Dartmouth Post-game

[Jim Hyla]

OK, I'll do it again.

If we can put 3 periods together we could be watching in DC in April. Seriously, I've not remembered a weekend like this in years. Yes the third period wasn't what we wanted, but it was partially because we seemed to try and go into a shell and Dartmouth definitely pushed Harder. Maybe that is how they won all those games. Dartmouth still is a Gaudet team. Twice the ref had to talk to Stephens about his play. They're not overtly dirty, but just that little extra push here or there, and a lot of back talk after the play is over.

But back to the play. Although the play of the first two periods was great, it certainly was nice to see the effort on the 2 men down play. After that effort the crowd responded like I haven't seen or heard in years.

The Riley line continues to impress and get better. Although they didn't score, I thought they played better tonight than yesterday. The Kennedy line is now a real threat. Having two offensive lines is a real treat for us.

Scrivens played well, better than last night when it counted. I loved it when he was down and had his pads stacked.

However having said all these positives, we could have lost this game in the third period. We can't try and go into a shell, just good solid defense. Our breakout is still painful to watch. Somehow we have to learn to keep moving while we are trying to do it. We can't expect it to work consistently if we just stand around. They did try a number of different plays, such as the long pass up the boards leading to a dump in. So maybe they are still learning what coach wants.

What I really like about this season so far is that they seem to get better each week. Most impressive was the Scott Garrow interview before the game. He heaped praise about how this team was listening to the coaches game plan and following it. He obviously thinks that is different than the past few years. If true we can really be hopeful.

I wouldn't have thought it before the season started, but we've gone through one of the toughest parts of the season, and finished with flying colors. The first road trip may be the hardest of the season,probably tied with Feb Harvard/Dartmouth. I never thought SLU/Clarkson would roll over like they have. I just hope they don't jump up just as we play them.

Well on to ND.

[ebilmes]

There's a lot to like about this team, but I'm still not convinced. A few of us were talking this weekend about the team two years ago, which started 7-0 before losing to Dartmouth and starting a long slide that ended with an early exit from the ECAC tournament. We made it past Dartmouth this year, but there are still a lot of hockey games to play.

I think next weekend's games will be a good test. Although NoDak is having a down year, they'll still be a lot tougher than anyone we've played in the EZAC. If we come back with 2 or 3 points, then I'll start to believe.

Still looking for the first banner from my time at Cornell...

[cbuckser]

The Big Red dominated the first 100 minutes of the weekend against good hockey teams.  It was very impressive.

This team is a lot better than the 2006-07 team.  Like Jim, I believe I should raise my expectations.  Prior to the season, I expected the team to have a rock solid defense.  I felt that in order to get an NCAA Tournament bid, the team needed reliable goalscoring (where there remains room for improvement) and improved goaltending (which Ben Scrivens has provided).

Without a doubt, the next two weekends will provide four big tests.  And, I am not ready to declare this team a national title contender.  (Two years ago, I expected the 08-09 team to compete for a national title.  After the tumultuous spring of 2007, I dialed down those expectations.)  Nevertheless, this team has more potential than I had anticipated.

I eagerly await next weekend's games.  The series at North Dakota reminds me of the November 2001 trip to BU, in which Cornell showed that it could play with the best teams in the country.

[Beeeej]

Sounds like I missed a couple of fantastic games this weekend.  I don't regret why I missed them, but just reading about them made me antsy.  TimV, I hope you and your seatmate(s) had a great time, and that you and mha got along - thanks again for your donation!

I don't have high expectations, but I'm now even more excited about Friday night's NoDak game on TV, and really, really excited to see us at home vs. Tech & SLU the following weekend.  It's been a long eight months since the consy against Colgate, and I need me some live, in-person Big Red hockey.

[TimV]

Thanks Beeeej- it was fabulous both nights especially at the end of the 5 on 3 penalty kill when Scrivens kept 'em out and the crowd was screaming.  Congrats to you on your ride and your time. Mha has an amazing capability for keeping track of the game thru a viewfinder and gets great pics, especially the one of the kid reading his book while a shot caroms off the bar, hits the goal line and doesn't go in.

