Cornell at Union 2/28

[Scersk '97]

Last years of great coaches are often disappointing. I leafed through the CHN almanac one day and saw some patterns.

Jeff Jackson this season at Notre Dame. Of course most of those other examples were not coming off a final eight season with virtually the entire team returning.  Shocking.

Pretty much the entire list of leaders by wins, including York, Parker, Berenson, Sauer, etc. Ron Mason is the only exception.

I would imagine almost all of their final years were under very different circumstances than Schafer's.

You don't read, do you? Great coaches, mediocre final seasons.

[Iceberg]

This game basically ended what optimism I had for the remainder of the season. I'll enjoy whatever good is left in the season but I'd be very surprised if this team is playing after next weekend.

[BearLover]

Last years of great coaches are often disappointing. I leafed through the CHN almanac one day and saw some patterns.

Jeff Jackson this season at Notre Dame. Of course most of those other examples were not coming off a final eight season with virtually the entire team returning.  Shocking.

Pretty much the entire list of leaders by wins, including York, Parker, Berenson, Sauer, etc. Ron Mason is the only exception.

I would imagine almost all of their final years were under very different circumstances than Schafer's.

You don't read, do you? Great coaches, mediocre final seasons.

You don't use critical thinking, do you? Did those coaches have that mediocre final season following two great seasons and 6/7 years in the NCAA tournament at an Ivy League school, like Schafer did? Did they retire because they were pushed out, following a period of less success? Or did they, like Schafer, go out on their own terms? Like I said, very different circumstances. A 75-year-old retiring from BU or Michigan after a relative down period is not the same as a 62-year-old retiring from Cornell at the height of success.

[Trotsky]

Last years of great coaches are often disappointing. I leafed through the CHN almanac one day and saw some patterns.

Jeff Jackson this season at Notre Dame. Of course most of those other examples were not coming off a final eight season with virtually the entire team returning.  Shocking.

Pretty much the entire list of leaders by wins, including York, Parker, Berenson, Sauer, etc. Ron Mason is the only exception.

I would imagine almost all of their final years were under very different circumstances than Schafer's.

You don't read, do you? Great coaches, mediocre final seasons.

I think Bear's point was you could be switching the causal arrow.

[Scersk '97]

Last years of great coaches are often disappointing. I leafed through the CHN almanac one day and saw some patterns.

Jeff Jackson this season at Notre Dame. Of course most of those other examples were not coming off a final eight season with virtually the entire team returning.  Shocking.

Pretty much the entire list of leaders by wins, including York, Parker, Berenson, Sauer, etc. Ron Mason is the only exception.

I would imagine almost all of their final years were under very different circumstances than Schafer's.

You don't read, do you? Great coaches, mediocre final seasons.

I think Bear's point was you could be switching the causal arrow.

Pretty sure they all left on their own terms.

[marty]

4-1 final. Union looked pretty beatable, but not by our team.

RPI lost to them in OT at The Mayor's Cup in Albany and could easily have won.

[pjd8]

Last years of great coaches are often disappointing. I leafed through the CHN almanac one day and saw some patterns.

Jeff Jackson this season at Notre Dame. Of course most of those other examples were not coming off a final eight season with virtually the entire team returning.  Shocking.

Pretty much the entire list of leaders by wins, including York, Parker, Berenson, Sauer, etc. Ron Mason is the only exception.

I would imagine almost all of their final years were under very different circumstances than Schafer's.

You don't read, do you? Great coaches, mediocre final seasons.

I think Bear's point was you could be switching the causal arrow.

Pretty sure they all left on their own terms.

I don't have direct knowledge of their leaving circumstances, but their records suggest they did indeed leave on their own terms. Sauer's sub-.500 years were not directly before his last season. Berenson and Parker had minor RS/CT/NCAA droughts toward the end, but not horrible results overall.

Jerry York, Last Season 15-18-5, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year
Jack Parker, Last Season 21-16-2, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year
Ron Mason, Last Season 27-9-5, Prior 10 seasons: 0 sub-.500 years
Red Berenson, Last Season 13-19-3, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year
Jeff Sauer, Last Season 16-19-4, Prior 10 seasons: 3 sub-.500 years
Mike Schafer, YTD 12-10-6, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year

I think there's a real chance that when a coaching retirement is announced it can drain the focus/energy of a team. That would certainly be consistent with Cornell's performance this year. Combine high pressure to have a great season with a slew of injuries early on, and it's easy to see how frustration mounts quickly.

What I loved most about Schafe's senior year was the fire the team had. It won them games that they shouldn't have. I haven't seen that fire this season, and the result has been just the opposite.

