2020-01-10: Cornell 3 RPI 0

[Swampy]

Not sure where else to put this, but just perusing the stats this morning, and I continue to be in awe of Cornell's D.  19 goals allowed this season in 14 games - but 11 of those were power play goals against.  8 even-strength goals allowed in 14 games is ridiculous.  That's darn near allowing an even strength goal only once every other game.  

And sure, it's not been against that hardest SOS, but KRACH has our SOS at a respectable #17.  Our SOS will go down over the remaining ECAC season, but our stats should theoretically improve, too - exhibit A is just our 2nd shutout of the season last night at RPI.

Also worth noting that we have not yet allowed more than 2 goals in a game this season - that is ridiculous consistency.  Minnesota State is .01 GPGA better overall, but they've allowed 3+ goals in 4 of their 23 games, including a bizarre 7 GA vs. St. Cloud.

If only we had a merely decent kill (instead of 52nd out of 60 teams), we would be setting all kinds of defensive records....

Turns out our big "question mark" coming into the season, our young defense, didn't turn out to be much of a question at all. I can think of a few reasons for this:
1. Schafer is probably the best defensive coach in college hockey.
2. The three freshman D who have played every game each had two full years of USHL or NAHL experience prior to matriculating. Malinski, 21, Mitchell, 20, and Dirven, 21, are not young kids.
3. Cornell has rolled seven D in a few games this year since Haiskanen returned. Spreading playing time around prevents the D unit from getting worn down.

All that said, no one could have predicted this level of defensive dominance with three freshman D playing every game. Of course, the forwards and Galajda play defense too, and they are all defensively responsible and sound (or else Schafer wouldn't let them play).

Also, boring answer, but I believe our weak PK is more the result of a small sample size than anything else. Watching most of the games, it hasn't seemed like our opponents have controlled the puck for long periods in our zone on the PP. Not sure if PP possession statistics are available on a per-penalty basis anywhere on the internet for me to check this though.

Someone on here said this looks like the best Cornell team since 2003 and from what I've seen so far, I agree. But it's so early still.

1. I like offense. Fire Schaffer now!

2. Seriously, add to your list of causes:
   a) The fact that Barron, who's arguably our best player and unarguably our highest scorer, was nominated the best defensive forward in the ECAC. Since no other Ivy players were nominated, this would imply he was the best Ivy defensive forward last year. All this despite last year's hospital-ward situation of the team.
   b) The fact that so many underclassmen got playing time last year due to the injuries.
   c) The relatively injury-free first half of this season

I'd agree with Ice about being better than 2003 & 6. But I'm in exile here, so I only see a few games each year. Now, with ESPN+, things are a bit different. Nonetheless, I recall Matt Moulson's sniping, and think we have a few guys, including the aforementioned Barron, who are doing the same this year. But as I've said elsewhere, I don't recall seeing a Cornell player skate and stick handle as well as Donaldson since Doug Ferguson.

Of course I was living in exile even further away from Cornell games during the 1980s, so I never saw Nieuwendyk play while he was in college.

I'd also point out that Andreev and Cairns didn't play in Las Vegas. (Has Song, one of our NHL picks, played at all this year?) So our fine results there might have been even better. (I.e., by kicking the shit out of Providence.)

But even beyond this, I really like how our team's style has changed to combine lock-down defense and heavy hitting with fast skating, puck handling, and (still inconsistently) precise passing.

Tonight's Union game marks the exact midpoint of the regular season. It is still early, and we do still face some formidable teams: Northern Michigan, Dartmouth, Harvard, Q, and Clarkson stand out, although no team should be taken lightly. Nonetheless, if the team can stay healthy, it's a legitimate NC contender.

[scoop85]

I'd also point out that Andreev and Cairns didn't play in Las Vegas. (Has Song, one of our NHL picks, played at all this year?) So our fine results there might have been even better. (I.e., by kicking the shit out of Providence.)

While Song is an NHL draft pick, from what I understand that was mostly because he is Chinese, and the Islanders' owner at the time was Charles Wang, is a Chinese-American. Nothing indicates he's a legitimate pro prospect.  Andreev, on the other hand, can be a difference maker.

[Swampy]

I'd also point out that Andreev and Cairns didn't play in Las Vegas. (Has Song, one of our NHL picks, played at all this year?) So our fine results there might have been even better. (I.e., by kicking the shit out of Providence.)

While Song is an NHL draft pick, from what I understand that was mostly because he is Chinese, and the Islanders' owner at the time was Charles Wang, is a Chinese-American. Nothing indicates he's a legitimate pro prospect.  Andreev, on the other hand, can be a difference maker.

I've heard that too. But doesn't the fact that he was drafted imply he was the best Chinese player available? No matter what,that would not exactly be chopped liver.

[Scersk '97]

With all these references to '03 and '06 is everyone implicitly agreeing with me, that '05 was actually the best team of the aughts?  

No team has reminded me more of that team than this one. We have a chance in every game, even when we fall, within reason, behind.

Exciting times.

[French Rage]

With all these references to '03 and '06 is everyone implicitly agreeing with me, that '05 was actually the best team of the aughts?  