Lynah should pry off those plastic seat things.  They're made for tiny little athletic asses.  Mine isn't.

Third best thing of the weekend was discovering that Shortstop Deli sells Hot Truck.::dribble::

[TimV]

[quote ebilmes] If we come back with 1 or 2 wins, then I'll start to believe[/quote]


FYP.

[Ronald '09]

Some comments about the game:

1) Keir Ross is a tremendous blue-liner, and may just be our most reliable by the end of the season.  He got injured late in the game, does anyone know if it was anything serious?

2) The forecheck looks especially strong and keeps the puck in the offensive zone.  For that reason, I was encouraged that we used more dump and chase rather than carrying the puck into the zone so much this past game.  I think we're much more effective in that style.

3) Penalty kill remained strong, especially on that 3 on 5.  Our defensemen have good position and are excellent at clearing the crease, and Scrivens is strong, but the real key to the penalty is the aggressive plays by our forwards attacking the points, especially from Barlow and Nash.  While Nash is discussed as a great offensive talent, his play in his own zone has quietly become very strong.  That will serve him very well on the next level.  He may be able to be a solid contributor in the NHL even if his scoring touch doesn't translate (see Jay Pandolfo).

4) Brendan Nash's play in his own zone is lacking.  He is the weakest of our defensemen positionally.  In the offensive zone, too many of his point shots either hit glass or the opposing players in the knees.  I would say he has been a disappointment overall through 6 games.

5) I think overall Kary looks better than Punches, despite Punches having a much better name.  I'm assuming they both sit when Mugford comes back?

6) Despite connecting on the powerplay, I still feel that we are a lot of the time too disorganized bringing the puck up ice, and that results in some easy clears.  When we do get into our cycle, the powerplay generates some pretty good chances.  Still too many shots getting blocked or hitting the glass though but I like how we pass int he cycle.

7) I'm not too worried about the third period.  If we have a three goal lead, playing like that for a period's not that big a deal.  Just don't make it a habit when we're up by 1 or less.

We tried to start a "We want Grossman" chant in the back row of section B after the third goal, but there are too many freshmen around us who didn't understand it to participate, so it never caught on.

Overall great weekend, and I know it's early, but a strong next weekend could go a long way to getting an at large NCAA bid if we fall short in the conference.

[Jim Hyla]

[quote Ronald '09] While Nash is discussed as a great offensive talent, his play in his own zone has quietly become very strong.  That will serve him very well on the next level.  He may be able to be a solid contributor in the NHL even if his scoring touch doesn't translate (see Jay Pandolfo).[/quote]

Or to put in Cornell tones, Kent Manderville. He came with much optimism, was drafted 24^th, and ended up playing about 650 NHL games with only about 100 points.

[CUontheslopes]

[quote Ronald '09]Some comments about the game:

1) Keir Ross is a tremendous blue-liner, and may just be our most reliable by the end of the season.  He got injured late in the game, does anyone know if it was anything serious?

2) The forecheck looks especially strong and keeps the puck in the offensive zone.  For that reason, I was encouraged that we used more dump and chase rather than carrying the puck into the zone so much this past game.  I think we're much more effective in that style.

3) Penalty kill remained strong, especially on that 3 on 5.  Our defensemen have good position and are excellent at clearing the crease, and Scrivens is strong, but the real key to the penalty is the aggressive plays by our forwards attacking the points, especially from Barlow and Nash.  While Nash is discussed as a great offensive talent, his play in his own zone has quietly become very strong.  That will serve him very well on the next level.  He may be able to be a solid contributor in the NHL even if his scoring touch doesn't translate (see Jay Pandolfo).

4) Brendan Nash's play in his own zone is lacking.  He is the weakest of our defensemen positionally.  In the offensive zone, too many of his point shots either hit glass or the opposing players in the knees.  I would say he has been a disappointment overall through 6 games.