[chimpfood]

I wonder who we'll see in goal tomorrow. It could be that they go with the goalie that they will ride through the playoffs to get him hot (most likely Shane) or they could rest the goalie that they are gonna ride during the playoffs which would mean more likely keopple would go tomorrow. Of course they could also have given up on Shane after tonight and be going with keopple in the playoffs but that would be very surprising to me given how patient they have been with Shane this season.

[arugula]

Last years of great coaches are often disappointing. I leafed through the CHN almanac one day and saw some patterns.

Jeff Jackson this season at Notre Dame. Of course most of those other examples were not coming off a final eight season with virtually the entire team returning.  Shocking.

Pretty much the entire list of leaders by wins, including York, Parker, Berenson, Sauer, etc. Ron Mason is the only exception.

I would imagine almost all of their final years were under very different circumstances than Schafer's.

You don't read, do you? Great coaches, mediocre final seasons.

I think Bear's point was you could be switching the causal arrow.

Pretty sure they all left on their own terms.

I don't have direct knowledge of their leaving circumstances, but their records suggest they did indeed leave on their own terms. Sauer's sub-.500 years were not directly before his last season. Berenson and Parker had minor RS/CT/NCAA droughts toward the end, but not horrible results overall.

Jerry York, Last Season 15-18-5, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year
Jack Parker, Last Season 21-16-2, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year
Ron Mason, Last Season 27-9-5, Prior 10 seasons: 0 sub-.500 years
Red Berenson, Last Season 13-19-3, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year
Jeff Sauer, Last Season 16-19-4, Prior 10 seasons: 3 sub-.500 years
Mike Schafer, YTD 12-10-6, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year

I think there's a real chance that when a coaching retirement is announced it can drain the focus/energy of a team. That would certainly be consistent with Cornell's performance this year. Combine high pressure to have a great season with a slew of injuries early on, and it's easy to see how frustration mounts quickly.

What I loved most about Schafe's senior year was the fire the team had. It won them games that they shouldn't have. I haven't seen that fire this season, and the result has been just the opposite.

Must be killing him. Outwardly very positive but I can't imagine he's being patient with the team.

[Trotsky]

Last years of great coaches are often disappointing. I leafed through the CHN almanac one day and saw some patterns.

Jeff Jackson this season at Notre Dame. Of course most of those other examples were not coming off a final eight season with virtually the entire team returning.  Shocking.

Pretty much the entire list of leaders by wins, including York, Parker, Berenson, Sauer, etc. Ron Mason is the only exception.

I would imagine almost all of their final years were under very different circumstances than Schafer's.

You don't read, do you? Great coaches, mediocre final seasons.

I think Bear's point was you could be switching the causal arrow.

Pretty sure they all left on their own terms.

I don't have direct knowledge of their leaving circumstances, but their records suggest they did indeed leave on their own terms. Sauer's sub-.500 years were not directly before his last season. Berenson and Parker had minor RS/CT/NCAA droughts toward the end, but not horrible results overall.

Jerry York, Last Season 15-18-5, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year
Jack Parker, Last Season 21-16-2, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year
Ron Mason, Last Season 27-9-5, Prior 10 seasons: 0 sub-.500 years
Red Berenson, Last Season 13-19-3, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year
Jeff Sauer, Last Season 16-19-4, Prior 10 seasons: 3 sub-.500 years
Mike Schafer, YTD 12-10-6, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year

I think there's a real chance that when a coaching retirement is announced it can drain the focus/energy of a team. That would certainly be consistent with Cornell's performance this year. Combine high pressure to have a great season with a slew of injuries early on, and it's easy to see how frustration mounts quickly.

What I loved most about Schafe's senior year was the fire the team had. It won them games that they shouldn't have. I haven't seen that fire this season, and the result has been just the opposite.

This is a great post; well-researched and relevant.  Thank you.

[BearLover]

Last years of great coaches are often disappointing. I leafed through the CHN almanac one day and saw some patterns.

Jeff Jackson this season at Notre Dame. Of course most of those other examples were not coming off a final eight season with virtually the entire team returning.  Shocking.

Pretty much the entire list of leaders by wins, including York, Parker, Berenson, Sauer, etc. Ron Mason is the only exception.

I would imagine almost all of their final years were under very different circumstances than Schafer's.

You don't read, do you? Great coaches, mediocre final seasons.

I think Bear's point was you could be switching the causal arrow.

Pretty sure they all left on their own terms.

I don't have direct knowledge of their leaving circumstances, but their records suggest they did indeed leave on their own terms. Sauer's sub-.500 years were not directly before his last season. Berenson and Parker had minor RS/CT/NCAA droughts toward the end, but not horrible results overall.

