to win the title in Lake Placid, and was only prevented by a highly motivated Harvard team who played the game of their lives and *still* needed 5 periods to win.

An at-large NCAA bid is *very* special. Cornell has only received 2 in the last 20 years. Savor it, and enjoy the appearance, however long it lasts.

Good point Greg, a least I feel a little better about it. I'll be there on Saturday at the Centrum, LGR!

Greg:
It is always good to have your perspective on issues like this. When looked at in the big picture, I must agree, this has been a *special* season, and I, for one, am glad that I was on hand to watch one weekend series last fall. It also makes me more determined to return to Lynah Rink this fall to toss a fish or two when the Cantabs come to town. Watch out, Wegmans' fish market!

I think that it's been 2 at-large bids in 12 years ('91 & '02)...nonetheless, it is still something to savor!

I think Greg was using 20 years as his measure because that's been the length of his exposure and devotion to the Cornell team.

Yeah...I wasn't sure what he was referencing, but that would make sense. I've had it pretty good in my relatively short term of following the team with 4 bids overall in my 13 years of being involved with the Red.

20 is rough shorthand for our last 3 non-ECAC-title bids being 1981, 1991, and 2002 (we seem to be on a regular schedule). Hence, 2 at large bids in the last 21 years (3 in the last 22).

But keeping that periodicity in mind, we aren't slated for another at-large for another 10 or 11 seasons (three or four SNPU's: Standard Newman-Potter Units).

ROFLMAO. Really almost laughed my butt off the chair. Well, if they win the next 9 ECAC championships that won't be a problem at all

Yep, that would not suck.

How's this for a place in history... the start of a dynasty.

<crossing fingers, finding clovers, and knocking on wood>

-Fred, DeltaOne81 '03

feeling slightly priveledged to be used as part of a unit of measure