1st Half

[Steve M]

[Q]Robb Wrote:

 There are a couple of differences that lead to the perception that this year's team is markedly "worse" than last year's team despite similar W-L records at this point.  (note: I'm not saying that we're NOT worse - time will tell - but there certainly is a perception that we are worse).  

 Last year, we didn't get blown out 6-1 in any of our 3 early losses.  Last year, we didn't blow 2 goal leads on consecutive nights to the same non-conference team.  Last year, we didn't need late goals to beat Harvard or an ECAC team that was picked at the bottom of the league.  Last year, our GF-GA was significantly better at this point in the season, and Dave's GAA and Sv Pct were already ridiculous.  Yes, we do have the same record; we've earned that record, but we have definitely been scraping by by a lot closer margins this year.[/q]

Good points.  Our CHODR (which takes margin of victory into account) ranking is around 30 this year.  At this time last year we were in the Top 5 in CHODR IIRC.  Also both losses and both ties were on the road, and they were all against NCAA tournament contenders.

The silver lining, as I see it, is that the team's record is still very good even though the level of play hasn't met expectations (at least not mine).  So if the Red do start playing as well as expected, we may be in for another great 2nd half.

[Josh '99]

[Q]CowbellGuy Wrote:
Don't forget that might just reflect height/weight inflation...[/q]Wouldn't that just apply to Harvard?  B-]

[Cactus12]

Something that hasn't really been mentioned so far is the character/ leadership of this team. I think that was the biggest loss from last year. Knoepfli and Iggulden for example... they were certainly talented but you wouldn't call them stars...  but there's definitely something to be said for being able to play heads-up, consistent hockey for 60 minutes. I think winter break may really give this team time to settle in. If you get rid of the careless mistakes on defense, and confusion on the PP (leading to passing back and forth at the blue line), and play consistent hockey, this team has a lot of potential even for this season. Carefoot is a skater whose play I think could really set an example for the team. And if Gleed (where is he by the way?) could get into a groove, it could do wonders for the defense.

[billhoward]

If Mike Schafer is truly one of the country's best teaching coaches (as opposed to recruiting, or alumni-pleasing), then the coach is a bigger part of the equation. What he's teaching sinks in over time, especially to new players, so the results become more apparent later in the season.

Maybe we are transitioning to an NHL/WCHA style of hockey that looks more to scoring than defense. But I can't see the trend ever going away from bigger players at any school. I could see teams trying to get more scoring and more offense from bigger guys. Eg, Shaq on ice. If a Topher Scott comes along, you take him, because not everyone has to be a gorilla.

Could it be Cornell still wants to be a defensive-minded team and is having trouble doing it?

Still, even if Cornell is a second half team, what happened the first dozen games was disappointing:
- Offense under 2 goals per game excluding power play and man-short (20 goals in 12 games)
- Power play not what it was in previous years
- Penalty kill good not world class
- Lots of off nights in the nets, or unlucky nights
- Advantage-in-shots margins in excess of advantage in goals margins
- Every victory except one by 1 goal, excluding ENG game-sealers

The Florida Classic could help turn things around. Too bad Pokoluk will be at the world junior tournament instead. Even if some people are down on him, he's still a player you want to have playing. Two wins there, agains non-ECAC competition, could be crucial.

[redhair34]

[Q]Cactus12 Wrote:
 And if Gleed (where is he by the way?)[/q]

injured

[redhair34]

[Q]billhoward Wrote:

Too bad Pokoluk will be at the world junior tournament instead. Even if some people are down on him, he's still a player you want to have playing. Two wins there, agains non-ECAC competition, could be crucial. [/q]

 He was just invited to try out.  He is by no means guaranteed to make the team.  As a few people have already mentioned, considering how few NCAA players usually make the team and how poor he has performed this season, chances are he will be in Estero.

[Chris \'03]

[Q]billhoward Wrote:

disappointing:
- Offense under 2 goals per game excluding power play and man-short (20 goals in 12 games)


The Florida Classic could help turn things around. Too bad Pokoluk will be at the world junior tournament instead. Even if some people are down on him, he's still a player you want to have playing. Two wins there, agains non-ECAC competition, could be crucial. [/q]

Last year at the break it was 28 5x5 goals in 11 games. And that includes rolling up the score against world-beaters Army, and Sacred Heart. I'm sorry the team is beating better opponents by the same scores.

