Cornell 0 St. Lawrence 3 (final)

[Jim Hyla]

At the risk of stating the obvious, this seems like an interesting turn of the tables from previous years. Recently, we've been one of the last undefeated teams in the NCAA, or the last one-loss team in the NCAA, due to a late start, some weak OOC opponents, and a strong ECAC weekend or two. The team would rise in the polls, expectations would rise, and we'd see an eventual coming back to earth once the team hit a rough stretch. Now, we're one of the last winless teams in the NCAA (I count seven).

Like others around here, I think we'll end up close to .500. I don't think it's such a bad thing to start out 0-3-0. I'd rather go from a slow start to a decent finish...

If you could only guarantee that, I'd be happy.

[Jim Hyla]

I got to check out of my motel room soon but I would contribute our loss to lack of offensive coordination. We held our own in the defensive end during the first two periods and Garman made some decent saves. It was during the 5x3 in the third when the opposing player "flicked" the puck right above his shoulder and barely knocked it in; from then on, the momentum began to change.

Once again, I would contribute our loss to the lack of offensive coordination. Schafer definitely made the team work on defense during the week and passing improved as well, but players don't know how to get open and get in good position and barely any forechecks were made.

Let's see how we fare against Clarkson, who lost to Colgate last night.

I disagree. I only watched on the small, small screen, but our defense in the third looked atrocious. By the way I'm again at home alone with daughter, so I won't be at Clarkson.:`-( I hope Mark bought extra Snickers.:-P

[TimV]

I got to check out of my motel room soon but I would contribute our loss to lack of offensive coordination. We held our own in the defensive end during the first two periods and Garman made some decent saves. It was during the 5x3 in the third when the opposing player "flicked" the puck right above his shoulder and barely knocked it in; from then on, the momentum began to change.

Once again, I would contribute our loss to the lack of offensive coordination. Schafer definitely made the team work on defense during the week and passing improved as well, but players don't know how to get open and get in good position and barely any forechecks were made.

He'll probably give me another ::asshole:: but geez, seriously???**]

[ACM]

More on the historical note -- I think that team was 0-5-1 at Christmas and won 20 straight down the stretch.

Other than being factually incorrect, this is an insightful observation.

The 79-80 team played 6 games before the holiday break, won 2 and lost 4.

After the break: 2W, 3L, 4W, 4L, 3W, 2L, 5W (the  wins over Providence and BU [in OT] to get into the top 8, then the wins over BC, Providence and Dartmouth in the ECAC tourney), 2L (NMU in the NCAA semis, Dartmouth in the consolation). 14 wins, 11 losses.

Historical lesson: a .500 team can win the ECAC tournament and get into the NCAA's. An 0-3 start isn't a death sentence. Doesn't make the last 3 games easier to take, but don't give up yet, if only because we won't need a miracle finish to get into the ECAC playoffs this year.

[ACM]

Schafer definitely made the team work on defense during the week ...

How do you know what Schafer did during the week?

[Trotsky]

A .162 team can win the ECAC tournament and get into the NCAA's.

30L, 2W, L, 4W.

[KeithK]

A .162 team can win the ECAC tournament and get into the NCAA's.

30L, 2W, L, 4W.

And a .244 team can...

[ajh258]

Schafer definitely made the team work on defense during the week ...

How do you know what Schafer did during the week?

Talked to one of players. I also heard they watched a lot of SLU tapes but apparently that didn't help either.

I got to check out of my motel room soon but I would contribute our loss to lack of offensive coordination. We held our own in the defensive end during the first two periods and Garman made some decent saves. It was during the 5x3 in the third when the opposing player "flicked" the puck right above his shoulder and barely knocked it in; from then on, the momentum began to change.

Once again, I would contribute our loss to the lack of offensive coordination. Schafer definitely made the team work on defense during the week and passing improved as well, but players don't know how to get open and get in good position and barely any forechecks were made.

He'll probably give me another ::asshole:: but geez, seriously???**]

I realize it's pretty bad and am always open to criticism, but I hope that's not the only thing you're going to comment on.

I disagree. I only watched on the small, small screen, but our defense in the third looked atrocious. By the way I'm again at home alone with daughter, so I won't be at Clarkson.:`-( I hope Mark bought extra Snickers.:-P

Upon re-examining the defense at Clarkson last night, I retract my earlier assessment and have to agree with you. Initially during the SLU game, the team looked better than they were last weekend against UNH and RIT, but there was a somewhat significant change of momentum after that 5x3 goal and it went downhill from there.

Saturday night's defense was disappointing as well, although I contribute the win more towards the Knights' poor performance rather than our own strengths. Andy Iles made some great saves and that was a significant factor as well. Our team wasn't as physical as our opponents and there were some big open ice checks against us.

And lastly, yes, Mark bought enough Snickers. ::popcorn:: (replace popcorn with Snickers)

[billhoward]

Historical Footnote:  The last time we lost the first three games of the season ('79-'80), we won the ECAC Championship.  As an 8th seed, we defeated #1 BC, #2 Providence and #3 Dartmouth.  I had the pleasure of being at those 3 tournament games.

That was an amazing run for Cornell, coming on the heels of Team USA in the Olympics. By coincidence, I found the Boston Globe articles from that weekend while cleaning out the attic this past weekend (attached). Those were the glory years for Globe sports: Bob Ryan, Peter Gammons, Leigh Montville, Leslie Visser before she jumped to TV, Michael Madden, Fran Rosa, et al. The ECACs got as much play the next morning as the Celtics or Bruins. Not quite the same when you pick up the next day's Albany Times-Union.

[Rita]

Historical Footnote:  The last time we lost the first three games of the season ('79-'80), we won the ECAC Championship.  As an 8th seed, we defeated #1 BC, #2 Providence and #3 Dartmouth.  I had the pleasure of being at those 3 tournament games.

That was an amazing run for Cornell, coming on the heels of Team USA in the Olympics. By coincidence, I found the Boston Globe articles from that weekend while cleaning out the attic this past weekend (attached). Those were the glory years for Globe sports: Bob Ryan, Peter Gammons, Leigh Montville, Leslie Visser before she jumped to TV, Michael Madden, Fran Rosa, et al. The ECACs got as much play the next morning as the Celtics or Bruins. Not quite the same when you pick up the next day's Albany Times-Union.

Thanks for posting these Bill.

[jeff '84]

Historical Footnote:  The last time we lost the first three games of the season ('79-'80), we won the ECAC Championship.  As an 8th seed, we defeated #1 BC, #2 Providence and #3 Dartmouth.  I had the pleasure of being at those 3 tournament games.

That was an amazing run for Cornell, coming on the heels of Team USA in the Olympics. By coincidence, I found the Boston Globe articles from that weekend while cleaning out the attic this past weekend (attached). Those were the glory years for Globe sports: Bob Ryan, Peter Gammons, Leigh Montville, Leslie Visser before she jumped to TV, Michael Madden, Fran Rosa, et al. The ECACs got as much play the next morning as the Celtics or Bruins. Not quite the same when you pick up the next day's Albany Times-Union.

Great stuff, thanks!

[ajh258]

Just got Faceoff! in the mail and just want to highlight Schafer's comment on the game last weekend:

In all honesty, we probably played better in the first two periods at St. Lawrence than we did on Saturday evening in Potsdam. We played better defensively than the previous weekend, but still must capitalize on our scoring opportunities, especially in the third period.

It's good to know that the coach is working to improve, in my opinion, the right areas, and hopefully we'll pull through this weekend against the felines.

LGR!