No team has reminded me more of that team than this one. We have a chance in every game, even when we fall, within reason, behind.

Exciting times.

I'd still put 03 above 05 (maybe bias since I was still an undergrad then), but I'd put 05 ahead of 06.  Going into 06 they seemed like they'd be the best of the bunch, and while they did great I always felt they coulda done juuuust a bit better.  03 had the great O/D combo.  05 had a little less O but as much D, 06 had more O but lost a slight step on D.

[billhoward]

I can deal with a guy who can't keep up with the play. I have a problem with a guy who doesn't read the line chart or the pronunciation guide properly. I mean, they teach reading in what, the second grade these days?

America's great unmet education need is better EFL instruction. English as a first language.

[billhoward]

... but I believe our weak PK is more the result of a small sample size than anything else. Watching most of the games, it hasn't seemed like our opponents have controlled the puck for long periods in our zone on the PP. Not sure if PP possession statistics are available on a per-penalty basis anywhere on the internet for me to check this though.

Be nice to keep it a small sample size.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

... but I believe our weak PK is more the result of a small sample size than anything else. Watching most of the games, it hasn't seemed like our opponents have controlled the puck for long periods in our zone on the PP. Not sure if PP possession statistics are available on a per-penalty basis anywhere on the internet for me to check this though.

Be nice to keep it a small sample size.

+1

[dag14]

In my opinion, this is the best team I have seen since I graduated in 1972.  I left town to go to grad school but got my grownup season tickets in 1976 so while I haven't seen every team play regularly over the last 51 years, I have seen most of them.

[Scersk '97]

With all these references to '03 and '06 is everyone implicitly agreeing with me, that '05 was actually the best team of the aughts?  

I'd still put 03 above 05 (maybe bias since I was still an undergrad then), but I'd put 05 ahead of 06.  Going into 06 they seemed like they'd be the best of the bunch, and while they did great I always felt they coulda done juuuust a bit better.  03 had the great O/D combo.  05 had a little less O but as much D, 06 had more O but lost a slight step on D.

For the record, I think '03, '05, and '06 all had things going for them. But both defense and offense in '06 compared unfavorably to '05. '03 and '05 are quite comparable.

'06 was the Matt Moulson show, and it was fun to watch, but I'll never get over Harvard destroying us in Albany. That wasn't a championship team. '03 was, of course, soul destroying once ahead, but I got worried as the season went on about what would happen if we got behind. The BC game was prelude to misfortune, kind of. '05 was explosive. I can't really quantify it, but I feel that team had a better chance of clawing back than '03. Then formulas of the time sent us for an away game at Minnesota.

Sucks.

I hope we avoid all classes of misfortune this year.

[redice]

In my opinion, this is the best team I have seen since I graduated in 1972.  I left town to go to grad school but got my grownup season tickets in 1976 so while I haven't seen every team play regularly over the last 51 years, I have seen most of them.

Agreed...   I've been watching them for 50+ years, not missing many home games.   This is the best team, both athletically and mentally.   As with many of Shafer's teams, they play smart.   That wins them a LOT of games!!

[CU2007]

I'd also point out that Andreev and Cairns didn't play in Las Vegas. (Has Song, one of our NHL picks, played at all this year?) So our fine results there might have been even better. (I.e., by kicking the shit out of Providence.)

While Song is an NHL draft pick, from what I understand that was mostly because he is Chinese, and the Islanders' owner at the time was Charles Wang, is a Chinese-American. Nothing indicates he's a legitimate pro prospect.  Andreev, on the other hand, can be a difference maker.

I've heard that too. But doesn't the fact that he was drafted imply he was the best Chinese player available? No matter what,that would not exactly be chopped liver.

Tallest midget

[upprdeck]

they are deeper than teams i recall but i dont think Barron plays at that high enough level all the time for this to be the best team..

[Beeeej]

I'd also point out that Andreev and Cairns didn't play in Las Vegas. (Has Song, one of our NHL picks, played at all this year?) So our fine results there might have been even better. (I.e., by kicking the shit out of Providence.)

While Song is an NHL draft pick, from what I understand that was mostly because he is Chinese, and the Islanders' owner at the time was Charles Wang, is a Chinese-American. Nothing indicates he's a legitimate pro prospect.  Andreev, on the other hand, can be a difference maker.

I've heard that too. But doesn't the fact that he was drafted imply he was the best Chinese player available? No matter what,that would not exactly be chopped liver.

Tallest midget

Sexiest Man in Ithaca Radio.

[Trotsky]

I'd also point out that Andreev and Cairns didn't play in Las Vegas. (Has Song, one of our NHL picks, played at all this year?) So our fine results there might have been even better. (I.e., by kicking the shit out of Providence.)

While Song is an NHL draft pick, from what I understand that was mostly because he is Chinese, and the Islanders' owner at the time was Charles Wang, is a Chinese-American. Nothing indicates he's a legitimate pro prospect.  Andreev, on the other hand, can be a difference maker.

I've heard that too. But doesn't the fact that he was drafted imply he was the best Chinese player available? No matter what,that would not exactly be chopped liver.

Tallest midget

Sexiest Man in Ithaca Radio.

Sexiest Man in Ithaca full stop.