Cornell 3 RPI 0 Postgame

[Trotsky]

Cornell settling into a very nice streak, both in league and overall.

[Jim Hyla]

This is the best I've seen them play in a number of years. Yes, the last few teams we played haven't been the best, but they really are together. Greening with 17 pts in 17 games and only 2 PIM. Two good lines for offense and consistent defense and goaltending. Does this remind you of anything in the earlier 2000's. If we keep it up, maybe winning a game in NCAA's, then keep Riley, next year could be great. I don't think we will get Frozen Four this year.

Well, too much hype from me. We still need to play well the rest of the year, but certainly a great chance for ECAC championship and good NCAA position.

[marty]

I agree that it is unlikely that we would see the Frozen Four for this team, but if they improve a bit, it isn't out of the question.  They are really great to watch.  I just cringe a bit when Union and RPI can shut down our 5 x 5 offense by playing their positions well.

I hope the team improves as the season progresses.  Tonight was great in so many ways and it gave the Red a chance to practice against a speedy if not high quality team.  That RPI didn't quit was good for both teams.

Both last night and tonight Cornell continued to work the puck up the ice in through the entire third period.  They want to score goals almost as much as Scrivens wants the puck to hit his blocker.  This is a really great team to watch and enjoy.  But I am repeating myself...that's what happens after a certain amount of grey matter is lost due to old age.

[Trotsky]

It's certainly a team to enjoy.  1 loss in 17 games is remarkable.

Here's the fun fact for the day.  Record over last 10 games:

Code Select Expand


Cornell 9-0-1
Harvard 0-8-2


[dragonfan]

Mike Kennedy is hot,in his last 6 games scoring 5.Him and his brother have both had goals in the same game 3 of the last 5.It's nice to see the P/P coming together in the last couple of games and more people contributing.This weekend they played the best I have seen them play all year. Go BIG RED!!!!!

[ebilmes]

I'll come out and say it: it's time to start believing that this team can make a deep run in the spring.

They're not the '03 team. They don't dominate games like that team did. They don't bulldoze easy opponents. As others have pointed out, Scrivens faces significantly more shots than did Leneveu or McKee. And when he makes the saves, as he did tonight, he does so in an unorthodox style, on his back or side with his stick flailing. It's not pretty, but it's effective.

They still make lots of mistakes, especially in the defensive end. They take dumb penalties, have trouble clearing the puck sometimes, and give up too many good looks immediately on Scrivens' left or right. But despite these issues, they've only given up >2 goals once this year.

The powerplay looks great, and the breakout play has improved a lot this season. Whereas over the past couple seasons the team had trouble playing a "full 90 minutes," the team has delivered some strong third periods. (Outscoring opponents 8-1 in the 3rd over the last five games) That's how you get wins.

Cornell will lose another game, probably soon. But that shouldn't be a reason to be discouraged about our chances. For now, we're taking care of business in the ECAC and building ourselves a nice cushion for NCAAs in case we make an early exit from the conference tournament. This is above what we could have possibly hoped for at this point in the season.

When the team takes the ice, you get the feeling that there's no way they're going to lose. The last few games have been closer than the scores indicate, but the team is finding ways to win. With players like PK coming alive halfway through the season and Scrivens continuing to improve his numbers, I have a great feeling about this team.

My main concern is why Scali was scratched tonight, but hopefully it's nothing serious.

[lynah80]

I also agree that this year's team is not as strong as the last Cornell team to go to the Frozen Four (02-03), but they do keep winning.  Scrivens is the obvious reason for the consistency.  I didn't see the North Dakota loss, but other than that, he hasn't allowed more than 2 goals in a game.  

Last year's team matured significantly as the year progressed and I'm hopeful that will recur this year.  There are a lot of games left (at least 16 before the NCAA tournament) so let's see what happens.

[amerks127]

What strikes me most is the improvement and adjustments this team has made over the course of the season.  We've certainly come a long way since that last second victory over Western Ontario way back in October.

It's apparent that as this club hits its stride, each and every player is now buying into Schafer's system.  From what I've heard and witnessed, it almost feels like Schafer is taking a Herb Brooks style approach to coaching this season.  He's really forcing the team to work hard in practice, emphasizing physical strength and stamina, as well as focusing on team chemistry.  [edit for handshake] At the end of the game, the team made a cohesive stand, protecting their own, before exiting as one.  At the end of the season, when you want to take a look at where the teamed gelled and came together, this may very well be an important factor.

Furthermore, nearly every aspect of their game has improved: better breakouts, fewer neutral zone giveaways (though as the Onion game showed, still needs work), powerplay is clicking, we can run four lines where any player on the ice is a legitimate threat to score, great board and corner work, and we have a goalie whose phenomenal play takes some heat off the defense.  I'd like to see us stronger in front of the net, I'd like to see perfect breakout plays, and I'd love to score more, but you know what, so would every other team, ever.

The fact of the matter is, this team plays with consistency.  No matter how good you are, it's damn impressive to start 13-1-3, with an 8-0-2 conference record.  On top of that, I don't think they've come close to playing their best possible hockey.  Patrick Kennedy is just starting to heat up, Nash and Greening are nearly at point/per game numbers, Barlow and Gallagher are just starting to cash in, and the defense is making fewer mistakes.  I'm bullish about the team.

Then again, this might all be a product of recent weak opponents.  Who knows?

[Beeeej]

Does anybody doubt that a hot Yale, a frustrated Harvard, an unusually stifled Clarkson, and half a dozen other ECAC teams seeking revenge for their first tastes of Cornell this season will present an interesting challenge over the remaining twelve regular season games?

I saw some great stuff from this Cornell team this weekend, but I for one am not expecting them to enter the conference tourney at 25-1-3.

[Beeeej]

[quote lynah80]There are a lot of games left (at least 16 before the NCAA tournament) so let's see what happens.[/quote]

I like your optimism, but in truth we are only guaranteed another fourteen games right now.  Let's not count our Albany chickens before they're hatched.

[amerks127]

You can't win on eLynah.  I should just go back to criticizing Brendon Nash.

[Beeeej]

I'm not saying your analysis is wrong - but no matter the skill level of the team, sometimes the bounces won't go your way.  The much-vaunted 2003 juggernaut had a tie and a loss in their last twelve regular season games - and even got swept in Florida.

Let's just say I'd rather be pleasantly surprised by a 25-1-3 record entering the conference tourney, than unpleasantly surprised by an inexplicable collapse after everyone started posting about how this is the greatest hockey team since sliced bread.  :-)

[CKinsland]

Cornell will lose another game, probably soon.

If we're only going to lose one more game, I'd rather lose it soon and win all the later ones (ha!).  

Nothing like a loss to get a team focused and intent.  Long winning streaks can lead to cockiness and laziness.  Luckily, we aren't winning by big margins, so there isn't that sense that we're crushing teams with ease.  But, still, a loss a week or two before playoffs start might be psychologically useful.  (Personally, I'm betting on 2 losses or a loss and a tie before playoffs.)

CK

[MattShaf]

[quote ebilmes] Whereas over the past couple seasons the team had trouble playing a "full 90 minutes," .[/quote]

Most teams have trouble playing "a full 90 minutes" unless they're playing soccer ::nut::

[Jordan 04]

[quote Beeeej]

I saw some great stuff from this Cornell team this weekend, but I for one am not expecting them to enter the conference tourney at 25-1-3.[/quote]

Is anyone?