Cornell 2 Brown 5 postgame thread

[Trotsky]

I wonder how much of this is that they simply don't have the size advantage we are used to.  How many guys are genuinely behemoth types who can win by sheer throw-weight: Bitz, Greening, nobody else on the forecheck.

At least a dozen time during each game this past weekend I felt like one of those elegantly twirling oak trees would have made the difference -- both Yale and Brown allowed a lot of loose pucks between the circles which resulted in rugby scrums.  That (along with the corners) is where those physical players really make the difference, as they have the reach and strength to settle, control and direct the puck back to our players.  We do not have them anymore, so most of those pucks wind up either harmlessly drifting to the boards, or, worse, picked up and quickly played by the opponent into a breakout chance.

[Al DeFlorio]

[quote Trotsky]
At least a dozen time during each game this past weekend I felt like one of those elegantly twirling oak trees would have made the difference -- both Yale and Brown allowed a lot of loose pucks between the circles which resulted in rugby scrums.  That (along with the corners) is where those physical players really make the difference, as they have the reach and strength to settle, control and direct the puck back to our players.[/quote]
Seems to me a lot of national championships have been won by teams that had few "elegantly twirling oak trees," so there is a way to be successful without them.

[calgARI '07]

Size didn't seem to be a problem early in the season.

[redice]

[quote calgARI '07]Size didn't seem to be a problem early in the season.[/quote]

Size does matter.   In the recent past, one of the "secrets" of Cornell Hockey was that the team physically punished their opposition.   As a result, the other team got worn down and we "owned" the third periods.   We no longer have that advantage.   The (small & mobile) freshmen class is fun to watch.  But, they are not enough to outgun their opponents.

[calgARI '07]

[quote redice][quote calgARI '07]Size didn't seem to be a problem early in the season.[/quote]

Size does matter.   In the recent past, one of the "secrets" of Cornell Hockey was that the team physically punished their opposition.   As a result, the other team got worn down and we "owned" the third periods.   We no longer have that advantage.   The (small & mobile) freshmen class is fun to watch.  But, they are not enough to outgun their opponents.[/quote]

I agree that size matters but I don't agree that this team doesn't have the size to win.  They may not be as big as recent years, but size wasn't a problem in the games Cornell has won this year.  Size of heart may be an issue though.

[Townie]

[quote Trotsky]I wonder how much of this is that they simply don't have the size advantage we are used to.  How many guys are genuinely behemoth types who can win by sheer throw-weight: Bitz, Greening, nobody else on the forecheck.

At least a dozen time during each game this past weekend I felt like one of those elegantly twirling oak trees would have made the difference -- both Yale and Brown allowed a lot of loose pucks between the circles which resulted in rugby scrums.  That (along with the corners) is where those physical players really make the difference, as they have the reach and strength to settle, control and direct the puck back to our players.  We do not have them anymore, so most of those pucks wind up either harmlessly drifting to the boards, or, worse, picked up and quickly played by the opponent into a breakout chance.[/quote]


It's true our team may be smaller than in past years, but I'm not sure we don't have them anymore....at least as measured in physical terms:

Bitz  6-4, 225
Carefoot  6-2, 210
Sawada   6-2, 210
Greening   6-2, 200
Fontas  6-2,  210
Kennedy   6-2,  195
Mugford  6-1,  200  

From the 02-03 team:

Cam Abbott   6-0, 190
Chris Abbott 5-9,  195
Hornby      5-11,  220
Iggulden   6-3,  200
Palahicky  6-1,  210
Baby      6-5, 235
Paolini   6-1,  210
Knoepfli   6-1, 195
Hynes   6-3,  210


Paolini, Palahicky and Knoepfli are sized similar to Mugford, Fontas and Greening, but Sammy, Shane and Mike seemed to play much bigger.  I hate to say it, but in my view, they played with more heart and conviction; with religion!  It wasn't Hornby's size that made him a menace, it was his mentality.  They created opportunities and kept opponents on their toes...and kept the fans in the game.  This mentality defined the team, and I don't pretend to know why it seems to be missing now.  I also recognize and appreciate the change in players and strategy, but hockey will always be a physical game.  Not to say that it's always appropriate to focus just on the body, but close physical play can interrupt your opponents game plan while forcing turnovers and creating opportunities.  

