Turn the page: the 2025 second half

[Trotsky]

The first half was forgettable: 6-5-4 overall, 3-3-2 in conference.  What's done is done.

The second half begins next week, with 7 ECAC weekends.  

1 @ Prn/Qpc
2 Hvd/Drt
3 @ SLU/Clk
4 RPI/Uni
5 @ Brn/Yal
6 Clk/SLU
7 @ Uni/RPI

10 of those 14 games are against teams below us in PWR, but of course Sacred Heart was well below us in PWR.  I think the reasonable hope is to finish top 4 in the conference, secure a first round bye and a home quarterfinal, and then fight it out to cap the season with a Lake Placid run with the chance of a miracle title and likely one-and-done NC$$ appearance.  They are not a reasonable Frozen Four contender.  Given what we thought we had this summer that's sad, but life is hard.

I am looking forward to 14 nail biters and hoping enough go our way that we can finish 4th and then roll the dice.  That has been Cornell hockey for the vast majority of its history since Harkness left.  It is not a Greek Tragedy.  It is still a team almost anyone in the ECAC would kill for.

Let's Go Red!

[chimpfood]

I agree that we need to shift to focusing on the ECAC now but saying that we need a miracle run to win the ECAC and aren't gonna win an NCAA game even if we do seems silly. We're not in a good spot but I can definitely see that this team can be good if we turn a corner and we've already seen it for flashes

[BearLover]

I disagree with the notion that for most of the last 50 years we've been playing nailbiters and praying they break our way. I can't really speak to the years before Schafer, but this is not remotely how things have been for the past 30 years under his coaching regime. Schafer has won like 2/3 of his games coached and regularly blown out weaker opposition. In our best years like 03, 05, 10, 18, 20, we expected to win almost every game and did win most of them by multiple goals. Even in our good but not amazing seasons like last year we won many games easily. Through 15 games this season we have one(!!!) comfortable victory, a 5-0 win over Princeton at home (where SOG were actually even). Every game this year has been a huge struggle, and this is NOT the norm.

Yes, top four ECAC seed is the hope, but we are in a hole and things have not been trending upwards. Also, this is a nitpick, but we are not 6-5-4 overall or 3-3-2 in league. That counts our OT win as a regulation win, which it is not for both PWR and ECAC standings. We have  losing record in the ECAC and need to finish in the top 4. Highly doable but worse than a coin flip right now.

[Cop at Lynah]

Don't know if the expectations were to great or the chemistry changed or whatever is going on, but this is quickly turning into a lost season.

[Dafatone]

Something that hasn't come up much is that sure, we only lost one player, but Seger was about as good a player last year as I've ever seen at Cornell.

[marty]

Something that hasn't come up much is that sure, we only lost one player, but Seger was about as good a player last year as I've ever seen at Cornell.

As an offensive leader and captain - yes!

[Swampy]

Something that hasn't come up much is that sure, we only lost one player, but Seger was about as good a player last year as I've ever seen at Cornell.

As an offensive leader and captain - yes!

And a face-off machine! But strangely, if my memory serves, this year has not seen a drastic decrease in face-offs won.

[Al DeFlorio]

Something that hasn't come up much is that sure, we only lost one player, but Seger was about as good a player last year as I've ever seen at Cornell.

And now Penney.

[Snowball]

Son came to Cornell in the "Barron Era." I went to my first hockey game ever - not knowing a thing about it.  I figure skate so I immediately appreciated the agility and swiftness of the guys' skating: Yanni Kandis in particular stood out. In the beginning, I couldn't even "see" where the puck was. But watching the guys fly on the ice, experiencing the fun inside Lynah - I googled the rules and learned. I read the Dryden book: outstanding. Am now hooked on hockey.

Daughter and niece accepted a few years later.  I make excuses to get to Ithaca: clean daughter's kitchen and watch 2 hockey games. Get to see Ben Berard shoot, Steinberg pick fights and Malinski perform wonders. Soon season tickets are an excuse in and of themselves.

I'm in Florida in March of 2024 watching ESPN when they defeat RPI and it becomes apparent that Cornell will face Harvard in the playoffs. Can't stay away. The next Friday, I take the  5:50 am flight out of Florida and 3 flights later I am in Ithaca with my sister '02, daughter '25  and niece '24. Wegmans has no fish for the rest of the week. An octopus is scraped off the ice. Cornell takes Harvard apart. Twice.

