ELynah Forum

Seems like Dallas was really interested (no surprise I guess):

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/hockey/stars/stories/040106dnspogoalie.7da6f504.html

Some possible teams that may sign McKee.  What do you think?

1. New York Islanders
2. Tampa Bay
4. Colorado
4. Washington
5. Anaheim
6. Nashville

[quote RichH]What Fred said.  Post of the year, seriously this time.

The only new things I can add that haven't already been said:

- I never, ever would've guessed that this team would've given me that feeling I got again from the 3rd period on.  You know, that heart-in-the-throat feeling.  That feeling we had in Providence in 2003 and in Minnesota in 2005.  Never thought I'd have that.  Not this team.  Not this year.  With all the ups and downs this year, we got back to a level where we had a legitimate chance to make a run at the big one.  We were back to where we worked so hard to get last season, and took it further vs. a better team and goaltender.  To the team and coaches:  Thank you so very, very much.

- I've been hoping and dreaming for a chance to play Wisconsin for the past couple of years.  They're just different than other western teams.  They play defense.  They're gritty.  They're tough.  They're fun to watch.  That said, I feel with the effort we put out tonight, we would've beaten anyone else.  Wisconsin turned out to be our worst possible opponent:  ourselves.  It was simply the greatest Red/White game ever played.  

- If it's possible, this may very well be my favorite loss I've experienced.  Certainly the greatest goaltender duel that immediately comes to mind.  Elliott's save on Bitz in the 2nd was sick, and he just got better from there.  McKee's rapid-fire save succession at the end of the 1st OT (I think?) was simply superlative.  For 1 weekend, we had vintage 2005 McKee out there, and he saved our bacon.  Both teams had to work so hard to generate chances...such strong positional defense and remarkable poke-checking.  The ebb and flow was wonderful.  Eaves flipped the "WCHA" switch near the end of the 3rd, but we survived.  We strongarmed some wonderful chances in the OTs.  It was a game where a 3-3 situation seemed like an odd-man rush.  I hope coaches show kids a tape of that game for defensive clinics.  

- The winning goal was a great play.  No big defensive letdown like I was worried about, just a surprisingly strong and accurate backhand pass from the boards.  In the 3rd OT.  Hats off to that.

- I've only missed one Frozen Four since 1999.  At every one I've been to, I've encountered Badger fans.  That is absolutely the fanbase I want to associate with.  We are so very similar.  They are Cornell West.  We are Wisconsin East.  We both fancy ourselves as "Goaltender U."  They love hockey and they know how to have fun...and you can almost always find one to have a beer with.  They may be a little bit Big-10, but we're a little bit Ivy League.  I always find myself cheering for East over West.  Not this year.  I will be pulling for Bucky in Milwaukee.  Let's Go Red.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone associated with Cornell Hockey.  I'm so proud to be onboard.[/quote]

Rich ... great post and comments ... you echoed the sentiments of Cornell Fans throughout the world.  Your comments about Wisconsin fans were classy and 100% true.  This game embodied everything that is good about college sports.

The best hockey game I have ever seen.  The best goaltending performance I have ever seen.  The best DUEL I have ever seen.  Every single player, on both teams, played with tremendous heart.  What more can be said about Wisconsin's Robbie Earl.  Just Unbelievable!!!

Although there is a deep pit in my stomach due to our loss, I am so proud of our players.  They left it all on the ice and they should not be disappointed with their performance.  This is a game that everyone who watched will be talking about for years to come.

I understand that Elliot had 2 shutouts this weekend, but I thought that since Elliot won the MVP of the Regional, they should've put McKee on the All-Regional Team (or maybe both of them).

Words cannot describe the performance of David McKee.  I think that most people - media, fans, myself - questioned McKee during the course of the season, but Coach Schafer was right, he is a great goalie and one of the best big game goalies I have seen in recent years.

I hope that he doesn't turn pro next year, but bringing two goalies in, it seems likely.  Our team will be young next year, but we will have plently of NCAA experience with the Sophomore and especially Junior and Senior classes.  It will be tough to replace any of the players leaving.  But here is what I see:

(1) 3 small, gritty players leaving (Abbott, Abbott, Pegoraro) replaced by three small offense minded players (Milo, Romano, Gallagher).  Hopefully in the years to come, Schafer can mold them into two way forwards just like the 3 seniors leaving.

(2) 1 offensive powerhouse leaving (Moulson) replaced by powerforward Colin Greening.  It seems like Greening plays a similar style to Bitz/Hynes/Sawada.

