Cornell vs. Princeton--ECAC Semis

[BearLover]

Princeton's Max Véronneau has more than twice as many points as any player on Cornell.

[Tcl123]

Princeton's Max Véronneau has more than twice as many points as any player on Cornell.

Cornell's Matthew Galajda has more than four times as many shutouts as any player on Princeton.

Couldn't resist.

[billhoward]

Princeton's Max Véronneau has more than twice as many points as any player on Cornell.

Cornell's Matthew Galajda has more than four times as many shutouts as any player on Princeton. Couldn't resist.

It was an easy tip-in.

[Swampy]

Princeton's Max Véronneau has more than twice as many points as any player on Cornell.

As a team, Princeton averages 3.73 goals per game (3rd in the country and highest in the ECAC), while Cornell averages 3.23 (9th in the country and 2nd in the ECAC).

As a team, Cornell allows an average of 1.45 goals per game (lowest in the country); Princeton, 3.15 (42nd in the country and 9th in the ECAC).

[margolism]

I would take scoring distribution among many players any day over two or three players with gaudy points totals.

[scoop85]

I would take scoring distribution among many players any day over two or three players with gaudy points totals.

Without doubt. Much easier to shut down a single great line then 4 very good ones.

[margolism]

We have 15 on our roster with 10 or more points, they have 8.

[Trotsky]

Cornell has been very good about shutting down a great line.  And we have last change.

[BearLover]

I would take scoring distribution among many players any day over two or three players with gaudy points totals.

Oh, absolutely. I would much rather have four lines that can score than just one or two, which seems to be the case on pretty much every other colllege team. This is an incredibly deep Cornell team, way deeper than even some of the good Cornell teams in recent years. Schafer gives all four lines pretty equal playing time and even the "fourth" line, or at least this weekend's version of it, has two players in Mallott and Starrett who have spent time on the first line or been major offensive threats. Of note, the Yates-Barron-Donaldson line, which started the season off on fire, has been quiet lately, but Schafer hasn't shaken it up like he has the other lines.

[BigRedHockeyFan]

Cornell has been very good about shutting down a great line.  And we have last change.

Very important if Cornell faces Donato and friend's in the final.

[billhoward]

Some of this talk is whistling past the graveyard. On the other hand, if we are one of the top four teams in the country, hard work will take down Princeton nine games out of ten. Or four games out of five.

This is where the coach impresses on his team the "this is your time, this is your opportunity, seize it" mindset they need to carry them through the ECACs as champion and into the NCAAs as a one-seed playing close to home.

[Trotsky]

When Grady mentioned the big Olympic ice during the Saturday broadcast I thought, maybe for the first time ever, "that hasn't seemed to really make much difference but with our guys I'll take it."

We have come a very long way in terms of playing style and recruiting profile.  The funny thing is the biggest difference I see is not the Bauld / Vanderlaan style mites, as fun as they are.  It's that 4 of our 6 regular defensemen (Smith, Nuttle, Kaldis, McCrea) are also serious offensive threats and all jump into the play with enthusiasm.  Combine that with the infusion of speed and skill and this is a really fun team to watch.

I'll bet that 9-goal game Friday made a handful of kids Cornell fans for life.  Winning and offense aren't enough on their own, but mixed together they are addictive as crack.

[redice]

I'll bet that 9-goal game Friday made a handful of kids Cornell fans for life.

That's how it's worked for me... I went to my first CU games (as a teenager) during Ned's tenure.   9-1 games were not uncommon....  I was quickly hooked!!

[scoop85]

We have come a very long way in terms of playing style and recruiting profile.  The funny thing is the biggest difference I see is not the Bauld / Vanderlaan style mites, as fun as they are.  It's that 4 of our 6 regular defensemen (Smith, Nuttle, Kaldis, McCrea) are also serious offensive threats and all jump into the play with enthusiasm.  Combine that with the infusion of speed and skill and this is a really fun team to watch.

Haiskanen and Green also jump into the play with regularity -- remember Haiskanen's beautiful goal on Friday when he came down the slot and took the backdoor pass?

[snert1288]

I'll bet that 9-goal game Friday made a handful of kids Cornell fans for life.

That's how it's worked for me... I went to my first CU games (as a teenager) during Ned's tenure.   9-1 games were not uncommon....  I was quickly hooked!!

My first game was a 1-0 win at Princeton to start 2008 season. The first of Scrivens' pair of shut outs to start the season. 9-1 wins are better for blood pressure