I have a long list of favorites moments:

- Watching directly overhead from the Lynah bar as Kyle Penney, with quiet authority,  strips an opponent of the puck
- The joy of Kemp and Robinson when they each make their goal in the shootout
- Robinson threading perfect passes that are finished by, pick someone, Bancroft or Walsh?
- The Castagna-Mack-O'Leary line making a goal
- Castagna on his edges driving towards the goal
- Kyle Penny's short-handed goal!
- The lightening speed of O'Leary or Kraft, and the subsequent alarm of the opposite team
- Walsh stealing the puck and getting it to Bancroft for a shorty
-  All of Rego's wrap and jams
- Fegaras' skating, and shooting, love to watch him
- Walsh or Psenicka, in front of the goal, scoring with a quick tip or tuck in
- Delvin, Bancroft or Wallace putting on a heavy hit
- Charlie Major's OT game winner, a minute after the crowd was chanting his name
- Suda's fantastic shoot-out goal vs. SH

And of course: games Cornell was suppose to lose:

- Defeating  Nbr 1 Quinnipiac, 2x (Overrated cheer anyone?)
- Beating Nbr 1 ranked  Denver 2-0 in the 2023 NCAA finals
- Taking down Nodak 4x and Minnesota Duluth 2x- bursting those Midwest schools expectations of East Coast and Ivy League  hockey

And Sigh: every game at MSG with its giant crowd of loyal Cornelians.

I could go on, but you'd stop reading. In short, Cornell hockey has brought me great joy.

By all accounts this group of fine hardworking young men and they are juggling academics (night prelim anyone???) with practices, extra practices, long bus rides, charitable events and alumni dinners and never mind sorority formals. They're probably playing with at least some pain: according to my husband who in the Stone Age was a D-1 athlete,  it's the norm.

I don't really spend time wondering about the inner workings of the team. The questions I demand to be answered are more along the lines of: how could Kyle Betts earn a 4.2 in Electrical Engineering AND play hockey? Circuits alone should have derailed his hockey career.

I enjoy even the games they lose. Honest. Parts of them.

I'll be at Hobey Baker rink this Friday with my 3 little nieces decked in red.  They'll slap the hands of the players as they emerge from the locker room. It will be fantastic. Go Big Red!

[fastforward]

Son came to Cornell in the "Barron Era." I went to my first hockey game ever - not knowing a thing about it.  I figure skate so I immediately appreciated the agility and swiftness of the guys' skating: Yanni Kandis in particular stood out. In the beginning, I couldn't even "see" where the puck was. But watching the guys fly on the ice, experiencing the fun inside Lynah - I googled the rules and learned. I read the Dryden book: outstanding. Am now hooked on hockey.

Daughter and niece accepted a few years later.  I make excuses to get to Ithaca: clean daughter's kitchen and watch 2 hockey games. Get to see Ben Berard shoot, Steinberg pick fights and Malinski perform wonders. Soon season tickets are an excuse in and of themselves.

I'm in Florida in March of 2024 watching ESPN when they defeat RPI and it becomes apparent that Cornell will face Harvard in the playoffs. Can't stay away. The next Friday, I take the  5:50 am flight out of Florida and 3 flights later I am in Ithaca with my sister '02, daughter '25  and niece '24. Wegmans has no fish for the rest of the week. An octopus is scraped off the ice. Cornell takes Harvard apart. Twice.

I have a long list of favorites moments:

- Watching directly overhead from the Lynah bar as Kyle Penney, with quiet authority,  strips an opponent of the puck
- The joy of Kemp and Robinson when they each make their goal in the shootout
- Robinson threading perfect passes that are finished by, pick someone, Bancroft or Walsh?
- The Castagna-Mack-O'Leary line making a goal
- Castagna on his edges driving towards the goal
- Kyle Penny's short-handed goal!
- The lightening speed of O'Leary or Kraft, and the subsequent alarm of the opposite team
- Walsh stealing the puck and getting it to Bancroft for a shorty
-  All of Rego's wrap and jams
- Fegaras' skating, and shooting, love to watch him
- Walsh or Psenicka, in front of the goal, scoring with a quick tip or tuck in
- Delvin, Bancroft or Wallace putting on a heavy hit
- Charlie Major's OT game winner, a minute after the crowd was chanting his name
- Suda's fantastic shoot-out goal vs. SH

And of course: games Cornell was suppose to lose:

- Defeating  Nbr 1 Quinnipiac, 2x (Overrated cheer anyone?)
- Beating Nbr 1 ranked  Denver 2-0 in the 2023 NCAA finals
- Taking down Nodak 4x and Minnesota Duluth 2x- bursting those Midwest schools expectations of East Coast and Ivy League  hockey

And Sigh: every game at MSG with its giant crowd of loyal Cornelians.

I could go on, but you'd stop reading. In short, Cornell hockey has brought me great joy.

By all accounts this group of fine hardworking young men and they are juggling academics (night prelim anyone???) with practices, extra practices, long bus rides, charitable events and alumni dinners and never mind sorority formals. They're probably playing with at least some pain: according to my husband who in the Stone Age was a D-1 athlete,  it's the norm.

I don't really spend time wondering about the inner workings of the team. The questions I demand to be answered are more along the lines of: how could Kyle Betts earn a 4.2 in Electrical Engineering AND play hockey? Circuits alone should have derailed his hockey career.

I enjoy even the games they lose. Honest. Parts of them.

I'll be at Hobey Baker rink this Friday with my 3 little nieces decked in red.  They'll slap the hands of the players as they emerge from the locker room. It will be fantastic. Go Big Red!

Fantastic post!
Glad to see the bright side of things despite the recent turn of events. Enjoy Princeton! I wanted to make the trek but work is the ticket for me!

