2025 NCAAs: Flip the Switch, Flip the Script

[RichH]

I guess we can forget about an at-large bid.

In the 2005 Regional Final, playing Minnesota in Minnesota, Cornell was being severely outplayed.  Shots at the end of two were 26-7, yet the score was 1-1.  As the 3rd continued on, suddenly Cornell was the one who had the energy, and started carrying play.  I like to call that Mike's "rope-a-dope" game, where there was a switch that was flipped.  I have no idea if our coaches told the team to conserve energy or what, but even though it ended in a heartbreaking OT, we had an incredible game plan.

I've never seen a team flip the proverbial switch like this one.  The D was on, the depth was back, and Shane found his mojo.  Was this Schafer's final trick?  A full-season "rope-a-dope?"  Lull our biggest rivals into a false sense of confidence, then steamroll the playoffs?

Haha, of course not.

But we're in.

Time to dream.

[Beeeej]

I guess we can forget about an at-large bid.

This right here ^^ is my favorite reaction so far.

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[upprdeck]

regional sold out.  With MSU and OSU there gonna be a limited supply.

[ER]

regional sold out.  With MSU and OSU there gonna be a limited supply.

They aren't sold out. There are single game tickets available

[Weder]

regional sold out.  With MSU and OSU there gonna be a limited supply.

They aren't sold out. There are single game tickets available

Also, the Cornell ticket office will get an allotment

[Iceberg]

We get the earlier game on Thursday at 5:30 ET

[chimpfood]

The late game, BU vs OSU is at 2.

[djk26]

I know it will take our best game to beat Michigan State.  Anyone know anything about them, other than that they are very, very good?

[scoop85]

I know it will take our best game to beat Michigan State.  Anyone know anything about them, other than that they are very, very good?

They're a handful. Trey Augustine along with BC's Jacob Fowler are considered the 2 best goalies in college hockey. And Isaac Howard is their offensive star, a 1st round draft choice of Tampa Bay who is one of top scorers in college hockey. As you say, we'll need our best game, and Shane will need to be as good as he's been the past 3 weekends.

[Scersk '97]

I know it will take our best game to beat Michigan State.  Anyone know anything about them, other than that they are very, very good?

They're a handful. Trey Augustine along with BC's Jacob Fowler are considered the 2 best goalies in college hockey. And Isaac Howard is their offensive star, a 1st round draft choice of Tampa Bay who is one of top scorers in college hockey. As you say, we'll need our best game, and Shane will need to be as good as he's been the past 3 weekends.

From the stats, they look like a two-line team, which is problematic. One of the few teams that may be better than us 5-on-5?

Also, do we have a shutdown line that can handle someone like Howard? We haven't seemed to lately, but then the lineup card has been a mess all year.

[rmandel]

Heads up from experience.  Sports bars need a special license to show games on ESPN+.  Check before you go.

[chimpfood]

I know it will take our best game to beat Michigan State.  Anyone know anything about them, other than that they are very, very good?

They're a handful. Trey Augustine along with BC's Jacob Fowler are considered the 2 best goalies in college hockey. And Isaac Howard is their offensive star, a 1st round draft choice of Tampa Bay who is one of top scorers in college hockey. As you say, we'll need our best game, and Shane will need to be as good as he's been the past 3 weekends.

From the stats, they look like a two-line team, which is problematic. One of the few teams that may be better than us 5-on-5?

Also, do we have a shutdown line that can handle someone like Howard? We haven't seemed to lately, but then the lineup card has been a mess all year.

I would trust Penney/psenicka to shut their top line down but we haven't seen them on a line together all year if I remember right. We did a good job of shutting down clarksons top line who was also super strong. Might go back and see who we matched up against them most of the time. Probably just our top line of Walsh Bancroft and Mack.

[Al DeFlorio]

I know it will take our best game to beat Michigan State.  Anyone know anything about them, other than that they are very, very good?

They're a handful. Trey Augustine along with BC's Jacob Fowler are considered the 2 best goalies in college hockey. And Isaac Howard is their offensive star, a 1st round draft choice of Tampa Bay who is one of top scorers in college hockey. As you say, we'll need our best game, and Shane will need to be as good as he's been the past 3 weekends.

MSU highlights from last night here: https://youtu.be/WmDxSenbDt0?si=u5FK84UYlB9Qyy9c

Better stay out of the box.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

I know it will take our best game to beat Michigan State.  Anyone know anything about them, other than that they are very, very good?

They're a handful. Trey Augustine along with BC's Jacob Fowler are considered the 2 best goalies in college hockey. And Isaac Howard is their offensive star, a 1st round draft choice of Tampa Bay who is one of top scorers in college hockey. As you say, we'll need our best game, and Shane will need to be as good as he's been the past 3 weekends.

MSU highlights from last night here: https://youtu.be/WmDxSenbDt0?si=u5FK84UYlB9Qyy9c

Better stay out of the box.

I watched MSU's game last night.  They're big and they're fast, and Augustine is a wall.  If we play Schafer Hockey we can keep the goal count down, we'll have a chance.  But we can't get into a shooting contest.

[stereax]

I know it will take our best game to beat Michigan State.  Anyone know anything about them, other than that they are very, very good?

They're a handful. Trey Augustine along with BC's Jacob Fowler are considered the 2 best goalies in college hockey. And Isaac Howard is their offensive star, a 1st round draft choice of Tampa Bay who is one of top scorers in college hockey. As you say, we'll need our best game, and Shane will need to be as good as he's been the past 3 weekends.

MSU highlights from last night here: https://youtu.be/WmDxSenbDt0?si=u5FK84UYlB9Qyy9c

Better stay out of the box.

I watched MSU's game last night.  They're big and they're fast, and Augustine is a wall.  If we play Schafer Hockey we can keep the goal count down, we'll have a chance.  But we can't get into a shooting contest.

Yep. That's basically my understanding of MSU too - not only are the skaters very good (Howard's a Hobey Baker finalist), Augustine is a top three goalie in college hockey and a bona fide brick wall. Two recent articles. And Cornell's notably struggled to get into the high-danger areas before this playoff run. Realistically, our chances are low. But they're never zero.