I don't see a started thread for this game so I'll make it...
I'd like to hear people's thoughts on the game before I spew out mine...
:-(
It was a tough listen. That's my thought.
My only feeling after tonight is FRUSTRATION :-( :-( :-(
Some thoughts:
- Offense was much improved, particularly the power play unit. Unfortunately, Ohio State's offense was better.
- Ohio State's goals were well-executed, particularly the game winner. Maybe I'm not giving them enough credit, but that seemed like a play they practiced, and it paid off.
- Great hustle by the Red to rally to tie it up.
a bit off topic, but - these used to (as recently as a couple weeks ago) grow to over 100 comments quite rapidly with game updates, power play info and off topic discussion all over. did everybody discover IRC? or is everyone now watching the home feeds and burninating i2sports's server? just curious: how did YOU get your game info tonight? (me - video feed and IRC)
QuoteHOTELCALIFORNIA wrote:
I don't see a started thread for this game so I'll make it...
I'd like to hear people's thoughts on the game before I spew out mine...
:-(
I expect you'll whine that it was all McKee's fault.::rolleyes::
Actually, the game could have gone either way in the 3rd. We had several very close, well executed chances. The OSU goalie came up huge on one of them. First OSU goal was a result of a defensive breakdown in front of our net (surprise, surprise). We were outplayed in the 2nd. Other than that, we played a very solid game, which makes me particularly sad to see us lose. One thing I've been disappointed in thus far this season is our work ethic. The previous three big red teams earned many of their points with true grit and hard work. This year, we dont have the same drive and dedication that I'm used to seeing (with the exception of Vesce and Cook who always come out to play).
Thoughts on the game:
-we need to be more physical; baby and murray's hits are really needed
-we are always letting other teams set the style of play, and only after a good portion of the first are we taking charge
-mckee is doing fine, he has gotten much better on the rebounds, but the defense still needs to clear 'em and cover him after multiple saves (ie, the 4th OSU goal)
-our offense and defense are both tiring in the third, especially the last 10 minutes.
thank god for shaffer, he done a good job but we still have some work to do
QuoteField '04 wrote:
This year, we dont have the same drive and dedication that I'm used to seeing (with the exception of Vesce and Cook who always come out to play).
This year, at the very least, I'd add Hornby to that list. He's still kicking ass and, luckily, evading most penalties while doing so.
The Abbotts have also been showing some serious initiative. Wallace looked better this weekend than he has in the past.
QuoteBig Ben '03 wrote:
a bit off topic, but - these used to (as recently as a couple weeks ago) grow to over 100 comments quite rapidly with game updates, power play info and off topic discussion all over. did everybody discover IRC? or is everyone now watching the home feeds and burninating i2sports's server? just curious: how did YOU get your game info tonight? (me - video feed and IRC)
Well, some of us are actually at the games. :-P Though, I agree, it is strange that this thread wasn't started earlier.
Haha Al DeFlorio.. yeah I do think that a good portion of it IS McKee's fault.. I seriously don't like that kid. But I guess before the puck passes the goalie, it passes 3 offenders and 2 deffenders, right?
Anyway.. I disagree with Field. I think we played TERRIBLE. We spend waaaaay too much time setting up plays and skating around.. we need to shoot the freakin' puck. And we need people in front of the net to shoot the rebounds. And what has happend to our energy? No one is ever agressive anymore... well, except for Greg Hornby. But I think that's just natural for him.... but where is Cornell and who is that in our jerseys?
Out of those 4 goals scored, 2 of them were pretty easy.. I used to be a goalie and even I could have saved them. McKee comes out of his net.. he doesn't look at what he's doing.. all I want is for Todd to be better and everything will be okay! :`(
Also.. the fans were totally pissing me off!! Stuff like that really gets to me!! ::cuss::
Okay, that's all I have to say. :-)
Have you all been watching the same team I've been watching? While this year's team is certainly not last year's team, I thought as a whole they have put forth tremendous efforts in the past two games. We are starting to do the gritty boardwork well and are beginning to get back to that puck control - cycling style that has become so familiar to us. We're just not getting pucks to the net and when we get cycling, guys aren't able to get free in front.
The thing that's frustrating is that we can keep the puck in the opponents' end of the ice for 10 minute stretches, and then a 3 second defensive lapse costs us a goal. That's just backbreaking, especially when your power play is struggling.
My thoughts on certain players:
(1) McKee has done a terrific job (I sit right behind him) and he really impressed me in the Bowling Green game. Sure he has flaws, but didn't Lenny?