Also, Pokoluk was invited to try out for World Juniors. He hasn't made the team.

[profudge]

Back to the size discussion,  I'd speculate (no facts :-) )
 this might be more related to:
+  where we recruit (Western Junior A ),
+  and  the trend that players have just gotten bigger in general,
+  along with good (nutrition) food and weight programs.    

Given the competition for players and limits to the ones who we can recruit (they can handle Cornell academics) ...  I expect some variabliity.  

Now if coach sees the NHL style rules enforcement moving to NCAA (it seems to be) then a bit smaller and faster (plus always hustle and move those feet!) makes sense.

Have enjoyed the first half and will enjoy the second half - no matter the outcome - Go Big RED!!  

p.s.  love good hockey - and the Lynah faithful are the best 'hockey' educated group of fans anywhere - (in my limited experience).  

[canuck89]

I think the problem is that too many of us are looking at stats that are not descriptive of the teams success.  An 8-3-1 record is very good, however, are any of the wins that convincing?  I mean, last year we won a few games with scores of 7-2, 7-2, 6-3, etc.  Granted they were against Army, Sacred Heart, Princeton and such, but this year we are struggling for wins (They're practically all one goal games).  I do have hope though, and I think that this team can pull it together and improve their play for the second half.

Also, stating that we have 9 players drafted doesn't mean all that much, because even if they do have the talent (They must, they were drafted, right?) that doesn't mean they will use it.  I think we are all in agreement that Sasha has been hurting us a lot this year and his play needs to improve a lot.  On the other hand, many are playing a lot better than him and have not been drafted.  I would like to see players who work hard and try, instead of sitting back on their reputations.

[billhoward]

[Q]profudge Wrote: p.s.  love good hockey - and the Lynah faithful are the best 'hockey' educated group of fans anywhere - (in my limited experience).   [/q]That would be the "Cornell Faithful" according to the Quinnipiac announcers broadcasting from historic Lynah Arena.

[French Rage]

[Q]billhoward Wrote:

 [Q2]profudge Wrote: p.s.  love good hockey - and the Lynah faithful are the best 'hockey' educated group of fans anywhere - (in my limited experience).   [/Q]
That would be the "Cornell Faithful" according to the Quinnipiac announcers broadcasting from historic Lynah Arena. [/q]

OR as the say on NESN, The Lynah Arena

[Killer]

[Q]French Rage Wrote:

 [Q2]billhoward Wrote:

 [Q2]profudge Wrote: p.s.  love good hockey - and the Lynah faithful are the best 'hockey' educated group of fans anywhere - (in my limited experience).   [/Q]
That would be the "Cornell Faithful" according to the Quinnipiac announcers broadcasting from historic Lynah Arena. [/Q]
OR as the say on NESN, The Lynah Arena[/q]

Is that where Kravitz plays?

[billhoward]

Was that capital T The Lynah Rink. Announcer must have gone to The Ohio State University. Talk about pretentious. (I should know.)

[KeithK]

[q]Also, stating that we have 9 players drafted doesn't mean all that much, because even if they do have the talent (They must, they were drafted, right?) that doesn't mean they will use it.[/q]Absolutely.  I was simply pointing out that this team does have solid talent on paper.  That leads one to think that there is the possibility them playing to that level, and the team being very successful as a result.  No guarantees at all.  

[KeithK]

[q]Maybe we are transitioning to an NHL/WCHA style of hockey that looks more to scoring than defense.[/q]I really don't think that Schafer has decided to scrap his defense first system in exchange for a high flying, WCHA style game.  What may be happening is that he is trying to introduce more speed and skill into the system in order to compete against the top ranked teams.  This would be both because of the perception that it's needed to compete nationally and (maybe more importantly) with recent success increasing the prestige of the program it's become possible to recruit some of the higher skill players.

If my hypothesis is correct, then we may be seeing growing pains and the program's style develops.  But it's not a wholesale change.