Jerry York, Last Season 15-18-5, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year
Jack Parker, Last Season 21-16-2, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year
Ron Mason, Last Season 27-9-5, Prior 10 seasons: 0 sub-.500 years
Red Berenson, Last Season 13-19-3, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year
Jeff Sauer, Last Season 16-19-4, Prior 10 seasons: 3 sub-.500 years
Mike Schafer, YTD 12-10-6, Prior 10 seasons: 1 sub-.500 year

I think there's a real chance that when a coaching retirement is announced it can drain the focus/energy of a team. That would certainly be consistent with Cornell's performance this year. Combine high pressure to have a great season with a slew of injuries early on, and it's easy to see how frustration mounts quickly.

What I loved most about Schafe's senior year was the fire the team had. It won them games that they shouldn't have. I haven't seen that fire this season, and the result has been just the opposite.

Must be killing him. Outwardly very positive but I can't imagine he's being patient with the team.

Schafer is more outwardly positive this season than I can ever remember him while losing. I've found it very off-putting. They keep losing by 3+ goals and in his weekly write-up Schafer is like, "I love how we played, we just have to put the puck in the net" and "I'm very proud of our effort despite the injuries." It's the same shit every week, bad results against mediocre opposition and Schafer is trying to spin it in a positive light. What happened to the old Schafer who would rip the team a new one after losses? Fans don't want to see another blowout loss to a crap team and then have the coach tell them how proud he is. By the way, can we cancel the injury excuse please? There's been no correlation between who is healthy and how the team plays. We were as healthy last night as we've been all season and the team laid yet another massive egg.

[sah67]

. What happened to the old Schafer who would rip the team a new one after losses?

Do you expect him to suddenly be John Tortorella or something? I don't think any college coach worth their salt is ever going to "rip his team a new one" in a public interview with the student newspaper.

I'm sure the response to bad losses that takes place in the locker room/bus/next day's practice (that you're not privy to) is quite different.

[BearLover]

. What happened to the old Schafer who would rip the team a new one after losses?

Do you expect him to suddenly be John Tortorella or something? I don't think any college coach worth his salt is ever going to "rip his team a new one" in a public interview with the student newspaper.

I'm sure the response to bad losses that takes place in the locker room/bus/next day's practice (that you're not privy to) is quite different.

Sorry, but I strongly disagree with this. In the past Schafer has been very critical of the team (without naming names) in postgame press conferences and Sun interviews.

[sah67]

In the past Schafer has been very critical of the team (without naming names) in postgame press conferences and Sun interviews.

The post-game quotes from the coaches haven't sounded all like sunshine and rainbows to me. Were you hoping they would be more vicious and personal with their critiques?

"We don't line ourselves up with their speed, and we don't identify one of the best players in the league," Schafer said. "I told our guys afterwards, 'I'm getting tired of the same formula.'"

"[It was a] self-inflicted wound. You can't give up and not line yourself up with the speed and let a guy get in behind you," Schafer said. "If you just do your job, we're good."

"I don't want them coming out of the locker room and going, 'Poor us. We had a good game, we did a good job, we kept them [to] 11 shots on net,'" Schafer said. "What we did was [make] two monumental mistakes that cost us both goals. That's what we did. All the other stuff is just extracurricular."

"[Dartmouth] were stronger on their pucks and sticks. When that happens, and then the game [gets] out of control, and you get frustrated," Schafer said. "That's what we have a tendency to do to other teams, and they did that to us."

"Colgate played a good game," Schafer said. "We didn't play the way we need to play as a hockey team. The wheels fell off tonight."

"We just weren't sharp in all areas," Schafer said. "Our goaltending wasn't sharp, a lot of guys weren't sharp."

"I know our guys are banged up," Schafer said, referring to the growing list of injuries that has racked the Red's roster. "But we only had to play one game tonight and we couldn't suck it up and play the way we needed to play, and that's something we have to discuss as a team."

"I thought last night we probably deserved a better fate. Didn't get it," Jones said. "So we should have responded today and came out with the effort and attitude to get it done here tonight. But we wanted some shortcuts."

And then I thought tonight, we wanted to take it easy. So, we were disappointed in terms of execution, in terms of our effort."

"I didn't like the way we started the game. I didn't think we had the same pop [as last night]," said head coach Casey Jones '90.

[Trotsky]

. What happened to the old Schafer who would rip the team a new one after losses?

Do you expect him to suddenly be John Tortorella or something? I don't think any college coach worth his salt is ever going to "rip his team a new one" in a public interview with the student newspaper.

I'm sure the response to bad losses that takes place in the locker room/bus/next day's practice (that you're not privy to) is quite different.

Sorry, but I strongly disagree with this. In the past Schafer has been very critical of the team (without naming names) in postgame press conferences and Sun interviews.

Maybe he grew up?