(2) Some guys certainly seem to be struggling, but I have been very impressed with the effort of several players who have not been mentioned in the above posts. Without going into too much detail, I think Bitz, Moulson, Hynes, Chris A., Cam A., Iggulden, Knoepfli, and McCutchen have really given us terrific efforts. Why didn't I name any defensemen here?
(3) Our forwards are becoming very strong on the puck, especially Chris Abbott and Matt Moulson. I also think that we have a lot more scoring potential than most people think. If there were ever a way to get Knoepfli and McCutchen some open space to skate in, people would be raving about these guys.
--> I suppose I should stop now. I'm frustrated, just like everyone else - but my frustration is not with Cornell per se, I've just got this real gloomy feeling about the future and quality of ECAC hockey and what that means for Cornell in the years to come. Of course, as I write this I am finding out that RPI has just completed a SWEEP of #6 St. Cloud .
Oh well, I hope the boys get the triptophan (sp.?) out of their system before they hit the ice against the Lakers.
Cheers,
Mike
QuoteRedJeff20 wrote:
Oh well, I hope the boys get the triptophan (sp.?) out of their system before they hit the ice against the Lakers.
A loss against Mercyhurst would just be plain embarrassing, much like the cursed Sacred Heart game a few years back. I swear, if somehow we lose to Mercyhurst, I'm going to be doing a lot of bitching on eLF about this.
The defense this year has been a little frustrating to watch. At times it's like someone just hits a "slow" button. I've also noticed that we often allow the other team a lot more room than we need to but then overcorrect and send two or three guys after the puck leaving the other side of the ice wide open--that burned us today on Ohio State's 2nd (or 3rd?) goal--McKee made the original save and directed it to his right but one of them swooped in and scored before any of our players could get there.
Tonight the transition game also stood out as really needing some work. There was great hustle once we got the puck in their end, but it was really choppy trying to get through the neutral zone. Hopefully this will improve with time.
(and it was really fun to come back tonight and be in the alumni band and get to swannee again! The undergrads were at Penn with the football game so us oldies got to play).
Yes Mike, Iggulden has been playing GREAT! I remember last year when a lot of people on here were dissing him really badly and saying that he just stood there and that he was horrible.. I wonder what they're saying now. They should be kicking themselves cuz he's a great essence of our beloved team.:-D
I agree. However, beating them could actually help our RPI, much like it did for Maine last year.
Totally, off topic - did anyone catch the score of the Holy Cross - Sacred Heart game today?
11-10!
mercyhurst split with wmu on the road this weekend, and earlier had upset ohio state in columbus. so by the common opponent's rule, mercyhurst is not a team to overlook... so brace yourself, ootgwgrov! i'll do the same.
otoh, who would have thought that cornell would still be searching for its first win at lynah (given last year's perfect home record, and all the media hoopla surrounding lynah rink as a toughest place to play) after 4 home games? in jest i am throwing the idea that someone or some entity is jinxing us! ::rolleyes::
Quotemin '97 wrote:
otoh, who would have thought that cornell would still be searching for its first win at lynah (given last year's perfect home record, and all the media hoopla surrounding lynah rink as a toughest place to play) after 4 home games? in jest i am throwing the idea that someone or some entity is jinxing us! ::rolleyes::
I'm gonna blame the CCHA as an entity. Let's go back to playing some eastern teams. :-D
Mercyhurst violated W. Mich tonight 7-4. . . in the name of all that is woofable do NOT take next week's game lightly.
Edit - min beat me to it by the five minutes i spent reading this thread
Post Edited (11-23-03 00:28)
[q]Totally, off topic - did anyone catch the score of the Holy Cross - Sacred Heart game today?
11-10![/q]
I believe that's in error on the USCHO homepage. The full scoreboard and boxscore indicated 6-5.
First, none of the goals this weekend were blatantly McKee's fault. Those who really dislike McKee must be judging him on his WMU performance. Secondly, I agree that Iggulden has really started playing with some balls. Gleed is another who has done excellent things with his game and has become a big contributor.
Although, I do kind of agree with HOTELCALIFORNIA regarding our play tonight. I really dont think we played "terribly". Ohio State deserves credit for their play tonight - they are a solid team this year. However, we certainly are spending too much time cycling (particularly on the FRUSTRATING power play). Most of our 3rd period chances came when we were able to get someone in front of their net. The first two periods, we let them push us wide, and we couldnt get a man in front of the net to save our lives.
Ok, some thoughts:
-Cornell needs to play in the first period. In both games, early first period goals put them in the hole. It wasn't until the second period when they decided to play.
-I am getting tired of the dump and suck. They did not carry it into the zone very often. It reminds of the bad ol' days of McCutcheon and pre-Schafer. So many good things can happen when you carry it in.
