2 North Country Wins

[JDeafv]

So I figured I would start discussion on the performance this weekend, or just let people who weren't there in on what I saw:

(+) Baby is truly a team leader now, Shafer shortened his bench and double shifted the captain the whole third period at Clarkson.  

(+) Vesce is the best face-off man on the team, he also has more speed down the wings than ever before.

(+) Pegoraro is an excellent heads-up player, who played both sides of the puck better than any of the frosh this weekend

(+) Marr is a real goaltender, no doubt about it.  He's very quick across the goal-mouth, and makes saves on the rebounds he does give up very well.

(+) Ben Wallace played very well defensively, probably the best I've ever seen him play this weekend.

(-) Doug Murray.  Nuff said.

(-) Moulson needs to be more aggressive in the defensive zone and expect the puck when he's sitting along the half boards, but his acting ability is quite good for a frosh.

(-) We didn't win nearly as many pucks along the boards as we have been doing in the past, especially in our own zone, and this led to 2 of the 4 goals against this weekend when we failed to clear the zone.

All together these weren't close wins.  We beat ourselves by missing passes and not doing the little things well like we normally do.  Allowing just 5 total shots on goal in the third period for the weekend demonstrated that we shut the door on these two teams when we had to get it done.  

Let's Go Red!

[ugarte]

I just thought I would bury this nugget here, so that RichS can have something to salve his pain after the loss:
http://hockey.ecac.org/Page_for_Men/alumni_updates/Clarkson_Alum_White_named_NHL_Player_of_the_Month

[Al DeFlorio]

Thanks, bra.

Congrats to Todd.  Great for the ECAC, as well as Clarkson.  I'm surprised it took so long for an NHL team to really give him a full-blown shot.  He was one helluva college player.

[DeltaOne81]

[Q](+) Marr is a real goaltender, no doubt about it. He's very quick across the goal-mouth, and makes saves on the rebounds he does give up very well. [/Q]
Marr is certainly a real goaltender, and a damn good backup, but he's still no Lenny. I'm not saying JD was saying he is, but I just want to make clear he's not. He dives/committs a bit too early, and, perhaps bigger, he just doesn't have the amazing view/comprehending of the ice that Lenny shows game in and game out.

Marr definitely made some big saves and was more than solid enough to give us the wins.

[jtwcornell91]

After seeing Marr play in four games, I concur with Fred.  We're in good shape with Marr as a backup, but I'm a lot more comfortable having Lenny as the starter.  Ironically, I think Marr's worst game was against SLU, which he won.  But he certainly deserved to notch a couple of wins after the admirable job he did in Florida.

[Section A]

Did Coach ever say anything about what made him go with Marr over Chabot?

[DeltaOne81]

to paraphrase, on the pregame show for Maine he said something like,

"they've both paid their dues, but Marr has paid his dues for a couple years more, and I believe in going with the guy who has been around longer"

[JDeafv]

Shafer also said that Marr plays the puck much better than Chabot, and that was another reason for starting Marr.

[Erica]

I don't get it, why is Murray a negative??

[CowbellGuy]

Due to his continued general crappiness of play this year. Only one big hit all weekend and more mistakes/turnovers/blunders than I care to remember.

[Rich S]

Thanks for the post...I read the story the day it was announced.   Disappointed of course but a Clarkson win would have been a big upset...just have to hope for an even bigger one at Lynah later this month, am hoping to get there.  The salve I really need is for the Giants meltdown on Sunday, and I don't think such a thing exists! ::rolleyes::

As for White's NHL career, he was never drafted, was given a half-hearted shot by the Blackhawks but they were desperate for immediate offense and dealt him to Philly.  I knew it was only a matter of time before Bobby Clarke moved him since he likes his centers BIG...and White is about 5' 10" and 185 tops.  He plays bigger than that and has big, powerful legs...watch him along the boards.  He also has a tremendous work ethic as anyone who knew him and those who saw him play at Clarkson can attest.

I don't recall who Clarke got in the deal with Ottawa 2 yrs ago but it has turned out to be a steal for the Senators.  Also, Todd is from Kanata so he really is playing "at home".

To top it off, he had 1g and 1A last night against "my" Rangers.  Looking forward to seeing him on their next trip in next month.

[Josh '99]

Rich S wrote:

To top it off, he had 1g and 1A last night against "my" Rangers.  Looking forward to seeing him on their next trip in next month.

Were you there?  That game was pretty brutal.

[Rich S]

Nope, couldn't get there last night as I had a HS team prcatice but here's an example of great defense...Rangers style...::rolleyes::

http://www.ottawasenators.com/

I'll catch Todd on his next trip in next month.  Hey, the Rangers were in it for 2 periods! :-D

[Josh '99]

Well, it's tough to play defense when all your best defensive defensemen are hurt (Lefebvre, Purinton) or traded away (Kloucek) and you're left with Lightning-reject Cory Cross killing penalties.

[Rich S]

Tell me about it! ::rolleyes::  Don't forget Leetch is out also.

However, I'm not sure you'll ever see Kloucek in the NHL again.  He has never recovered from that major knee surgery two years ago and his stock has fallen.

Lintner's not bad but its tough when a guy with powerful legs like White drives around you...:-D

Also, saw a lot of Bettman sitting with Bob Goodenow of the NHLPA at the game...is that a "Love Story" or what??

:-))