2020-01-10: Cornell 3 RPI 0

[ACM]

I can deal with a guy who can't keep up with the play. I have a problem with a guy who doesn't read the line chart or the pronunciation guide properly. I mean, they teach reading in what, the second grade these days?

Personally I'm enjoying watching Driven and Ragoosh

I'm just upset to learn that Galajda is a senior.

Imagine how surprised RPI will be when he plays against them next year.

[Roy 82]

I am loving the 80s music vibe.

[Swampy]

Donaldson has won some fans in Troy.

[BearLover]

Calling a hockey game is extremely difficult. I thought he did a fine job for a student.

RPI looks better this year.

[ursusminor]

Calling a hockey game is extremely difficult. I thought he did a fine job for a student.

RPI looks better this year.

They definitely are playing better than the last several years. That's all I can ask for. With the ECAC, except for a few teams, down this year, we should be able get home ice in the first round of the playoffs. If we can win the first round, which the home team is supposed to do, I will be happy with the season. Mot that I don't hope for more.

Now, wait until you see the RPI women tomorrow. Talk about a train wreck.

[French Rage]

I'll take great video quality and bad PBP over had video quality and good PBP.

[ugarte]

That between the legs pass they're enamored by was so crafty that I didn't even see it

right. and I mean 5 replays showed that it was Locke who scored and in a pinch just look at the line of guys skating past the bench but he kept giving Mullins credit for his second.

[Swampy]

Calling a hockey game is extremely difficult. I thought he did a fine job for a student.

RPI looks better this year.

I wonder, do students calling games have faculty, or at least professional, coaching? A little extra study of the pronunciation page and other pre-game preparation would be a great help. But I agree, otherwise a fine job for a student.

[upprdeck]

I thought they played a solid 30 min and then a sloppy last 30.  probably should have been up 5-6 with all the solid chances, but very lucky we didnt give back 2-3 down the stretch with the mistakes and sloppy D.

[ursusminor]

Calling a hockey game is extremely difficult. I thought he did a fine job for a student.

RPI looks better this year.

I wonder, do students calling games have faculty, or at least professional, coaching? A little extra study of the pronunciation page and other pre-game preparation would be a great help. But I agree, otherwise a fine job for a student.

That's an excellent question. I don't know, but it would be a good idea.

If Joe, the RPI PBP announcer. can pronounce his own family name, which I won't attempt to spell, he should know that it is important to say names correctly. Then again, I have heard my family name mangled many times, and it is quite easy to say.

[75er]

The WHCU feed was synched very closely to the RPITV feed, so the student PBP was avoidable

[Robb]

Not sure where else to put this, but just perusing the stats this morning, and I continue to be in awe of Cornell's D.  19 goals allowed this season in 14 games - but 11 of those were power play goals against.  8 even-strength goals allowed in 14 games is ridiculous.  That's darn near allowing an even strength goal only once every other game.  

And sure, it's not been against that hardest SOS, but KRACH has our SOS at a respectable #17.  Our SOS will go down over the remaining ECAC season, but our stats should theoretically improve, too - exhibit A is just our 2nd shutout of the season last night at RPI.

Also worth noting that we have not yet allowed more than 2 goals in a game this season - that is ridiculous consistency.  Minnesota State is .01 GPGA better overall, but they've allowed 3+ goals in 4 of their 23 games, including a bizarre 7 GA vs. St. Cloud.

If only we had a merely decent kill (instead of 52nd out of 60 teams), we would be setting all kinds of defensive records....

[ice]

I'll take great video quality and bad PBP over had video quality and good PBP.

Ditto.  The video is free as is the replay on youtube.  Let the announcers have some fun.  What the heck.  

I think this year's team is better than the 2003 and 2006 teams, so far at least.

[BearLover]

Not sure where else to put this, but just perusing the stats this morning, and I continue to be in awe of Cornell's D.  19 goals allowed this season in 14 games - but 11 of those were power play goals against.  8 even-strength goals allowed in 14 games is ridiculous.  That's darn near allowing an even strength goal only once every other game.  

And sure, it's not been against that hardest SOS, but KRACH has our SOS at a respectable #17.  Our SOS will go down over the remaining ECAC season, but our stats should theoretically improve, too - exhibit A is just our 2nd shutout of the season last night at RPI.

Also worth noting that we have not yet allowed more than 2 goals in a game this season - that is ridiculous consistency.  Minnesota State is .01 GPGA better overall, but they've allowed 3+ goals in 4 of their 23 games, including a bizarre 7 GA vs. St. Cloud.

If only we had a merely decent kill (instead of 52nd out of 60 teams), we would be setting all kinds of defensive records....

Turns out our big "question mark" coming into the season, our young defense, didn't turn out to be much of a question at all. I can think of a few reasons for this:
1. Schafer is probably the best defensive coach in college hockey.
2. The three freshman D who have played every game each had two full years of USHL or NAHL experience prior to matriculating. Malinski, 21, Mitchell, 20, and Dirven, 21, are not young kids.
3. Cornell has rolled seven D in a few games this year since Haiskanen returned. Spreading playing time around prevents the D unit from getting worn down.

All that said, no one could have predicted this level of defensive dominance with three freshman D playing every game. Of course, the forwards and Galajda play defense too, and they are all defensively responsible and sound (or else Schafer wouldn't let them play).

Also, boring answer, but I believe our weak PK is more the result of a small sample size than anything else. Watching most of the games, it hasn't seemed like our opponents have controlled the puck for long periods in our zone on the PP. Not sure if PP possession statistics are available on a per-penalty basis anywhere on the internet for me to check this though.

Someone on here said this looks like the best Cornell team since 2003 and from what I've seen so far, I agree. But it's so early still.

[redice]

Turns out our big "question mark" coming into the season, our young defense, didn't turn out to be much of a question at all. I can think of a few reasons for this:
1. Schafer is probably the best defensive coach in college hockey.
.....

This is exactly why, prior to this season, I predicted BIG things for this team!   I had no doubt that Coach would bring these freshmen D up to speed in a hurry...   We're seeing this to be true.

Shafer is amazing!!!