-On a positive, nice comeback from being down to a nationally ranked team. And, scoring on the powerplay.
-I still like the play of Cook - aggressive defense and not afraid to join the offense.
-Vesce looked like a little kid against some the OSU bruisers. Thank God he scored that open net goal.
-Finally, I do agree that we need to shoot some more and go for the rebound. That is out game, right?
Cornell could have very easily won this game. All those third period chances after tying the game up -- Hynes' and Pegoraro's in particular -- if one of them goes in, then the team plays a little tighter on D down the stretch and 4th OSU goal might not happen.
Point being: after the first three NC games it looked like Cornell didn't belong on the same sheet as OSU, but they came back and could have won. That, to me, is progress ahead of schedule. The NC losses don't matter -- the Big Red was NEVER going to challenge for an at large NCAA berth this year and anybody who thought they were was delusional -- so the job in these games is to improve, gain confidence, and not get hurt. I think Cornell did all three things this weekend.
The timetable says: win next week against Mercyhurst and then finish out the first part of the RS with at least 2 points against the conference's two top teams. If they do all that, then this squad has been an unqualified success so far.
Im not trying to put wallace down but..he has looked horrible this season. Did anyone notice that he was on the ice for 3 out of OSU 4 goals last night. Last weekend when i watched the clarkson game, out for both goals. I think schafer needs to bench him for a period next weekend against mercheyherst becase it just looks like he doesnt care and he's putting no effort in. Maybe that will get him going and turn him into the player he really is.
QuoteGreg Berge '85 wrote:
The timetable says: win next week against Mercyhurst and then finish out the first part of the RS with at least 2 points against the conference's two top teams. If they do all that, then this squad has been an unqualified success so far.
Exactly right.
We shouldn't forget that last year's terrific senior class was 4-7-1 (2-4 in ECAC) after twelve games as freshmen, yet came back to take eventual ECAC champ SLU into OT in the semifinals at Lake Placid. First-year players take time to learn how to win.
In most of his comments, I agree with Greg, The team is improving. Somehow we don't seem to get our feet moving and the team together for the fist 12-15 mins. of 1st period - for most of the home games...
I felt we played well most of the game, but it ws small things...
- Dave Steckel is for real; He was winning face-offs all night and scored 2 times with hard quick accurate shots plus a nice assist, Altho Ryan did a good job on 2-3 face-offs in a row in the third. He burned Ryan V. when he blew by him on the way to setting up the second OSU goal - other than that one mis-cue Ryan played a great game as usual.
- OSU is a very experienced team w/ 9 seniors and they have several forwards with real wheels - They played hard gritty hockey and played very well as a team.
- I felt game could have gone either way until last 5 minutes or so when OSU seemed to kick it up a notch and we couldn't quite stay with them on a couple of occassions.
- OSU has played twice as many games as we have coming in to last night!
- both Betz and McKee played well!
I liked the hustle we showed, now if we can get the passes a bit sharper, especially on the PP units... and get low hard shots to net from out high - leads to rebounds - This team has good potential.
:-)
some comments on the goals here for tOSU
1. i missed it because i was helping my fiancee with a patient in the vet school (doh)
2. the rebound that got tapped in by the forward on the opposite side - that was a defensive let down. you have to lift that stick or somehow prevent him from getting ahold of that rebound
3. not sure if mckee was screened but it looked like he was positioned improperly with regard to the posts but also if he was not screened then he would have kicked out a leg -> puck out past the post. i thought this was the only goal that may have been a misplay by david. but if he was screened...
4. another goal off the boards. those plays killed cornell this weekend. the all american made a nice play to shoot it from his knees.
all in all i thought mckee has played well and is getting better every game.
What is this crap? I don't see you out there busting your ass. I think Wallace works pretty damn hard when he is on the ice. I also think he has been doing a good job staying in position and covering for McKee's long rebounds. A good defender should not have to look like he is working hard. By being in position and covering his assignment his man should never have a chance to do anything productive.You must remember there are a lot of freshman on the team, and when they make a mistake, which you probably don't always see, someone has to cover for them. I think you are being a bit hard on Wallace. I don't think you understand team sports very well, or the fact that you are a fan. I can bet that coach wouldn't start Wallace unless he was working hard. Great he was on the ice for a few of our goals. What happened though? Did he get beat? Was he out of position? What exactly did he do that would make you think he deserves to get benched? Wait, I know, he was on the ice, and you don't think he is working hard enough... Grow up!
A few points, very few I hope, to emphasize what a few, too few, have said.
How soon we forget and how quickly our expectations rise.
