Cornell Hockey follower since 1982
I can't think of a season with a wider gap between pre season expectations and actual results. Is this year #1? I'm sure other elynah'ers have some competing years, but for me, this is #1 and therefore the most depressing.
I realize the season isn't quite over, and maybe I'm hoping I look like a fool, but I don't I'd lay odds on that as of now.
Any wider gaps people can think of?
And what about the opposite, where we were pleasantly surprised?
In terms of gap, the 2012-13 coaches' poll put the Big Red second; they finished ninth. I don't think the gap is going to be quite that big this year.
In the other direction, in 1995-96 (Coach Schafer's first year), the coaches put Cornell ninth; they finished fourth in a very strong ECAC and proceeded to win the championship. Ah, memories.
other old timers like ACM can fill in the details but I remember a year in the late 70s when we were something like 0-5 before Christmas break and 20-0 after it. Those numbers may be a bit exaggerated, but I do know the flip was ridiculous.
You are probably thinking of the '77-'78 team. They started 1-4 in ECAC play and then went 15-1-1 in conference games until a quarterfinal loss to Providence at Lynah. We outshot PC 52-24 but lost 8-5. With better goaltending, that team could have won the NCAA championship.
My freshman year of 1981-82 we were coming off an NCAA quarterfinal appearance and had plenty of returning talent with a mix of talented freshmen. We finished 12-13-1.
Quote from: scoop85My freshman year of 1981-82 we were coming off an NCAA quarterfinal appearance and had plenty of returning talent with a mix of talented freshmen. We finished 12-13-1.
That was my senior year. My best friend worked in the athletic department so we were at the front of the ticket line. Had great seats. Boy, were we disappointed that season.