LP Games

[redice]

I will confess my surprise that Joakim Ryan was not 1st team all-ecac.

I am a big fan of his, but I used to think that he could be manhandled in front of Cornell's net.  Not sure if others agree with that assessment.  I think he has improved his defensive play.  The kid is tough too, he blocked a shot with his facemask against Quinnipiac in their barn.  Shook it off on the bench and kept going.  To me he's not as good as some of our prior first-team ECAC players like Murray or Ratushny but on par with a player like Steve Wilson.

Agree on all counts.   I really expected him to be All-American this year.  But, if he's not first team all-ECAC, I see his chances diminishing.   Too bad.   He has been so much fun to watch this year and I cannot wait until next.

[redice]

So, the games are over, Union is 2014 ECAC Champs.  Congrats to the Dutchmen!

Now, I have to ask if anyone else found the title game on tv?      We came home from errands expecting to catch the game in-progress on DirecTV's Ch. 623 ( where the semi's were carried)..    All we found on 623 was a floating DirecTV logo.   And the game was on no other channel.     I wonder who is responsible for this work of wonderment (NOT broadcasting the Title game).

I found it just where I expected it - Fox Sports Atlantic.  And Fox Sports Central had the WCHA final.

Let me guess:  You're not on DirecTV?    

So, it's on Fox Sports Atlantic as expected (confirmed by you).   Which appeared on the DirecTV lineup on Friday night and disappeared on Saturday!!    Those RAT BASTARDS!!!

I went through this once, in the 90's, when we had Primestar.   Cornell was in that Title game....   I spent two hours on the phone with those SOB's that night.   All to no avail, of course.    They even televised the consolation game.   Then, cut off the broadcast right as the Title game was to start.   Yup, I was pissed!

[MattS]

Union simply was NOT going to allow a loss and they have the talent to make it happen.

I think it's more likely they had the coaching to make it happen. Union appears to have set-plays designed specifically to create scoring opportunities where the D or the goaltender is caught out of position. No, they don't work every time, but they don't have to. Cornell doesn't seem to do this: they have a system on defense, and hope/hustle on offense.

The advantage of surprise always goes to the guy with the puck, so (combined with the fact that at least one goal is required to win a game) it's critical to use that advantage in a systematic way.

To be clear, I did not see a huge talent gap in yesterday's game, but I did see a huge difference in how effective each team was when they had possession of the puck deep in the offensive zone. Union had a lot more opportunities to score because their whole team knew what scoring play they were going to try when they got possession of the puck in a particular situation.

I am not surprised at all by this. I have mentioned it before and a lot of people disagreed with me, but a huge part of Cornell's lack of ultimate success is that players are not developing offensively. I do not see the level of improvement in the offensive zone that I would think should happen when one coaches the talent of a Ferlin, Lowry, Bardreau, etc. And I daresay that some of them have actually regressed offensively.

[BearLover]

Union simply was NOT going to allow a loss and they have the talent to make it happen.

I think it's more likely they had the coaching to make it happen. Union appears to have set-plays designed specifically to create scoring opportunities where the D or the goaltender is caught out of position. No, they don't work every time, but they don't have to. Cornell doesn't seem to do this: they have a system on defense, and hope/hustle on offense.

The advantage of surprise always goes to the guy with the puck, so (combined with the fact that at least one goal is required to win a game) it's critical to use that advantage in a systematic way.

To be clear, I did not see a huge talent gap in yesterday's game, but I did see a huge difference in how effective each team was when they had possession of the puck deep in the offensive zone. Union had a lot more opportunities to score because their whole team knew what scoring play they were going to try when they got possession of the puck in a particular situation.

I am not surprised at all by this. I have mentioned it before and a lot of people disagreed with me, but a huge part of Cornell's lack of ultimate success is that players are not developing offensively. I do not see the level of improvement in the offensive zone that I would think should happen when one coaches the talent of a Ferlin, Lowry, Bardreau, etc. And I daresay that some of them have actually regressed offensively.

Yep.  No offensive skill whatsoever on any recent Cornell teams.  When was the last time Cornell scored a goal off an amazing deke or a great passing play?

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

So, the games are over, Union is 2014 ECAC Champs.  Congrats to the Dutchmen!