Points by class from this weekends program, I've not got enough time to update them.
Seniors 14 (You know who has 12)
Juniors 12
Sophs 27
Frosh 11
Does anyone remember how a couple of years ago we were saying just wait till they are seniors?
I think Greg said it before, but Cornell will not be going to the Frozen Four every year. We should be a contender for the ECAC each year, win it every few, and get to the Frozen Four every few. Anything more than that is pure wishful thinking.
Now let's enjoy watching this team mature, afterall we could be that other ECAC contender and have lost to Princeton.
Props to the Faithful from the Ohio State player who scored the GWG...
[Q]We have to ride out the first five minutes of every period. And they have a great fan system here — who wouldn't love playing here — but we held them to the best of our ability.[/Q]
I made it up to Ithaca for my first game at Lynah in at least 5 years. And I stopped by Teagle and picked up a game-worn #2(white) before the OSU game. Pity that it is bad luck, and now I have to burn it.
I missed the first 5 minutes of the game watching Travis Lee (133) and Dustin Manotti (149) win their semifinal matches on their way to wins at the wrestling tournament that Cornell hosted over the weekend, so I don't know what happened on the first OSU goal. And I want to start with something positive, so I will say that I thought that for much of the game Cornell looked great in the offensive zone. But ...
I can't say "I don't think much of McKee" because two games is a very small sample size. And I am comfortable with letting him develop on the ice so that he is great in the years to come. However, he should be immune from sincere criticism: he hasn't looked very good to me.
I don't think McKee had to do much to earn the shutout at Princeton (not nothing, but not a lot) and I don't think he made any saves against OSU that would not be expected of any average D-I goaltender. (Betz outplayed McKee and saved the game for OSU when Cornell really attacked the net in the 3d.)
The second, third and fourth OSU goals were all, in one way or another, partly attributable to McKee. On the second and fourth goals, OSU shot the puck wide and the puck came off of the end boards right into the slot. On both chances McKee looked completely lost, as if he expected that the puck would die on the boards and stay behind the net (on the second goal, the D bears most of the blame, though - both the first shooter (Steckel?) and Caponigri were untouched in the slot). On the GWG, someone put a body on Steckel, but he still got off a soft floater - one that McKee certainly should have stopped. The third goal, even though it was a PPG, was just soft. Soft soft soft.
Cornell had a lot of trouble getting the puck out of its own end when OSU worked the puck deep and that worried me more than anything else. I think the Red knew it, because in the second period we iced the puck twice when there was absolutely no need to do so.
When this team is in synch, they are fantastic in the offensive zone. (That feed from Vesce to Knoepfli in the 2d was AMAZING. I still can't believe that Mike shot the puck over the net, but I thought Knoepfli had a very good game overall.) On the other hand, they can be very sloppy in between the blue lines, and it cost them some chances.
Plusses: Vesce and Bitz looked great in the offensive zone. (Duh.) Pegoraro had some great flashes, so anything that Schafer said appears to have been taken to heart. The Abbotts. Hornby. Iggulden.
No standout performances on D, and a lot of lapses. This needs work.
I have to catch a game on i2, because watching Cornell hockey again (after just listening for so long) is like falling off the wagon. One drink (or two) every year just isn't enough.
Post Edited (11-23-03 22:59)
QuoteBáby_Fan wrote:
Props to the Faithful from the Ohio State player who scored the GWG...
[Q]We have to ride out the first five minutes of every period. And they have a great fan system here — who wouldn't love playing here — but we held them to the best of our ability.[/Q]
Strange comment. OSU scored at 3:19 of the first and 0:39 of the second.
[Q]big red apple wrote:
And I stopped by Teagle and picked up a game-worn #2(white) [/Q]Good choice.:-)
QuoteJim Hyla '67 wrote:
[Q]big red apple wrote:
And I stopped by Teagle and picked up a game-worn #2(white) [/Q]Good choice.:-)
I know that 2 was worn by Dan Ratushny (who wore #2 when I arrived on the Hill, and the intended honoree of my selection), Blair Ettles (who I don't remember at all, sorry*), TBell (who presumably wore the one I bought), and now by O'Byrne (good luck, Ryan).
Any other notable (or just remembered) Cornell #2's?
* A search of hockeydb shows that Ettles had an undistinguished career at Cornell and no minor league hockey career thereafter. But I am honored to wear his number all the same. Anyone who wore the Red and White on the ice can consider me duly impressed.
Post Edited (11-23-03 22:52)
Any other #2's? My memory may be off, but I seem to recall Jeff Roche (defenseman late 70's from Illinois, I believe) wore #2.
Burgoyne!!!