(3) 1 defensive defenseman leaving (Gleed) replaced by Brendon Nash.

(4) 1 backup Goalie leaving (Chabot) replaced by Ben Scrivens.

Here are possible early pro signees:

(5) 1 ALLSTAR goalie leaving (McKee) replaced by Troy Davenport.

(6) 1 of the 2 Towering Defenseman leaving (O'Byrne/Pokulok) replaced by Justin Krueger

That leaves us with one extra incoming forward in Joe Scali.  So either way, unless a forward leaves early to sign a pro contract, one current member of the forward contingent may find themselves fighting for a roster spot.

Here is my opening lineup:

Left-Center-Right
Scali-Bitz-Greening
Barlow-Scott-Romano
McCutcheon-Gallagher-Carefoot
Mugford-Kennedy-Sawada

LD-RD
Krantz-O'Byrne
Glover-Nash
Seminoff-Krueger

Goalies
Starter:  Troy Davenport
Backup1:  Ben Scrivens
Backup2:  Dan DiLeo

- We are losing some great penalty killers (Gleed, Abbotts, Pegs) and I see Kennedy and Scali filling those roles.
- I think that Schafer will definitely work on the powerplay strategy this offseason and with skilled offensive players coming in, hopefully it will be much better.

PLAYING THE BEST GAME OF THE SEASON TONIGHT ... I AM SO F***'IN PROUD OF CORNELL HOCKEY - THIS IS WHY I AM A CORNELL FAN.

[quote video]not sure about audio ... .but you can watch the UNH vs. MSU game here:

http://ne.cn8.tv/default.asp[/quote]

Look how empty the building is.

nice nice ... listen to the possible penguins top line next year:

Evgeni Malkin - Sidney Crosby - Phil Kessel

WOW!

WILD!!!! ..... Great for college hockey!

Did the Holy Cross announcer just say Grand Forks, North Carolina ....  ::screwy::

Beeej is right .... natural hattrick is 3 goals in a row without anybody scoring in between.  Mario Lemieux had a knack for scoring natural hatricks.

Was anyone particularly impressed with Michael Kennedy after he was thrown into a pivotal role against Harvard.  I know he made a few mistakes early on, but I believe he will be a great player at Cornell the next 3 years.

Also, does anybody think he skates and plays similar to Mike Iggulden.  After seeing his goal against Harvard again, I couldn't believe how similar their moves are (except Iggy being a right handed shot, and Kennedy a left handed one).  Oh, and also they both are #18.

The first line (Carefoot, Bitz, Moulson) and the first defensive pairing (OB, Pokulok) were absolutely brutal.  Pokulok seemed like he was playing in peewee hockey.  He couldn't stop, couldn't skate backwards, couldn't pass, couldn't hit, couldn't do anything.  I believe that all 5 of those guys were -3 for the night.  I was nervous everytime Clarkson was in the offensive zone when those guys were on the ice.  The rest of our line combinations were awesome.  But, I agree with Ari, leave Scott on that first line.

Not sure if anyone has noticed, but has Carefoot's PK time decreased dramatically.  If so, why?  He was our best PKer at the beginning of this season and amazing last year.

This may have been addressed already in the forum, but I'm too lazy too search for it:

Why didn't Davenport dress on D?  Why did Kindret play on D?  Just a little puzzling to me.

"A year ago, the National Hockey League seemed a galaxy away for O'Byrne. Now, all of a sudden, it is very realistic. The hope for Cornell fans is that he stays around for his final year before undoubtedly signing with the Montreal Canadiens."

I would be surprised if O'Byrne is back with Cornell next season.  The Montreal Canadiens blue-line prospect depth is extremely weak, especially after Ron Hainsey was picked up from waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this year.

The Canadiens really only have four d-man prospects in the system now:

1.  O'Byrne
2.  Oskari Korpikari - may be a bust
3.  Konstantin Korneev - development is stagnant
4.  Alexei Emelin - real deal.  awesome world juniors.

Correction: Most of the players on Clarkson's roster won't get the CHANCE to play in the NHL.

I would say that at least half the players will get the CHANCE to play in the AHL or NHL on Cornell's roster.

To name a few:  Moulson, Bitz, O'Byrne, Pokulok, McKee, Carefoot, Sawada, maybe 'Cutch.

Hey Rich,

If you knew enough about hitting, you would see that it was a clean hit.  Too bad your Clarkson buddy couldn't hold onto his stick and had to resort to stealing O'Byrne's.

O'Byrne is a first-rate defender who will play in the NHL one day.  That can't be said about half of the players Clarkson has on their roster.