Tonight's game could arguably be the toughest on the schedule for the Big Red. Clarkson is 11-1 at Cheel this year. Everyone knows they are a fast, skilled team that doesn't waste a lot of time slamming people into the boards (average weight 191 lbs.). I don't think their two lopsided losses at Colorado last weekend reflect any kind of team melt down. Rather, I think they reflect lack of adaptation by the players to the high altitude (6000 ft, CC is 13-0 at home). Denver is the site for the 2008 Frozen Four so playing in Colorado is good experience, but doing so without proper preparation was foolish.
USCHO has a good pre-game article at:
http://www.uscho.com/news/college-hockey/id,15179/ThisWeekinECACHockeyFeb72008.html
Princeton and Quinnipiac are playing Yale and Brown this weekend, so the Big Red will need some points if they want to keep pace in the ECAC standings. Cornell can certainly beat St. Lawrence, especially if Colgate gives them a rough time on Friday night. They can also upset Clarkson, but they will probably have to play their best game of the season. Mike Kennedy and Chris Fontas are listed as questionable for the weekend at Collegehockeynews.com Injuries at Clarkson don't appear to be very significant. However, for both teams, it's late in the season and you never know who may have undisclosed problems. Last year, a Big Red squad that was leaned out by team violations tied Clarkson at Cheel 1-1. Let's hope that this year's group of more disciplined players can at least match that.
Go Big Red.
[quote lynah80] Rather, I think they reflect lack of adaptation by the players to the high altitude (6000 ft, CC is 13-0 at home). Denver is the site for the 2008 Frozen Four so playing in Colorado is good experience, but doing so without proper preparation was foolish. .[/quote]
Unfortunately, college teams don't have the time to accommodate.
Anyone care to speculate who will get the start in goal tonight? Will Schafer give Scrivens another chance against Tech?
I didn't see the Flordia game, but the one at Lynah looked like the 3 goals against in the first period were as much a result of Scrivens play as the team's overall poor performance.
[quote amerks127]Anyone care to speculate who will get the start in goal tonight? Will Schafer give Scrivens another chance against Tech?
I didn't see the Flordia game, but the one at Lynah looked like the 3 goals against in the first period were as much a result of Scrivens play as the team's overall poor performance.[/quote]
Uhhh I can't imagine he'd go with Davenport unless Scrivens is injured/sick.
I have a good feeling about this weekend. We've only gotten 2 points (total) up there the past two seasons. But, the team caught the flu two years ago and was forced to absorb a number of suspensions last year. Even so, with the exception of last years SLU contest, Cornell was in a position to win every game.
Special teams should be key--especially against Clarkson. We always seem to win the PP/PK battle against them. The PK has been good, but the PP needs to be a more consistent threat.
Cornell swept the North Country trip 3 times (http://www.tbrw.info/games/cornellInNorthCountry.htm) in the 4 seasons '02-'05.
If want to watch the video feed of the games, go to b2 live (http://www.b2livetv.com). They offer the games on a "pay for view" basis at $6.00. The link is active ~ 10 minutes before the game starts.
Both Clarkson and St. Lawrence are with b2. I like this option over the "buy a 1 month subscription and remember to cancel it" plans (ala Harvard and Dartmouth).
I felt at least two of the three our defensive play hung Ben out to dry - not much he could do - one I sure wish he had gotten.
But the team came out flat and then made huge defensive errors or break out of zone give aways in the first period.
[quote profudge]I felt at least two of the three our defensive play hung Ben out to dry - not much he could do - one I sure wish he had gotten.
But the team came out flat and then made huge defensive errors or break out of zone give aways in the first period.[/quote]
I think the one that was scored from behind the goal line, you would like him to hug the post a little better and not let that happen, but he was cheating towards the pass in front so you can't blame him too much when the defense is doing nothing. The one I really didn't like was the cross-crease pass tap in that he could've stopped easily by using his stick a little more actively. The other goal I think he had no chance on, but I would put the blame 50/50 on defense and Scrivens on the two above.
[quote Trotsky]Cornell swept the North Country trip 3 times (http://www.tbrw.info/games/cornellInNorthCountry.htm) in the 4 seasons '02-'05.[/quote]
Figures I was there in '04, but 3 points is still a great weekend by North Country standards.
Fontas back, Kennedy still out. Scrivens v Leggio.
Anthem singer is dreadful. Must be a 3-minute version.
[quote Trotsky]Cornell swept the North Country trip 3 times (http://www.tbrw.info/games/cornellInNorthCountry.htm) in the 4 seasons '02-'05.[/quote]
Which is a ridiculous success rate. 2 points is par for this weekend this year, and I'll be thrilled if we get three.