cu 4 - u18 1 - final

[billhoward]

Ari seems to be someone who speaks knowledgeably and even (especially) in an online opinion forum, that counts for a lot. Or, if he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about, Ari does a great job of masking, and either trait is an important life skill.

[redhair34]

[Q]Brian Wrote:

 I don't know about the rest of you but I was very disappointed in Pegoraro, he seemed to stand around a lot instead of playing gritty like he did last year.  I hope he is not reverting to his sophomore year.  Last year he was a pest on the fore-check and he always challenged the opposing player everywhere he skated.  Maybe his role has changed, if so that would be unfortunate.[/q]

  I didn't notice that at all. In fact I recall him harassing a few defensemen and breaking up one or two clearing attempts in the second period.  It may have seemed that he was "standing around" b/c Abbott and Scott were the ones fighting along the boards most of the time they were out there.  I wouldn't worry about it.  He's definitely in physical shape (which was the issue for him sophomore year).  

Other thoughts...
I think the Cam-Pegoraro-Scott line was the best line on the ice.  They were buzzing all night and generated a ton of scoring opportunities, especially in the second period.  I don't think lack of size was at all an issue for them.  They did a great job of forechecking and really frustrated the opposing defensemen.  I am a little worried about the powerplay, especially as Ari said, Moulson's ability to get open.  The opposition really focused in on him; I don't think he got a single open look in the slot.  I really liked Schafer moving Sawada to the top line.  He played very well.  I think he knocked about 6 guys on their asses in his first 3 shifts.  His passing was crisp and he set up Moulson on his goal.  I am confident Sawada will fill the void Hynes left and provide protection for Moulson.  Another player who stood out in my mind was Gleed.  He seemed to play with more confidence than I remember.  He did a very good job clearing the puck and brought it all the way into the offensive zone a number of times.  He also called for the puck a lot and looked to chip in offensively.  Although he mishandled a few passes and made a few poor decisions from the point, I was encouraged by his eagerness to get involved.  It almost seemed as though he was trying to do to much.  Once he settles down a bit I think he'll be one of our more reliable defensemen.    

[Jacob '06]

Pokulok has started picking up his physical game. I think that was the one complaint that the capitals had about him, so he might be trying to work on that. It was surprising to see him take 2 penalties right in a row in the first period.

[redhair34]

[Q]calgARI '07 Wrote:

 Really like Barlow a lot.  He is very dangerous but also mixes it up and definitely doesnt shy away from physical play.  I would like to see him play with more offensively gifted linemates.  He will be a big offensive producer for this team and will produce THIS year.
[/q]

Ari, I agree about Barlow playing with more offensively gifted linemates. But, who could Schafer put with him?  The one line I could see working would be Barlow-Pegoraro-Sawada.  But I don't think Schafer would want to break up the Cam-Pegoraro-Scott line, especially considering their success last night and their experience playing together towards the end of last season.  Maybe we could see Barlow with McCutcheon?  I think it has been mentioned before that Barlow can also center a line (yet I don't think he's taken a single draw in either the Red-White game or in last nights game).  It will be interesting to see what line Barlow is on when all is said and done.

[RichH]

[Q]billhoward Wrote:

 Ari seems to be someone who speaks knowledgeably and even (especially) in an online opinion forum, that counts for a lot. Or, if he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about, Ari does a great job of masking, and either trait is an important life skill.[/q]

My post wasn't slamming Ari at all.  It was written more as an encouragement for others who were at the game to write recaps as well.  After an offseason of discussing the location of corn nuggets in Collegetown, any and all hockey recaps for those of us strewn across the world are very welcome.  The posts I responded to made it sound like there's a single correspondent.

[Brian]

Barlow needs to work on getting that higher gear needed to get by a defensemen or atleast induce a penalty, last night there was several opportunities to skate around his man and he was unable to do so.  I'm sure it will will happen as he continues to get stronger.

[calgARI '07]

[Q]redhair34 Wrote:

 [Q2]calgARI '07 Wrote:


 Really like Barlow a lot.  He is very dangerous but also mixes it up and definitely doesnt shy away from physical play.  I would like to see him play with more offensively gifted linemates.  He will be a big offensive producer for this team and will produce THIS year.
[/Q]
Ari, I agree about Barlow playing with more offensively gifted linemates. But, who could Schafer put with him?  The one line I could see working would be Barlow-Pegoraro-Sawada.  But I don't think Schafer would want to break up the Cam-Pegoraro-Scott line, especially considering their success last night and their experience playing together towards the end of last season.  Maybe we could see Barlow with McCutcheon?  I think it has been mentioned before that Barlow can also center a line (yet I don't think he's taken a single draw in either the Red-White game or in last nights game).  It will be interesting to see what line Barlow is on when all is said and done. [/q]

Yeah, I understand the issue.  With Cam Abbott and Moulson on the left side, Barlow will not be moving up to the top two lines unless there are injuries which can't be ruled out with Abbott's history.  He will still get plenty of opportunity quarterbacking the second powerplay and Chris Abbott is a good set up man.  Next year with Moulson and Abbott gone, Barlow will get an enormous opportunity and probably be the team's first line left winger.  I don't see it as likely at all that Barlow will be moved to the middle with Kennedy already pretty much assured a spot.  Not the best idea to have two freshmen centers.

