Frozen Four

[Towerroad]

Here's a bonus argument.  There seems to be a high overlap of people holding Root for the ECAC To Lose and people who are, shall we say, underwhelmed by The System.  Well, when Cornell was dominant in the conference there was no incentive for Schafer to change what was working.  The success of Yale's firewagon hockey and Union's balance of good offense with good defense with no overt preference for either is a daily reminder that there are other ways to win that may be better tailored to the evolution of the game -- ways that are paying off in the most tangible reward possible.  Whether you love Schafer but wish he would change, or you hate Schafer and wish Andy would see the light, that new reality can only help your case.

This may be the most intelligent thing I have read on this site in a long time. "Adapt or die"

[ScrewBUHarvardtoo]

Union doesn't worry me too much recruiting wise because their campus is hideous, Schenectady is shittier than New Haven, and many high schools have nicer rinks than them (and academically they are definitely improving, but not at Cornell's level, although this can be a double-edged sword). Because of Lynah, the history, and our location, we'll definitely always do pretty well recruiting wise. I'm more interested in seeing whether success of other ECAC schools will force Schafer to change up his system. I know he's been doing this for a long time, but part of being a coach is adapting with the times, and not being predictable. What's interesting is that Union doesn't have many NHL prospects on its team, and I'm pretty sure when they made the Frozen Four two years ago, not single player was a draft pick (although Grosenick ended up leaving early).

[Trotsky]

The first ten minutes of the final have been nuts.  There have been 7 or 8 great chances already.  The goaltending is atrocious.  If they don't calm down it's going to wind up around 7-6.

[Rita]

Might be 7-6 by the end of the second period. Union up 4-2 with 3 minutes left in the first. Wow.

[ScrewBUHarvardtoo]

I've watched Union play and I think their goalie is vastly overrated. He's obviously better than the average college goalie, but he has such a low GAA because Union controls the puck and the play of the game probably better than any team in the country. If Minnesota can get the same amount of scoring chances they'll have a great chance of coming back

[Trotsky]

The way Gostisbehere is playing tonight he isn't leaving Philly without a contract.  Good.

[Trotsky]

52 shots over the first 30 minutes.  Yikes.

[Scersk '97]

The way Gostisbehere is playing tonight he isn't leaving Philly without a contract.  Good.

Emphatically agreed. That's NHL-ready. Would be wonderful if Ciampini or Novak were to depart as well.

[billhoward]

The way Gostisbehere is playing tonight he isn't leaving Philly without a contract.  Good.

Emphatically agreed. That's NHL-ready. Would be wonderful if Ciampini or Novak were to depart as well.

Urine test first. He is otherworldly.

[Trotsky]

Either I'm getting more tolerant or Melrose hasn't been awful tonight.

[Trotsky]

Huge goal for Union, now 5-3.

[Beeeej]

Huge goal for Union, now 5-3.

And on a truly pretty deflection.

[Trotsky]

Ghost is now +5.

[Trotsky]

Huge goal for Union, now 5-3.

And on a truly pretty deflection.

Yep.  That's the goal Anne always beats me on in rod hockey.

[Rita]

Minnesota sure is taking a lot of stupid penalties. Surprisingly that Union has yet to capitalize on the PP.