Women's Hockey 2015

[imafrshmn]

Olympics and IIHF World Championships (Women):

Playoff games (except Gold Medal match):
- 3 minute intermission, no ice resurfacing
- 10 minute 4x4 sudden death followed by 3+ round shootout

Gold medal match:
- 15 minute intermission, ice is resurfaced
- 20 minute 4x4 sudden death followed by 3+ round shootout

[Jim Hyla]

Olympics and IIHF World Championships (Women):

Playoff games (except Gold Medal match):
- 3 minute intermission, no ice resurfacing
- 10 minute 4x4 sudden death followed by 3+ round shootout

Gold medal match:
- 15 minute intermission, ice is resurfaced
- 20 minute 4x4 sudden death followed by 3+ round shootout

Yes, I know, but please, tell me it didn't happen.:`-(

[RichH]

Off the schneid. 5-1 win vs. Brown.

Jenner and Saulnier returned & each scored twice.

[mattj711]

Looks like Derraugh moved Woods back to defense for most, if not all, of the third period. I thought it really helped Cornell's play. The third period was the first time this season where the team appeared to be somewhat clicking. At the very least, I wasn't scratching head wondering what in the hell they were doing.

[imafrshmn]

Jill Saulnier's goals were both incredible. Her first one, to put the team up 4-1, came after a long shift working the puck in the o-zone and making a few good plays to keep it in. Then she had the energy to skate hard to the net on the far side and slammed home a one-timer in the slot. Her second one was just a few moments later where she started a breakaway onto the net from stripping a Brown player of the puck, made a few awesome dangles and then stuffed it in low glove side as she was being shoved into the goaltender.

Overall a lot of improvement from previous games. Defensive zone play was mostly solid and cleaned up as the game wore on. Players were putting themselves in positions to be effective and the stars shined. Jenner got herself a couple of goals as well. Jenner and Saulnier are playing at a whole other level than their teammates, so hopefully they will help raise everyone's game.

This team needs to gain some more rhythm and confidence, but the potential to be very competitive this year is there.

[ithacat]

Jenner and Saulnier are at another level. Recruiting has slid the past few years and I'm realizing how fortunate we have been with all the talent that came through Cornell. Shame the team couldn't have won that final, the future looks much more like good but not great. Hope I'm wrong.

[Rosey]

Jenner and Saulnier are at another level. Recruiting has slid the past few years and I'm realizing how fortunate we have been with all the talent that came through Cornell. Shame the team couldn't have won that final, the future looks much more like good but not great. Hope I'm wrong.

Between that and the Lacrosse finals in 2009 and the Frozen Four in 2003, I'm pretty sure Cornell is prevented by The Fates from ever winning a national championship in any sport that matters. Not sure whether that's better or worse for morale than just being terrible all the time.

[underskill]

If Vandy can win a men's national championship then no school can ever complain of fate blocking them.

[marty]

Jenner and Saulnier are at another level. Recruiting has slid the past few years and I'm realizing how fortunate we have been with all the talent that came through Cornell. Shame the team couldn't have won that final, the future looks much more like good but not great. Hope I'm wrong.

Between that and the Lacrosse finals in 2009 and the Frozen Four in 2003, I'm pretty sure Cornell is prevented by The Fates from ever winning a national championship in any sport that matters. Not sure whether that's better or worse for morale than just being terrible all the time.

Curse of the bummed-beanos?

[RichH]

Cornell visits Duluth for a 2-game series. The only other time Cornell and UMD have met was in the heartbreaking 3OT National Championship game in 2010.

Game 1 is on, video available on ILDN. Jenner scores as a PP expires, and UMD answer a couple minutes later. 1-1 with 8:00 left in the 1st.

[imafrshmn]

Another disastrous third period against a top tier team. This Cornell team could be playing so much better. Not sure what the difference makers will have to be.

[margolism]

The 6-2 losses vs BC don't look quite as horrible given Harvard's 10-2 loss today.

[imafrshmn]

1-1 to Mercyhurst in a game in which both teams looked rusty at times. More importantly, the Cornell squad maintained systems discipline--arguably their biggest weakness until this point. Unfortunately that meant very conservative offensive zone play tonight. It remains to be seen whether the defense will be able to (safely) play deep pucks, as had been the hallmark of Gagliardi/Cudmore/Fortino/Rougeau in years past.

The level of play in NCAA women's hockey has progressed so broadly over the past 5 years or so that Cornell no longer holds clear-cut advantages in speed, skill, and stamina. Jenner and Saulnier are world-class players, but that's often insufficient firepower against disciplined defenses. I think the Big Red are now building some confidence with a very winnable home tilt against the Orange tomorrow night, but there's still a long way to go before they can play top-10-level hockey.

[TimV]

...world-class players, but that's often insufficient firepower against disciplined defenses.

Strange...it seems to be sufficient against our mens team...::doh::

[imafrshmn]

Really promising first period in this Tuesday nighter against Syracuse. Score is 1-0, on a rebound goal scored by Brianna Veerman. Although we gave up a few breakaways in on goalie Amelia Boughn, we controlled the majority of play and got better as it went along. They are doing a much better job than last night supporting the puck in the offensive zone and making good decisions with the puck. Anna Zorn and Brianne Jenner are looking great out there tonight.

Edit...

Game's over, and it was a resounding 6-2 win for the ladies in Red. Much improvement was seen on offensive zone play--everyone's making quicker and smarter decisions with the puck. Line changes were cleaner too...leading to fewer instances of lone puck carriers being abandoned by their 'mates in the o-zone and few odd man rushes going back. You could also tell that the mental side of the game has picked up--not just on confidence, but also strategic awareness of their opponents' positioning that postured Cornell to take advantage of mistakes. Freshman goalie Amelia Boughn looked comfortable in her first start. Freshmen D-men Erin O'Connor and Sarah Knee have made noticeable individual progress and seem poised to develop into leaders with time, with plenty of raw talent and athleticism to work with. Sophomore forward Brianna Veerman, who sat out for almost all of her freshman season with injury, is also showing a lot of promise right now.

Looking ahead to the north country roadtrip this weekend, St. Lawrence and Clarkson will both be very formidable opponents. Two wins, while certainly the objective, are a hair unlikely in my opinion. Two or three points would be a solid outcome.