Now, I have to ask if anyone else found the title game on tv?      We came home from errands expecting to catch the game in-progress on DirecTV's Ch. 623 ( where the semi's were carried)..    All we found on 623 was a floating DirecTV logo.   And the game was on no other channel.     I wonder who is responsible for this work of wonderment (NOT broadcasting the Title game).

I found it just where I expected it - Fox Sports Atlantic.  And Fox Sports Central had the WCHA final.

Let me guess:  You're not on DirecTV?    

Nope.  Service Electric Cable TV, a family owned cable company in Allentown.  In fact, the first cable company in the US.

I pay extra for their sports package, just so I get college hockey in the winter and lax in the spring.

[scoop85]

Union simply was NOT going to allow a loss and they have the talent to make it happen.

I think it's more likely they had the coaching to make it happen. Union appears to have set-plays designed specifically to create scoring opportunities where the D or the goaltender is caught out of position. No, they don't work every time, but they don't have to. Cornell doesn't seem to do this: they have a system on defense, and hope/hustle on offense.

The advantage of surprise always goes to the guy with the puck, so (combined with the fact that at least one goal is required to win a game) it's critical to use that advantage in a systematic way.

To be clear, I did not see a huge talent gap in yesterday's game, but I did see a huge difference in how effective each team was when they had possession of the puck deep in the offensive zone. Union had a lot more opportunities to score because their whole team knew what scoring play they were going to try when they got possession of the puck in a particular situation.

I am not surprised at all by this. I have mentioned it before and a lot of people disagreed with me, but a huge part of Cornell's lack of ultimate success is that players are not developing offensively. I do not see the level of improvement in the offensive zone that I would think should happen when one coaches the talent of a Ferlin, Lowry, Bardreau, etc. And I daresay that some of them have actually regressed offensively.

Yep.  No offensive skill whatsoever on any recent Cornell teams.  When was the last time Cornell scored a goal off an amazing deke or a great passing play?

I'll grant you there weren't many this year, but Buckles' tying goal against Harvard off the nice Kubiak feed was awfully pretty

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

FWIW, there's a replay on Fox Sports Atlantic right now - 6 PM Sunday eve.

[redice]

I don't follow the stats real closely.   But, I do believe we are getting our asses kicked in the face-off circle on a fairly regular basis.    I don't know if Joe N. is stopping by to help with this problem.   But, when he did in the past, CU improved greatly in that department.   It would help the offensive game a lot to start out more plays with the puck in our possession.    The last I heard, Joe is still between jobs and living in Tompkins County.

[BearLover]

Union simply was NOT going to allow a loss and they have the talent to make it happen.

I think it's more likely they had the coaching to make it happen. Union appears to have set-plays designed specifically to create scoring opportunities where the D or the goaltender is caught out of position. No, they don't work every time, but they don't have to. Cornell doesn't seem to do this: they have a system on defense, and hope/hustle on offense.

The advantage of surprise always goes to the guy with the puck, so (combined with the fact that at least one goal is required to win a game) it's critical to use that advantage in a systematic way.

To be clear, I did not see a huge talent gap in yesterday's game, but I did see a huge difference in how effective each team was when they had possession of the puck deep in the offensive zone. Union had a lot more opportunities to score because their whole team knew what scoring play they were going to try when they got possession of the puck in a particular situation.

I am not surprised at all by this. I have mentioned it before and a lot of people disagreed with me, but a huge part of Cornell's lack of ultimate success is that players are not developing offensively. I do not see the level of improvement in the offensive zone that I would think should happen when one coaches the talent of a Ferlin, Lowry, Bardreau, etc. And I daresay that some of them have actually regressed offensively.

Yep.  No offensive skill whatsoever on any recent Cornell teams.  When was the last time Cornell scored a goal off an amazing deke or a great passing play?

I'll grant you there weren't many this year, but Buckles' tying goal against Harvard off the nice Kubiak feed was awfully pretty

It was a good goal, but it wasn't exactly a great passing play, just a one-timer on a fast break IIRC.

[Icy]

Cornell-Union 3/21/14 Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdCAmgRtUMU

[Icy]

Colgate-Union 3/22/14 Highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpY_l68B8wY

[MattS]

Union simply was NOT going to allow a loss and they have the talent to make it happen.