5) I think overall Kary looks better than Punches, despite Punches having a much better name.  I'm assuming they both sit when Mugford comes back?

6) Despite connecting on the powerplay, I still feel that we are a lot of the time too disorganized bringing the puck up ice, and that results in some easy clears.  When we do get into our cycle, the powerplay generates some pretty good chances.  Still too many shots getting blocked or hitting the glass though but I like how we pass int he cycle.

7) I'm not too worried about the third period.  If we have a three goal lead, playing like that for a period's not that big a deal.  Just don't make it a habit when we're up by 1 or less.

We tried to start a "We want Grossman" chant in the back row of section B after the third goal, but there are too many freshmen around us who didn't understand it to participate, so it never caught on.

Overall great weekend, and I know it's early, but a strong next weekend could go a long way to getting an at large NCAA bid if we fall short in the conference.[/quote]

Have to agree with point #4. I pointed that out last weekend and people jumped on me. Nash just looks lost. He turns the puck over and twice took big slappers from the point right into a dartmouth player's shin pads that could've easily led to a breakaway...I think B. Nash stepping up his play is the single biggest hope we have to be good. He's got some real offensive talent (something we haven't seen on the blue line really since Charlie Cook), but has become a big liability. If he can get his act together (like he did in the Western Ontario game) we become a lot more dangerous...

[sah67]

[quote ebilmes]A few of us were talking this weekend about the team two years ago, which started 7-0 before losing to Dartmouth...

[/quote]

I believe that should be 5-0 before the Dartmouth loss, 6-0 if you count the exhibition shellacking of York.

[Flyers1037]

[quote Ronald '09]Some comments about the game:

1) Keir Ross is a tremendous blue-liner, and may just be our most reliable by the end of the season.  He got injured late in the game, does anyone know if it was anything serious?
[/quote]

I saw him come back onto the bench with about 5 or 7 minutes left in the game, so based on that, I would say nothing serious.

[BMac]

When was the last time we saw our guys deliver those sorts of hits? Greening had a humongous open ice hit in the first, and Ross was absolutely pounding on guys.

Not to belabor the point, but this was the first time I've seen Cornell look like the '04-'05 team since... 04-05. Huge defense, big hits, strong forecheck, great goalie who saw very few overall shots that came in flurries, and an opportunistic offense. Barlow played the role of young Topher Scott, absolutely flying on the ice and playing with great heart.

Colin Greening, despite no goals, was hands down the best player out there. He's faster, stronger, bigger, and better than everyone else. Unbelievable play from him, he's a monster.

[CUontheslopes]

[quote BMac]When was the last time we saw our guys deliver those sorts of hits? Greening had a humongous open ice hit in the first, and Ross was absolutely pounding on guys.

Not to belabor the point, but this was the first time I've seen Cornell look like the '04-'05 team since... 04-05. Huge defense, big hits, strong forecheck, great goalie who saw very few overall shots that came in flurries, and an opportunistic offense. Barlow played the role of young Topher Scott, absolutely flying on the ice and playing with great heart.

Colin Greening, despite no goals, was hands down the best player out there. He's faster, stronger, bigger, and better than everyone else. Unbelievable play from him, he's a monster.[/quote]

I had that same feeling...very much looked 04-05like...

Have to agree with you 100% on Greening - he is incredibly strong on his skates and was hands down the best player on the ice. As you said he's bigger, faster and stronger than everyone else - he just looks like a man amongst boys. Whereas, Riley Nash disappears for big chunks of the game, Greening does not. He's there and he's a presence. He's the best forward I've seen since Moulson.

[sah67]

Sorry to steal your work, Mark, but this one definitely had to be seen...and should definitely somehow be put into use on signs for all future Dartmouth games.



Caption contest anyone?

[Cactus12]

"Dartmouth Hockey. Worse than stomach ulcers."