Ohio State 4 @ Cornell 3

[HOTELCALIFORNIA]

I don't see a started thread for this game so I'll make it...

I'd like to hear people's thoughts on the game before I spew out mine...

:-(

[Jordan 04]

It was a tough listen.  That's my thought.

[Fieldf04]

My only feeling after tonight is FRUSTRATION  :-(   :-(   :-(

[Will]

Some thoughts:
- Offense was much improved, particularly the power play unit.  Unfortunately, Ohio State's offense was better.
- Ohio State's goals were well-executed, particularly the game winner.  Maybe I'm not giving them enough credit, but that seemed like a play they practiced, and it paid off.
- Great hustle by the Red to rally to tie it up.

[Big Ben 03]

a bit off topic, but - these used to (as recently as a couple weeks ago) grow to over 100 comments quite rapidly with game updates, power play info and off topic discussion all over. did everybody discover IRC? or is everyone now watching the home feeds and burninating i2sports's server? just curious: how did YOU get your game info tonight? (me - video feed and IRC)

[Al DeFlorio]

HOTELCALIFORNIA wrote:

I don't see a started thread for this game so I'll make it...

I'd like to hear people's thoughts on the game before I spew out mine...

:-(

I expect you'll whine that it was all McKee's fault.::rolleyes::

[Fieldf04]

Actually, the game could have gone either way in the 3rd.  We had several very close, well executed chances.  The OSU goalie came up huge on one of them.  First OSU goal was a result of a defensive breakdown in front of our net (surprise, surprise).  We were outplayed in the 2nd.  Other than that, we played a very solid game, which makes me particularly sad to see us lose.  One thing I've been disappointed in thus far this season is our work ethic.  The previous three big red teams earned many of their points with true grit and hard work.  This year, we dont have the same drive and dedication that I'm used to seeing (with the exception of Vesce and Cook who always come out to play).

[Ben Rocky \'04]

Thoughts on the game:
-we need to be more physical; baby and murray's hits are really needed
-we are always letting other teams set the style of play, and only after a good portion of the first are we taking charge
-mckee is doing fine, he has gotten much better on the rebounds, but the defense still needs to clear 'em and cover him after multiple saves (ie, the 4th OSU goal)
-our offense and defense are both tiring in the third, especially the last 10 minutes.

thank god for shaffer, he done a good job but we still have some work to do

[Will]

Field '04 wrote:

This year, we dont have the same drive and dedication that I'm used to seeing (with the exception of Vesce and Cook who always come out to play).

This year, at the very least, I'd add Hornby to that list.  He's still kicking ass and, luckily, evading most penalties while doing so.

[Ben Rocky \'04]

The Abbotts have also been showing some serious initiative.  Wallace looked better this weekend than he has in the past.

[Will]

Big Ben '03 wrote:

a bit off topic, but - these used to (as recently as a couple weeks ago) grow to over 100 comments quite rapidly with game updates, power play info and off topic discussion all over. did everybody discover IRC? or is everyone now watching the home feeds and burninating i2sports's server? just curious: how did YOU get your game info tonight? (me - video feed and IRC)

Well, some of us are actually at the games. :-P  Though, I agree, it is strange that this thread wasn't started earlier.

[HOTELCALIFORNIA]

Haha Al DeFlorio.. yeah I do think that a good portion of it IS McKee's fault.. I seriously don't like that kid. But I guess before the puck passes the goalie, it passes 3 offenders and 2 deffenders, right?

Anyway.. I disagree with Field. I think we played TERRIBLE. We spend waaaaay too much time setting up plays and skating around.. we need to shoot the freakin' puck. And we need people in front of the net to shoot the rebounds. And what has happend to our energy? No one is ever agressive anymore... well, except for Greg Hornby. But I think that's just natural for him.... but where is Cornell and who is that in our jerseys?

Out of those 4 goals scored, 2 of them were pretty easy.. I used to be a goalie and even I could have saved them. McKee comes out of his net.. he doesn't look at what he's doing.. all I want is for Todd to be better and everything will be okay! :`(

Also.. the fans were totally pissing me off!! Stuff like that really gets to me!! ::cuss::




Okay, that's all I have to say. :-)

[RedJeff20]

Have you all been watching the same team I've been watching?  While this year's team is certainly not last year's team, I thought as a whole they have put forth tremendous efforts in the past two games.  We are starting to do the gritty boardwork well and are beginning to get back to that puck control - cycling style that has become so familiar to us.  We're just not getting pucks to the net and when we get cycling, guys aren't able to get free in front.  

The thing that's frustrating is that we can keep the puck in the opponents' end of the ice for 10 minute stretches, and then a 3 second defensive lapse costs us a goal.  That's just backbreaking, especially when your power play is struggling.

My thoughts on certain players:

(1) McKee has done a terrific job (I sit right behind him) and he really impressed me in the Bowling Green game.  Sure he has flaws, but didn't Lenny?  

(2) Some guys certainly seem to be struggling, but I have been very impressed with the effort of several players who have not been mentioned in the above posts.  Without going into too much detail, I think Bitz, Moulson, Hynes, Chris A., Cam A., Iggulden, Knoepfli, and McCutchen have really given us terrific efforts.  Why didn't I name any defensemen here?  

(3) Our forwards are becoming very strong on the puck, especially Chris Abbott and Matt Moulson.  I also think that we have a lot more scoring potential than most people think.  If there were ever a way to get Knoepfli and McCutchen some open space to skate in, people would be raving about these guys.

--> I suppose I should stop now.  I'm frustrated, just like everyone else - but my frustration is not with Cornell per se, I've just got this real gloomy feeling about the future and quality of ECAC hockey and what that means for Cornell in the years to come.  Of course, as I write this I am finding out that RPI has just completed a SWEEP of #6 St. Cloud .

Oh well, I hope the boys get the triptophan (sp.?) out of their system before they hit the ice against the Lakers.

Cheers,
Mike

[Will]

RedJeff20 wrote:

Oh well, I hope the boys get the triptophan (sp.?) out of their system before they hit the ice against the Lakers.

A loss against Mercyhurst would just be plain embarrassing, much like the cursed Sacred Heart game a few years back.  I swear, if somehow we lose to Mercyhurst, I'm going to be doing a lot of bitching on eLF about this.

[Jodi (tuba \'00)]

The defense this year has been a little frustrating to watch.  At times it's like someone just hits a "slow" button.  I've also noticed that we often allow the other team a lot more room than we need to but then overcorrect and send two or three guys after the puck leaving the other side of the ice wide open--that burned us today on Ohio State's 2nd (or 3rd?) goal--McKee made the original save and directed it to his right but one of them swooped in and scored before any of our players could get there.

Tonight the transition game also stood out as really needing some work.  There was great hustle once we got the puck in their end, but it was really choppy trying to get through the neutral zone.   Hopefully this will improve with time.  

(and it was really fun to come back tonight and be in the alumni band and get to swannee again!  The undergrads were at Penn with the football game so us oldies got to play).