Cornell 2 RPI 1 (Post-game thread)

[Trotsky]

Cornell takes over first place in the ECAC by winning percentage.

[Al DeFlorio]

I hope we can field a full team tomorrow night.

[Al DeFlorio]

USCHO showing Yale over Princeton, 4-3, not vice-versa.

[Jim Hyla]

[quote Al DeFlorio]USCHO showing Yale over Princeton, 4-3, not vice-versa.[/quote]ECAC has Princeton win.

[Johnny 5]

And, Ray Sawada??

::doh::

[Al DeFlorio]

Princeton web site has Princeton over Yale.

[BCrespi]

Princeton athletics site showing Princeton win.  Great second period by Cornell.  A lot to work on, especially more skating in the defensive zone.  We've definitely seemed back on our heels for much of the year.  Even some of our quick defensemen are getting skated around on the rush.

[Al DeFlorio]

Quote from our pal bothman over on USCHO:  "This Harvard team sucks. I have not seen such lifeless, passionless, selfish hockey in years like this team has displayed of late - not since the Mazz years."

Guess he's a convert.:-P

[Trotsky]

If Princeton won, they're 4-0 in the Ivies headed into a pair with Brown.  With 2 losses already, it's going to be very difficult for Cornell to catch them.

[scoop85]

I hate to rain on our parade -- and of course I'll take the win -- but I think we were generally awful tonight.  It seemed like our sticks were allergic to the puck, as hardly any passes were made cleanly. RPI outskated and outhit us, and but for their inability to finish we would have been on the short end.

Scott-Sawada-Kennedy was the only line that had any real chances, and fortunately they converted a couple of times.  Kennedy, especially, is coming into his own.

I wonder if it's time to put Barlow back with Nash and Greening; their production seems to have slowed since that line was broken up.

Scrivens was scary tonight, but did just enough.

Onward to Union; we will need to be better tomorrow.

[Rosey]

[quote Trotsky]If Princeton won, they're 4-0 in the Ivies headed into a pair with Brown.  With 2 losses already, it's going to be very difficult for Cornell to catch them.[/quote]
But how are we going to know who wins the Ivy championship until Penn and Columbia play their games? ::rolleyes::

Kyle

[Cactus12]

A question/comment on Scrivens...

Does anyone else notice that he likes to remain about 3 feet from the net for some length of time after playing the puck along the boards? He was nearly caught way way way out of position twice.

[amerks127]

Finally found my way to a computer...

I thought Cornell played a solid game in the face of a lot of adversity.  To begin, I generally hate when people knock the refs, but this game was just ridiculous.  McDonald let the game get out of hand early and never regained control of it.  On top of that, I couldn't tell what he was calling half the time, on both sides of the ice.  That last penalty on Cornell (Seminoff) for elbowing was mind blowing.

In addition, not really sure what happened on RPI's first goal, but Scrivens, who is generally very calm, was absolutely livid.  What I know is that there was a delayed penalty on Cornell and the RPI player took a shot that Scrivens saved, but then fell into the goal with.  The goal judge called the goal too, not the ref.  Oh well, we got 2 points and didn't repeat the terribleness of Onion last year.

As for the playing...it's pretty clear to everyone that Scott-Sawada-Kennedy have molded to be a top scoring line right now and they are meshing really well.  It's great to see Ray put up some points this season, and I thought that as the game progressed he played with more confidence.  He also showed some passion for once.  Yeah I don't want to see him in the box, but a hit after the whistle and a 10 minute (for mouthing off probably) might just be the spark he needs to bring back his game.  Hopefully this line keeps it up.

The loss of P. Kennedy really hurt the top line tonight.  There is a huge difference between him and Roeszler.  It seemed to affect the chemistry of the top line.  I wasn't impressed with Nash's play and thought he uncharacteristically made a lot of stupid mistakes.

The third line was also all over the place this game and really just looked awful.  They gave up RPI's goal, and aside from Mugford's penalty kill ability, I really was disappointed with them.  Blake had a rough game and was thrown around a lot, especially that knee on knee hit.  That one give away in the defensive zone in the 3rd period nearly cost us 2 points.  Barlow seems to have characteristically fizzled out for the season.  If this team is going anywhere, he is one of the players who needs to step it up again.

Finally, I really love the fourth line this season, and I thought they again brought some physical force to this game.  Nicholls didn't play great, but for some reason I always feel comfortable when that line is on the ice.  They won't score often but they make plays and don't give up a lot of scoring opportunities.  I hope Scali isn't dead after that cheap hit at the end.

I thought Scrivens was in the zone and played very well.  He was huge when he had to be, saving some point blank shots.  He should've had the shutout this game.

D-wise...there were no surprises.  Krantz had a pretty bad game if you ask me.  He just couldn't move the puck all night.  Berk doesn't have the speed or puck handling abilities to lead a rush let alone quarterback a powerplay.  That top PP line was bad.  I don't know why Berk was top D on the first unit.  Seminoff has much better vision and puck moving skills.

On the whole, however, this was a very hard fought and difficult victory.  The team did what it had to do, and each player did their role to get the win.  I look forward to P. Kennedy return, and for Nash to return to the lineup in top defensive form.  Hopefully, for all the bangs and bruises, we can get 2 more tomorrow.

[lynah80]

I think Evan could increase the point totals of the first line if he could play more consistently.  It will be interesting to see who skates on that line tomorrow.  I wouldn't be surprised to see J. Devin suit up to give somebody a rest (e.g. Gallagher who got mauled tonight).

[BillCharlton]

He gave up one goal. He made some good saves. What else do you want him to do? Shut everyone out? Give the guy a break. Why be so negative when we win a game? Last time I checked, this is not the 2003 team.