Clarkson @ Cornell game 1 2004-03-12-FINAL 5-1 Cornell

[.m.o.o.n.l.i.g.h.t.d.a.n.c.i.n.g.]

My own thoughts on game:

*Wow, we were DOMINATING! The best game ive seen them play all year. The first period was truly spectacular.. hopefully we can pull this off tomorrow as well:-D
*Number 7 is the ugliest thing I ever did see.
*Paul V. had every right to slap the shit out of Nickerson.. that little bitch was slammin him around the whole game... and it never got called. He's a dirty player and needed to get off the ice. Unfortunatly, Murphy made the wrong call for Nickerson who should be out of tomorrow's game as well. There's a time when someone messes with you so much that it gets to the point where you think.. "if he does it one more time.." and Paul just snapped. He's only human. If I could, I'd congradulate him.
*An all around great game for the Big Red. After we win tomorrow (knocking on wood) and do great in the finals, every fair weather fan should be saying "damn i shouldve gone"

goooood luck red

[ben03]

[Q]calgARI '07 Wrote:

 There's no fighting allowed in college hockey.  Varteressian intentionally went after their best player.  I hate the guy as much as anyone, and I saw the whole Cornell bench up, but there was something cheap about it.  Winning the game would have been enough for me.  Now, Nickerson and the rest of the Knights are going to be really fired up for tomorrow night and as I said, if Cornell is winning late, Nickerson could seriously injure someone.  The fight was great, but it really was unnecessary.  It just looked like Cornell trying to get Clarkson's best player into getting kicked out.  
I totally agree that Clarkson is cheap and certainly has some goons, but there is no reason to stoop down to their level and pick a fight.  Again, winning the game was enough for me.  I hate Nickerson. [/Q]


Agreed, there is no fighting in college hockey ... but i think this fight was more of a statement to all comers that this Cornell team isn't going to take any sh*t, from anyone. During the regular season i would completely agree that it wouldn't have been worth it but that is not the case. Varteressian's actions spoke for the teams mentality from here forward.  Although this group is the #2 seed they have a lot to prove … even it’s to themselves.

as they opinions are like as*holes ... this one’s mine;-) :-P ;-)

[calgARI '07]

moonlightdancing, Murphy sucked as usual tonight, but he did not make the wrong call.  Nickerson didn't throw any punches and the altercation was totally initiated by Varteressian.  In that sequence, Nickerson didn't do anything that should ben punished with a DQ.

[ben03]

you mean other than getting his ass beat ...:-D

[calgARI '07]

ben, we're on similar footing here.  I agree that it sent a message and it was probably good for the players.  But I still think it was cheap.  Maybe it was warranted, but I still think winning the game would have been enough.  It looks bad stooping down to their level.  I plan to give Nickerson as much shit tomorrow as I have the last two games.  I hate him, but he is one hell of a hockey player and showed great discipline in not throwing any punches.  If he played for Cornell, he would be one of the most popular players ever.  He is cheap and I am very concerned that he going to hurt someone tomorrow night.  If he gets banned from college hockey for life, it doesn't mean much to him.  A QMJHL team is all over him and wants him to leave school and play for them.  If they lose tomorrow night, he has nothing to lose (except respect and reputation of course) but going nuts and hurting someone.

[ben03]

we're definitley on the same page and i agree he is dangerous ... especially if the game get away from them. we can only hope that things do not play out that way tomorrow night.

[.m.o.o.n.l.i.g.h.t.d.a.n.c.i.n.g.]

No I disagree because Nickerson dropped his gloves as did Varteressian to fight.. and he fought back. They both fought, same punishment.

[ben03]

He did not drop them until after he was getting his a*s beat v. Varteressian who instigated the fight by throwing off his gloves prior to contact with Nickerson subtle difference especially in college) ... and as much as he struggled he did not throw what would be considered punches. In this case as much as it pains me to say (and i will go make myself throw-up when i am done) ... Murphy made the correct call. *gasp*

okay time to go boot ... ::yark::  ::yark::  ::yark::

[atb9]

Nickerson may have the most potential but I wouldn't say he is their best player.  Granted I wasn't at Lynah but I did watch the entire game on the webcast and I saw him at Lynah two weeks ago.  His skating is weak.  He misplayed the puck a bunch of times.  He is a head case and makes a bunch of mental mistakes.  His body positioning is far from perfect when defending one and one and guys can get around him with speed.  I remember Charlie Cook--a good skater but a D man--blowing by him two weeks ago!   His strengths are pinning people against the boards and his shot.  The guy is a goon and we got into his head two weeks ago and I knew the faithful would be able to do the same thing tonight.  

I predicted Varteressian would be sent into the frey because he's been "that guy" all season.  When things get scrappy, Vart gets thrown out there and he bangs people around.  Nickerson saw him and hit him TWICE, double handed, in front of the linesman and NOTHING was called.  Vart looked at the linesman and then threw down his gloves.  I would trade Vart for Nickerson any day and the dirty way Nickerson was playing he deserved to get into a fight.  Also, against the Abbotts, Nickerson had to come in and do the dirty work for one of Clarksons other players when McKee got his mask ripped off.  So we then send in Vart to do the same.  We were far from the aggressors and when things got out of hand, Vart was there to say if you injure us while we're up by 5 goals, then you're going to have to deal with me.

I'm starting to ramble...we've had this conversation before on eLynah...is fighting good or not?  does it have a place?  Who cares.  Nickerson has now had two weak games at Lynah.  Clarkson was absolutely dominated tonight.  If Clarkson comes fired up tomorrow, we should be even more fired up.  Go Red!!!

[atb9]

agreed.  Murphy made the right call on the fight.  Vart definitely instigated after he got "slashed" twice.  It looked like Nickerson didn't want to fight.

[ben03]

the slashes should have been called ... for sure

[Brian Deerr '04]

   While he might not have landed any punches, from my angle, Nickerson did look like he was trying to.  That said, I'm happy both for the fight and for the shutout being broken in the 3rd.  Once we went up 5-0, the team seemed very complacent to me, and (maybe it's wishful thinking) it looked like allowing the late goal snapped them out of it.  I'm hoping that the momentum from the end of the 3rd and the fight will carry over to our guys tomorrow, like Tub(a) mentioned.

   I was also happy to see the team come out so strong in the 1st.  It reminded me of last season, where we seemed to start off the first five minutes or so by playing very aggressive and taking the body whenever possible.  More often than not, it seemed to set the tone for the game, and also got our opponents to tense up, looking out for where the next hit would be coming from.  

   The music department is forcing me to perform in a concert tomorrow night, so I won't get to see the game, but I'll smuggle a radio in with me...;-)

[calgARI '07]

Nickerson definitely didn't want to fight because he knows how valuable he is to his team and obviously there is no value if he isn't playing.  The guy easily played 30 minutes in each of the games Clarkson has played at Lynah.
Murphy is the worst ref I have ever seen hands down.  The charge on Moulson should have been a game misconduct.  The play where McKee's helmet came off should have also been a game misconduct.  If things get out of control tomorrow, which I really think they will, it will be because Murphy lets it happen like tonight and so many other times this year.

[aznxjz]

Just got back from the game and it was INSANE.  Scored 2 quick goals early on and never looked back.  Clarkson was definitely frustrated.  They were constantly in penalty and to top it off the fight in the end was great.  Can't wait to see what happens tomorrow

Jacob