[RichH]

I have a feeling that who coach puts on Moulson's line is going to be very crucial.  Opponents will key on #24 and might even look at a "double-team" type situation.  That'll give the rest of the line some great opportunities and hopefully will be players who can convert more often than not with the open ice.

[Pace]

[Q]Jacob '06 Wrote:

 Pokulok has started picking up his physical game. I think that was the one complaint that the capitals had about him, so he might be trying to work on that. It was surprising to see him take 2 penalties right in a row in the first period.[/q]

Yeah, I also did a double take when I saw Sasha in the box the second time. But I agree that it's great to see him getting more physical. He beefed up noticably over the summer and that's going to be good for the team.

I do think that Barlow was by far the most interesting looking freshman on the ice. It's true, he didn't succeed in the few good opportunities he had, but he got close. The one time he was up against 2 defenders, he sorta managed to get through and get a shot in (albeit a weak one). I think he's got a lot of promise and, even more importantly, a lot of energy to get out there and get through. He'll start making it soon enough.

Loved seeing McCutcheon working hard. Did he ever get a goal last year? He was trying really hard. That time his goal went off the pipe was just heartbreaking for me.

Finally, got to say, the U-18 goalie, Palmer, really impressed me. The one time where he made 3 saves in like 20 seconds, first on his stomach, then on his side, then on his back - just crazy. For a 17 year-old kid, that's one helluva good goalie. Coach should recruit him. :-)

[cbuckser]

Joe Palmer has verbally committed to Ohio State.

In response to Ari's concern with having two freshmen centers, the 2002-03 team did well with Dan Pegoraro and Chris Abbott playing center, albeit for the third and fourth lines.

[TCHL8842]

does anyone know if we were looking to recruit any of those players.  It seems like the ideal opportunity to pursue some of the top talent in the US.  Palmer looked really good in that game, and I wish we could get him to replace McKee hopefully after next year.

This game, we showed that we have some rust, as I expected.  I think this will be a good warm up for what I have marked as the most important series of the year against MSU.  Did anyone else so far that ECAC is currently the 2nd best conference based on inter-league play right now.  I guess the Ivies will have to do there part to keep up this record, but I am hoping that we can either hold the spot of 2nd best conference or move up to number 1, once we start actual league play.  All the games ECAC teams right now, like RPI beating BU last night, will greatly help our chance to get a better seeding, if we have the same record or last year, or allow us more leeway if we lose a few more games then I am expecting them to.

[calgARI '07]

[Q]TCHL8842 Wrote:

 does anyone know if we were looking to recruit any of those players.  It seems like the ideal opportunity to pursue some of the top talent in the US.  Palmer looked really good in that game, and I wish we could get him to replace McKee hopefully after next year.

This game, we showed that we have some rust, as I expected.  I think this will be a good warm up for what I have marked as the most important series of the year against MSU.  Did anyone else so far that ECAC is currently the 2nd best conference based on inter-league play right now.  I guess the Ivies will have to do there part to keep up this record, but I am hoping that we can either hold the spot of 2nd best conference or move up to number 1, once we start actual league play.  All the games ECAC teams right now, like RPI beating BU last night, will greatly help our chance to get a better seeding, if we have the same record or last year, or allow us more leeway if we lose a few more games then I am expecting them to.[/q]

There are definitely some good players that come out of the Development Program, but I think that a lot of the players are overrated.  There are a lot of one-dimensional guys that don't have much character and can't get it done in the classroom.  This isn't the case for all of the players, but I think it is common.  Simply put, I don't think there are many Cornell-type players in that program.  There are plenty of top notch American players who are better than the majority of players in that program - Justin Milo being one of them.

[profudge]

ARI  - good overview...   some personal comments after enjoying the game alot.  
+  Kennedy took a fair number of face-offs and won more than his share as i recall including several in a row in our zone.  
+ Chabot looked good - and he had almost no chance on the goal scored late...
+ McKee looked great (didn't think it needed to be said,  but  true)
+  A good chunk maybe  6-8 mins of second period the NDTP kids were flying a
+ and again in part of third  skating and moving puck well  didn't seem to get it together in our zone even if they maintained pressure for a minute or more several times...  partly due to them having many games (11 record was 9-2 ) previous to Fri. night and our guys not quite having full game legs....  
+  there were so many penalties and power plays in 1st  we didn't see as many of the freshmen out there...
+ Palmer was good  even with help of two posts and a crossbar that I recall.  
+ Mugford reminds me a bit of Hornby when he was starting out... moving those legs, (not pretty maybe but effective)  ...  He stood one guy up at blue line as they were trying to clear their zone then kept puck in in play in offensive zone with 2 additional USA players contesting him for the puck.  
+  Liked what I saw of most lines for us...  
+ NDTP is a good team....  they got a bit frustrated towards last 2-3 mins leading to a minor followed by 2 misconducts with  less than 2 mins to go.  
Looking forawrd to a great and enjoyable season of Big red hockey   :-)
+  Cam was looking really good and so were all of the rest of the returing players...  
+  was disappointed we took a couple of holding/interference penalties deep in our zone by continueing to pin a player on boards well after puck had gone from immediate area,  maybe because we were not alert or maybe because we were not moving our feet ...?  several  at  other end was hard for me to tell - I sit in N  
godd night all    

[Andy'07]

post it already! <-- dying for hockey ::help::

Edit- was trying to post under ari, and referring to the season preview