UMass 0 at Cornell 0 (Friday) postgame

[BCrespi]

Thanks for the clarification.  I completely agree that Sawada has to step it up.  That said, perhaps he realizes it as well and that's why he reacted so strongly to what was a relatively big goal at the time (soft or not).  Of course my point is somewhat hurt by the fact that he was only so-so at MSG, and pretty bad last night (by all of your reports, I didn't see the game). It really would be upsetting to me if this was just an effort/desire issue, since I never thought that would be a problem for Ray after his fresh/soph years.  I even got his freshman home jersey.  Here's to Ray stepping up his game and leading to a stronger second half.

Edit: Beeeej summed up some of my point well as I was typing this

[amerks127]

My point is just that Sawada has not been pulling his weight (which is a lot) all season.  I don't think this team can turn the corner, or "breakout" as Schafer has been saying, without Ray elevating his game.  He is an impact player, and Cornell desperately needs production from the second line.  Ray provides the leadership to that line and can support the Kennedy-Konnection by playing more cohesively with them.  Maybe that's the issue though.  Perhaps it's difficult for Sawada to mesh with brothers...but at the same time, he started the season with Greening and Nash, and now Barlow is the one who is providing traffic in front.  Ray has one penalty all season, and while that may be a testament to him playing smarter, one has to assume that if he was being anywhere near as physical as he should be, he would get called for a few more penalties merely out of the nature of the sport.

I'd like to see Schafer mix up lines 2 and 3.  I think putting Sawada with Gallagher or Scott (even though it might monopolize the senior co-captains) would help provide the spark he has been missing.  Furthermore, the Kennedy's have 0 goals and 3 assists between them...bringing that line to a grand total of 5 points.  Here's a stat for you: Nicholls and Scali combined have 4 points.  

On a team that very obviously lacks finishers, Cornell needs him to light the lamp as many, if not more times, than he did last season.  Right now he is on pace to score half as many goals.