Back-up goalies

[gwm3]

Well now that we officially have to worry about this...

Has anyone ever seen either Marr or Chabot play (i.e. Red-White, York, practice)?  I know absolutely nothing about them, but would have to assume that they are at least relatively competent (they have made a very good D-1 roster after all).  As long as the D plays well, all we really need is more or less "average" goaltending to win these games (I'll be happy to take 3 of 4).

[Big Ben 03]

I think you make a very good point Graham - Marr and Chabot are goalies that were recruited for a D1 team. Everybody is acting like we're gonna be playing four games with an empty net or something. These guys are on the same team as LeNeveu, get the same coaching, and go to the same practices as he does. They wouldn't be on the team if they didn't know what they were doing. That said, I have full faith that the team can run with the big boys and that they will be quite serious competition for Maine at the end of the month.

[rhovorka]

[Q]These guys are on the same team as LeNeveu, get the same coaching, and go to the same practices as he does. They wouldn't be on the team if they didn't know what they were doing.[/Q]
And will play behind the same outstanding defense, who I'm sure will do anything possible to help out the goaltender.

[French Rage]

Yeah, with the exception of OSU, BU, and Harvard, we haven't had more than 21 shots on goals against us.   Averaging out it's probly been less than 20.  Combine that with goalies that, while not having a lot of experience, are at least average, I don't see more than 3 goals against us.

[RedAR]

But then, OSU, BU, and Harvard are the best teams we've played.  Maine is probably better than OSU, BU, and Harvard.

[Greg Berge]

Maine is probably going to put a ton of shots on the untested goalie.  He's definitely going to give up a few.

Here's one game where we could really use that 3-0 first period lead!!!

[Robb03]

Marr is a junior and Chebot a freshman.  Where was Marr last year?  Practice squad or a walk-on?  And Chebot, did he come from some ridiculous junior league or just a feeder league.

I saw them play red-white.  They both looked pretty good considering the circumstances of the game.  However, they did get get their lunch money stolen during the shoot-out portion of the game.  This was probably due to them having to alternate shots and never getting into a routine.  But, as stressed before, if the D continues to block as many shots as it has, grandma could play goal.

[Al DeFlorio]

Marr was on the Northeastern roster for a semester or so, and then went back to Juniors.  He's probably had to sit out for a bit to regain eligibility after the transfer to Cornell.

[littleredfan]

Marr came as a transfer from Northeastern; I believe he had to sit out half the year.

It'll be tougher to block shots and really play our defensive game. I think Maine is a little faster than either Harvard, BU, OSU....and, like I said at some point, the game will probably be like playing UHN (I seem to remember them having pretty solid team speed).  I envision Maine getting a few more 2 on 1 breaks than Cornell's accustomed to.  This is especially dangerous considering we don't have a goalie who is as skilled in terms of positioning as David.  2 on 1's with him are essentially 2 on 2s with a goalie as well, if that makes any sense.  He really limits how much of the net you can actually shoot at, and you're often forced to take a shot at a place you don't really want to, and he ends up not even having to make a spectacular save.

That said, our defense really does help him cut down on those angles, and so I'm sure the team is going to do just the same if not more for whoever is in net.  My huge concern is that the team will (subconsciously or otherwise) play a more defensive minded game (kind of like 2 years ago) where they held the opposition to something like 1.5 goals a game, but couldn't generate any offense because they were spending too much time trying to block shots and making sure the goalie was sitting tight back there.  Starting last year, and even more this year, the defense and offense I feel have trusted the goalie a lot more (probably bc the goaltending has been stellar too) and have been more willing to take some risks that they wouldn't have had otherwise.

[Richard Stott]

I agree Chabot and Marr are probably both decent goalies.  (Any guesses who will start?)   The problem is their lack of experience -- LeNeveu has played every minute.  (In a way it's too bad Vermont didn't get a goal and spoil the shutout so Schafer could have pulled LeNeveu in that game.)  It will be very, very tough for them goalie to debut against Maine.

[ugarte]

[Q] I agree Chabot and Marr are probably both decent goalies. [/Q]  

Very strong stand. ;-)

They are Div. I goalies, so that says something, and Chabot was apparently recruited very heavily.  Still, I have no comment on their actual ability since I don't get to see them practice and there is no statistical support for or against either of them.  Estero should test their mettle.

[Mike Hedrick 01]

Well, they'll likely be in the game quickly.  I understand that Maine likes to come out flying, with the big cross-ice passes.   The key, I think, is for this team to do what it always does, and keep the shots against on the perimeter and block the ones from the slot and points (being careful not to deflect SOGs).   If our forwards are responsible defensively, as they usually are, the goalies should be OK (I hope).

[cbuckser]

Providing no previous playing time to Todd Marr or Louis Chabot gives Cornell one noteworthy advantage heading into the Everblades College Classic: Maine, Ohio State, and U Mass have no scouting report on either goaltender, so our opponents will not know which corners to try to pick.  Think of all the times a rookie goaltender has a very successful NHL debut  but recedes to mediocrity after teams discover what his weaknesses are.  A similar phenomenon occurs routinely with rookie baseball pitchers.

Yes, Marr and Chabot lack NCAA experience.  But, that inexperience carries an advantage for Cornell in addition to the disadvantages discussed in prior postings.

On November 16, 2001, Dov Grumet-Morris made his NCAA debut in the Cornell/Harvard game in Allston.  It would be interesting to hear from players and coaches from both teams whether they thought Grumet-Morris's lack of previous experience worked to Harvard's or Cornell's advantage (or both).

http://www.collegehockeystats.com/0102/boxes/mcorhar1.n16

[jeh25]

Craig Buckser '94 wrote:

Think of all the times a rookie goaltender has a very successful NHL debut  but recedes to mediocrity after teams discover what his weaknesses are.  A similar phenomenon occurs routinely with rookie baseball pitchers.

Backup Quarterbacks too. Earlier this year, when McNabb got hurt for the Eagles, everyone assumed their season was effectively over.  Yet the next week, Detmer stepped in and completed 18 of 26 passes, throwing for 227 yards and 2 TDs against the 49's in a 38-13 rout before the 49's dislocated his elbow in the 3rd quarter.  Part of the reason for Detmer's success was the fact that he was an utter enigma; in spite of 6 seasons in the NFL, the niners couldn't even find any game film of him to watch.  The 3rd string QB, AJ Feeley, effectively had the same advantage the following week against the Rams. (Although, to be fair, the win against the Rams resulted from Philly's ability to completely shutdown the Rams rather than the Rams inability to scout and contain Feeley.)

For other examples, look what Frank Reich did for the Bills in that famous AFC championship game (1990/91?) against Warren Moon and the Oilers. Jim Kelly left the game with an injury and Reich came in and engineered the greatest single comeback in NFL history.  

[Tub(a)]

That was in the season of their last of four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, 1993.