I think it's more likely they had the coaching to make it happen. Union appears to have set-plays designed specifically to create scoring opportunities where the D or the goaltender is caught out of position. No, they don't work every time, but they don't have to. Cornell doesn't seem to do this: they have a system on defense, and hope/hustle on offense.

The advantage of surprise always goes to the guy with the puck, so (combined with the fact that at least one goal is required to win a game) it's critical to use that advantage in a systematic way.

To be clear, I did not see a huge talent gap in yesterday's game, but I did see a huge difference in how effective each team was when they had possession of the puck deep in the offensive zone. Union had a lot more opportunities to score because their whole team knew what scoring play they were going to try when they got possession of the puck in a particular situation.

I am not surprised at all by this. I have mentioned it before and a lot of people disagreed with me, but a huge part of Cornell's lack of ultimate success is that players are not developing offensively. I do not see the level of improvement in the offensive zone that I would think should happen when one coaches the talent of a Ferlin, Lowry, Bardreau, etc. And I daresay that some of them have actually regressed offensively.

Yep.  No offensive skill whatsoever on any recent Cornell teams.  When was the last time Cornell scored a goal off an amazing deke or a great passing play?

I do not care about how amazing the deke or passing play is. I would just like to watch a game where I feel like if the opposing team scores more than 2 goals, Cornell still has a chance to win. And I would like to see some creativity and an actual plan for the offense. Baring that, I would settle for: A) Having Ferlin create a real scoring chance with his skating/puck handling ability and B) someone (Hilbrich maybe) regularly drive to the net and get some rebound chances.

[Trotsky]

I willingly accept the cutback on offense when it's accompanied by tight defense.  The problem recently has been the GFA and GAA have converged.

If we can get back above GF/(GF+GA) = .60, I don't care if we skate in cement and average 2.2 goals per game.

[Trotsky]

I will confess my surprise that Joakim Ryan was not 1st team all-ecac.

I am a big fan of his, but I used to think that he could be manhandled in front of Cornell's net.  Not sure if others agree with that assessment.  I think he has improved his defensive play.  The kid is tough too, he blocked a shot with his facemask against Quinnipiac in their barn.  Shook it off on the bench and kept going.  To me he's not as good as some of our prior first-team ECAC players like Murray or Ratushny but on par with a player like Steve Wilson.

I'd compare him to Mark McRae.  Great natural talent and dedicated worker; had to learn to be a little restrained to respect his defensive duties, but has developed into the best blueliner on the team.

I was also surprised he wasn't 1st team all-ECAC.

I'll say only one thing that could be construed as negative.  He quarterbacks the pp and the pp is horrible.  I don't lay it solely at his feet (skates?), but star players do shine in those situations.  Had we an effective pp this season could have been considerably better.

[MattS]

I will confess my surprise that Joakim Ryan was not 1st team all-ecac.

I am a big fan of his, but I used to think that he could be manhandled in front of Cornell's net.  Not sure if others agree with that assessment.  I think he has improved his defensive play.  The kid is tough too, he blocked a shot with his facemask against Quinnipiac in their barn.  Shook it off on the bench and kept going.  To me he's not as good as some of our prior first-team ECAC players like Murray or Ratushny but on par with a player like Steve Wilson.

I'd compare him to Mark McRae.  Great natural talent and dedicated worker; had to learn to be a little restrained to respect his defensive duties, but has developed into the best blueliner on the team.

I was also surprised he wasn't 1st team all-ECAC.

I'll say only one thing that could be construed as negative.  He quarterbacks the pp and the pp is horrible.  I don't lay it solely at his feet (skates?), but star players do shine in those situations.  Had we an effective pp this season could have been considerably better.

I agree with your assessment of the PP and how it negatively effects the perception of Ryan. Like you said it's not all his fault, I think a ton of that blame needs to be on the coaching staff. The PP has been bad for quite a while now and nothing has/is changing. But it is the players on the ice that get blamed more than the coaches when it comes to awards.

I think one think that gets overlooked with Ryan's offensive side is the excellent play by Wilcox that allows him to pinch and be offensive minded knowing that Wilcox is steady on the defensive end. Wilcox's play has alleviated the need for Ryan to become more and more defensively minded.