ECAC as we go into finals

[Jim Hyla]

Since one game is done, Union-Pinceton 3-3, I thought I'd start a discussion about the league so far. My starting point is what happened to the Capital District teams? Now off to chat.

[ajh258]

Since one game is done, Union-Pinceton 3-3, I thought I'd start a discussion about the league so far. My starting point is what happened to the Capital District teams? Now off to chat.

It's the smog from the GE plant. It gets in your head.

[RichH]

Since one game is done, Union-Pinceton 3-3, I thought I'd start a discussion about the league so far. My starting point is what happened to the Capital District teams? Now off to chat.

I'm sure Marty and ursusminor can chime in better, but I'd say for RPI, No Polacek.  York is also gone, but when you lose someone who averaged 50 points the past two seasons, you're going to be hurt.  They've scored more than 1 goal in 4 of 14 games.

[TimV]

They expected a lot more scoring from LaLiberte than they're getting.  Seth Appert continues to apply lipstick to the pig, but past history shows they get well at some point.  Usually against us.

[Jim Hyla]

Code Select Expand


Schools Pts GP Conf All

Cornell 13  8 6-1-1 7-3-1
Colgate 12  8 6-2 11-4-1
Yale        8   6 4-2 6-4-1
Union        8   8 3-2-2 7-3-5
St. Lawrence 8   8 4-4 5-9
Dartmouth 7   7 3-3-1 4-5-1
Princeton 7   9 3-5-1 4-7-2
Brown        6   6 3-3 4-6-1
Harvard 6   7 2-3-2 3-3-3
Clarkson 6   8 2-4-2 8-6-4
Quinnipiac 5   8 1-4-3 8-6-3
Rensselaer 2   6 1-5 3-


[marty]

Since one game is done, Union-Pinceton 3-3, I thought I'd start a discussion about the league so far. My starting point is what happened to the Capital District teams? Now off to chat.

I'm sure Marty and ursusminor can chime in better, but I'd say for RPI, No Polacek.  York is also gone, but when you lose someone who averaged 50 points the past two seasons, you're going to be hurt.  They've scored more than 1 goal in 4 of 14 games.

I think the big zero for RPI is the lack of Polacek.  The freshman class has yet to produce much offense.  That said, Schroeder and Laliberte both scored for RPI tonight.  They could be a second half team, but looking at this team compared to the 2010-2011 Colgate squad I just don't see the same type of turn-around happening for RPI.

[Trotsky]

My completely unscientific opinion on where teams are relative to where they were expected to be, not so much in the standings as in quality of play:

Exceeding Expectations: Cornell, Colgate, Clarkson, Harvard

Meeting Expectations: Union, Princeton, Brown, St. Lawrence

Below Expectations: RPI, Quinnipiac, Dartmouth, Yale

The big surprise is obviously Colgate.  IMHO, the biggest negative surprise is Quinnipiac.  I thought RPI and especially Yale were in for a world of hurt with their losses.

[ajh258]

My completely unscientific opinion on where teams are relative to where they were expected to be, not so much in the standings as in quality of play:

Exceeding Expectations: Cornell, Colgate, Clarkson, Harvard

Meeting Expectations: Union, Princeton, Brown, St. Lawrence

Below Expectations: RPI, Quinnipiac, Dartmouth, Yale

The big surprise is obviously Colgate.  IMHO, the biggest negative surprise is Quinnipiac.  I thought RPI and especially Yale were in for a world of hurt with their losses.

I would drop Union down to "below expectations" and maybe bump Quinnipiac up to "meeting expectations." The Bobcats could be in either category depending on how you view it, because their offense is clicking but they simply cannot put goals in despite outshooting opponents.

[scoop85]

The Bobcats could be in either category depending on how you view it, because their offense is clicking but they simply cannot put goals in despite outshooting opponents.

Unfortunately that applies to us as well of late. Let's hope that the break does the offense some good.

[Trotsky]

I've got faith that we are creating enough quality scoring chances that the goals will come. After the first few games the focus was to shore up the defense and, man, did they ever.  "It's a long season and you have to trust it."

[Swampy]

I've got faith that we are creating enough quality scoring chances that the goals will come. After the first few games the focus was to shore up the defense and, man, did they ever.  "It's a long season and you have to trust it."

I've coached other sports but not hockey. Nonetheless, it's hard for me to imagine that Schafer didn't devote a tremendous amount of time on defense the first few weeks of the season. Now that the team's performance on defense seems under control, I'd expect more attention to offense and to linking the two. So we should start to see the scoring pick up, hopefully by Estero. Time will tell ....

[css228]

I've got faith that we are creating enough quality scoring chances that the goals will come. After the first few games the focus was to shore up the defense and, man, did they ever.  "It's a long season and you have to trust it."

I've coached other sports but not hockey. Nonetheless, it's hard for me to imagine that Schafer didn't devote a tremendous amount of time on defense the first few weeks of the season. Now that the team's performance on defense seems under control, I'd expect more attention to offense and to linking the two. So we should start to see the scoring pick up, hopefully by Estero. Time will tell ....

Little worried about Estero without Andy in net.

[Aaron M. Griffin]

Little worried about Estero without Andy in net.

Are we sure that he will accept the invitation to represent the United States at the 2012 World Junior Championships like he did last season? That assumes that he will be invited. He might make a different decision considering he is not in a rotation like he was last year and how Cornell really needs the pairwise boost after the losses to BU and Mercyhurst that potential wins over UMass and Maine could bring. If he does represent the United States, which is likely, and the United States gets into the medal round, that would keep Iles occupied until January 5. That is the day before the important series at CC begins. I find that potentially more unnerving.

[MotherPucker]

Iles will not be going to World Juniors. It will be announced shortly. Team USA will take Gibson instead to give him the experience he will need next year when he should take over the reigns for Jack Campbell.

[css228]

Iles will not be going to World Juniors. It will be announced shortly. Team USA will take Gibson instead to give him the experience he will need next year when he should take over the reigns for Jack Campbell.

Tough news for Iles if true, but good for us.