2019 ECAC QF

[Tom Lento]

...

I don't know if this is really that overstated for the QF in general. If QPac didn't have missing players I'd take them as a 10-1 favorite for taking 2 of 3 from Brown at home, and I don't think Clarkson or Harvard's QF odds are all that far off either. 15% isn't likely, but it's not a super shocking upset either, and I think Dartmouth beating Harvard 2 of 3 is pretty unlikely. Maybe Yale's a lot better than their record (or Clarkson a lot worse)?

...

I actually like Brown's chances. Shiplo and Priskie are out tonight, and Priskie is out tomorrow too. Both of them are seniors, with Priskie being perhaps the best defenseman in the league. Unfortunately, Q has a big roster, with 10 defensemen, so they won't be so short that players will necessarily wear out. But besides just the absence of these players, any different pairings,etc. might stymie team chemistry and give Brown an advantage.

Brown beat Q 4-1 on Feb. 4, and Q beat Brown 4-1 on Mar. 1. In the first game Q's only score was on a PP. In both games, SOG were lopsidedly in Q's favor.

I think that series has upset potential as well. I wouldn't take QPac as a 10-1 favorite in the reality we occupy where QPac is missing key players for tonight and tomorrow.

Brown needs a win tonight to have a meaningful chance at the upset, though. Obviously it's mathematically possible for them to win two in a row the hard way, but it just seems far-fetched.

[margolism]

And Brown gets it in OT.

[andyw2100]

Anyone know why Topher Scott isn't doing the color commentary?

I know if was mentioned during the season that the RS was his last broadcast, so it was planned anyway.

Just watched the highlights from last night's game. (Game 2.) That certainly sounded like Topher doing the color commentary. It was, right?

[Trotsky]

Anyone know why Topher Scott isn't doing the color commentary?

I know if was mentioned during the season that the RS was his last broadcast, so it was planned anyway.

Just watched the highlights from last night's game. (Game 2.) That certainly sounded like Topher doing the color commentary. It was, right?

It was.  I swear to god he said he was going to miss the playoffs.  I was very glad to hear him!  And he was good luck.

Not only that but he mentioned he has a gig at Lake Placid next weekend (without Grady) and that he was excited / freaked out about it.  I think (objectively, of course) that he's a fantastic color man.  He talks a lot about how they coach kids up, and he does interesting breakdowns of ice strategy and really picks up on errors.  He's just got a really good hockey mind.  I'm surprised he didn't go farther as a coach, but I guess he got tired of the job consuming everything else.

[Weder]

Anyone know why Topher Scott isn't doing the color commentary?

I know if was mentioned during the season that the RS was his last broadcast, so it was planned anyway.

Just watched the highlights from last night's game. (Game 2.) That certainly sounded like Topher doing the color commentary. It was, right?

It was.  I swear to god he said he was going to miss the playoffs.  I was very glad to hear him!  And he was good luck.

Not only that but he mentioned he has a gig at Lake Placid next weekend (without Grady) and that he was excited / freaked out about it.  I think (objectively, of course) that he's a fantastic color man.  He talks a lot about how they coach kids up, and he does interesting breakdowns of ice strategy and really picks up on errors.  He's just got a really good hockey mind.  I'm surprised he didn't go farther as a coach, but I guess he got tired of the job consuming everything else.

I just noticed that he's been writing for The Athletic.

EDIT: Though it looks like he hasn't written anything since last year.

[Trotsky]

Occured to me last night reading the post-game of the Brown game: Priskie's suspension cost him both QF games.  Bet Q would have liked having him in 2 close games -- particularly blowing a lead in the third in game 2.

[ugarte]

Occured to me last night reading the post-game of the Brown game: Priskie's suspension cost him both QF games.  Bet Q would have liked having him in 2 close games -- particularly blowing a lead in the third in game 2.

fortunately for them, they were the only team in the conference who could afford not to care

[Trotsky]

Occured to me last night reading the post-game of the Brown game: Priskie's suspension cost him both QF games.  Bet Q would have liked having him in 2 close games -- particularly blowing a lead in the third in game 2.

fortunately for them, they were the only team in the conference who could afford not to care

Only if they see the NC$$ as the be all and end all.

While the NC$$ is cute and all, for me the emotional value of the season is the ECAC tournament.  The NC$$ is a fun but rather silly coda.

[ugarte]

Occured to me last night reading the post-game of the Brown game: Priskie's suspension cost him both QF games.  Bet Q would have liked having him in 2 close games -- particularly blowing a lead in the third in game 2.

fortunately for them, they were the only team in the conference who could afford not to care

Only if they see the NC$$ as the be all and end all.

While the NC$$ is cute and all, for me the emotional value of the season is the ECAC tournament.  The NC$$ is a fun but rather silly coda.

this is a low expectations tweet! but yes, the conference tournament is absolutely meaningful and i am sure they are not happy this morning.

[Trotsky]

Occured to me last night reading the post-game of the Brown game: Priskie's suspension cost him both QF games.  Bet Q would have liked having him in 2 close games -- particularly blowing a lead in the third in game 2.

fortunately for them, they were the only team in the conference who could afford not to care

Only if they see the NC$$ as the be all and end all.

While the NC$$ is cute and all, for me the emotional value of the season is the ECAC tournament.  The NC$$ is a fun but rather silly coda.

this is a low expectations tweet!

Bigger aint better, kid.  It's just bigger.

[ugarte]

Occured to me last night reading the post-game of the Brown game: Priskie's suspension cost him both QF games.  Bet Q would have liked having him in 2 close games -- particularly blowing a lead in the third in game 2.

fortunately for them, they were the only team in the conference who could afford not to care

Only if they see the NC$$ as the be all and end all.

While the NC$$ is cute and all, for me the emotional value of the season is the ECAC tournament.  The NC$$ is a fun but rather silly coda.

this is a low expectations tweet!

Bigger aint better, kid.  It's just bigger.

this is insane

[BearLover]

Yeah, pretty sure no one agrees with Trotsky here.

Anyway, today both the ECAC and the NCAA are on the line. We've been playing well. Let's just get it done.

[Scersk '97]

Yeah, pretty sure no one agrees with Trotsky here.

Anyway, today both the ECAC and the NCAA are on the line. We've been playing well. Let's just get it done.

Oh, I'm in agreement. I wouldn't go with "fun but rather silly coda." Maybe "elusive icing on the cake."

[LGR14]

A national championship should be the goal every single year.  The ECAC is not, and should not, be enough.  Just because it has been almost 50 years doesn't change that.  Toronto Maple Leafs fans will not be satisfied this year if they win only 15 playoff games.

[Trotsky]

It's not about "enoughness."  Enough is they try hard and I get to enjoy the games.

I'm talking about what constitutes an emotional satisfying season, and for me that's tied up with the ECACs.  the NC$$s are interesting, but they're a sort of alien experience: Super Estero.  They're a good Outro, but they aren't part of the "season."  For me, the season ends on Saturday night in Lake Placid.  After that it's like the Easter eggs after the credits.

Basically: the ECACs are class.  The NC$$ are crass.