[TimV]

Snowball, that was beautiful.   One is not enough.  Please post more- I would love to read your thoughts as this and future seasons unfold.  This place was getting dark and bitter. When you can, go to more road games.  Also a great experience. I recommend skipping Brown.::snore::

[marty]

There is not a "Snowball's chance in..." that I could have posted something this wonderful.  Thank you!

[Swampy]

Snowball, that was beautiful.   One is not enough.  Please post more- I would love to read your thoughts as this and future seasons unfold.  This place was getting dark and bitter. When you can, go to more road games.  Also a great experience. I recommend skipping Brown.::snore::

I disagree. This year in particular, Brown may be important as a chance for the team to wake up (and avoid another event like SHU).

[arugula]

Son came to Cornell in the "Barron Era." I went to my first hockey game ever - not knowing a thing about it.  I figure skate so I immediately appreciated the agility and swiftness of the guys' skating: Yanni Kandis in particular stood out. In the beginning, I couldn't even "see" where the puck was. But watching the guys fly on the ice, experiencing the fun inside Lynah - I googled the rules and learned. I read the Dryden book: outstanding. Am now hooked on hockey.

Daughter and niece accepted a few years later.  I make excuses to get to Ithaca: clean daughter's kitchen and watch 2 hockey games. Get to see Ben Berard shoot, Steinberg pick fights and Malinski perform wonders. Soon season tickets are an excuse in and of themselves.

I'm in Florida in March of 2024 watching ESPN when they defeat RPI and it becomes apparent that Cornell will face Harvard in the playoffs. Can't stay away. The next Friday, I take the  5:50 am flight out of Florida and 3 flights later I am in Ithaca with my sister '02, daughter '25  and niece '24. Wegmans has no fish for the rest of the week. An octopus is scraped off the ice. Cornell takes Harvard apart. Twice.

I have a long list of favorites moments:

- Watching directly overhead from the Lynah bar as Kyle Penney, with quiet authority,  strips an opponent of the puck
- The joy of Kemp and Robinson when they each make their goal in the shootout
- Robinson threading perfect passes that are finished by, pick someone, Bancroft or Walsh?
- The Castagna-Mack-O'Leary line making a goal
- Castagna on his edges driving towards the goal
- Kyle Penny's short-handed goal!
- The lightening speed of O'Leary or Kraft, and the subsequent alarm of the opposite team
- Walsh stealing the puck and getting it to Bancroft for a shorty
-  All of Rego's wrap and jams
- Fegaras' skating, and shooting, love to watch him
- Walsh or Psenicka, in front of the goal, scoring with a quick tip or tuck in
- Delvin, Bancroft or Wallace putting on a heavy hit
- Charlie Major's OT game winner, a minute after the crowd was chanting his name
- Suda's fantastic shoot-out goal vs. SH

And of course: games Cornell was suppose to lose:

- Defeating  Nbr 1 Quinnipiac, 2x (Overrated cheer anyone?)
- Beating Nbr 1 ranked  Denver 2-0 in the 2023 NCAA finals
- Taking down Nodak 4x and Minnesota Duluth 2x- bursting those Midwest schools expectations of East Coast and Ivy League  hockey

And Sigh: every game at MSG with its giant crowd of loyal Cornelians.

I could go on, but you'd stop reading. In short, Cornell hockey has brought me great joy.

By all accounts this group of fine hardworking young men and they are juggling academics (night prelim anyone???) with practices, extra practices, long bus rides, charitable events and alumni dinners and never mind sorority formals. They're probably playing with at least some pain: according to my husband who in the Stone Age was a D-1 athlete,  it's the norm.

I don't really spend time wondering about the inner workings of the team. The questions I demand to be answered are more along the lines of: how could Kyle Betts earn a 4.2 in Electrical Engineering AND play hockey? Circuits alone should have derailed his hockey career.

I enjoy even the games they lose. Honest. Parts of them.

I'll be at Hobey Baker rink this Friday with my 3 little nieces decked in red.  They'll slap the hands of the players as they emerge from the locker room. It will be fantastic. Go Big Red!

This was great.  Restored my faith just a bit. Been getting very negative here.  Baker Rink is worth an early arrival. Talk about historic!  A living museum. One of my favorite all time venues pro or college or anything else.  Ingalls Rink-the Whale- at Yale too.  Trying to get there if work will allow.

[George64]

This was great.  Restored my faith just a bit. Been getting very negative here.  Baker Rink is worth an early arrival. Talk about historic!  A living museum. One of my favorite all time venues pro or college or anything else.  Ingalls Rink-the Whale- at Yale too.  Trying to get there if work will allow.

Thank you, Snowball, for your insightful and beautifully written post. I agree with arugula, eLynah has gotten very negative of late.  I now avoid certain threads entirely.

BTW, I've been following Cornell hockey since I matriculated in 1960. I've been there for the highs, Syracuse in 1967 and Lake Placid in 1970, and some disappointing seasons, too.  Hockey is a extraordinary sport, and at Cornell, played by extraordinary young men and women.  LGR!
.