Cornell vs. Clarkson, Game 2 POSTGAME

[Rich S]

[quote Oat][quote Drew]Yes and McKee reciprocated with a big hug, and before you call him a baby let's remember the kid played in 2 double OT losses..Do I condone it? No not even close.  But I won't kill the kid.
[/quote]

YESSSSSSS, he played really really well. Too bad it ended in an ugly explosion from the tremendous dedication and effort he has put in for his team.

And I wonder what was going through the referee's head when players were breaking their sticks and screaming (most likely swearing) right in his face after the game and he couldn't do anything about it because the game was over and he had already become powerless at that point. He must have felt useless.[/quote]

No, I didn't get lost or mugged in Ithaca, but am still swamped at work since I got back.  In case anyone cares...lol.

Glad to see that a few folks here recognize Leggio's play in both games, after the second night, even if it took comparing it to McKee's less impressive performance to do so.

I saw the game-end activity and would not characterize Leggio's as an "ugly explosion."  It wasn't a tantrum, but rather, he skated directly to the ref contending that the GWG came off a high stick deflection.  Sure he showed that he was upset that the goal was allowed, but if you watched him after that, you saw that he composed himself and showed a look of disappointment and sheer exhaustion, one that was well-earned.  I think Grenzy's stick-breaking attempts came after one of the officials denied his plea for that same call.  And yes, that was ugly, and no, I don't condone it either but I understand, as anyone who plays or coaches or parents a player should, the  emotion that's involved in a series like this.  The denouement of that game was an excellent manifestation of  "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."

And I expect that the officials take that into consideration.  The players'  behavior was understandable, if not laudable.  I watched one ass't ref patiently but repeatedly point at the bench, telling a couple of Clarkson players to leave the ice.  Well done.  I expect that in that situation, it would take a more physical or dangerous act to merit the kind of punishment Trotsky referred to.

As a point of reference, I recall watching a similar end-of-OT protest in a game cornell played at Cheel several years ago.  The shoe was on the other foot as cornell players besieged the officials looking for a wave-off.  There was stick banging there too.  Not a big deal.  So guys, before you rip on the Clarkson kids so much, keep in mind that it happens all over, including involving the red on the losing end.

Lastly, I would not be so harsh on McKee.  True, he was not brilliant in the two games, and yes the first goal he allowed Saturday was a softie.  But he didn't need to be brilliant, and he has his teammates to thank for that.  Some nights, a goalie picks them up and other times, they pick him up.  Also, in both nights, he made the big saves when called upon including in OT, and that's what you need in big games.

Now if he allows another flutterball like Brekelmans' goal late in a close playoff game or OT, then you can go crazy.  A litle.

Enjoy Albany, and good luck.

[schoaff]

[quote Oat][quote Drew]Yes and McKee reciprocated with a big hug, and before you call him a baby let's remember the kid played in 2 double OT losses..Do I condone it? No not even close.  But I won't kill the kid.
[/quote]

We can only hope that Mckee will save half as many shots as Leggio did if an opponent is ever to pepper us with 50+ shots in the future... [/quote]

Boy that's a pretty low standard. I suspect if he were on target to save half as many shots Schafer would pull him after the 20th goal or so.

[Trotsky]

[quote Rich S]I expect that in that situation, it would take a more physical or dangerous act to merit the kind of punishment Trotsky referred to.[/quote]

Agreed.  Just to be clear, I wasn't advocating any sort of punishment of the Clarkson players, I was just pointing out that an official's power doesn't necessarily expire with the game.  Losing that sort of series in that way was so heartbreaking that if I were reffing I would give them tremendous leeway.  Nobody slugged anybody or threw anything into the crowd.  It just wasn't that big a deal, and, as I said, at the point fo physical and emotional exhaustion, that sort of disappointment can provoke an extremely emotional reaction in anybody.

Leggio is, IMHO, the winner of the Opponent of the Year Award, unless something unbelievable happens from now through the end of the season.  I recall Brian Hayward putting on that sort of exhibition under fire in the eaely 1980's, and Doug Dadswell doing so to win an ECAC title (against Clarkson no less) in 1986.  But other than that, I have rarely seen a goaltender save his team from oblivion, literally, a dozen times, two nights running.

[David Harding]

[quote Trotsky]But other than that, I have rarely seen a goaltender save his team from oblivion, literally, a dozen times, two nights running.[/quote]Laing Kennedy was a childlhood hero.  1962 ECAC Holiday Tournament.  Cornell lost to Clarkson 3-8 and St. Lawrence 0-8.  Laing had 60+ saves each night and was named tournament MVP.  I was listening on the radio from Ithaca.

[Oat]

Aw I was at the game but I did not get to meet this mysterious Drew character.

[atb9]

[quote Oat]Aw I was at the game but I did not get to meet this mysterious Drew character.[/quote]

I believe I briefly got to meet Rich S on Saturday—I was sitting behind a man decked out in Clarkson gear from head to waist (slacker) that only introduced himself as "Rich."  If so, he was sitting in Section O, Row 4, Seat 4ish.  I didn't offer my name and we exchanged very few words directly.  The dude didn't seem sketchy but, surprise!, he acted like a serious homer during the game (which he is certainly allowed to do).  After the game, I complimented the Clarkson fans on the effort of their team and the consistency of their goalie.  Rich was upset about the result but confident that their highly talented squad was only a year or two away from making a big splash.  I let him have the last word.

[Karlmoose]

I thought the Clarkson crowd was pretty good this weekend. That is, except for those band members that thought it was pretty funny to do the Nazi salute before the 3rd to "imitate" the Cornell crowd. Pretty classy.

[Drew]

Well Oat, next time let me know what section you are in and I will swing by, or you can always meet me in front of the Hot Truck around 1:30 am ;-)

[jtwcornell91]

Remember, kids: dressing up like Hitler in school ... isn't cool.

[billhoward]

[quote jtwcornell91]Remember, kids: dressing up like Hitler in school ... isn't cool.[/quote]
Unless you're Prince Harry.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.jewlicious.com/wp-content/harry_nazi.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jewlicious.com/index.php/2005/01/page/2/&h=200&w=250&sz=13&tbnid=hI0c5A6zqFA9iM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=106&hl=en&start=10&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprince%2Bharry%2Bnazi%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

[Liz '05]

[quote billhoward][quote jtwcornell91]Remember, kids: dressing up like Hitler in school ... isn't cool.[/quote]
Unless you're Prince Harry.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.jewlicious.com/wp-content/harry_nazi.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jewlicious.com/index.php/2005/01/page/2/&h=200&w=250&sz=13&tbnid=hI0c5A6zqFA9iM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=106&hl=en&start=10&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprince%2Bharry%2Bnazi%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN[/quote]

[royal watcher] Nah, wasn't cool even for him.  He got a lot of criticism for that, had to apologize formally, I believe was scolded by the queen. [/royal watcher]

[LynahFaithfulS]

[quote jtwcornell91][quote LynahFaithfulS][quote schoaff]Nice that Moulson had both OT winners[/quote]
i thought friday's was sawada...
though, i don't know what you mean here (so maybe you should ignore that last commment?)...
[quote schoaff](even if we had to convert the extra point after the first one).[/quote][/quote]

I believe schoaff was returning to Moulson's GWG at the end of the first OT Friday night.[/quote]
ohhhhhh...i get it...thanks