I don't know.....I'm frustrated too!

[redice]

"Size of heart."    That says it all, Ari.    Now, how to fix it?

[redhair34]

[quote redice]"Size of heart."    That says it all, Ari.    Now, how to fix it?[/quote]

Make hockey fun again.

[Beeeej]

[quote redice]"Size of heart."    That says it all, Ari.    Now, how to fix it?[/quote]

Transplant surgery?

[plrd78]

You are 100% correct. Scrivens was horrible 3/5 goals were his fault. He never moved out only back. Isn't the goalie stick supposed to be used for something, like poke checks etc....

Change the dam lines...Can Gallagher stay on his skates for one single shift??? WEAK ON HIS SKATES.... And  lets not forget the inmature, bad timing type penalties.

Make one POWER LINE who can skate, be creative, score goals...
Romano is far the best offensive weapon on this team. He is exciting and makes his own chances. Do you think anyone can ever pass him the puck or its easy to watch like the other 4000+ at Lynah do his thing. Our section at LYNAH can not wait until he is out there, because he is always moving the team in the right direction. Last weekend w/o him, we were dead, there was no spark what so ever...Put McCuthen and Scott with him and let them just play. McCuthen is strong and can make space for Romano, Scott is creative enough to draw his opponents, but he has to move the puck quickly, not hold onto it so long...Scotts production went down because why, he was moved off of Romanos PP line look back at the stats, there is more players in the same boat .....Check please...Play that line every 3rd shift, forget 4 lines we need ONE line to produce not two or three players every other game. Make sure Seminoff who has been great all season is out there with those three. This will work!!!

 And what about MILO, give this player a chance on the PP or with another line like BITZ, MILO and SAWADA. Let MILO stay in the high slot area and get him the puck, he is a proven scorer in the USHL etc....
Another thing, why does Mugford get rewarded with ice time when every game he is good for at least one stupid penalty, Scali would be better because he is more skilled, but Mugford is very good on the PK.
We are all frustrated, just think of the team whats going thru their heads...
LGR  Never Give UP

[BCrespi]

[quote redhair34][quote redice]"Size of heart."    That says it all, Ari.    Now, how to fix it?[/quote]

Make hockey fun again.[/quote]

Beachball practice after meeting the Northstars?

[billhoward]

[quote Al DeFlorio][quote Trotsky]
At least a dozen time during each game this past weekend I felt like one of those elegantly twirling oak trees would have made the difference -- both Yale and Brown allowed a lot of loose pucks between the circles which resulted in rugby scrums.  That (along with the corners) is where those physical players really make the difference, as they have the reach and strength to settle, control and direct the puck back to our players.[/quote]
Seems to me a lot of national championships have been won by teams that had few "elegantly twirling oak trees," so there is a way to be successful without them.[/quote]
Al, to be fair, we've managed to not win national championships with hardwoods fronting the goalie, and now we've got a chance to not win a championship with a speedy, (formerly) high-scoring team. Cornell is committed to diversity.

[cth95]

[quote jtwcornell91][quote cth95]I thought teams were supposed to get better as the season goes along. Particularly if they are long and therefore getting used to eachother[/quote]

::uhoh::[/quote]

edited in original post.  I meant "Young".  That's what I get for typing while falling asleep.

[Dafatone]

[quote plrd78]Another thing, why does Mugford get rewarded with ice time when every game he is good for at least one stupid penalty, Scali would be better because he is more skilled, but Mugford is very good on the PK.[/quote]

Mugford and Sawada are just about the only two truly hard-hitting forwards we have.  Bitz and Greening are big, but neither of them seem to use their size all that effectively to lay people out.  Scali looked like a very strong checker for his size, I'd like to see him play again.

[calgARI '07]

[quote Dafatone]

Mugford and Sawada are just about the only two truly hard-hitting forwards we have.  Bitz and Greening are big, but neither of them seem to use their size all that effectively to lay people out.  Scali looked like a very strong checker for his size, I'd like to see him play again.[/quote]

I think that Greening hits pretty hard.  Mugford has gotten away from his game and hasn't been nearly as affective physically.  Barlow and Milo despite being small can actually play a good physical game.  Milo isn't playing for some reason while Barlow has been missing since the last weekend before exams.  Scali hasn't shown much in terms of physical play at least not as much as I expected.